ACC Nation Power Poll Week Nine

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

ACC Nation Staff @accnation –

It’s Halloween weekend. Do you have all the candy you’ll need for trick or treaters and, well, of course yourself? We’ve got a treat that won’t put a pound on. In fact, it might actually burn some calories depending upon how you view the latest ACC+1 rankings. Let’s take a look at ACC Nation Power Poll week nine to see how teams are performing and don’t forget the Power Poll Panel Punditry to further stir the pot. Just when you think teams are settling into a rhythm the proverbial wrench gets tossed into the gears. Last week there were plenty of crazy scores and crazy finishes that left fans….well, crazy. One of those games may have pulled the lever on a head coaching position within the conference.

What’s on the menu this weekend? Check out the ACC Media Guide for the schedule and opening odds on favorites to win.

Last Week’s ACC Nation Power Poll

RANK	TEAM	POINTS
1	WAKE FOREST	100
2	PITT	98
3	NOTRE DAME	87
4	VIRGINIA	84
5	NC STATE	79
6	CLEMSON	66
7	NORTH CAROLINA	60
8	LOUISVILLE	57
9	SYRACUSE	39
10	BOSTON COLLEGE	38
11	MIAMI	37
12	GEORGIA TECH	29
13	FLORIDA STATE	28
14	VIRGINIA TECH	27
15	DUKE	8

ACC College Football

There are two groups that teams can fall into. Who’s moving up and who’s moving down in this week’s ACC Nation Power Poll? And, we add a new category called, ‘Maintaining’ to reflect teams holding steady.

Moving Up
Pitt
Notre Dame
Virginia
Louisville
Syracuse
Florida State

Moving Down
NC State
Clemson
Boston College
Virginia Tech

Maintaining
Wake Forest
North Carolina
Miami
Georgia Tech
Duke

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ACC Nation Power Poll Panel Punditry

Jim Bresnahan – “Pitt takes this game by 14!”

Mike Lewis – “I like the dynamic of Canes coming off an upset of State. Van Dyke/offense settling in and team playing w/confidence again. Let’s see if Pitt brings a high level of intensity after Clemson win. Just don’t trust a Narduzzi team to avoid multiple unexpected missteps during a season.”

Jim Quist – “Looking deeper into the why factor of Miami upsetting NC State revealed some things that tell me the Canes had luck on their side in that win. It won’t be the same against Pitt as the Panthers are head and shoulders above Miami. Pitt needs to knock this out of the stadium and I think they will.”

Mike Lewis – “Hokies offense can’t move ball consistently through the air. GT’s speed on offense and downhill running backs will have their way against a worn down Hokie defense.”

Jim Quist – “Unfortunately, it feels as if the air has been let out of the Virginia Tech balloon. Can Fuente re-instill some fire in this team? A loss to the Yellow Jackets would, dare I say, sting.”

Jim Bresnahan – “Jackets by 10.”

Jim Quist – “This could be a real battle between Florida State and Clemson. It’s something we haven’t seen in years in the ACC. Home field advantage goes to the Tigers though the Noles give it a go.”

Mike Lewis – “Tough game to pick. But, Clemson is down 14 injured scholarship players. FSU comes to Death Valley with a little wind at their backs. First team over 21 wins.”

Jim Bresnahan – “From a top 10 battle to a top 80 battle, Clemson by 6.”

Mike Lewis – “Orange is getting solid play on both sides of the ball. I never understood the heavy preseason hype for BC. Addazio rushing offensive skills left behind have all but disappeared. Cuse keeps rolling.”

Jim Bresnahan – “Cuse on the rise, Orange by 10.”

Jim Quist – “Who flipped the switch? It’s like two different teams out on the field. The early season and mid to late season Cuse. Another win for Syracuse? Likely. Can it save Dino Babers? Magic 8 ball says, yes.”

Jim Bresnahan – “Wake wins by 20, looking like Wake/Pitt in ACC title game. Who would have called for that matchup!”

Jim Quist – “A short story. Wake wins.”

Mike Lewis – “Durant should pile up yards for Duke on the ground. But Deacs have too much fire power on offense for Dookies to keep up. How does 8-0 look next to Wake’s name after week 9?“

Jim Quist – “The injury bug has hit the Pack where it counts. Who steps up? Can they be as effective? Big challenge for both Louisville and NC State. A slug-fest in the making.”

Mike Lewis – “Can Doeren/staff keep Miami from beating them twice? I’m going with Louisville for a close win on the road. Cunningham is the difference maker.”

Jim Bresnahan – “Wolfpack by just 3. Louisville playing better.”

ACC Analysis

Mike Lewis – “This may be the game Howell/UNC pull it all together. Season in shambles, but baby blues have one high profile win left in them.”

Jim Bresnahan – “I’m a glutton for Tar Heel punishment. UNC wins outright by 6.”

Jim Quist – “You can almost feel this game being set up for the Heels. I haven’t seen much improvement out of the Irish this season but then again, care to sell me on what UNC has done lately? I think this comes down to the 4th quarter.”

Jim Bresnahan – “Flip a coin. I’ll go with the Cougars by 8.”

Mike Lewis – “Hard to see BYU outscoring UVA. Although the 4th quarter will be played after 1am Eastern. Emotional game for Bronco.”

Jim Quist – “I’ve scratched my way through all the stats. Home field advantage and odd hours for UVA puts BYU in the driver’s seat. However, the UVA offense overwhelms BYU with Armstrong striking at will….take your pick, pass or run. Hoos hit the AP Top 25 and Armstrong gets more Heisman chatter.”

ACC Nation Staff @accnation –

Last Week’s ACC Nation Power Poll