Top 14 + 1 College Football Rankings

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Jim Quist @ACCTheQ –

When you rank all 127 FBS Division I college football teams there’s bound to be some frequent movement in the numbers. With CBS Sports compiling the numbers and making the necessary adjustments we thought it would be interesting to take all the ACC Nation teams and generate a Top 14 + 1. Among the list there are two teams moving up while there are eight that are moving down with 2 dropping significantly and a third close behind. Some of the adjustments come about as a result of other teams (usually in other conferences) moving up. Transfers, early arrivals, changes in coaching staffs and many other influences impact these adjustments. Ultimately, the on-the-field performances week after week will be the final decision maker with any rankings.

Let’s get right into the meat and potatoes of teams under the ACC Nation umbrella (the Top 14 + 1). We’ll give you how they are ranked (from 1-15) and also where they rank among the 127.

Coming Up On ACC Nation Podcast – Rick Bozich, Bennett Conlin And AJ Black

#1 Clemson (3)
#2 Notre Dame (4)
#3 North Carolina (17)
#4 Miami (22)
#5 NC State (33)
#6 Boston College (47)
#7 Pitt (55)
#8 Virginia (56)
#9 Virginia Tech (57)
#10 Wake Forest (69)
#11 Louisville (77)
#12 Florida State (96)
#13 Georgia Tech (97)
#14 Duke (109)
#15 Syracuse (116)

Top 14 + 1

First, the teams that are moving up in the latest rankings. Florida State and Georgia Tech are generating some optimism among those tabulating the overall numbers. The last few seasons have been a struggle for both however there are signs that the programs are turning the corner.

We’ll start right at the top of the list for those teams that have dropped. Clemson drops off one spot while Ohio State rises. There’s also some movement behind the Tigers that may be nudging them down as Oklahoma and Georgia are on the rise. Mind you, it’s a minor ding but one worth keeping an eye on.

Next on the list of downward trending teams is Miami that drops 4 spots. In this case the Canes are leapfrogged by Liberty, USC, Texas and Oklahoma State. Until the program is consistent (no more of the U is back until U really is please) then maintaining or moving forward in any rankings will continue to be a challenge.

Hot Seat Roulette – Who’s Hot, Hot, Hot And Who’s Warming Up?

NC State drops 6 spots in the CBS Sports rankings and after one look at the upward trending teams in front of them it becomes apparent why. This isn’t as much of a dismissal of the Pack as it is other teams coming to the table with a more well-rounded meal. In order for the new Tuffy to gain some respect he’ll have to do more than yap and nip at opponents this season.

Boston College only drops a notch overall while Pitt and Virginia fall three spots. For the Eagles the minor shift is a reflection of what other teams are doing rather than what is happening at Chestnut Hill. At No. 47 overall on the list seems a bit short-sighted but as we often point out those that vote in polls or put together rankings often are going on what you did last year. That should change once they see what the team puts together on the field. As for the Panthers and Wahoos, the shift is partially because of what’s going on in front of them but also due to some key position questions. Again, let’s see what these teams do on the field as the season progresses.

Before taking a look at the largest loss leader on this board we’ll go to Louisville. The Cardinals have some minor questions, much like to two aforementioned teams and they are also impacted by what teams are doing in front of them in the rankings. It’s as simple as show me what you’ve got and then we’ll believe it with our own two eyes.

Phoenix Rising – Listen To The Latest ACC Nation Podcast

The final team on the Top 14 + 1 that was absolutely hammered in the rankings is Wake Forest. Here’s a team that comes in loaded on offense, maybe a question or two on defense and what is the only thing that we see that’s hurting them? Reputation. The Demon Deacons don’t have a program that instills respect (which is a mistake) not only among many opponents but in this instant, the folks putting together the rankings. Thus, when adjustments must be made (teams moving up in front and back of Wake Forest) who might you imagine gets hammered first?

Maybe Dave Clawson can take some of that disrespect and post it on the wall of his locker room to motivate the team this season.