FSU football: ACC Power Rankings after week 12(2023)

I had FSU football at the top half of my preseason ACC Power Rankings, and so far so good after 12 weeks.

FSU football defeated North Alabama in an out-of-conference contest but likely lost starting QB Jordan Travis for the year. FSU will likely turn to Tate Rodemaker against the rival Florida Gators next week before taking on Louisville in the ACC Championship game.

Louisville clinched their spot against Florida State with a 38-31 win over the Miami Hurricanes.

That game may have impacted the North Carolina/Clemson game. North Carolina knew they were out of the running with the Louisville win and Clemson handled them easily. The Tigers can get to eight wins with a victory over South Carolina this week.

Duke fell to Virginia. I said their decision to play Riley Leonard against FSU would cost them. The Blue Devils went from having a chance to play in the ACC title game to potentially finishing 6-6. Pittsburgh defeated Boston College and Notre Dame ran through Wake Forest. I said Dave Clawson would come back to reality this season.

How about NC State beating Virginia Tech? They went from going life and death with UCONN early in the season to potentially winning nine games if they can beat North Carolina this week. Syracuse lost against Georgia Tech and fired Dino Babers on Sunday.

Anyways, here are my updated rankings after week 12:

1. FSU football
2. Louisville
3. NC State (+3)
4. Clemson (+1)
5. Georgia Tech (+3)
6. North Carolina (-3)
7. Boston College (-1)
8. Miami (+1)
9. Duke (-5)
10. Virginia (+1)
11. Virginia Tech (-2)
12. Pittsburgh(+2)
13. Syracuse
14. Wake Forest(-2)

Thoughts

We know FSU football will face the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC Championship game on December 2. However, that game could look different with Jordan Travis likely out.

However, Tate Rodemaker has history with Louisville, leading the Noles to a comeback victory against the Cardinals on the road last season.

The Noles will travel to Gainesville to take on the rival Florida Gators.

Miami will travel to Boston College Friday at noon, looking to avoid their fourth consecutive loss. Kentucky will travel to Louisville Saturday and Pittsburgh will travel to Duke.

I’m not sure why Syracuse fired Dino Babers since they could become bowl eligible with a home win over Wake Forest. Virginia Tech will travel to Virginia with a chance to become bowl eligible.

No. 1 Georgia will travel to play Georgia Tech. Clemson plays South Carolina and North Carolina travels to NC State.

The ACC has nine teams bowl eligible going into the week, with two more potentially earning their bowl bids this week.