Another week of college football has been completed, which means it is time for another edition of the ACC power rankings. Week 3 delivered plenty of thrills across the conference, and for some teams, the result was far too close for comfort. The ACC finished Week 3 with a 4-3 record against non-conference opponents as multiple teams continued conference play.
17. Stanford Cardinal (1-2) - Last Week: 17
Teams like Florida State, NC State, and Syracuse might be a mess this season, but Stanford continues to find a way to somehow be worse. Defense is a nightmare for the Cardinal, and a combined 13 points in two ACC games is just not going to cut it. With the current state of the ACC, NC State is the only real shot Stanford likely has at getting a conference win this season.
16. Florida State Seminoles (1-2) - Last Week: 16
With 50 points, 567 yards, and nine-straight scoring drives allowed, Florida State likely could not play a worse game defensively. There were certainly chances to battle back against Alabama despite the circumstances, but four turnovers are tough for any team to come back from. The Seminoles have a lot more problems on the field than solutions, and the worst could still be to come.
15. Syracuse Orange (1-2) - Last Week: 15
The Orange has some clear problems with the quarterback position after already struggling in that area a season ago. No quarterback means pretty serious problems for Syracuse.
14. NC State Wolfpack (1-2) - Last Week: 13
Just when you think you have seen it all, quarterback CJ Bailey panicked while trying to take an intentional safety and literally handed Vanderbilt a game-winning touchdown. NC State played well enough the rest of the game to avoid dropping any further, but conference play could offer the team a chance to shine with a rather favorable schedule.
13. Boston College Eagles (2-1) - Last Week: 14
It can be really difficult to drop a team with a winning record in the rankings, especially after winning in Week 3. Boston College moves up a spot with the disastrous NC State loss, but beating Maine by six points is more concerning than it is promising.
12. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-1) - Last Week: 10
All good things must come to an end at some point, and realistically, the Tar Heels' undefeated streak was likely coming to an end against Notre Dame anyway. Clemson shifted the momentum in the second half, and North Carolina was never able to shift it back.
11. Clemson Tigers (2-1) - Last Week: 12
A win over UNC and Bill Belichick gives Dabo Swinney a 2-1 record on the season, but Clemson needs to win more convincingly to move up in the rankings.
10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-2) - Last Week: 9
A 44-11 win over Mercer is not going to be enough to shift the Yellow Jackets upwards in the rankings, but Stanford will give the team a chance to showcase what they can do against conference competition.
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1) - Last Week: 11
Bumping a team that lost two spots might seem criminal, but did anyone really expect to see Wake Forest put up 20 on a team like Miami? This is not your typical Demon Deacons team, and a narrow loss to the Hurricanes should not penalize the team. With Louisville looming this weekend, Wake Forest has another serious challenge that could dictate how the rest of the year goes.
8. SMU Mustangs (2-1) - Last Week: 3
Kevin Jennings has been the best worst quarterback in the ACC, and possibly the NCAA, with four interceptions in two conference games. The loss to Louisville stings and also exposes the Mustangs' need for a cleaner game from start to finish.
7. California Golden Bears (2-1) - Last Week: 7
The Golden Bears did everything they needed to in Week 3 to get the 49-7 win over FCS Wagner, and if that translates over to the game against Clemson, a jump in the rankings could be possible.
6. Virginia Cavaliers (2-1) - Last Week: 2
A loss to West Virginia is not exactly the end of the world for Virginia, but other top teams in the ACC improved last week.
5. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) - Last Week: 6
The surging Hokies have been making a serious case for most improved team in the ACC. Now the defense needs to limit opponents' passing attacks to hit the next level.
4. Pitt Panthers (3-0) - Last Week: 4
The Panthers have been one of those weird teams that have plenty of talent and have been winning games, but the first three games have not exactly been satisfying performances.
3. Duke Blue Devils (3-0) - Last Week: 8
Ahead of the 2026 season, Duke was considered to be the tenth-best team in the conference after losing starting quarterback Darian Mensah and a handful of other notable players. The Blue Devils have looked like a strong team through three weeks, and that is mostly due to the success of the powerful running back Nate Sheppard.
2. Louisville Cardinals (2-1) - Last Week: 5
With a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Lincoln Kienholz, the sky could be the limit for an experienced and skilled team.
1. Miami Hurricanes (3-0) - Last Week: 1
With another win secured, it should be no surprise that Miami still holds onto the ACC power ranking crown. Wake Forest certainly made the game far closer than many originally thought it would be, which could be notable in the future.
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