ACC Football Rankings: September 17, 2012
This is particularly complex with Pitt and Syracuse not yet in the ACC, but it can still be done. Unfortunately, after a tough week, most teams have their spot in the standings because of what the other teams did–not because they earned it. Oh well… this is how the Confidential ranks the ACC football teams as of September 17, 2012:
1. Florida State (3-0)–The Confidential does not like sliding Clemson down coming off a win, but Florida State just destroyed a good Wake Forest team. On the season, the Seminoles have outscored their opponents 176-3. Clemson can prove the Confidential wrong on the field.
2. Clemson (3-0)–Clemson is the only other undefeated team left in the ACC. And they travel to Florida State this week. Speaking the obvious, only one team leaves that game undefeated. With this #2 ranking, the Confidential is leaning Florida State.
3. Georgia Tech (2-1)–Georgia Tech gets this spot by default. They lost to Virginia Tech on the road… true. But Va Tech lost to a reeling Pitt squad. And Georgia Tech looked great against Virginia.
4. Virginia Tech (2-1)–No excuse for the Pitt loss. This is a game that Virginia Tech has to win if the ACC is Virginia Tech wants to someday be listed among the “kings” of college football. Another September disappointment.
5. Wake Forest (2-1)–The Demon Deacons just lost 52-0. And they get the edge over other teams. Why? The best win–over North Carolina. Ugh.
6. North Carolina State (2-1)–A coin flip separates all these 2-1 teams. North Carolina State’s loss to Tennessee is not awful, and the win over UConn is nice. Still…
7. Miami (2-1)–Miami’s implosion against Kansas State still leaves a stench. But Virginia barely beat a very down Penn State team.
8. Virginia (2-1)–Virginia looked vulnerable against Penn State. Then they proved it against Georgia Tech.
9. Duke (2-1)–Duke was terrible against Stanford, but they do have 2 wins. After letting its coach lose to his former school, Maryland deserves to be at the bottom of the 2-1 teams.
10. Maryland (2-1)–See above. Maryland does not deserve to be ranked higher than anyone else that is 2-1.
11. Pitt (1-2)–Of the four 1-2 teams, Pitt has the worst loss. Of the four 1-2 teams, Pitt has the best win. Edge to Pitt.
12. North Carolina (1-2)–The remaining three ACC teams have only beaten an FCS foe, while losing to two BCS-level teams. The Tar Heels were most convincing in their win.
13. Syracuse (1-2)(tie)–Syracuse won and dropped several spots in the standings. Why? Because they beat an FCS foe by 11 points and USC looks to be a shadow of what was expected.
13. Boston College (1-2)(tie)–Boston College doesn’t deserve to be #14. They lost to Northwestern on the road, while Syracuse lost at home. However, BC lost to Miami at home, while Syracuse lost to USC on a neutral site. Although BC beat its FCS for with more ease, Syracuse had to play its FCS foe after the emotional USC game. So there it is… a tie.
Do you agree with these rankings? If not, let us know.
The Confidential 
That Pitt logic seems bass ackwards to me. The loss by 2 tds at home to an FCS squad and got housed by a good Cincy even though Pitt had a week to straighten out thier problems. I think it’s more likely Pitt played above it’s head, while VT took the game for granted.
Wake seems a bit odd as well. 2-1/1-2 is no big deal. 52-0 is a real tell tale sign. They should ,at best, be the last 2-1 team.
Maryland definitely deserves that last 2-1 spot. They’ve looked terrible so far, and its even worse that they have decent athletes. Edsall is just a terrible head coach.
You’ve got to bet 1/2 your money on one game. Do you want to go with the team that beat Virginia Tech or the team that has only beaten Elon, Stony Brook, or Maine? Anyone can lose to anyone on any given week… but who can beat someone in the top 25?
As for Wake, I chalk that up to FSU being that good. Plus, after Wake has won 4 of 6, no mercy from the noles.
I don’t know who I would take, but I do know that I wouldn’t take the team that lost to an FCS squad at home by 2 TDs and had circles run around them at Cincy. Just sayin.