North Carolina picks up a convincing 24-7 win over South Carolina in the Battle of the Carolinas.

One week in and the ACC is in upside-down world with powerhouses GT and NC State getting embarrassed while teams like North Carolina and Florida State pick up convincing wins and that reflects in these Power Rankings so let’s get to it.

1. Virginia Tech– 1-0, +1 from last week, defeated #25 Rice 28-21. Virginia Tech starts off the season right where they left off with a one-score win over a solid Rice squad. VT tried to scare their fans late giving up a late TD and an onside kick but a fumble put the game away as the Hokies take the #1 spot for the first time since Week 8 of last season. The road doesn’t get easy for the Hokies as they take on the defending National Champions, Colorado State, who are looking to bounce back after a 3OT Classic loss against #3 Washington State.

2. North Carolina– 1-0, +10, defeated South Carolina 24-7. North Carolina put up an impressive performance against SCar this week as their defense forced 3 turnovers and gave up only 7 points. They shoot up the rankings to their highest spot ever in these ACC Power Rankings history. If they can keep that up is another question. They take on Georgia State on the road this week.

3.) Boston College– 1-0, +1, defeated Miami (OH) 28-21. Boston College starts off another season strong with a comfortable win over Miami (OH) as the result was never in doubt. Impressive performance all-around as they gained 409 yards while only giving up 233 yards. Boston College will get tested as they take on a red-hot Ohio State team who has won 7 of their last 8 games in the Horseshoe this week.

4.) Wake Forest– 1-0, +6, defeated Oklahoma 31-21. Wake Forest took care of business this week as they got a quick 21-7 lead on Oklahoma, let them back into the game at halftime, then shut them out the 2nd half. Held Oklahoma to only 142 yards which is pretty impressive. Wake opens up ACC play this week as they host Syracuse.

5.) Virginia– 1-0, =, defeated LSU 35-30, UVA got win #1 on the season in somewhat sloppy fashion. Their offense had very good and very bad moments today as they gained 420 total yards yet turned the ball over 3 times vs. LSU’s one. They did enough for the win this week but they’ll have to improve in order to pick up a win next week as they take on Arkansas State who just demolished #15 Ball State.

6.) Florida State– 1-0, +7, defeated Louisiana-Monroe 30-14. Florida State managed to pick up a win this week against a weak ULM opponent despite only gaining just over 100 yards. Strange game overall but you’ll take a 16 point win any week. They take on Tulane this week in their home opener.

7.) Georgia Tech– 0-1, -6, lost to #21 Wisconsin 17-0. Uh…what was that. That had to be one of the worst offensive performances I’ve ever seen not even factoring in who the coach was. 153 yards along with 5 fumbles is terrible. Defense saved them from even more embarrassment as they only gave up 17 and actually held Wisconsin to less yards. This is the first time ever that GT’s HC has been outside the Top 4 of these Power Rankings. They open up ACC play with week as they take on Pitt.

8.) Clemson– 0-1, +1, lost to #9 Marshall 34-23. Clemson shot themselves in the foot early here going down 27-9 at halftime and could just never make that up. Solid offensive performance with near 350 yards of offense was negated by 3 killer turnovers. Clemson takes on Indiana this week in their home opener.

9.) NC State– 0-1, -6, lost to Texas A&M 31-24. Don’t do that NC State…opening weekend loss to TAMU on the back of yet another sloppy game from an ACC team as NCSU turned it over 3 times as well and only had 222 yards of total offense on the day. Very back and forth game and NCSU just made too many mistakes to win today.

10.) Pittsburgh– 0-1, +4, lost to #12 Central Michigan 41-40. Pitt looked like they were well on their way to a shocking dominant win as they lead 40-21 heading into the 4th…and then it all fell apart. Blowing a 19 point 4th quarter lead with multiple shots to end the game including chances at the goal line and having the ball while up in the final 90 seconds. Tough loss and they get a GT team looking to make a statement this week…have fun.

11.) Syracuse– 0-1, -5, lost to #17 FAU 37-27. Syracuse just got outplayed this week, and I don’t mean that as an insult to Syracuse at all. FAU just played a little bit better of a game today and got the win because of it. Syracuse’s defense struggled to stop FAU as they picked up 418 yards on the day along with their 37 points. Syracuse kicks off ACC play this week as they take a trip to North Carolina to face off against Wake Forest.

12.) Louisville– 0-1, -1, lost to Ohio 17-14. Louisville was on the wrong end of a close defensive battle as they couldn’t make up for the lack of points in the first half. Not a terrible performance by any means but a tough loss to swallow either way. They kick off ACC Play this week as they take on NC State who’s looking to bounce back after a tough loss as well.

13.) Duke– 0-1, -5, lost to #18 Arkansas 49-21. Duke got clobbered this week. This game was over at halftime as Arkansas lead 35-7 at the break. Duke’s issues for nearly 2 seasons now has been defense and it still looks like they haven’t done anything to fix it. If they want to be any good this year they’ve got to address those defensive issues. They take on Boise State this week in their home opener.

14.) Miami- 0-1, -7, lost to UAB 70-35. Giving up 70 points is a good way to get yourself in last place. The issues I stated with Duke apply just as much to Miami. Doesn’t matter if you have 400 yards of offense if you give up 70 points. It is like the defense didn’t even take the field. They stay home this week as they take on Miami (OH) in the battle of the Miami’s.