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ACC football power rankings: Clemson soars while Pitt and NC State tumble

David Thompson, USA TODAY NETWORK
·3 min read
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The Clemson Tigers secured their place at the top of the ACC with Saturday's 30-20 win over NC State while Pitt took a tumble after its surprising loss to Georgia Tech.

Here are the USA TODAY Network's ACC power rankings:

1. Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC)

The Tigers all but wrapped up the ACC Atlantic Division with an impressive 30-20 win over NC State on Saturday night. Clemson stretched its nation’s best home winning streak to 37 games.

Last week: No. 1

More:Victory against N.C. State puts bull's-eye squarely on Clemson football once again

2. Wake Forest (4-1, 1-1)

After last week’s 51-45 double-overtime loss to Clemson, the Demon Deacons bounced back with a 31-21 win over Florida State. Wake Forest jumps up three spots.

Last week: No. 5

3. NC State (4-1, 0-1)

The Wolfpack failed to produce in the program’s biggest game to date, falling to Clemson 30-20 in a game that never felt very close in the second half.

Last week: No. 2

More:'Heartbroken and upset': NC State football still playing catch-up to Clemson

4. Florida State (4-1, 2-1)

FSU drops from No. 3 to No. 4 after suffering its first loss of the season to Wake Forest at home.

Last week: No. 3

5. Syracuse (5-0, 2-0)

The Orange continued their perfect start to the 2022 season with a 59-0 win over Wagner before entering the bye week. Syracuse will face its toughest test so far in two weeks against NC State.

Last week: No. 7

6. Miami (2-2, 0-0)

Miami stayed put at No. 6 during a bye week. The Hurricanes face UNC next weekend.

Last week: No. 6

7. UNC (4-1, 1-0)

UNC outscored Virginia Tech 17-0 in the second half to earn a 41-10 win over the hapless Hokies.

Last week: No. 8

More:Drake Maye picks apart Virginia Tech as UNC football wins its ACC opener

8. Duke (4-1, 1-0)

Coming off a loss to Kansas, Duke ran out to a big early lead a cruised to a 38-17 win over Virginia.

Last week: No. 9

9. Pitt (3-2, 0-1)

This was the biggest headscratcher of Week 5. The Panthers were a three-touchdown favorite against Georgia Tech, but after losing running back Israel Abankanda to injury, the offense couldn’t get back on track during a 26-21 loss.

Last week: No. 4

10. Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-1)

Five days after coach Geoff Collins was fired four games into his fourth season, the Yellow Jackets responded with a stunning 26-21 victory over No. 24 Pittsburgh.

Last week: No. 13

11. Boston College (2-3, 1-1)

The Eagles defeated Louisville 34-33 on a last-second field goal to earn their first ACC win of the season.

Last week: No. 14

12. Louisville (2-3, 0-3)

The Cardinals fell to 0-3 in the ACC with a 34-33 road loss to Boston College. Once thought of as a dark horse in the Atlantic Division, Louisville has fallen on hard times.

Last week: No. 10

13. Virginia Tech (2-3, 1-1)

The Hokies were held scoreless in the second half during a 41-10 loss to UNC.

Last week: No. 11

14. Virginia (2-3, 0-2)

The Cavaliers lost 38-17 to Duke as quarterback Brennan Armstrong continues to struggle.

Last week: No. 12

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: ACC football power rankings: Clemson soars while Pitt and NC State tumble