ACC power rankings: Pollsters wrong about Clemson-Florida State order — for now

Some of the Week 1 matchups aren’t exactly sexy, but hey, the season’s got to start somewhere. There are two ACC games on tap: Clemson at Duke and Louisville at Georgia Tech.

And oh yeah, there’s also a Top 10 showdown in Orlando featuring Florida State and LSU. If last year’s 24-23 victory by the Seminoles is an accurate indicator, we could be in for another highly entertaining showdown between two legitimate contenders.

FSU, it should be noted, is ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25 and coaches polls. Clemson is one spot behind at No. 9.

So how do we rank them entering Week 1? Here are our 2023 ACC power rankings:

1. Clemson

This week: at Duke

What to know: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Duke coach Mike Elko: “I just can’t get away from the guy.” Swinney’s Tigers have faced Elko at each of his previous three stops as well – Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Texas A&M.

2. Florida State

This week: vs. LSU

What to know: Could this be a preview of a future SEC battle? If FSU’s administration has its way, it's a strong possibility.

3. North Carolina

This week: vs. South Carolina (at Charlotte)

What to know: This Battle on the Border typically results in a hotly contested game. Three of the last six meetings have been decided by four points or less and this one should follow suit.

4. NC State

This week: at UConn

What to know: Playoffs? Playoffs? Don’t mention that word around UConn coach Jim Mora Jr., who deserves considerable credit for producing a six-win team in his debut with the Huskies last season.

5. Pitt

This week: vs. Wofford

What to know: Pitt is the most overachieving program in the ACC. The Panthers have 20 wins over the past two seasons, which ranks second only to Clemson (21) among ACC teams.

6. Duke

This week: vs. Clemson

What to know: Mike Elko defied the odds by producing a nine-win season in his first year at Duke, resulting in an ACC Coach of the Year nod. A more challenging schedule is likely to eliminate the possibility of a repeat.

7. Miami

This week: vs. Miami (Ohio)

What to know: Affectionately (and accurately) dubbed the “Confusion Bowl,” Miami (Florida) faces Miami (Ohio) for the first time since 1987. The Ohio version may be a favorite in the MAC, but if they play the Florida version close it could be a long season again for the Hurricanes.

8. Wake Forest

This week: vs. Elon

What to know: Dave Clawson just keeps churning out successful teams in Winston-Salem, but the Demon Deacons may be hard pressed to post a seventh winning season in eight years following quarterback Sam Hartman’s transfer to Notre Dame.

9. Louisville

This week: at Georgia Tech

What to know: With native son and alum Jeff Brohm taking the reins at Louisville, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the program. Look for plenty of new faces to contribute mightily as the Cardinals strive to match 2022’s eight-win campaign.

10. Syracuse

This week: vs. Colgate

What to know: The Orange have followed a similar pattern in recent years – starting out like gangbusters, then fading down the stretch. A similar result is possible in 2023.

11. Georgia Tech

This week: vs. Louisville

What to know: Brent Key, who took over as the team’s interim coach after the Yellow Jackets’ 1-3 start last season, is now the man in charge in Atlanta. He won the job by guiding Tech to a 4-4 record over the final eight games, but winning more than five games again will be tough.

12. Boston College

This week: vs. Northern Illinois

What to know: Coach Jeff Hafley’s hot seat is growing a bit toasty after the Eagles regressed to a 3-9 record in 2022. BC could go 4-0 in non-conference games, but ACC wins will be hard to come by.

13. Virginia Tech

This week: vs. Old Dominion

What to know: After suffering through the program’s first seven-game losing streak in 71 years, the Hokies have been reduced to a mere shell of what they were under the legendary Frank Beamer. If the Hokies don’t go 2-2 in non-conference play, it’s going to be another long year in Blacksburg.

14. Virginia

This week: Tennessee (Nashville)

What to know: One has to feel for Tony Elliott, the former Clemson offensive coordinator who had to deal with fatal shootings of three of his players late in the season, which ended with only three victories. Things won’t get easier anytime soon – the Cavs open against Tennessee in Nashville.

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ACC power rankings: Why Clemson-Florida State order confuses pollsters