ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 5

An update on the Atlantic Coast Conference landscape through the first four weeks of the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Four full weeks of college football are now in the books, and the Atlantic Coast Conference continues to be on a hot start.

Heading into week five, the ACC features six teams with an undefeated mark. It's not only the first time in league history that the ACC has had six teams at 4-0, but it's the most undefeated teams by a power conference through four weeks since the SEC did it in 2012.

So where do things currently stand in the conference following the first four weeks of football? Check out our week five ACC power rankings below:

1. Florida State Seminoles

Record: 4-0, 2-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 4 Result: W, 31-24 at Clemson

At long last, Florida State finally got the monkey off their back. It took overtime to do so, but the Seminoles were able to trounce the Tigers - in Death Valley no less - for the first time since 2014. QB Jordan Travis and WR Keon Coleman continued on their hot starts, and that FSU defense made plays when they had to.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 4-0, 1-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 4 Result: W, 41-24 at Pitt

QB Drake Maye might not be performing up to his lofty standards, but the skill position players at his disposal - such as RB Omarion Hampton and WRs Nate McCollum and J.J. Jones - are helping carry this prolific North Carolina offense. The Tar Heels' defense even looked serviceable against Pitt, but then again, most defenses have.

3. Duke Blue Devils

Record: 4-0, 1-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 4 Result: W, 41-7 at UConn

Unlike NC State, who beat this UConn squad on the road in week one in unconvincing fashion, Duke was dominant in their win over the Huskies in Storrs. Additionally, it wasn't just QB Riley Leonard and their offense who led the way, as their defensive front bottled up the Huskies. Their next test against Notre Dame figures to be a telling one, and one they could very well win.

4. Miami Hurricanes

Record: 4-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 4 Result: W, 41-7 at Temple

Sure, most of Miami's early season opponents have been pushovers (save for Texas A&M), but the Canes look like many expected them to be when Mario Cristobal first took over. Against Temple, QB Tyler Van Dyke continued to look like his 2021 form, Miami ran for over 300 yards, and their talented defense continues to make plays. Is The U "back"? We'll see when the schedule gets tougher.

5. Louisville Cardinals

Record: 4-0, 2-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 4 Result: W, 56-28 vs. Boston College

Behold, the Jeff Brohm effect. Putting up 56 points is already impressive enough, but scoring touchdowns on your first seven drives? That's efficiency. QB Jack Plummer finally had a breakout game, plus RB Jawhar Jordan is continues to be on a blazing hot streak. As for the Cardinals' defense, there's still some left to be desired, but it's not a complete Achilles heel yet.

6. Syracuse Orange

Record: 4-0, 2-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 4 Result: W, 29-16 vs. Army

Talk about a tale of two halves. Syracuse was essentially asleep at the wheel during their first half against Army, but they were able to turn it on in the back half after making a plethora of adjustments. The Orange have been impressive in their non-conference slate on both sides of the ball, but we'll see who this team really is now that conference play is here.

7. Clemson Tigers

Record: 2-2, 0-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 4 Result: L, 31-24 vs. Florida State

Once the gold standard of the ACC, now Clemson has two losses in September for the second time in three seasons. The Tigers had their chances to put this game away, but their own miscues - such as the game-tying fumble return for a touchdown and missed game-winning field goal - was their undoing. Maybe Clemson can try for the Cheez-It Bowl.

8. NC State Wolfpack

Record: 3-1, 1-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 4 Result: W, 24-21 at Virginia

NC State has yet to have a convincing outing against an FBS opponent, which is alarming considering they faced Virginia last week. This was a game the Wolfpack probably should not have won. Their offense - save for WR KC Conception - hasn't been as prolific as expected, and their defense has been good but not great. This can get you by against teams like UVA, but NC State has a lot to work on.

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Record: 2-2, 1-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 4 Result: W, 30-16 at Wake Forest

It's early, but Georgia Tech might be a sneaky good team in the ACC. QB Haynes King continued his upward trajectory against Wake Forest, and the defense was able to force a whopping five turnovers. Now, the Yellow Jackets just have to do something about those 14 penalties.

10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Record: 3-1, 2-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 4 Result: L, 30-16 vs. Georgia Tech

This was, what we like to call, a clunker. Wake Forest looked vulnerable the previous week at Old Dominion, and they certainly did so against Georgia Tech. The defense was okay and the running game was good, but QB Mitch Griffis was a turnover machine wth four turnovers responsible for. Yikes.

11. Pitt Panthers

Record: 1-3, 0-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 4 Result: L, 41-24 vs. North Carolina

Just when you think things can't get any worse for this Pitt offense. Not only is their All-ACC left tackle Matt Goncalves out for the season, QB Phil Jurkovec could miss some time. Not to mention his replace against UNC threw two picks, and the defense was gashed at home. Pitt is off to their worst start since 2017, and it could get worse.

12. Boston College Eagles

Record: 1-3, 0-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 4 Result: L, 56-28 at Louisville

So... maybe that Florida State game said more about the Seminoles looking ahead to Clemson than it did about Boston College fighting back. Louisville has a good offense, but the Eagles were absolutely thrashed defensively. QB Thomas Castellanos looks like a bright spot, but it doesn't matter if you're not competitive. Jeff Hafley's seat is scorching hot right now.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies

Record: 1-3, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 4 Result: L, 24-17 at Marshall

Virginia Tech was without starting QB Grant Wells, but they probably weren't going to beat Marshall with him anyways. While QB Kyron Drones looked promising especially with his legs, the Hokie defense allowed the Thundering Herd to run all over them. Things could get ugly in ACC play.

14. Virginia Cavaliers

Record: 0-4, 0-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 4 Result: L, 24-21 vs. NC State

My god, what a brutal - and avoidable - way to lose a game. Just don't commit so many untimely penalties and play more efficient kickoff defense, and this game should have at least gone to overtime. What a waste of a performance from WR Malik Washington. If Virginia can't close this one out, a winless season could legitimately be in order. 

(Photo of Renardo Green: Ken Ruinard - USA TODAY Sports)

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