The ACC couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2025 season. Miami knocked off Notre Dame. Florida State stunned Alabama. Clemson went toe-to-toe with LSU. And — maybe most importantly — nobody tripped up against an early cupcake.
After years of being dismissed as a two-team league at best, the ACC is suddenly looking much deeper. But is the momentum real, or just a flash? Here’s a full breakdown of where every team stands in my Week 2 ACC Power Rankings.
Tier 1: Legit National Contenders
1. Clemson (0-1)
Yes, they lost to LSU, but Clemson still has the most complete roster in the conference. Cade Klubnik struggled against a smothering LSU defense, but the Tigers’ defense kept them in it until the end. For me, they’re still the top dog — for now.
2. Miami (1-0)
The Hurricanes made the biggest leap. Carson Beck was efficient, true freshman Malachi Toney flashed superstar potential, and the ‘Canes front lines dominated Notre Dame. Miami didn’t just beat the defending national runner-up — they looked like a playoff team doing it.
Tier 2: Capable Challengers
3. Louisville (1-0)
Handled business against Austin Peay. They’re disciplined, talented, and look ready to rise.
4. SMU (1-0)
Cruised past Baylor without breaking a sweat. Tons of offensive firepower, and still a bit of a wild card.
5. Georgia Tech (1-0)
Won a scrappy road game at Colorado. The defense is tough, Haynes King gives them juice, and they’re a dangerous spoiler.
Tier 3: Could Make Noise
6. Florida State (1-0)
Yes, they beat Alabama. Tommy Castellanos looked dynamic in Gus Malzahn’s offense, and the defense stood tall. But I need to see consistency before I crown them.
7. Duke (1-0)
QB Darian Mensah threw for 389 yards in his debut vs Elon. It was fireworks, but let’s see how he holds up against Illinois.
8. NC State (1-0)
Flashes of a top offense behind C.J. Bailey and WR Wesley Grimes (121 yards, 1 TD), but still a bit inconsistent. Enough upside to be scary, but not polished yet.
9. Pitt (1-0)
Steady, balanced, and handled Duquesne without issue. The same story we’ve seen before — they’ll be tough out every week.
10. Virginia (1-0)
Encouraging opener. The Cavaliers look sharper and more competitive than last year, and could sneak up on people.
Tier 4: Low Ceiling
11. Boston College (1-0)
Beat Holy Cross, but looked capped offensively. Solid, not spectacular.
12. Virginia Tech (0-1)
The defense fought hard vs South Carolina, but the offense was lifeless. Hokies are tough, but not threatening.
13. North Carolina (0-1)
Bill Belichick’s debut was a disaster — blown out at home by TCU. Bad QB play, poor defense, and fundamental mistakes. Even with a soft schedule, their ceiling feels limited.
14. Syracuse (0-1)
Defense got shredded by Tennessee. This could spiral quickly with their schedule.
Tier 5: Likely Uncompetitive
15. Cal (1-0)
QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele tossed three TDs in his debut to beat Oregon State. A nice win, but still bottom-tier overall.
16. Wake Forest (1-0)
Barely escaped Kennesaw State in a 10–9 mess. That says everything about where they’re at right now.
17. Stanford (0-1)
Still deep in rebuild mode, and nothing from Week 1 changes that outlook.
Big Picture
The ACC enters Week 2 with momentum. Miami has joined Clemson in Tier 1. Florida State just gave the league credibility by stunning Alabama. And the middle tier feels deeper than it has in years.
The question now: can these teams carry momentum through September, or will the old ACC habits creep back in?
👉 What do you think? Did I rank Florida State too low? Is Miami for real? Drop your takes — the ACC debate is just heating up.
Add comment