Around the ACC: Week 9

The midst of the College Football Season is upon us, and the race for the playoffs is hotter than ever. The CFP Committee just released their first rankings, and some ACC teams are trending upwards. Here are a few teams to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (6-0)

The Seminoles have been one of the biggest stories of the ACC this year as they are one of the hottest teams in college football right now.

They’re coming off an in-conference blowout over Wake Forest and have a relatively easy schedule to close out the season.

The Seminoles could very easily become the first ACC team to make the College Football Playoffs since 2020.

Next game: Pittsburgh

No. 13 Louisville Cardinals (7-1)

The Cardinals have burst onto the scene this season and show no signs of stopping. After an upset by Pitt, they rebounded nicely by shutting out 20th-ranked Duke.

They have a huge game to finish out the season when they play Kentucky in a game that will largely determine what kind of a bowl game they get.

Next game: Virginia Tech

North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2)

The previously ranked Tar Heels are on one of the worst slides imaginable in college football.

Coming off consecutive upsets from Virginia and Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels have kept these games close but have failed to close them out.

UNC’s defense will have to step up if they want a shot at some decent bowl games.

Next game: Campbell

Miami Hurricanes (6-2)

An up-and-down season would be the perfect way to describe the kind of season the Hurricanes are having.

After scraping by Virginia, Miami has finally gotten back to a .500 record vs in-conference teams. This season has been underwhelming for a team that should have at least been a contender for the playoffs.

Next game: NC State

Duke Blue Devils (5-3)

The Cinderella run is over. The once-surprising Blue Devils, who kick-started this run with an upset over Clemson have dropped three of the last four games.

While these losses were all against ranked teams, Duke has shown that it can’t face the pressure of the playoff atmosphere.

Duke did not do a great job of adjusting to the loss of quarterback Riley Leonard and it couldn’t have come at a worse time in the season.

Next game: Wake Forest

Boston College (5-3)

I did not expect to be writing about the Eagles in a positive sense this late in the season, but here we are.

While the Eagles are not known as one of the powerhouses of college football, they’ve found themselves in a five-win season with a close loss to a top-five team.

While the Eagles have had one of the easier schedules in the ACC, the team ranks 12th in rushing yards. Look for them to heavily rely on this as they prepare for their first bowl game in two years.

Next game: Syracuse

Ethan Ellis is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email ece5133@psu.edu.