Duke, Virginia Tech Surge in Week 8 ACC Standings
Miami leads the conference following a 52-23 victory over Pittsburgh, while Duke and Virginia Tech each moved up three spots.
By Luca Stewart ·
Week 8 reshaped the ACC top 10, with Duke and Virginia Tech each climbing three spots into the top five while Clemson and North Carolina slid down the list. Duke reached No. 5 after a defensive win over Virginia. Virginia Tech climbed to No. 4 with a road victory at Clemson. Miami remains unbeaten at No. 1 after defeating Pittsburgh 52-23.
Duke trailed Virginia 13-16 late in the fourth quarter before a trick play produced the winning touchdown. Running back Nate Sheppard threw a 28-yard pass to tight end Brody Keefe. Duke then intercepted Beau Pribula to close out a 19-16 result. Duke's scoring defense ranks in the nation's top 20.
Virginia Tech improved to 6-2 with a 20-16 win at Clemson. The Hokies recorded 4 sacks and 13 tackles for loss while holding Clemson to 3.8 yards per carry. Virginia Tech leads the ACC in sacks and ranks in the top 10 nationally in sacks per game. The team's receiving threats include Que'Sean Brown and tight end Luke Reynolds.
SMU held at No. 3 after scoring 59 points against California. Four running backs combined for seven touchdowns, and the Mustangs rushed for 258 yards. Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Wake Forest stayed at No. 2 following a bye week. The Demon Deacons rank fourth in passing yards per game behind quarterback Gio Lopez.
Clemson fell three spots to No. 8 after losing at home to Virginia Tech. The Tigers have two touchdown passes this season as quarterback Tate Reynolds and the coaching staff look for solutions. North Carolina dropped three spots to No. 7 after a loss to Syracuse. Pittsburgh fell two spots to No. 9 and has lost three straight, leaving the Panthers at 5-3. Virginia dropped out of the top six to No. 6 after falling to Duke, and the Cavaliers are 4-4 after losing two in a row. Louisville remained at No. 6, with each of its losses decided by a field goal or fewer.
Duke visits Boston College in its next game. Wake Forest plays Virginia before facing SMU in mid-November. Miami plays next as the only unbeaten team in the rankings.
Source: KBFB
