ACC Power Rankings: Week 4

1. Florida St. - The Seminoles were without Jameis Winston last Saturday night and came out with a victory, even though back up Quarterback Sean Maguire threw two interceptions. Luckily for the 'Noles, Clemson couldn't capitalize on the miscues and Florida State hung on to win the game in over time. All signs indicate that the Winston suspension was for just the Clemson game, which means FSU should be picked to win the Atlantic. If you look at the remainder of their schedule, Notre Dame is the only team that would be the last test for the Seminoles, and that is a home game.

2.Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 27-24 road victory over Virginia Tech. For all the flak Ted Roof's defense has gotten through the first three games, they went up to Blacksburg and made a statement. It wasn't always pretty, but the defense made plays when it really needed to and it made the difference. Also Georgia Tech Quarterback Justin Thomas helped out on offense with 125 yards passing, 165 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. Thomas made some clutch plays in this game and showed his arm and speed are a deadly combination for opposing defenses. Tech is off this week and will have their next two games at home against Miami and Duke.

3. Duke - David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils haven't played the most daunting schedule this season but what they have done is win, and win pretty big. The Dookies are averaging 40 points a game so far and they are 4-0 after defeating Tulane at home last Saturday. Quarterback Anthony Boone has thrown for 876 yards with seven touchdowns and is on pace to have a record season. If the defense continues to improve, Duke will be in the title hunt. The Blue Devils play their next two games on the road with Miami this Saturday and Georgia Tech Oct. 11.

4. Pitt -  The Panthers could had come out of Saturday with a W, but instead they are asking "what if?" Pitt had plenty of opportunities to put the Iowa Hawkeyes away but could not finish the game. They will have to shake this off because October isn't going to get easier with Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech.

5. Louisville - It looks like Bobby Petrino hasn't lost any of his offensive magic as the Cardinals are averaging 38 points a game. Louisville quarterback Will Gardner has thrown for 798 yards and 8 touchdowns so far this season. Gardner left the FIU game after injuring his knee and is listed as day-to-day. The Cardinals will need a healthy Gardner as the schedule starts to beef up with Clemson, NC State, and FSU in October.

6. NC State - The 2014 version of the Wolfpack is starting to look a lot different than the 2013 version. The Pack has already surpassed last season's win total and are 4-0 after taking care of FCS Presbyterian. This can be attributed to fine quarterback play by Jacoby Brissett who has thrown for 1005 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running backs Shadarach Thornton and Matt Dayes have combined for eight touchdowns as well. NC State looks like a balanced team offensively and their defense is getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Their first test of the season comes storming into Raleigh this Saturday when they host Florida State.

7. Clemson - You can't get to the end zone four times and not score on any of them if you're going to beat Florida State. I know Clemson fans are upset with Dabo for not starting Deshaun Watson for the entire game against the 'Noles but you have to feel good knowing he will start Saturday against North Carolina. If you look at the rest of their schedule, you have to feel good in just about every game up until the Gamecocks come into Death Valley. The Tigers will be fine.

8. Virginia - If there is one thing you can say about the Wahoos is that they are not afraid of scheduling tough out of conference competition. So far they have played Oregon, UCLA, and BYU within the past two years. The Cavaliers are coming off a close loss against the BYU Cougars last Saturday. They led the Cougars just about in every category but the defense could not find an answer for Taysom Hill and the Cougar offense in the second half. The Cavs defense will have to step up if they want to contend for the Coastal.

9. Boston College - Tyler Murphy and the Eagles had a field day rushing the football against Maine last Saturday racking up 413 yards on the ground. While Murphy wasn't exactly accurate last Saturday, he made plenty of plays for the Eagles and help put Maine away. This is a well coached group led by Steve Addazio who two weeks ago pulled off Boston College's biggest win in recent memory by knocking of Southern California. The question is how well can they contend in the Atlantic with road games in Blacksburg, Raleigh, and Tallahassee.

10. Virginia Tech - The Hokies are coming off a tough home loss to Coastal rival Georgia Tech. Quarterback play was a question for the Hokies this season as Frank Beamer gave the starting nod to Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer. Brewer has a strong arm but in the past two losses, he has combined for five interceptions which have been thrown in key moments of each of those games. This is the same Virginia Tech squad that two weeks ago went up to Columbus, Ohio and dominated Ohio State. Coach Beamer is going to have to rally his troops and put an end to this roller coaster ride if they want to compete in Coastal this season.

11. Miami - True Freshman Brad Kaaya has done a commendable job under center for the Miami Hurricanes. So far he has passed for 1052 yards and ten touchdowns. Last Saturday against Nebraska Kaaya threw three touchdowns but also threw two interceptions. The Hurricane defense could not stop Ameer Abdullah and the Cornhuskers' running attack as Nebraska racked up 343 rushing yards. If the defense continues to be an issue, the Hurricanes will probably be looking for a new defensive coordinator. Miami starts division play this weekend as they look to get revenge against the Duke Blue Devils, who beat the Hurricanes last year 48-30 in Durham.

12. Syracuse - Terrell Hunt became the first Syracuse Quarterback to rush for 100 yards last Saturday since Donovan McNabb did it against Miami in 1997. But history can't help you win football games, and neither can mistakes as the Orange fumbled, threw interceptions, and couldn't play any special teams against Maryland last Saturday, losing 34-20. The Orange are going to have to work out their kinks quick because they have Notre Dame, Louisville, and Florida State coming to town the next three weeks. Ouch.

13. Wake Forest - The Demon Deacons found a Quarterback in John Wolford. The true freshman was 25/35 for 238 yards and two touchdowns as he lead Wake Forest to a 24-21 over Army last Saturday. Also props to the Demon Deacon defense for making adjustments and defending the triple-option better in the second half as the Black Knights could not block anyone on the perimeter. The Deacons shut down the Black Knight ground game in the second half and came back to win. Wake Forest still has to find a running game if they want to compete in the Atlantic this season and their schedule does not get easier with their next two games at Louisville and Florida State.

14. North Carolina - I'm sure head coach Larry Fedora is wondering what to make of his team right now. We know the Tar Heels have talent, but what does it say about a team that had a week to prepare before they took on East Carolina, only to lose 70-41? North Carolina is picked to be the sleeper team in the Coastal just about every year but why? Haven't we learned our lesson yet? The Tar Heels need to find consistency and leadership quick or it will be a long season. Oh and by the way, you're about to travel to Death Valley to take on a pretty hungry Clemson team.

That's my top 14 folks. What does your Top 14 look? What teams do you see making a different ranking next week?