Where Do ACC Football Rankings Stand After Week 5's Major Upsets?

Reading through the latest ACC football rankings after Week 5’s chaotic results, I couldn’t help but think back to that moment in Miami when Alex Eala, a rising tennis star, stunned everyone—herself included—by defeating three Grand Slam champions in a single tournament. It’s the kind of underdog story that reminds you why we love sports: unpredictability. And honestly, what we witnessed this past weekend in ACC football felt just as seismic. I’ve been covering college football for over a decade, and I can tell you—this season is shaping up to be one of the wildest in recent memory.

Let’s start with Clemson. Going into Week 5, they were sitting comfortably at No. 4 in the ACC power rankings, widely seen as a lock for the conference title game. Then came that shocking 31–28 loss to an unranked NC State team. I’ll admit, I didn’t see that coming. Clemson’s defense, which had allowed just 14 points per game on average, gave up three touchdowns in the second half alone. Turnovers killed them—two interceptions and a fumble that NC State converted into 17 points. Statistically, Clemson dominated time of possession and total yards, but as any seasoned fan knows, football isn’t always fair. They’ve now dropped to No. 7 in my updated ACC rankings, and their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

Then there’s Florida State. Oh, Florida State. I’ve had a soft spot for the Seminoles since their 2013 national title run, but even I didn’t expect them to dismantle Louisville the way they did. A 45–17 blowout? That’s the kind of statement win that makes you sit up and take notice. Quarterback Jordan Travis was nearly flawless, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Their offense averaged 7.8 yards per play—a number that’s almost unheard of against a decent Louisville defense. With this win, Florida State jumps to No. 2 in my rankings, just behind… well, let’s get to that in a minute.

But the real stunner of the weekend was Duke’s upset over North Carolina. Look, I’ve never been shy about my skepticism toward Duke football. Great basketball school, sure, but football? Not so much. Yet here we are. Under coach Mike Elko, this team is playing with a discipline and grit I haven’t seen in Durham in years. Their 24–21 win against a Tar Heels squad that was ranked No. 17 nationally? That’s the kind of victory that changes a program’ trajectory. Duke’s defense held Drake Maye—a projected top NFL draft pick—to just one touchdown pass. Let that sink in. They’ve climbed from off-the-radar to No. 5 in my book, and I don’t think it’s a fluke.

Now, you might be wondering who’s sitting at the top. For me, it’s still Miami. Yeah, I know, they had a bye this week, but sometimes stability matters. While everyone else was either crumbling or scrambling, the Hurricanes stayed steady at 4–0. Their balanced offense and aggressive defensive front remind me a bit of those classic Miami teams from the early 2000s. Are they perfect? No. But in a week defined by chaos, sometimes the team that avoids the mess comes out looking strongest.

Of course, not every story is about surprise winners. Take Pittsburgh, for example. I expected more from them this year, but their 31–10 loss to Virginia Tech was… rough. The Panthers’ offense managed just 268 total yards and converted only 3 of 12 third downs. As someone who’s watched Pat Narduzzi’s teams for years, I can tell you—this isn’t the hard-nosed football they’re known for. They’ve slipped to No. 10 in my rankings, and unless something changes fast, it’s going to be a long season.

So where does that leave us? The ACC is wide open. Florida State looks like a contender. Clemson’s crown is wobbling. Duke is the Cinderella no one saw coming. And Miami? They’re quietly waiting in the wings. Personally, I love it. Parity makes for great football, and after Week 5, nothing feels certain. Just like Alex Eala defying the odds in Miami, these teams are reminding us that rankings and reputations don’t win games—performance does. And if the first five weeks are any indication, we’re in for one thrilling ride the rest of the way.