A tumultuous college football season came to an end on Monday, with Alabama dominating Ohio State, 52-24, to capture the national championship. Now that the season is officially over, here is The Juice Online’s final ACC Football Power Rankings for the 2020 season. Click here to get statistics assignment help and keep on reading our post.
1. Clemson (10-2)
It was not the ending the Clemson wanted in the College Football Playoff, but they blew the door’s off Notre Dame in the ACC Championship Game and reclaimed the top spot in the power rankings. Clemson has a lot to replace next year with Trevor Lawrence and Travis Ettiene leaving, but they have more than enough talent to get the job done.
2. Notre Dame (10-2)
Notre Dame claimed the regular season title but gave a lack luster performance in Charlotte for the ACC Championship game. They followed this up with a disappointing, but familiar performance in the CFP against Alabama. Notre Dame exits the ACC and returns to independent status. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya on the way out.
3. North Carolina (8-4)
UNC destroyed Miami then got destroyed by Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl. It was a successful year for Mack Brown and the boys. With Sam Howell coming back, the Tar Heels will be a darkhorse ACC pre-season pick.
4. Miami (8-3)
The blowout loss to UNC was a big disappointment, but losing D’Eriq King in the bowl game was the lowest moment of the season for the Hurricanes. Ideally he comes back healthy for fall camp because with him Manny Diaz has a national championship caliber team. Without him, they are a 7-win team.
5. NC State (8-4)
The Wolfpack were the biggest surprise in the ACC this year. Dave Doeren is known for fixing problems in the off season. Look for him to clean up the penalties and for Devin Leary to be healthy in 2021. NC State is primed for big things in 2021.
6. Boston College (6-5)
Boston College will look to build off a strong year from Phil Jurkovec. The recruiting is getting better in for the Eagles and they will look to challenge for the Atlantic title in what could be a down year in that side of the conference.
7. Pittsburgh (6-5)
Pitt has an up and down year but closed strong against Georgia Tech. With the news of Kenny Pickett returning, Pat Narduzzi’s expectations for 2021 went from rebuild to conference title contention. A big year may be needed for Narduzzi as his seat is starting to get a little warm.
8. Wake Forest (4-5)
Wake Forest got blasted in the second half against Wisconsin in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to lose by a final of 42-28. It was an impressive year for the Deacs and a sign of good things to come in Winston Salem.
9. Virginia Tech (5-6)
Closing out the year with a win against rival Virginia was one of the only high points for the Hokies. Justin Fuente will be back in Blacksburg but his top QB will not. The seat is getting pretty warm for Fuente.
10. Virginia (5-5)
A loss the VT to end the year is not what they wanted in Charlottesville. Hopefully they can build on the strong year from Armstrong and make some noise in 2021.
11. Louisville (4-7)The Cardinals battled all year but came up short more often than not. The team needed this year to build the depth to compete in the ACC and are primed as a dark horse candidate for the Atlantic in 2021.
» Related: Remembering the great life of Syracuse legend Floyd Little
12. Georgia Tech (3-7)
Geoff Collins has a major rebuild on his hands in Atlanta and he is making the most of it. He loves his players and they love him too, but the team plays as undisciplined as their coach acts. In order to turn the corner in this rebuild, the head coach is going to need to grow up and show some leadership for his players.
13. Florida State (3-6)
FSU had a rough year but it ended with a big QB transfer in McKenzie Milton, giving some hope for 2021. It’s going to take head coach Mike Norvell some time to turn things around.
14. Duke (2-9)
Duke did not have a good year and lost their starting QB, Chase Brice, to the transfer market. It can’t get much worse for Duke.
15. Syracuse (1-10)
It was an ugly ugly year for Dino Babers and the Orange. Ideally, they’ll improve in the off-season and return to bowl eligibility next year. The offensive line was a mess and the QBs got hit a lot. If they can improve in the blocking department they could possibly win six games next year. But that begs the questions, what does success look like for Syracuse football? This once great program certainly has higher hopes than six wins and anything less than that should usher in a new coaching regime.
For more Syracuse coverage, Like our Facebook page, follow us @TheJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.
