ACC Football Power Rankings after Week 3: Duke climbing, UNC plummets

Somehow, we are already through a fourth of the 2026 college football regular season, and soon all the non-conference matchups will give way to ACC play.

Hoping to repeat as conference champions, Duke beat down Stanford 35-7 in the Blue Devils’ ACC opener, while Miami stayed perfect with a win over Wake Forest and Louisville won a wild one against SMU.

Here’s how the ACC power rankings stand following Week 3:

1. Miami

The Nov. 7 matchup at Notre Dame might be the first time the Hurricanes are really challenged. 

2. Louisville

A win against SMU on Saturday and their only loss to what is now looking like a world beater in Ole Miss, the Cardinals are in good hands under Jeff Brohm. 

3. SMU

It was a tough loss for Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs against Louisville, but they are still in contention to make some noise in the CFP race.

4. Duke

The Blue Devils continue to prove doubters wrong with a 3-0 start, and Nate Sheppard might be the best running back in college. 

5. Virginia

The Cavaliers got handed a dose of reality in the loss to West Virginia and Rich Rodriguez. 

6. Virginia Tech

I’m not sure James Franklin could have made an easier schedule to start the season for the Hokies, though Maryland did give them a bit of a scare. 

7. Pitt

Undefeated? Yes. But the Panthers haven’t been particularly impressive in their wins. 

8. California

Much like Pitt, I don’t have much of a read on the Golden Bears. They can make a statement by beating Clemson in Berkeley this week. 

9. Florida State

The Seminoles are 1-2, but the two losses have come to SMU and at Alabama. Not exactly an easy schedule to navigate so far for Mike Norvell.

10. Clemson

Do we really think the Tigers and Dabo Swinney turned it around after yesterday’s comeback win? I don’t. 

11. North Carolina

With everything going on in Chapel Hill, you have to wonder how Saturday’s collapse following the weather delay at Clemson will haunt this team. 

12. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets finally got off the tarp with a win against Mercer. That’s nothing to write home about. 

13. Wake Forest

Played Miami close, but the game was never really in doubt despite the final score. 

14. Boston College

BC had to hold on for a 22-16 victory over 40-point underdog Maine. Yikes. 

15. NC State

That was the most brutal way to lose I’ve ever seen in sports, and Dave Doeren’s job could be gone because of it. 

16. Syracuse

It’s hard seeing the Orange reaching a bowl game after a 1-2 start. 

17. Stanford

This Cardinal team would struggle even if their general manager, Andrew Luck, played quarterback. 

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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: ACC Football Power Rankings after Week 3: Duke climbing, UNC plummets