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ACC Football Is Weak And In Disarray

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The ACC is struggling mightily right now; it isn’t a secret and it is most definitely a problem. A supposed power conference, the ACC has traditional powerhouse football programs that have been painfully mediocre as of late. Name recognition and a constant supply of NFL talent have maintained the integrity of the conference, but the product on the field certainly leaves something to be desired. In fact, if it wasn’t for the Florida State Seminoles and their recent run of success, the ACC would be hard-pressed to sustain relevance.

First, the good. Florida State is still undefeated, they are the reigning champions and have last year’s, and one of the favorites this year, Heisman Trophy winner. A solid win at home against a tough Notre Dame Fighting Irish team has ensured a top ranking for the Seminoles for another week.

The Clemson Tigers are currently ranked 21st in the AP Poll and seem to have found Tahj Boyd‘s successor in freshman QB sensation Deshaun Watson. Well, unfortunately, that’s about it for the positives. What’s more, even the bright spots in the ACC come with disclaimers.

Florida State QB Jameis Winston finds himself in possible trouble once again for some off-the-field issues. Irresponsible speculation aside, let’s just say that the Seminoles sans Winston are simply not a top ranked team. As far as the Tigers, Watson is currently out and recovering from a finger injury, while their top RB this season, Adam Choice, will now be forced to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Yeah, that was the good. So get ready.

The ACC Coastal Division presently has a grand total of zero ranked teams. Surely, this must be a mistake. With some of the names in it?! Well, it isn’t.

Frank Beamer‘s Virginia Tech Hokies are in a prolonged rough patch that has taken them far away from the constant Top Ten status they once held. The Miami Hurricanes are still attempting to find the elite winning consistency that has eluded them for a decade. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Pittsburgh Panthers, Virginia Cavaliers and North Carolina Tar Heels round out the remaining spots for a division that looks to house a bunch of 7 or 8 win, barely bowl eligible teams. Ironically, it’s the school better known for its basketball dominance and former laughingstock football program that has led the Coastal for the last couple of seasons. The Duke Blue Devils remain unranked, but possess a 6-1 overall record.

The Atlantic Division has some head-scratchers as well. Though Florida State and Clemson are clearly the marquee names, programs like the Boston College Eagles, North Carolina State Wolfpack and Louisville Cardinals have heavily underwhelmed, although Louisville’s struggles are understandable considering the recent switch in conference and loss of talent to the NFL (including star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater). Being the stronger division in a weakened conference doesn’t say much, but the Atlantic is definitely the strong point of the ACC at the moment.

Let’s be clear about something. The ACC is not the Sun Belt Conference or some Division II talent pool. Recruiting is still strong and these are still tremendous football programs with outstanding traditions that one can bank on making a comeback sooner rather than later. However, as far as power conferences go, and with the new College Football Playoff system taking everything into account, the ACC is simply in disarray.

Enrique Sierra, Jr. is an ACC writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @enriquesierrajr, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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