:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67623096/usa_today_15059066.0.jpg)
At this point every ACC team has played at least three games—some have played as many as five—so it’s not a bad time to check in on SP+ and see what it’s saying about the league so far. Bear in mind that the SP+ ratings still include a fair bit of influence from the preseason projections.
ACC in SP+ through Week 6
| Team | Wk 6 SP+ Rtg (Rank) | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Wk 6 SP+ Rtg (Rank) | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
| Clemson | 27.8 (2) | 3 | 4 |
| Notre Dame | 21.7 (7) | 9 | 8 |
| UNC | 17.4 (9) | 5 | 42 |
| Miami | 14.0 (17) | 40 | 14 |
| Virginia Tech | 11.4 (25) | 28 | 30 |
| Pitt | 9.0 (32) | 87 | 12 |
| Virginia | 6.6 (39) | 58 | 34 |
| Louisville | 6.3 (41) | 12 | 96 |
| FSU | 5.0 (47) | 53 | 46 |
| Georgia Tech | 4.8 (48) | 74 | 35 |
| BC | 3.9 (52) | 37 | 69 |
| NC State | 1.1 (63) | 59 | 62 |
| Duke | -1.8 (74) | 114 | 38 |
| Wake Forest | -2.1 (76) | 98 | 54 |
| Syracuse | -5.0 (91) | 102 | 77 |
The ACC putting five teams in the top 25 is substantial improvement over last year, though the pecking order is about what everyone would have guessed, with Clemson and one-year acquaintance Notre Dame leading the way.
Georgia Tech stands as the conference’s most improved team, and Boston College has been solid as well despite the coaching change there.
Louisville has been a disappointment thanks in part to a -8 turnover margin—the Cardinals have been underwater in that category in all four of their games. Also, their defense is really bad, which doesn’t help.
Syracuse is a tier below everybody at the back end of the conference, as the Orange have been hit hard by injuries and guys opting out. Most likely the Orange will finish out the year as the ACC’s worst team.
NC State is in sole possession of fourth place in the league standings currently, and has been making modest improvements in SP+. Both the offense and defense have improved about 20 spots since the Pittsburgh game, and that’s despite playing a couple of top-40 opponents.