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Thanks to its strong performance at Boston College, NC State moved up 12 spots in SP+ this week, checking in at No. 25. That’s easily the high-water mark for the Pack this season, since SP+ has generally been a skeptic.
It still ain’t skeptical about Clemson, though. Or Clemson’s offense. The Tigers are averaging 4.5 yards per play against FBS teams and that is, I feel, not indicative of a top-30 offense.
ACC Standings by SP+
| Team | Wk 7 SP+ (Rk) | Rank Change | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Wk 7 SP+ (Rk) | Rank Change | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
| Clemson | 23.1 (4) | 1 | 30 | 3 |
| Pitt | 19.1 (11) | -1 | 13 | 18 |
| UNC | 14.6 (17) | 4 | 6 | 58 |
| NC State | 12.7 (25) | 12 | 60 | 14 |
| Miami | 12.3 (27) | -1 | 27 | 39 |
| Virginia | 11.2 (31) | 14 | 10 | 62 |
| BC | 8.4 (43) | -8 | 32 | 61 |
| Wake Forest | 8.0 (44) | 4 | 26 | 71 |
| FSU | 7.4 (50) | 5 | 33 | 67 |
| Georgia Tech | 7.0 (51) | 6 | 58 | 44 |
| Virginia Tech | 6.9 (52) | -3 | 68 | 33 |
| Louisville | 6.7 (53) | 7 | 12 | 96 |
| Syracuse | 5.8 (58) | -6 | 69 | 40 |
| Duke | -1.8 (85) | -7 | 78 | 87 |
Pitt continues to look like the ACC’s most well-rounded team, and it has the league’s best quarterback, which should be good enough to win the Coastal this year. Then again, this is Pitt we’re talking about here.
Virginia has been surging of late on the strength of its offense and still has Pitt in November, but the Cavs also already have two league losses. Their defense is more than capable of disappearing at any given time, which is also what makes them fun to watch. The ACC has entertaining teams this season, that’s for sure. Not necessarily good teams, but entertaining.
It’s an offense-heavy league in general, though NC State continues to prove that its defense is really good. The Pack has the second-best defense in the league according to SP+, which I think squares with the good ol’ eye test.