Where Wake Forest, NC State stand in Top 25 picture after ACC shootout
What a wild night in Winston-Salem.
In a highly anticipated Top 25 showdown, Wake Forest and N.C. State delivered. For the second straight season, both teams scored more than 40 and just three points separated them.
Quarterback Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons offense were as good as advertised, and Wake Forest remained in the driver’s seat in the ACC Atlantic Division race. N.C. State played catch-up most of the night and had to overcome both injuries and self-inflicted wounds (14 penalties) to make the game interesting in the end.
For their performance, Wake Forest moved up to No. 12 on my weekly Associated Press Top 25 ballot. Offensively, the Demon Deacons are tough to contain as Hartman continues to light it up each week. It was the defense, despite giving up 42 points, that was impressive, forcing three turnovers. The only problem for Wake Forest this week? As well as they played, there were not a lot of upsets ahead of them in the polls.
Oklahoma falling was the biggest surprise. Everyone else took care of business, not allowing much room for movement upward. N.C. State put up a good effort, and going toe-to-toe with the best team in the ACC proved they should remain a Top 25 team — just barely. The Wolfpack comes in at No. 25 on my ballot this week.
Here’s a look at my AP Top 25 ballot.
1 | Georgia (10-0) |
2 | Alabama (9-1) |
3 | Cincinnati (10-0) |
4 | Ohio State (9-1) |
5 | Oregon (9-1) |
6 | Michigan State (9-1) |
7 | Michigan (9-1) |
8 | Notre Dame (9-1) |
9 | Oklahoma State (9-1) |
10 | Oklahoma (9-1) |
11 | Ole Miss (8-2) |
12 | Wake Forest (9-1) |
13 | BYU (8-2) |
14 | Baylor (8-2) |
15 | Texas A&M (7-3) |
16 | Wisconsin (7-3) |
17 | Iowa (8-2) |
18 | SDSU (9-1) |
19 | UTSA (10-0) |
20 | Arkansas (7-3) |
21 | Pittsburgh (8-2) |
22 | Louisiana (9-1) |
23 | Houston (9-1) |
24 | Utah (7-3) |
25 | NC State (7-3) |
