Week 9 ACC Power Rankings: U of L third?

No one would blame you for wondering what might've been.

Michael Dyer looked powerful, decisive and healthy. DeVante Parker looked ... powerful, decisive and healthy. And in Louisville's 30-18 win over NC State on Saturday, the Cardinals finally looked like the team observers thought they could be.

Eight weeks into the season.

So no, no one would blame you for wondering how things might be different this year with those two players healthy the entire time. But the reality is they weren't, obviously, and this is where Louisville stands.

For the remainder of the year, though, the Cards present a serious threat to FSU and Notre Dame, and they should win eight games, with the chance for more.

It's going to be hard to unseat FSU. The reigning national champs just won't lose, no matter how much they're tested week-to-week. That says a lot about their resolve, their confidence and their in-game maturity.

Louisville might just be their last test of the season. Virginia, BC and Miami are all above-average teams, but they are one-sided operations. Louisville, fully healthy, can score and can defend.

FSU will be the favorite for good reason, but the big showdown nine days from now is far more interesting than anything the ACC has to offer this weekend.

Here are the Week 9 ACC Power Rankings: http://bit.ly/1pRJYX8