Another week of ACC football is in the books and we have one team in Clemson looking like a playoff contender, while their biggest competition saw their lengthy conference winning streak come to an end on a blocked field goal.
The biggest thing to keep an eye on is the Coastal Division race as Duke, North Carolina and Pitt will battle it out for the crown.
How do those teams stack up?
Let’s take a look.
1. Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC, defeated Miami 58-0, Last Week-1)
The Tigers humiliated Miami last week and cost Al Golden his job. They ran for 416 yards in the victory and have a real good chance to represent the ACC in the College Football Playoffs. A showdown with FSU is just two weeks away. Up Next: Saturday vs. North Carolina State
2. Florida State (6-1, 4-1, lost to Georgia Tech 22-16, LW-2)
Speaking of Florida State, the Seminoles saw their 28-game conference winning streak snapped on a bizarre blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown with no time on the clock. Despite the loss the Seminoles are clearly the second best team in the conference still. Up Next: Saturday vs. Syracuse
3. Duke (6-1, 3-0, defeated Virginia Tech 45-43, LW-3)
It took four overtimes and the Blue Devils gave up more points than we have been accustomed to seeing, but they defeated Virginia Tech as quarterback Thomas Sirk is really starting to impress. Up Next: Saturday vs. Miami
4. North Carolina (6-1, 3-0, defeated Virginia 26-13, LW-4)
The Tar Heels really didn’t look that good in defeating Virginia, but I will keep them at No. 4 for now. That could change with a road trip to Pitt on Thursday. It’s a round robin tournament between Duke, UNC and Pitt that should decide the Coastal champ. Thursday’s nationally televised tilt will be huge .Up Next: Thursday at Pitt
5. Pitt (6-1, 4-0, defeated Syracuse 23-20, LW-5)
The Panthers continue to impress under Pat Narduzzi. Would you believe that prior to Saturday’s win vs. Syracuse, Pitt had lost 32 straight games when trailing at any point in the fourth quarter. Narduzzi has already changed the culture in Pittsburgh and the Panthers have the opportunity to make a huge statement against UNC on Thursday. Up Next: Thursday vs. North Carolina
6. Louisville (3-4, 2-2, defeated Boston College 17-14, LW-7)
Nothing like moving up in the rankings after a three-point win against a brutal BC team. The Cardinals turned the football over four times and had 20 plays go for negative yardage, but Louisville has won three of their past four games. Up Next: Friday at Wake Forest
7. Georgia Tech (3-5, 1-4, defeated Florida State 22-16, LW-14)
The Yellow Jackets finally got a conference win and broke a five-game losing streak in dramatic fashion. This could prove to be a spring board for the Jackets to at least finish with some respectability. GT has faced a very tough schedule as their past six opponents have combined to put up a 37-5 record. Up Next: Saturday at Virginia
8. North Carolina State (5-2, 1-2, defeated Wake Forest 35-17, LW-11)
While the Wolfpack still don’t have an impressive win on the season, they at least won a conference game. The offense finally looked good, posting four plays of 50 yards or more in the first quarter. Up Next: Saturday at Clemson
9. Virginia Tech (3-5, 1-3, lost to Duke 45-43, LW-8)
Is Frank Beamer’s job on the line? It very well could be as the Hokies will really have to play well down the stretch to head to a bowl game. Up Next: Saturday at Boston College
10. Syracuse (3-4, 1-2, lost to Pitt 23-20, LW-13)
The Orange lost to Pitt, but move up slightly as they were they were competitive. But they allowed Pitt to hold the ball for the final 9:20 of the game and lost on the final play of regulation. The losing streak is now at four. Up Next: Saturday at Florida State
11. Miami (4-3, 1-2, lost to Clemson 58-0, LW-6)
The Canes were embarrassed, but ultimately may end up winners as they finally got Golden out the door. Since Miami left the Big East for the ACC in 2003, the Hurricanes haven’t had a double-digit win season, an AP top-10 finish and have fired three coaches. What happened to the U? I would have put them last in the rankings this week if the other teams below them weren’t so horrible. Up Next: Saturday at Duke
11. Wake Forest (3-5, 1-4, lost to North Carolina State 35-17, LW-9)
Wake has lost its past two games by a combined 54 points and have been outscored 85-24 in the past seven quarters. Up Next: Friday vs. Louisville
13. Boston College (3-5, 0-5, lost to Louisville 17-14, LW-12)
Hey, at least BC has beaten Maine, Howard and NIU. It’s a shame because the defense is so good but the offense is so bad. How bad you ask? The Eagles totaled 79 yards of offense last week. The lowest output by any Power 5 team this season. Up Next: Saturday vs. Virginia Tech
14. Virginia (2-5, 1-2, lost to North Carolina 26-13- LW-10)
After one week where they climbed in the rankings, Virginia is right back where they belong. Up Next: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
