End-of-Season ACC Football Rankings

The up and down ACC football season continued into the bowl season. Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Florida State came up with nice wins. Virginia Tech was particularly impressive in blowing out the Tennessee Volunteers. Miami struggled with Wisconsin and Georgia Tech couldn't get it done against the Iowa Hawkeyes. North Carolina and Boston College also lost, giving the ACC a 3-4 bowl season record.

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No. 1: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-3, 7-1)-Last Week 1

I debated for a bit whether I should drop Georgia Tech out of the No. 1 spot. I decided to leave them at No. 1 because after all, they did win the ACC, and were 3-0 against the ACC's next two best teams, Virginia Tech and Clemson.

Regarding the Orange Bowl, Iowa was just physically able to overwhelm the Jackets for most of the game. The Jackets did have their chances to win late, but couldn't overcome the early 14-0 deficit.

Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech should still be pleased with their season, but there is room for improvement. Recruiting has to upgrade both offensive and defensive lines to handle the more physical teams on the Jacket's schedule. Josh Nesbitt needs to keep improving as a passer. He completed less than 50 percent of passes this season, though he did make strides.

Now the Jackets wait to see which underclassmen return out of DE Derrick Morgan, RB Jonathan Dwyer, and WR Damaryius Thomas.

No. 2: Virginia Tech Hokies (10-3, 6-2)-Last Week 2

I went to the Chick-fil-A Bowl and was very impressed by Virginia Tech in their 37-14 victory over Tennessee. That was the best performance by any ACC team during the bowl season. The Hokies manhandled the Vols upfront on both sides of the ball.

I really like Ryan Williams. He runs with power and speed and had 117 rushing against the Vols. If Jonathan Dwyer doesn't come back for Georgia Teach, this will be the best backfield in the ACC next year. Ryan Williams and Darren Evans will be downright scary. If Taylor becomes a more consistent passer, this team can defiantly win the ACC in 2010.

No. 3: Clemson Tigers (9-5, 6-2)-Last Week 3

Overall it was a pretty darn good first season for Dabo Swinney. You win an ACC Atlantic Division title, beat Kentucky in your bowl game, and have a nine win season. That's not too shabby.

All-American safety DeAndre McDaniel and starting defensive tackle Jarvais Jenkins have said they will return for their senior seasons, which is very good news for Clemson. Spectacular C.J. Spiller won't be back, but the running back position should be in good shape with Andre Ellington and Jamie Haper coming back. The question will be who will play quarterback? Will it be the talented Tajh Boyd or will Kyle Parker come back and for go a chance to play Major League Baseball. The Tigers will contend in a down Atlantic Division next year.

No. 4: Miami Hurricanes (9-4, 5-3)-Last Week 4

Miami played poorly against Wisconsin. In fact, I think it was the ACC's most disappointing bowl performance. The Canes were pushed all over the field by the Badgers. This team can win the ACC next year, but the offensive line has to be more consistent. Good defensive fronts could pressure QB Jacory Harris into making mistakes in the passing game. It was good season in Miami, but not great.

No. 5: North Carolina Tar Heels (8-5, 4-4)-Last Week 5

Butch Davis has lifted North Carolina the last couple of years, but this was still only the fourth best team in the Coastal Division. The season did not end on a high note. The Meineke Car Bowl was a 19-17 loss to Pittsburgh and that followed the season ending loss to NC State. The offense has to be better next year, but the defense should be just as strong as in 2009. Six UNC junior defenders, including Quan Sturdivant and Marvin Austin have decided to return.

No. 6: Florida State Seminoles (7-6, 4-4)-Last Week 7

Bobby Bowden goes out a winner as Florida State played an inspired game in the Gator Bowl, beating West Virginia 33-21. It was one of the Seminoles best defensive performances of the season.

Now Jimbo Fisher takes over full time as Florida State head coach. Christian Ponder will be back at QB and the Noles should have a pretty explosive offense. Recruiting has really picked up for the Noles since December as they signed five star players, CB Lamarcus Joyner and MLB Jeff Luc. They should be preseason first or second in the Atlantic Division.

No. 7: Boston College Eagles (8-5, 5-3)-Last Week 6

BC had one of the toughest assignments in the ACC Bowl Season. They had to play out west against a USC team that was good enough to beat Ohio State. The Trojans were talented, but inconsistent. The Eagles played gamely but lost 24-13. They are the most fundamentally sound of the Atlantic's team, and if QB Dave Shinskie can improve his play, the Eagles can be a dark horse contender for the division.

No. 8: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-7, 3-5)-Last Week 10

Without Riley Skinner, the Deacs will have to break in a new quarterback. Jim Grobe usually coaches up his Wake Forest teams, but I think this is a really big loss for the Deacs. I don't see them being capable of winning the Atlantic, but a bowl game is not out of the question.

No. 9: North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-7, 2-6)-Last Week 9

Since Florida State managed to win their bowl, the Wolfpack get my vote as the most disappointing team in the ACC this past season. Russell Wilson played pretty well at quarterback but the defense struggled. If LB Nate Irving can come back from his offseason car accident that resulted in a broken leg, the Wolfpack defense should be considerably better. Tom O'Brien may need at least a seven or eight win season in 2010 to stay off the hot seat.

No. 10: Duke Blue Devils (5-7, 3-5)-Last Week 8

David Cutcliffe did a remarkable job making Duke competitive this season. They'll lose big time QB Thaddeus Lewis, making highly regarded Sean Renfree the likely starter. If Duke was in the Atlantic Division they could win six games, but the Coastal Division will be brutal.

No. 11: Virginia Cavaliers (3-9, 2-6)-Last Week 11

Let the Mike London era begin at Virginia. The Coastal could feature as many as four preseason top 25 teams next year.

London has a major re-building job to do at Virgina. Letting go former coach Al Groh to hire London is a step in the right direction. Keep an eye on RB Dominique Wallace, who got injured against Southern Mississippi early in the 2009 season. He could be a big contributor for the Cavs next year.

No. 12: Maryland Terrapins (2-10, 1-7)-Last Week 12

Maryland lost more games in 2009 than they have ever lost in one season. Ralph Freidgen will be back next season, but there's a lot of work to be done. The offense finished 103rd in the nation and 99th in scoring. They'll have to find a new quarterback too as Chris Turner was a senior.