ACC Football: Ranking Conference's Best Rivalries

Over the years, ACC football has managed to put together some impressive rivalries. Some have been building for years now, while others are just starting to heat up. Regardless, the excitement leading up to the following games is always incredible.

Expect to see these rivalries continue to keep us on the edge of our seats for years to come. While some teams may dominate for stretches of 10-plus years, the best part of these matchups is that things can truly take a turn at any point.

Let's look at the best rivalries in the conference, not only of all-time, but also the ones that have begun to heat up in recent years.

7. Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

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The Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies have a bit of a rivalry brewing, but it's still trending upwards. This one ranks at the bottom of the list, but I can see it rising pretty quickly. Both of these teams are likely expected to contend for the Coastal Division crown in 2015 and have pretty talented rosters.

Overall in the series, the Hurricanes hold a small lead of 19-13 and put together an impressive 30-6 victory in Blacksburg, Virginia, last season. With the series heading back to Coral Gables, Florida, in 2015, can Brad Kaaya and company make it two in a row?

How do you know that a rivalry is serious? If it's considered one after only 32 total games between the two teams. Many other matchups on this list have played 60-plus times, yet the Hurricanes and Hokies find themselves gracing the shortlist of ACC rivalries.

6. Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

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The Commonwealth Cup hasn't been as exciting recently as we've seen in past years, but it's still one of best all-time rivalries. One of the reasons why it hasn't been very exciting is due to Virginia's struggles against Virginia Tech.

Since 1995, the Cavaliers have managed to defeat the Hokies just three times. The most recent loss came in the 2014 season finale, when the Hokies won 24-20 at home. To make things even worse, Virginia Tech has won the last 11 meetings between the two schools.

All-time, this series features the Hokies holding a 54-37-5 advantage. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, it's unlikely for this to change in 2015, as Virginia Tech is expected to be a contender for the ACC Coastal Division and Virginia has a head coach sitting squarely on the hot seat.

Looking toward next season, the two will once again meet in the season finale, this time in Virginia. It could get even more exciting if the Hokies find themselves needing a win to play for the ACC title, but we're still a ways away from that possible scenario.

5. Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

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The battle for the Victory Bell.

The Tar Heels and Blue Devils have been going at it for many years, but it's not until just recently that Duke truly started turning the corner. While the Heels have a series lead of 43-22-1 and won the last game in this series, the Blue Devils won the two before that.

North Carolina had a stretch before 2012 when it had won 21 of 22 games dating back to 1990, so its dominance was obvious during that span.

While Duke vs. UNC is one of the hottest college basketball rivalries in the nation, their football rivalry is really starting to heat up as well. Expect the battle for the Victory Bell to continue to be an intriguing one for years to come.

Looking toward 2015, one could assume that UNC will get the edge, as it's returning a very strong offense led by Marquise Williams. On top of that, Duke is losing its dynamic duo in quarterback Anthony Boone and wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

North Carolina's 2014 victory came in Durham, so the action heads back to Chapel Hill on November 7 this year.

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Clemson Tigers

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The rivalry between the Yellow Jackets and Tigers may not have the same type of sizzle that some of the others do, but this one is still a great series. Georgia Tech currently holds a strong lead in the series of 50-27-2, including an impressive 28-6 win in 2014.

While we saw the Yellow Jackets flex their muscle on the way to an ACC championship berth last season, this series had quite a stretch from 1996-2001. During that time, every game was decided by exactly three points.

This series is heating up as time goes on, and with the real possibility of these two squaring off for the ACC crown in 2015, it's getting even more intriguing.

Could you imagine the back and forth that we could see between Deshaun Watson and Justin Thomas in the ACC championship game? I think any impartial ACC fan is hoping to see that happen in 2015.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack

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If you want to talk about an incredible atmosphere for an ACC rivalry, look no further than when NC State and North Carolina meet. These two teams absolutely despise each other, but they still have mutual respect, as well.

The all-time record between these two actually favors the Tar Heels in a big way, as they lead 65-33-6. With that said, it's not all roses for the Heels lately, as they were beaten 35-7 at home last season. On top of that, since 2007 the Wolfpack have won six of eight against UNC, showing that the rivalry may be shifting a bit.

As for the 2015 matchup, it may be one of the best in recent memory. The Wolfpack are fresh off of their 8-5 season, including a bowl victory, and UNC has an absolutely electric offense led by Williams, Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins.

Just as we saw last season, the two will once again meet in the final game of the regular season, but this year it will be played in Raleigh. Can the Heels get back to their dominating ways from the 1990s when they won seven of 10 games?

2. Clemson Tigers vs. Florida State Seminoles

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Say hello to the newest and hottest rivalry in the ACC. This is actually becoming one of the best rivalries in the entire nation. The Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles are quickly beginning to dislike each other more and more as the years go on, and it's peaking heading into 2015.

While this is still a very early rivalry, as the Seminoles lead the series 20-8, the Tigers are looking to prove that they are legitimate contenders in the ACC. In order to be a serious contender, you need to beat the best, and in recent years, the Seminoles have been the definition of that.

Back in 2013, the Tigers were national championship contenders, but they went on to get dominated by the 'Noles on their home field, 51-14. As we know, that year turned into a national championship for FSU, and the Tigers won the Orange Bowl.

Recently, it's been all Seminoles, as they've won the last three games in this series. How will things look when the two talented teams meet in 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina? One thing that we do know is that it's expected to be a bit of a role reversal, as the Tigers are the early favorites to win the ACC.

1. Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles

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Say hello to the best rivalry in the ACC. There probably wasn't much of a question as to which rivalry would rank as the best all-time, but there's something different about this one. When the Hurricanes and Seminoles meet, it doesn't matter if it's to compete for the ACC crown, or just during the regular season—these two teams hate each other.

The Hurricanes lead the series 31-27, but it's been a completely different trend since Jimbo Fisher took over. In five games against Miami, Fisher has led the Seminoles to a 5-0 record, with the 30-26 victory in 2014 being the closest game.

Is the recent four-point win a sign that things are starting to turn for Miami? The Hurricanes gave FSU a run last season, and the action heads back to Tallahassee in 2015. Regardless of the situation, this is a rivalry that any ACC football fan will tune in to check out.

Gear up for the Hurricanes to make their push to break the losing streak on October 10 in what should be the first real test of 2015 for Florida State.