ACC Power Rankings After Week 5: And Then There Were Three

The ACC got a huge win with Miami defeating perennial national title contender Oklahoma on Saturday night. This could be the year the conference gets a second BCS team in. Miami wasn't the only team pulling upsets, as winless Virginia took down North Carolina and two-touchdown-dog Maryland beat Clemson.

I have an interesting take on where I think the ACC teams rank by level below, but I think it is the honest truth as to where this conference is right now.

1. Virginia Tech

The Hokies were not dominant against Duke, but I will let that slide. Coming off the big Miami win and still being undefeated against non top 3 teams.

2. Miami

We may look back in two or three years and point to this Oklahoma win as a turning point for this program...or not.

3. Georgia Tech

GT is going to score 40 plus a lot this year, but they are going to give up 30 plus a lot too. The next two games (@ FSU, v. Va Tech) will go a long way to determining GT's ACC prospects this season.

4. Boston College

The Eagles are as consistent as Mac and Cheese on a rainy day. I don't know what that means, but I know BC is going to contend for (and may win) the Atlantic Division again this season with talent no where near FSU's.

5. Wake Forest

The Deacons could be any where from the fourth best team in the ACC to the eleventh best on any weekend. This weekend they were a little better than NC State.

6. Maryland

Are the Terps the sixth best team in the ACC? Who knows! But I do know they lost to Middle Tennessee State who lost to Clemson who lost to Maryland.

7. NC State

The Wolfpack missed a golden opportunity to vault near the top of the jumbled Atlantic Division but could not find the right stuff at Wake.

8. Clemson

The Tigers are in a dangerous place right now having lost two straight close games with a first year head coach.

9. Florida State

FSU is way too low for their talent, but something is severely broken in Tallahassee right now. I think it has a lot to do with the Jimbo Fisher/Bobby Bowden "partnership".

10. Virginia

How 'bout them Cavaliers! I told you I thought Al Groh would beat a bowl team or two - hopefully UNC lives up to their end of the bargain.

11. Duke

Close but no cigar, a familiar theme for Duke.

12. North Carolina

The Tar Heels will not finish last in the ACC, but when you lose by 13....to Virginia...at home, you don't get much respect.


Tier I
Va Tech, Miami, Ga Tech

Tier II
Boston College, Wake Forest, NC State, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia, Duke, North Carolina


Super Southern 11 (that means SEC vs ACC with a clam chowder flair)

1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Va Tech
5. Miami
6. Auburn
7. Georgia Tech
8. South Carolina
9. Georgia
10. Ole Miss
11. Boston College

I had to stop at 11. I just couldn't rank the bottom half of both of leagues because they are not very good right now and terribly inconsistent.

What are your thoughts?

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