Ranking the ACC after Week Seven of College Football action.

They are going to build a statue of Paul Johnson on the Georgia Tech campus if he keeps winning like this. After a 28-23 over the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Jackets could be on their way to their best season since 1990. Welcome back Clemson Tigers and Virginia Cavaliers, those were two rock solid wins; Clemson over Wake and Virginia beating Maryland.

By the way both divisions are as wide open as they were when the season started.

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1) Miami Hurricanes (5-1, 2-1). Last week's position: second.

The Hurricances were a little bit sluggish in a 27-7 victory over a bad Central Florida team. It doesn't matter though. With Georgia Techs win over Virginia Tech, the Canes control their own destiny in the ACC.

Of slight concern to the Canes should be the six sacks they gave up to UCF. The Clemson Tigers who are Miami's next opponent have a far better defensive front than Central Florida. Jacory Harris continues to play well at quarterback. He went 20-26 for 293 yards and a TD in the victory.

2) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-1, 4-1). Last week's position: third.

If Georgia Tech can play defense like that, they are one of the top six or seven teams in the country. They don't need spectacular defense, they just need good solid defense, and that's exactly what they got Saturday night in the victory over the Hokies.

They gained over 300 yards rushing, and Josh Nesbitt is looking like one of the most fiery competitors at quarterback this side of Tim Tebow. With opposing defenses focusing on stopping RB Jonathan Dwyer, Nesbitt has carried this team.

You won't see better better half time adjustments that what Paul Johnson against Bud Foster's defense. This was a landmark win for the Yellow Jackets. Next is a resurgent Virginia squad in Charlottesville. The Jackets haven't won there since 1990.

3) Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 3-1). Last week's position: first.

The Yellow Jackets were supposed to be the last road bump, for the Hokies on their way to an ACC Title and possible National Title game. Something happened, that you just don't see very often with the Hokies. They were not the more physical team as Georgia Tech literally imposed their offensive will on Virginia Tech in the second half.

This was a lot like the Alabama game. The Hokie defense just wore down as the game went on. This was a tough environment for Virgina Tech to go to, and they are by no means out of the ACC race. One slip up by the Jackets and the Hokies can still control their own destiny. Their schedule is not very tough the rest of the way.

4) Boston College Eagles (5-2, 3-2). Last week's position: sixth.

Boston College made a nice recovery after the loss last week to Virginia Tech by whipping the North Carolina State Wolfpack 52-20. The offense racked up 480 yards, and RB Montel Harris went crazy running for 264 yards and five touchdowns. Harris has quietly been one of the ACC's best three or four backs this season.

The Eagles step out of conference the next two weeks with a game at Notre Dame and then at home with Central Michigan. The Eagles can just sit back and watch the Atlantic Division carnage during those two weeks. Coach Frank Spaziani has done a fine job this season.

5) North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2, 0-2). Last week's position: fifth.

The Tar Heels have had a week of rest to prepare for Florida State Thursday night. The Noles and Heels are a combined 0-5 in the ACC, and both are in desperate need of a win. Florida State’s QB Christian Ponder and the Nole’s prolific offense will challenge North Carolina’s stout defense. The Noles defense on the other hand might just be what the doctor ordered for a struggling Heel offense.

6) Clemson Tigers (3-3, 2-2). Last week's position: seventh.

Now that's how you come off a Bye week with your best performance of the season, a 38-3 win over a pretty good Wake Forest team. I went to Clemson to catch this one, and if there's a faster sideline to sideline defense in the ACC I haven't seen it. C.J. Spiller was his usual spectacular self, running for 106 yards and two touchdowns. T

The Tigers might have finally a second receiver to Jacoby Ford with TE Michael Palmer. He had four catches for 49 yards and a TD. Clemson will travel to Miami this week. If the offense plays as well as it did today, to complement one of the ACC's best defenses, the Tigers can push Miami.

7) Virginia Cavaliers (3-3, 2-0). Last week's position: eighth. 

The Virginia Cavaliers are your Coastal Division leaders. Let that sink in.

They are ahead of Miami, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. Can the Cavs really hold on? Well I doubt it they haven't played any of those top 20 teams yet. Nonetheless this has been a remarkable turn around for the Cavaliers.

This week they beat Maryland 20-9. The defense has only given up 19 points in its last three games. Right now Virginia is still very much under the radar. If they beat Georgia Tech next week that will really catch people's attention.

8) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-3, 2-2). Last week's position: fourth.

The Deacs never had a chance in Death Valley. It started with ill advised on sides pooch kick that Clemson recovered, and led to a touchdown, and just never stopped. Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner spent most of the afternoon running for his life, and the Deacons only gained 178 total yards.

In the wild Atlantic the Deacs had an opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the conference. It wasn't meant to be in the 38-3 loss. With Miami and Georgia Tech still on the schedule, the Deacs Atlantic division hopes may have ended today. I think they may have ended, but who knows in the Atlantic.

9) Florida State Seminoles (2-4, 0-3). Last week's position: ninth.

The Seminoles are still removing the tire marks after getting run over by Georgia Tech last week. They face the North Carolina Tar Heels Thursday night, with the season pretty much on the line. If FSU loses, Bobby Bowden may not want to go back to Tallahassee.

10) Duke Blue Devils (3-3, 1-1). Last week's position: tenth.

The Blue Devils bowl game quest continues Saturday when Maryland come to Durham. Do you think Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis is licking his chops readying to play that awful Maryland defense?

11) North Carolina State Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3). Last week's position: eleventh. 

If you are a North Carolina State fan, you really have to start wondering about head coach Tom O' Brien. This is O' Brien's third season at NC St, with All-ACC QB Russel Wilson at the helm, and the Wolfpack are not getting any better. They have two straight-losing seasons under O' Brien and this year the Pack were expected to a major player in the ACC.

They are now 0-3 in the ACC after getting crushed at Boston College. The defense has been terrible the last two weeks, giving up a whopping 101 points to Duke and BC.

12) Maryland Terrapins (2-5, 1-2). Last week's position: twelfth.

The Terps haven't quit and fought gamely in a 20-9 loss to Virginia, but fact is they just don't have much talent at Maryland. QB Chris Turner completed less than 50% and the Terps had four turnovers. It would be a miracle if Maryland made it to a bowl game.

A dangerous game at Duke is next.