ACC Power Rankings After Week 8: Georgia Tech Just Keeps Rolling

Things are starting to shake out in the ACC Coastal Division as they become even more jumbled in the Atlantic Division after Week 8. Georgia Tech now sits atop the Coastal tiebreaker by virtue of their win over UVA and Clemson's win over Miami.

The Atlantic Division has three teams with two losses and three teams with three losses. But this side of the conference picked up two big road wins over the Coastal with FSU also taking down North Carolina.

Not a great week on picks for the ACC going 3-3 SU and 0-1 ATS.

1. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets dominated Virginia, out-gaining the Hoo's 447 to 198. Then they became big Clemson fans as Georgia Tech now holds the Coastal lead by virtue of their tiebreaker over Virginia Tech.

2. Virginia Tech

Bye week to get ready for a down North Carolina this Thursday. Hokies know they have to win out to have a shot at another ACC title or BCS at-large bid.

3. Clemson

Kind of fitting that two Florida guys, CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford, lifted Clemson to victory at Miami. The Tigers look like they are beginning their annual second half of the season rise.

4. Miami

The youth of the 'Canes finally caught up to them yesterday as Miami turned the ball over four times. Miami is better this year, but they have to show it coming back from adversity, something they failed to do late last year.

5. Boston College

The Eagles come up just short of a seventh straight win at Notre Dame. If this team had an average ACC quarterback I think they are the favorites in the Atlantic.

6. Florida State

The Seminoles showed a lot of fight coming back from 18 on the road last Thursday in Chapel Hill. There is still talent here enough to win the Division, but FSU cannot suffer any more lapses.

7. Virginia

The Dennis Green Award goes to Virginia this week.

8. North Carolina

North Carolina's defense really let them down on Thursday and their offense has been letting them down all year.

9. Duke

Duke gets back-to-back ACC wins for the first time since 1994 and needs just two more wins to become bowl eligible.

10. Wake Forest

Even great coaching cannot overcome mediocre talent every year. Navy did not throw the ball once in their 13-10 win over the Deacs. And bad news Wake fans, you face the same offense with better athletes in two weeks.

11. Maryland

How is the Maryland basketball team looking this season?

12. NC State

The Wolfpack's bye week could not have come at a better time. Just think, this team beat the second-best team in the Big East a few weeks ago.


Are the Techs clearly at the head of the conference? How much farther down are NC State and Maryland than everyone else? Here are my groupings for the ACC after Week 8.

Tier I

Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech

Tier II

Clemson, Miami

Tier III

Boston College, Virginia, Florida State, North Carolina

Tier IV

Duke, Wake Forest, Maryland, NC State

Three Storylines For Week 9

1. BCS Hopes
Georgia Tech is the front runner in the ACC now, but if Virginia Tech keeps winning, the conference could get two BCS bids for the first time ever.

2. Out of Conference
The ACC hopes to flex its muscle against weaker opponents out of conference. Georgia Tech travels to Vanderbilt, BC hosts Central Michigan, and Clemson hosts Coastal Carolina.

3. Bowl-Bound Blue Devils?
Duke hopes to make it three straight ACC wins when the travel to Charlottesville to face Virginia, who they stomped last year.


After eight weeks of action, here is my Southern Top 10 from the ACC and SEC.

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. LSU
4. Georgia Tech
5. Virginia Tech
6. South Carolina
7. Clemson
8. Miami
9. Tennessee
10. Georgia


My National Top 10:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Cincinnati
6. TCU
7. Iowa
8. Boise State
9. LSU
10. Georgia Tech