Ranking the ACC After Week 10

Both the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Clemson Tigers played sloppy at times, but continued to move one step closer to an ACC Championship game meeting.

Virginia Tech picked up a nice non-conference win over East Carolina, and Duke's bowl march hit a road bump with a loss at North Carolina.

A non-ACC note, congrats to Navy to officially ending the Notre Dame BCS talk.

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1) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1) - Last Week 1

I'm still in disbelief that Paul Johnson went for it on 4th-and-1 against Wake Forest in the Jackets 30-27 OT over Wake Forest. With the season in the balance, Johnson said forget conventional wisdom. QB Josh Nesbitt gets the first down, then scores on the next play. Jackets win move to number seven in the country, and everything is right in Yellow Jacket land. Now that's what truly becomes scary. The Jackets didn't play well overall, but Johnson showed absolutely no fear, and the ultimate confidence in his team and offense. The Jackets still ran for over 400 yards, and can clinch the ACC Coastal Division with a win next week over a dangerous Duke Blue Devil team.

2) Clemson Tigers (6-3, 4-2) - Last Week 2

When you can miss three extra points and two field goals, and still beat Florida State by 16, then you are doing something right. The Tigers have to clean up the special teams, but Clemson is perfectly capable of winning the ACC. They erased a 17-6 deficit to the Noles, and dominated the second half with a tremendous defensive effort. C.J. Spiller had 165 yards rushing, and if he doesn't get invited to New York as one of the country's five best players something is wrong. Next week is where Clemson and Dabo Swinney can virtually accomplish what Tommy Bowden never did. If the Tigers beat NC State, they'll win the Atlantic Division. I don't see them losing at home the following week to Virginia.

3) Miami Hurricanes (7-2, 4-2) - Last Week 3

If the Canes don't make it to the ACC Championship, they can only blame themselves for blowing a home game to the Clemson Tigers. Make no mistake though, this is a very good team. The Canes crushed Virginia 52-17, and ran up over 500 yards of offense. The defense held Virginia to 149 total yards. A game at North Carolina next week will play a large role in the ACC's bowl selection for both teams.

4) Virginia Tech Hokies (6-3, 3-2) - Last Week 5

This is not a vintage Hokie team. They toughed out a 16-3 victory over East Carolina. It was good victory, but something is missing from this squad. Maybe the Hokies are still recovering from the hangover of the two straight losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. It's just not usual to see Virginia Tech anywhere but the best or second best team in the ACC. I don't think many can argue they should be any higher than fourth this season. A big bright spot is the play of RB Ryan Williams. Williams leads the conference in rushing. Next up for the Hokies is the ACC's worst team Maryland. I don't think Virginia will have any trouble in College Park.

5) Boston College Eagles (6-3, 3-2) - Last Week 4

The Eagles are coming off a bye week. They have to keep winning to have any shot at the ACC's Atlantic division, and then hope for a Clemson loss. Whether that happens or not, the Eagles are having a solid season.

6) North Carolina Tar Heels (6-3, 2-3) - Last Week 8

Ryan Houston has started to play like one of the conference's best running backs. After pounding out several important runs against Virginia Tech, Houston ran for 164 yards against the Duke Blue Devils. The Tar Heels number one ranked ACC defense held the prolific Duke passing offense to only 113 yards through the air. The Heels can really help their bowl status if they can beat Miami next week.

7) Duke Blue Devils (5-4, 3-2) - Last Week 7

You can't penalize Duke too much for a 19-6 loss in Chapel Hill to the Tar Heels. There's not question the Blue Devils are a greatly improved team, but they are still needing those two elusive victories to get bowl eligible. To do that the Blue Devils will have to beat either Georgia Tech or Miami. Wow... that's going to be tough. Duke should find passing yards much easier to come by against the Yellow Jackets. The Jackets are ranked number 98 in the country in pass efficiency. They can certainly give Georgia Tech a game. It will be stopping the Paul Johnson's league leading offense that will be the problem.

8) Florida State Seminoles (4-5, 2-5) - Last Week 6

We knew about Florida's defensive issues, but it's the offense that fell apart against Clemson. Christian Ponder threw four interceptions, and the offense only scored seven points in the second half. Ponder may have still been suffering from a rib injury, because he didn't look like his usual self. If the Noles don't score 40 a game they aren't winning. This once great program is falling apart, and now has to win two out of its last three games to get bowl eligible. The Noles aren't beating Florida, so they will have to win at Wake Forest and beat Maryland at home.

9) North Carolina State Wolfpack (4-5, 1-4) - Last Week 11

I don't if know if beating Maryland 38-31 says very much, other than the Wolfpack still haven't quit on the season. The offense rolled up 482 total yards against the Terps, and QB Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns. They Pack hasn't given up less than 30 points since September 19, and with Clemson and C.J Spiller coming to Raleigh, that doesn't look good for NC State. Still there is enough offensive firepower, that if Tigers are looking past NC State, the Pack could make it interesting.

10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-6, 2-4) - Last Week 10

Wake Forest has been the most snake bit team in the ACC this year. They lost their fifth game decided by three points or less. That's part of the game though you have to finish off games, and Deacs just aren't doing it. What can you say? IF Wake Forest doesn't get to a bowl game, it's one them. They have beat both Florida State next week and Duke Nov. 28, to get there.

11) Virginia Cavaliers (3-6, 2-3) - Last Week 9

Start the Al Groh watch... In the Cavs last three games they've been outscored 114-43. The offense is a mess, and the defense that had been stiff earlier in the year is getting clobbered at the point of attack. If Virginia runs the table they can get bowl eligible. That's would be a minor with miracle with Boston College, Clemson, and Virginia Tech left.

12) Maryland Terrapins (2-7, 1-4) - Last Week 12

When you are 2-7, your starting RB Da'Rel Scott is injured, your starting QB Chris Turner gets injured, and you have no chance for a bowl your left playing pride. That's all the Terps have got this season. How did they beat Clemson again?