Ranking the ACC after Week 13 of College Football Action

Most of the ACC's top teams came up with poor performances this weekend. Clemson, Georgia Tech and North Carolina all lost.

This was embarrassing weekend for the ACC against SEC. What can you say? The ACC championship game is the de-facto game for 6th place in the SEC.

The ACC blew a big chance to gain some national respect and will face at least a month, until the bowl season, of the rest of country questioning its football credibility.

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1) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-2, 7-1) - Last Week 1

The Jackets have proved up to this point that they are the ACC's best team, but losing to a mediocre Georgia team at home 30-24 proves they are not a truly elite team. The Jackets' powerful rushing offense has been masking a defensively flawed team all season.

Note to head coach Paul Johnson get a new defensive coordinator. Dave Wommack lost this game for Georgia Tech, long before that last drive stalled. I would have averaged eight yards a carry running between those gaping holes Saturday night.

2) Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3, 6-2) - Last Week 4

The Hokies ended the season solidly by blowing away their in state rival Virginia. I can't put the Hokies at No. 1 just yet. They haven't beaten a quality team since Oct. 10 when they defeated Boston College. That doesn't mean they can't finish the year in the top spot though.

They had 483 yards of total offense with nearly 300 on the ground. Now the Hokies get ready for a Gator or Chick-fil-A Bowl appearance. I don't think they fall lower than either of those. I'm thinking they are returning to Atlanta.

3) Miami Hurricanes (9-3, 5-3) - Last Week 5

At least one ACC team decided to beat a non-conference opponent today. Miami looked rock solid today with a 31-10 win over a decent South Florida team. The defense held South Florida to 220 total yards and the offense had more than 400. Now the Canes wait for their bowl bid. I think they end up in the Gator but we will have to see the result of the GT\Clemson game, because GT can't fall below Miami if they lose the ACCCG.

4) Clemson Tigers (8-4, 6-2) - Last Week 2

The Tigers were an even bigger no-show against their SEC rival South Carolina than Georgia Tech was losing 34-17. They gave up 223 yards on the ground to a Gamecocks squad that has struggled running the ball all season.

This is not a good sign before facing Georgia Tech's strong running game. Fortunately for Clemson, the Jackets' defense is not nearly as good as South Carolina's. The Tigers only had 48 yards running against South Carolina. Rushing yards will come much easier against Georgia Tech.

5) North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4, 4-4) - Last Week 3

The Tar Heels completed the fall from last week's top three teams with a dismal performance losing to a bad NC State team 28-27. The Heels dominated statistically out gaining the Wolfpack 481 yards to 335 yards but still lost their third straight to the Wolfpack. This game will keep the Heels from one of the upper-tier ACC Bowl games.

6) Boston College Eagles (8-4, 5-3) - Last Week 6

In spite of all the obstacles they had to face, Boston College has completed, in my opinion, the most surprising season of any ACC team. Frank Spaziani should get some ACC Coach of the Year votes. They beat Maryland only 19-17, but so what? Eagle fans should be very pleased with this season.

7) Florida State Seminoles (6-6, 4-4) - Last Week 7

Today was just more evidence how far this once great program has fallen. Florida dismantled FSU 37-10 in a game that wasn't even that close. The Noles didn't look like they belonged on the same field as the Gators.

Florida dominated in every fashion, and after the game Bobby Bowden said he has some soul searching to do before deciding on his future at Florida State. On one hand I understand Bowden wanting to return FSU to some semblance of its former glory, and on the other hand he has to realize they can't move forward with him there.

8) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-7, 3-5) - Last Week 10

Quarterback Riley Skinner goes out a winner at Wake Forest with a 45-34 victory over the Duke Blue Devils. All that you have to know is he led Wake Forest to the Orange Bowl. That's amazing in itself.

9) North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-7, 2-6) - Last Week 9

The Wolfpack salvaged something out of the season by knocking off in-state rival North Carolina Saturday. Russel Wilson threw four touchdown passes today and pretty much was a one man show this season for NC State. I'm curious, does anyone if he comes back next year or does he play baseball? I know what head coach Tom O'Brien is hoping for.

10) Duke Blue Devils (5-7, 3-5) - Last Week 8

Thaddeus Lewis was his usual brilliant self. He threw for 387 yards today and three touchdowns. Duke lost its final four games, and won't go bowling this year, but they are inching closer and closer towards that goal.

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

That was probably Al Groh's last game at Virginia. They were in it for awhile against the Hokies, but eventually lost 42-13. Time to move on, Cavaliers.

12) Maryland Terrapins (2-10, 1-7) - Last Week 12

Was this Ralph Freidgen's last season in Maryland? It was a nightmare 2-10 year, but I think the Fridge gets another year to try and get things on track. The Terps won eight games as recently as last season, but they might want to throw this season away. They lost 19-17 to Boston College Saturday.