ACC Power Poll Week 9: Look Who's Back at No. 1

Call the ACC what you want, but don't say it's not fun to watch. Just when you thought Clemson was ready to make a move in the Atlantic, Boston College pulls the big upset on the Tigers.

Maybe you thought it was Miami's time to win the ACC Coastal. They headed to Virginia and ended up being Cav's coach Mike London's first signature win.

Let's not forget Florida State losing at NC State. All that led to Virginia Tech returning back to the No. 1 spot, which is exactly where we had them in the preseason.

Previous Rankings at All About Sports

Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

1) Virginia Tech Hokies  6-2 (4-0) Last Week—2

The Hokies got a gift from their in-state rival, Virginia, when the Cavs' knocked off Miami. Virginia Tech now has a two game lead in the loss column in the ACC Coastal. If they take care of Georgia Tech Thursday night, the division race is virtually over.

2) NC State Wolfpack  6-2 (3-1) Last Week—5

That's the kind of win Tom O'Brien and NC state have been waiting for since he arrived in Raleigh a few years ago. The 28-24 win over Florida State puts the Pack in a position where, if they win out, the Atlantic Division is theirs. The ACCCG would finally get their first true sell out. The game is in Charlotte this year, and Pack fans would come in droves.  

It's a very tricky game at Clemson this Saturday—NC State will have the advantage at QB with Russell Wilson vs. Clemson's Kyle Parker.

3) Florida State Seminoles 6-2 (4-1) Last Week—1

Florida State had the opportunity to put a stranglehold on the ACC Atlantic lead. With under a minute left they fumbled the game away. That leaves Florida State hoping NC State loses at some point in the future.

I still like where Jimbo Fisher has the 'Noles headed, but Thursdays night's loss was a tough one to take.

4) Miami Hurricanes  5-3 (3-2) Last Week—3

This was the year Randy Shannon was supposed to turn Miami into a championship team, but it's probably not going to happen this season...again. What the heck happened in a 24-19 loss at Virginia? I know Jacory Harris got hurt, but Miami was in trouble long before that.

The Canes were lucky it ended up as close as it was. This season could get away from Miami fast. They host Maryland on Saturday.

5) North Carolina Tar Heels  5-3 (2-2) Last Week—6

North Carolina's game with William & Mary should have been a chance for the Heels to catch their breath. But it almost turned into a nightmare. The Heels escaped with a 21-17 win.

An NCAA investigation would have been a cake walk compared to a loss in this one. A bright spot for North Carolina, both Saturday and this season, has been the play of RB Johnny White. White had 164 yards rushing in the win.

North Carolina needs to put this shaky performance behind them. They head to Florida State to face an an angry set of Noles. 

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

Every year, Tommy Bowden follows up big wins with inexplicable losses. Sorry, I just keep forgetting Dabo Swinney is there. I think I got them mixed up earlier this year, too. Clemson went on the road and played horribly, particularly on offense in the 16-10 loss to BC.

QB Kyle Parker played a wretched second half, making critical mistakes at the worst times. Parker definitely would make my list as one of the most disappointing players in the ACC this year.

The Tigers have to regroup fast because a hungry NC State is headed to Death Valley Saturday. Word is, RB Andre Ellington is out for the NC State game, too. That's bad news for Clemson.

7) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets  5-3 (3-2) Last Week—7 

If the Jackets can't stretch the field with at least some semblance of a passing threat, their triple option will get stuffed by Virginia Tech and the game Thursday will get ugly. Georgia Tech must leave Blacksburg with a win to have even the slimmest of chances at winning the ACC Coastal.  

8) Maryland Terrapins 6-2 (3-1) Last Week—8

Maryland got bowl eligible with a strong performance in a 62-14 victory over Wake Forest. Ignore the win if you want, but 62-14 is 62-14. It might seem strange to say, but Maryland controls their own destiny in the ACC Atlantic, and they are in line for a solid bowl bid. 

The Terps' lack a really big victory to seriously convince me they can finish first in the ACC Atlantic. If they can win at Miami on Saturday, that will convince me.

9) Virginia Cavaliers 4-4 (1-3) Last Week—9

 All year I felt the Cavs' were moving in the right direction and were going to pull an upset on someone. It turned out to be the Miami Hurricanes in a 24-19 win.

That win was no fluke. Virginia was physical on both sides of the ball. QB Marc Verica who's been up and down at times, came up with timely throws at the end of the game to seal the victory.

Mike London is really doing a nice job in his first year and has the Cavs on the verge of a bowl game. They head to Duke next week.

10) Boston College Eagles 3-5 (1-4) Last Week—10

That was a gutty 16-10 win Boston College had over Clemson. BC's offense still struggles to move the ball, but that's one underrated defense they have.

They held Clemson to 86 yards rushing and only 262 yards total. The Eagles, coming off the solid win, enter the more manageable part of their schedule starting with a game at Wake Forest.

11) Duke Blue Devils   2-6 (0-4) Last Week—12

It's been a rough season at Duke, but Saturday they came up with nice win at Navy 34-31. They held the vaunted Navy rushing attack to just 148 yards on the ground. Duke rolled up 456 yards of total offense themselves.

Now that Duke got it's first Division I victory, they can work on getting their first ACC win. Virginia comes to Durham Saturday.

12) Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-6 (1-5) Last Week—11

Good grief.

Wake Forest's defense gave up more than 50 points for the third time this year. This time it was in a 62-14 loss to Maryland. It's not like the offense was great, either. They only had 155 total yards with just three yards on the ground. 

I think the Deacs' are getting worse as they progress. When you can't score and you can't stop anyone from scoring, well you aren't going to win.

Wake Forest gets Boston College at home next.