ACC Power Poll Week 13: Virginia Tech and Florida St. for the ACC Championship

What a final regular season weekend in the ACC. Virginia Tech won its 10th in a row over rival Virginia. Florida State had the ACC's non-conference win of the year thus far, with a pounding of their in-state rival Florida Gators. It was a perfect day for Florida State fans. With NC State's loss to Maryland, the Seminoles are headed to the ACCCG.

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1. Virginia Tech Hokies  10-2 (8-0) Last Week: 1

Playing a rivalry game with Virginia, Virginia Tech looked focused, sharp, and dominant. The Hokies clobbered the Cavaliers 37-7 to complete the first unbeaten season in the ACC since 2000. The defense played exceptionally well, holding Virginia to under 300 yards of total offense.

Now it's time for the Hokies to prepare for the ACCCG in Charlotte against Florida St. Winner goes to the Orange Bowl!

2. Florida State Seminoles 9-3 (6-2) Last Week: 3

I thought Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn had suited up for the Seminoles. That's the most impressive I've seen FSU look in years. Florida might be down, but the 'Noles dominated every facet of the 31-7 win over Florida.

In his first season at FSU Jimbo Fisher beat Miami, beat Florida and got the Noles to the ACC Championship Game. Pretty good first year I'd say, and he still might go to the Orange Bowl with an ACCCG win.

3. Maryland Terrapins 8-4 (5-3) Last Week: 5

I can honestly say I didn't think I'd ever have Maryland ranked as the best team in the ACC not playing in the ACCCG. I'd been looking all year for the Terps to get a signature win, and they got one Saturday by defeating NC State 38-31.  QB Danny O'Brien had 417 yards passing with 4 TDs. He's a star in the making as we've said here before.

Maryland is certainly in position for one of the ACC's upper-tier bowl games. They've earned it.

5. NC State Wolfpack  8-4 (5-3) Last Week: 2

It was right there for NC State. The ACC Atlantic Division was there for the taking. If they had won at Maryland they'd be Atlantic Champs. After taking a 14-0 lead, the Pack got outscored 38-17 and lost to the Terps, 38-31. It was a rough finish to the season, but  when N.C. State looks back on things they should feel good.

Most people didn't expect much out of NC State this year, and they won eight games and contended until the last day for an ACC Division Title. A good solid bowl is in store for NC State.

5. North Carolina Tar Heels  7-5 (4-4) Last Week: 7

After UNC defeated Duke 24-19, Carolina fans only can wonder what could have been. Butch Davis did a good job of not letting his team dwell on their personal losses, and overall I think he'd be pretty pleased with a 7-5 season. If there was a team MVP, it has to be QB T.J. Yates. Yates was probably the difference between going 5-7 and 7-5.

I think North Carolina will end up in the Music City Bowl, with the possibility of an eight-win season.

6. Miami Hurricanes  7-5 (5-3) Last Week: 4

7-5 is not what Miami fans had in mind when the season started. Apparently the higher-ups at Miami thought the same and let head coach Randy Shannon go. The Canes lost 23-20 to South Florida and limped to the finish line by losing their final two games of the regular season. Miami might be the fourth best team in the state, but that's not good enough.

Maybe a bowl win can help salvage a season that ended up going nowhere for Miami...again. Last thought on Shannon: He ran a clean program and seemed like a class guy, but he just didn't get it done on the field.

7. Boston College  Eagles 7-5 (4-4) Last Week: 8

Frank Spaziani was the ACC coach of the second half. At 2-5 it looked like the Eagles' season was going to be one to forget. Then they ran off five straight wins, including Saturday's 16-7 win against a decent Syracuse team. Star RB Montel Harris didn't play, but the Eagles hardly missed him. Andre Williams had 42 rushing attempts for 185 yards. The defense has been strong all season and had another good game.

With the win, Boston College just has to wait for it'sbowl destination. 

8. Clemson Tigers 6-6 (4-4) Last Week: 6

I thought Clemson might have a shot at upsetting South Carolina. It turned out they had no shot. The Tigers took away the Gamecocks' run game, but WR Alshon Jeffery toyed with the Clemson secondary. He had 141 yds receiving, often making catches in double coverage.

Kyle Parker had another miserable game, going seven for 17 with as many TD throws to South Carolina as his own team. It is just a continuation for Parker of an inconsistent and erratic season. Now the Tigers wait to see where they'll go bowling.  

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets  6-6 (4-4) Last Week: 9 

How do you run for 411 yards and have over 500 yards of offense and still lose? When you keep making the mistakes you've made all year—that's how. The Jackets marched up and down the field in their 42-34 loss to Georgia, but two fumbles in the red zone and a missed extra point were the story of the game...and much of the season. Paul Johnson may also want to recruit a good set of linebackers.

Let's see where Georgia Tech ends up bowling, but I saw a projection out West in the Hunger Bowl facing Boise St. That would be an awful matchup for the Jackets. 

10. Virginia Cavaliers 4-8 (1-7) Last Week: 10

I didn't think Virginia had much of a chance against the Hokies, but for large portions of the game they didn't even look like they belonged on the same field as Virginia Tech in the 37-7 loss. The record won't show it, but the Cavs showed some improvement this year. They were more physical than in years past, but coach Mike London has to get out and recruit and recruit some more before Virginia can really start turning things around.

11. Duke Blue Devils  3-9 (1-7) Last Week: 11

Duke's close losses just keep adding up. The Blue Devils 24-19 loss to North Carolina was their fifth by 10 points or less and the third in a row. Against UNC the normally potent offense had only 275 total yards. David Cutcliffe has made strides at Duke, no question, but has he taken them as far as they can go? As far as anyone can realistically take them?

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 3-9 (1-7) Last Week: 12

Good for Wake Forest. They go on the road to play SEC opponent Vanderbilt and leave with a 34-13 win. It's been a tough season for the Deacs, but this might be something to build on. Josh Harris had 138 yards rushing in the win.