ACC Football Season in Review and Final Power Poll

I wanted to wait until the last ACC Bowl Game was played before reviewing the season. The ACC had nine bowl games, going a so-so 4-5. Let's get to it!

Most Disappointing Team: Tie (Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Clemson Tigers)

Both teams finished 6-7 one year after playing the ACCCG game.

Clemson's offense was a mess by season's end, and QB Kyle Parker never looked comfortable at any point in the season.

Georgia Tech couldn't stop turning it over in the redzone or making mistakes with their special teams.  

Most Surprising Team: Maryland Terrapins

The Terps went 9-4 following a 2-10 season. Ralph Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year. As a reward, he was forced out of College Park.

Coach of the Year: Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen

See above. A seven game improvement when just about no one thought Maryland would win more than six.

Offensive Player of the year: Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor

Taylor led Virginia Tech to another ACC Title, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes and throwing for over 2,700 yards passing. He was the ACC"s best offensive player.

Defensinve Player of the year: Clemson DE De'quan Bowers

Bowers was the brightest spot in an otherwise disappointing year at Clemson. He led the nation in sacks and was second in tackles for losses. He might be the NFL's No. 1 pick when the draft is held in April.  

Final Power Rankings

Previous Rankings at All About Sports

Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14

1) Virginia Tech Hokies  11-3 (8-0) Last Week - 1

It was another Orange Bowl, another loss to a top five team. Stanford hammered Virginia Tech 40-12. Next year Frank Beamer is without Taylor, Darren Evans, and Ryan Williams among others. If ever the Hokies were to compete for a national title, this year was it.

2) Florida State Seminoles 10-4 (6-2) Last Week - 2

Florida State looked solid beating South Carolina in the Chick Fil A Bowl. Recruiting is going well, and the Noles appear poised to really challenge the Hokies as the ACC's top team.

3) Maryland Terrapins 9-4 (5-3) Last Week - 3

A nine win season and a 51-20 win in the Military Bowl over East Carolina made it a bitter sweet season for Ralph Freidgen. He's out and former UCONN coach Randy Edsell is in. Edsell is a good hire, but will he be a great hire?   

4) NC State Wolfpack 9-4 (5-3) Last Week - 4

I was just about to say Tom O'Brien had run out of time this year, and then he goes and wins nine games, including a strong 23-7 win over West Virginia. Now O'Brien waits to see if star QB Russell Wilson stays.

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

After all the distractions the Tar Heels had to face this year, an eight win season following a 30-27 win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl is mighty impressive. Butch Davis did a great job holding the team together.

6) Miami Hurricanes 7-6 (5-3) Last Week - 6

Miami wasn't the ACC's most disappointing this year, but they get votes. They were a no show in the Sun Bowl, falling behind 27-3 to Notre Dame at the half and losing 33-17. New Coach Al Golden has some talent on hand, but has a lot of work to do before making Miami a real contender.

7) Boston College Eagles 7-6 (4-4) Last Week - 7

BC probably had to play the third best bowl team any ACC team faced, behind Stanford and South Carolina. They played respectably in a 20-13 loss to Nevada, but boy, do they need to revamp the offense. LB Luke Kuechly is one of the nation's best.

8) Clemson Tigers 6-7 (4-4) Last Week - 8

Clemson looked awful in a 31-26 Meineke Car Bowl loss to South Florida. Let's be honest, the game was really a blowout; I was there. In the aftermath, Dabo Swinney fired two offensive coaches. The Tigers were within one play of beating Auburn and still lost seven games. 

9) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 6-7 (4-4) Last Week - 9 

The Independence Bowl was a continuation of Georgia Tech's problems during the year. There were just so many mental mistakes all year. Paul Johnson readily admits he failed to find the proper way to motivate this team. Yep, it showed all season...

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

See week 13 for my final season thoughts on Virginia since their season ended at that time.

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

See week 13 for my final season thoughts on Duke since their season ended at that time.

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

See week 13 for my final season thoughts on Wake Forest since their season ended at that time.