Ranking the ACC After Week Eight of College Football Action

1. Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-1)—Last week: 4

Quietly the Yellow Jackets have been the ACC's most consistent team. Their defense continues to play at a very high level, and the offense's development, though slowed by playing their third starting quarterback in seven games, continues to make the plays to win when needed.

It was a media circus at Clemson after Tommy Bowden's departure, but coach Paul Johnson got his team to focus on the task at hand. They are one ACC Virginia Tech loss from controlling their own path to the ACC title game.  

 

2. Florida State (5-1, 2-1)—Last week: 5

The Seminoles have finally found the quarterback they've been looking for since Chris Weinke left in Christian Ponder. He never flinched at NC State against an inspired Wolfpack team. It's a good thing Ponder is a mobile quarterback, because the Noles' offensive line is still a work in progress.

Jimbo Fisher has done a fine job with this team year. Oh yeah, Bobby is still walking the sidelines like he's the head coach.

 

3. Boston College (5-1, 2-1)—Last week: 6                                                      

Boston College had been waiting for a statement game, and they got one against Virginia Tech. Chris Crane is looking more and more like Matt Ryan. He struggled early this season but now looks very comfortable in the Eagles' attack. Playing at North Carolina next week should be a really fun game to watch.

 

4. Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-1)—Last week: 1

I said last week the Hokies had two critical back-to-back ACC road games against Boston College and Florida State that would have major implications to their division title pursuit. They failed in the first attempt, bringing Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and even Virginia back into the race.

The Hokies still control their own destiny, but if they continue to only get 90 yards passing from Tyrod Taylor, they are going to be in trouble.

 

5. North Carolina (4-2, 2-1)—Last week: 3

The Heels' fourth quarter heroics came to an end against a surging Virginia Team. The loss of Brandon Tate appeared to hurt as the Tar Heels lacked the big play ability that Tate gives them. North Carolina will have to recover quickly as a good Boston College team comes to town next week.  

 

6. Virginia (4-3, 2-1)—Last week: 8                                                                 

The Cavaliers' rebound just continues. Right now, if quarterback Marc Verica doesn't get you, then running back Cedric Peerman will. Along with a defense making just enough plays, the Cavs—who at one point were looking at a two to three-win season—are getting close to being bowl eligible.

If they beat Georgia Tech next week, do you realize the Cavs will be very much in a position to contend for the Coastal Division title?

 

7. Maryland (5-2, 2-1)—Last week: 9                                                                

The Jekyll and Hyde Terps put in their Jekyll performance this week. With a dominating 26-0 win over Wake Forest, Maryland is back in contention for the Atlantic Division title. It wouldn't shock me at all if Maryland loses next week to NC State. It's really a critical game for Maryland as a solid win would put the schizophrenic start of the season behind them.

 

8. Wake Forest (4-2, 2-1)—Last week: 2          

I just don't like the way Wake Forest is playing recently: a loss to Navy, a sloppy win against Clemson, and then an ugly shutout against Maryland. The loss of All-ACC kicker Sam Swank is putting a lot of pressure on quarterback Riley Skinner and the offense to complete drives, which they are not.

A loss next week at Miami, and Wake Forest will be hard-pressed to remain in the Atlantic Division title race.

 

9. Miami (4-3, 1-2)—Last week: 7

The offense finally busted out in a 49-31 win against Duke. Freshman Jacory Harris took over for starter Robert Marve and threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. I'm guessing he'll be named the starter next week against Wake Forest. The defense giving up 31 points to Duke has to be a concern.

 

10. Clemson (3-4, 1-3)—Last week: 10 

Interim coach Dabo Swinney, with only four days to prepare for Georgia Tech, tried to will the Tigers to victory on emotion and adrenaline. It almost worked in a 21-17 loss. In a season gone south, Swinney managed to get a near sellout and have his players play inspired and hard.

Now he gets two weeks to properly prepare for Boston College. He has to win four out of the last five to get Clemson bowl eligible, as only one of the two FCS victories will count towards bowl eligibility. The offensive line is still a mess.

 

11. Duke (3-3, 1-2)—Last week: 11

The Dukies are starting to come back down to earth. The offense, with the exception of the Georgia Tech game, has been mostly pretty effective, but the defense gave up nearly 600 yards of offense to Miami.

This is still not the Blue Devils of three and for years ago, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them win one or two more games. A bowl game might be history, though.

 

12. NC State (2-5, 0-3)—Last week: 12

The Wolfpack played hard and mostly pretty well in a 26-17 loss to Florida St. last Thursday night. It appears Russell Wilson is the quarterback of the future, but the Pack just don't have the overall personnel to contend for the division this season.

Tom O'Brien is a good coach, and expect the Wolfpack to pull an upset or two somewhere along the line. They are mostly playing for next season though.