Ranking the ACC After Week Eleven of College Football Action

1. North Carolina (7-2, 3-2)—Last week: 1

The Heels were ranked No. 1 in the ACC last week, and this week they played like it. While they weren't spectacular, they committed zero turnovers, scored 14 points off two of Georgia Tech's turnovers, and in general played the type of mistake-free football that might just result in a Coastal Division title.

 

2. Florida State (7-2, 4-2)—Last week: 3

Florida State took an early body shot from Clemson to fall behind 10-0, then outscored the Tigers 41-17 the rest of the way.

The Noles defensive line harassed Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper all afternoon, and held the Tiger duo of James Davis and CJ Spiller to 79 total yards rushing.

I am sure the Seminoles wish they had another shot at Wake Forest. Wake Forest is also 4-2 in the ACC and currently holds the Atlantic Division tiebreaker due to a 12-7 win over FSU earlier this year.

 

3. Miami (6-3, 3-2)—Last week: 5

With Georgia Tech and Virgina getting virtually eliminated from the Coastal race today, it's down to Miami, Virginia Tech and North Carolina for who will win the division.

The Canes and Hokies play this Thursday night, and the winner stays in the race while loser is just about out of it. Miami was off this week, and should be well rested for the matchup with Virginia Tech.

 

4. Georgia Tech (7-3, 4-3)—Last week: 2

Georgia Tech came into today's game against North Carolina running on fumes, after an emotionally draining win last week against Florida State and all their mounting injuries on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt clearly was favoring his ankle today, and Tech was playing third stringers along its offensive line.

No team is in need of bye week more the Jackets, who get next Saturday off before facing Miami on a Thursday night.

Two missed field goals, a fumbled punt return, plus poor kickoff coverage, and Paul Johnson is going to spend a lot of time during the bye week working on special teams.

 

5. Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2)—Last week: 7

The Hokies finally looked liked the Hokies for the first time in about a month against Maryland Thursday night. Power running, good special teams, tough physical defense were all there.

Darren Evans ran for 253 yards and had the kind of breakout game that coach Frank Beamer has been waiting for from the redshirt freshman.

Virginia Tech, even with the shaky play of the last month, still control their own destiny in the Coastal Division.

Basically if they win at Miami Thursday night, they then get two very winnable home games against Duke and Virginia and the division is theirs.  

 

6. Wake Forest (6-3, 4-2)—Last week: 8        

Very quietly, the Deacs are in position for their second division in three years. They own the tiebreaker over Florida State, but not Maryland.

Maryland, though has a brutal finish to the season, and I'd be shocked if they run the table. We'll look at that Maryland finish in a moment.

Wake Forest's defense forced four turnovers against Virginia in a 28-17 victory. Wake Forest had lost 20 of their last 21 against the Cavs prior to today.

 

7. Boston College (6-3, 2-3)—Last week: 10                                                 

Boston College's defense came up with a great performance against the vastly overrated Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in a 17-0 victory.

Chris Crane was 9-for-22, with 79 yards passing, and one touchdown. Not exactly great numbers, but enough to get the job done.

Next up is a game at Florida State, and if you can believe this, if BC runs the table, they win the Atlantic Division.

They finish @ FSU, @ Wake Forest, and have Maryland at home. Running the table is not a likely scenario, but in the unpredictable ACC, would it shock you? Okay, actually I'd be pretty shocked if they pulled it off.  

 

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

With a chance to take full control of the Atlantic Division race, the Terps returned to their inconsistent ways, with a listless performance in a loss to Virginia Tech last Thursday night.

The running game has to be a big concern to coach Ralph Freidgen. Chris Turner is an adequate quarterback, but he can't carry a team with his arm, and Maryland only had 12 yards rushing against the Hokies.

Top rusher Da'Rel Scott was banged up, but for Maryland to make on final division push, they'll need a stronger running attack. A finish with red-hot North Carolina and Florida State at home before a road finale at Boston College is going to be really tough.  

 

9. Virginia (5-5, 3-3)—Last week: 6                                                              

Virigina might just be as erratic as Maryland. Lose three of their first four, then win five in a row, now lose two in a row. Normally efficient and accurate quarterback Marc Verica threw three interceptions today.

Bowl eligibility is now a little bit of a dicey prospect. Al Groh and Virgina get a bye week  to rest up and prepare for Clemson.

The Cavs might want to take care of business against the Tigers, because I don't think they want to be playing at Virginia Tech trying to get bowl eligible. The Hokies would love nothing more than to knock Virginia out of the post season.

 

10. Clemson (4-5, 2-4)—Last week: 9

Clemson gave good effort in a 41-27 loss to Florida State, which in a lost season is a credit to interim coach Dabo Swinney.

Unfortunately for Swinney, he inherited an offensive line that has been among the worst in the ACC all season. Florida State spent the whole afternoon in Clemson's backfield.

A winnable game next week against Duke should get the Tigers back to .500 for the year, but they have to win all of their final three games (Duke, @Virginia, South Carolina) to get bowl-eligible.

 

11. NC State (3-6, 1-4)—Last week: 12

NC State snapped a four-game losing streak, with a 27-17 win over the Duke Blue Devils today. Redshirt freshman quarterback Russel Wilson threw for 218 yards, and defensive coordinators in the league will dread facing Wilson in the coming years.

A talented runner, Wilson is now starting to learn the nuances of the passing game, which is sure to bring a smile to coach Tom O'Brian's face.

 

12. Duke (4-5, 1-4)—Last week: 11

Duke's remote bowl chances took a major hit after losing to the NC State Wolfpack. After such a strong start, the Blue Devils have now lost four of their last five.

With games @ Clemson, @Virginia Tech, and at home against North Carolina, I think the Blue Devils have won their last game of the season.