ACC Week 8 Power Rankings

This time last week, there were still three ACC teams undefeated in conference play.

Clemson was the only survivor this week, thanks to a stellar performance from standout frosh Sammy Watkins.

The big winner was Virginia, who shocked undefeated and No. 12-ranked Georgia Tech.

This reaffirms one of the fundamental properties of the ACC: it's chaotic and unpredictable, and any team can win on any day.

However, that doesn't mean everyone has the same probability of winning.

Let's start with the guys with the worst chance.

12. Boston College

Boston College was blown out this week by their clearly superior opponent and look like they might actually go a whole year without beating an FBS team.

The other team's offense was too dynamic for their solid offense, while their passing game couldn't get it going.

It doesn't get any easier this week when they face...

Hold on.

Ignore everything above.

I was accidentally running next week's blurb on the Eagles.

11. Duke

Duke's three-game win streak is over, and Florida State brought David Cutcliffe's men back down to earth.

Duke is going to have a hard time finishing 3-3 in the second half of the season and qualifying for a bowl due to their diamond-hard schedule coming up.

However, if they can stiffen up on defense and show more consistency on offense, they have enough talent to nab a couple of victories.

10. NC State

NC State had what was probably their best showing of the year against Central Michigan last week.

Mike Glennon is playing very well, and the running game is picking up for the Wolfpack.

If the defense finally gets healthy at some point, this team could make some serious noise.

Will it be too late to qualify for a bowl game?

9. Maryland

Maryland is only 2-4.

However, CJ Brown seems to have given this team a major spark.

He pulled a Tebow against Georgia Tech, barely losing after single-handedly rallying his team against a superior opponent.

Maryland's offense was dynamic against Clemson.

Now we get to discover whether that says more about CJ Brown or about Clemson's D.

8. Virginia

Virginia isn't the most athletic team in the ACC.

However, they have enough talent to piece together a solid season.

That was demonstrated by their stellar performance against Georgia Tech, the second straight time the Cavaliers have beaten a ranked team at home.

The defense only yielded two touchdowns while the offense ran for 272 yards...as many as the triple option got.

What Virginia has lacked under Mike London is the consistency to be good.

If they beat NC State this week, they will be on a three-game winning streak.

Stay tuned.

7. Florida State

Florida State got their first ACC win against Duke.

They need to prove themselves against better competition.

They don't really have many opportunities left.

FSU should cruise through the rest of their ACC schedule with the exception of Miami.

The showdown with the Hurricanes could have implications for FSU's title hopes.

6. North Carolina

The Tar Heels had a major letdown against Miami last week that dropped them to 1-2 in the ACC so far.

If they want to keep their ACC title game hopes alive, they need to get on a roll now.

They have the offense, defense and special teams to do it.

They just need better execution.

Sky's the limit for the Powder Blue Crew.

5. Miami

Miami had a very impressive showing against UNC this week after their offense made their season debut against Virginia Tech in their fifth game of the year.

The rest of the ACC better watch out for this ascending team.

If Miami can beat Georgia Tech this week, the Hurricanes have real potential to run the table.

4. Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons found out just how good Virginia Tech's defense is.

For the first time this year, Wake Forest had a disappointing performance.

However, the loss to the Coastal Division champions is not a huge blow to their division championship hopes, and the winner the their game with Clemson later this year is still going to be right in the driver's seat in the Atlantic Division.

Tanner Price is the real deal, and that is making all the difference this year for Jim Grobe's team.

3. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has gotten weaker as the year has gone on.

They wrecked their weaker opponents but have had two straight subpar performances against subpar opponents.

To be fair, they were cruising by Maryland until the CJ Brown show had its season premiere and Virginia is 4-2 this season.

So for now, the 6-1 Yellow Jackets are still right near the top of the Coastal Division.

They've got Miami, Clemson, and Virginia Tech coming up to measure whether the Yellow Jackets really belong among the conference elite.

2. Virginia Tech

If the Yellow Jackets have been getting weaker this year, the Hokies are just starting to hit their stride.

Two standout performances against Miami and Wake Forest have the fans in Blacksburg hopeful that their team can win a fifth division title in seven years of divisional play in the ACC.

A schedule that still includes contests against Boston College, Duke, and Virginia and a home game against UNC seems likely to reward the faith of the fans.

It looks as if the Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech matchup could once again be the de facto division championship game, just as it has every year.

1. Clemson

Right now, Dabo Swinney's men are the uncontested best side in the ACC.

They already have seven wins at a time when most teams haven't even played seven games and are assured at least a .500 record in the ACC.

However, there will be no easy tasks in the near future for these guys.

North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and the Tigers' storied history of collapsing down the stretch all pose significant challenges on Clemson's path to perfection.

Then again, this Clemson squad hasn't met a challenge it didn't like yet.