ACC Week 12 Power Rankings

Clemson got the last laugh this week.

After struggling to put together a good drive for most of their game against Wake Forest, the Tigers used a 17-0 run to roar to a 31-28 win over the Deacons.

The Tigers are now Atlantic Division champions.

Meanwhile, the Coastal Division is up for grabs. 

It will either be decided this week, or in Charlottesville on November 26.

12. Maryland

The Terrapins do not want to match 2009's 2-10 record.

That would make the last three years the most embarrassing in program history, last year notwithstanding.

Playing a virtual home game at the Redskins' stadium isn't exactly good karma for a team aiming to avoid embarrassment.

Notre Dame recently had their own three-year nightmare and should be focused enough to overwhelm the Terrapins.

The best thing Maryland can do now is get some of their young guys experience for next year.

11. Duke

Duke's season has been up-and-down to say the least.

Loss to Richmond: rock bottom.

Three wins in the next four including thrillers against Boston College and surging FIU: very nice.

Five-game losing streak: rock bottom again.

Bowl ineligible for the 17th-straight season: priceless.

10. Boston College

Boston College caught a lot of flak in these rankings earlier in the year.

Instead of complaining about it or sending me hatemail, they did the one thing which cures all problems in sports.* 

They started winning.

*Disclaimer: Winning doesn't actually cure all problems. SMU and Joe Paterno can tell you that misconduct occasionally has consequences, even in big-time athletics.

9. NC State

NC State is THAT team.

They are the team that no one can predict.

Their chances of beating Clemson this week?

I'm putting them at 50.0 percent.

8. Miami

Miami committed nine penalties and three turnovers against Florida State and still almost won.

Their defense brought their A-game, holding the prolific Seminole attack to 259 yards and 13 first downs. 

Their special teams brought their binoculars so they could watch Greg Reid land in the end zone at Doak Campbell Stadium.

If only the coaching staff had thought to bring their offense...

7. Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons were on the cusp of an Atlantic Division title.

Now they are fighting for bowl eligibility.

With Vanderbilt looking dangerous, they better be a team on a mission this week against Maryland if they want to avoid a collapse that would make Jay Cutler proud.

The fact that one of the top three teams in the Atlantic is 5-5 shows you what state that half of the ACC is in right now.

6. North Carolina

The Tar Heels are coming off a bye week.

That was one of the best things to happen to the Tar Heels in the recent past.

UNC has locked up a bowl berth but is still in danger of ending the season on a massive downhill slide.

If they can't shock Virginia Tech this week, they will have a 2-5 conference record, having dropped four of their last five, heading into a rivalry matchup against Duke that will determine last place in the ACC.

The NCAA needs to reconsider some of its bylaws, as whatever academic cheating UNC engaged in over the last couple of years does not actually seem to be yielding a competitive advantage on the field.

5. Georgia Tech

An initial romp against out of conference opponents has been long forgotten, as the Yellow Jackets are barely better than random chance in the ACC standings.

Recent losses to Virginia, Miami, and Virginia Tech have overshadowed a big win over official cross-division rival Clemson.

At least their offense returned to score 26 against the Hokies, after totaling three offensive scores combined against the Cavaliers and Hurricanes.

Al Groh still hasn't fixed this defense though.

That might take a few years of strong recruiting.

4. Virginia

Having won five of their six games in October and November, including their last three, Virginia is as hot as about any other team in the conference.

They are about to enter a crucible, as they face off against FSU and Virginia Tech in the next two weeks.

If they fare well enough in those games, the reward is a showdown against Clemson for the ACC title.

Mike London's team has proven it can beat the it should lower down in the ACC.

The question now is whether they can play with the big dogs.

3. Florida State

The Seminoles may not be in the ACC title race but at season's end they may be playing better than any other squad.

They passed one rivalry test by beating Miami.

Now they have their sights set on Florida.

First, they must beat the resurgent Cavaliers.

If Florida State can keep beating down their opponents, they may find themselves with another 10-win season that could serve as a building block for bigger things to come.

2. Virginia Tech

It's time to give the Hokies some serious credit.

They finally faced off against a top notch opponent and passed the test with flying colors.

Virginia Tech dominated the second quarter and the fourth quarter against they Yellow Jackets, showing an ability to close out games strong.

Now it's time to close the season strong with wins against North Carolina, Virginia, and perhaps Clemson.

1. Clemson

Clemson rebounded well from a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech by breaking a few Wake Forest hearts themselves.

Now that the Atlantic division is wrapped up, they have NC State and South Carolina left on the schedule.

It's time to see the mental toughness as this team, as they have to stay focused in their next two games.

If they pass that test, the Tigers could very well be looking at a 13-1 season.