ACC Football Power Rankings: Week 9

If there were any doubts about the top spot in the ACC Power Rankings, there were solidified last week by the Tigers in Death Valley. Outside of a massive upset, the Atlantic could very well be wrapped up in the next week or so.

Things are different in the Coastal Division. With just one undefeated team in conference play and three others with one loss, it may be a fight to the final weekend for the divisional crown.

1. Clemson 7-0 (4-0)

• Last week: Win 41-7 vs. NC State
• This week: at Florida State

The Tigers made the house a lot of money last week with the -17 spread against the Wolfpack. Unless the train derails, the No. 2 in the country should roll to the ACC Championship and College Football Playoffs.

2. Virginia Tech 4-2 (3-0)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: vs. Georgia Tech

The Hokies are now in the driver’s seat in the Coastal, but there is still a lot of tough matchups for VT down the stretch. Will one of those be Georgia Tech this week?

3. NC State 5-1 (2-1)

• Last week: Loss 41-7 at Clemson
• This week: at Syracuse

The massacre in Death Valley showed how much the cancelled game against West Virginia hurt NC State. With the easiest schedule in the ACC, the Wolfpack were simply not up to the challenge Saturday.

4. Miami 5-2 (2-1)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: at Boston College

After a week to regroup in the wake of the surprising loss at Virginia, Malik Rosier will be back under center for the Hurricanes. It could be a nail-biter in Chestnut Hill as Miami is favored by just -2.5.

5. Boston College 5-2 (2-1)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: vs. Miami

This can be a statement game for the Eagles, however AJ Dillon is still questionable even after the bye week. If he makes back into the lineup, BC could pull off the upset.

6. Virginia 5-2 (3-1)

• Last week: Win 28-14 at Duke
• This week: vs. North Carolina

The Cavaliers set out to prove that the Miami game was not a fluke and did so convincingly against Duke in Durham. UVA is now chasing VT in the Coastal and may be on a path that will set up a very interesting final game in Blacksburg.

7. Pitt 3-4 (2-1)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: vs. Duke

The heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame prior to the bye week proved that Pitt has plenty of fight left in them. A win this week will keep them in the hunt in the Coastal.

8. Syracuse 5-2 (2-2)

• Last week: Win 40-37 vs. North Carolina
• This week: vs. NC State

The Orange hung up at least 40 points for the fifth time in seven total games this season in double-overtime against the Heels. Can they do it again in the Carrier Dome versus another UNC system school?

9. Florida State 4-3 (2-3)

• Last week: Win 38-17 vs. Wake Forest
• This week: vs. Clemson

After getting smoked by Syracuse in September, the Seminoles are averaging almost 33 points per game and winning three of four. It does not get any easier for FSU down the stretch and it starts this week versus Clemson.

10. Duke 5-2 (1-2)

• Last week: Loss 28-14 vs. Virginia
• This week: at Pitt

The Blue Devils pulled within six of UVA last week during the fourth quarter after being down as much as 13 in the second half, but could not finish the comeback. Duke will face a Pitt team on the road that has been playing much better as of late and will need this divisional victory for a shot at the Coastal.

11. Georgia Tech 3-4 (1-3)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: at Virginia Tech

Will the Ramblin’ Wreck play spoiler in Blacksburg? If so, things will get a whole lot more interesting in the Coastal. If GT can avoid the fumbles that led directly to touchdowns in the game against Duke, maybe they can pull off the upset.

12. North Carolina 1-5 (1-3)

• Last week: Loss 40-37 at Syracuse
• This week: at Virginia

Can the North Carolina Tar Heels finish the job this week? It is certainly not from lack of effort from the team. These players need to be put in a position for victory by the playcallers.

13. Wake Forest 3-4 (0-3)

• Last week: Loss 38-17 at Florida State
• This week: at Louisville

With their matchup versus Louisville, one of the two teams without a conference victory this season will put a W in the win column. Can the Demon Deacons get it done?

14. Louisville 2-5 (0-4)

• Last week: Bye
• This week: vs. Wake Forest

The oddsmakers have the Cardinals as a -1.5 favorite versus Wake Forest. Place your bets!