ACC Power Rankings: Week 12

#1 Clemson (11-0, 8-0) (LW:#1):

After a slow first half offensively, Clemson rolled to a 35-6 victory. The defense did an outstanding job stifling Daniel Jones and Duke. Now it’s rivalry week and the Gamecocks come to town.

#2 Notre Dame (11-0, 5-0 vs ACC) (LW:#2):

Notre Dame took care of an Eric Dungy-less Syracuse team easily in Yankee Stadium. I’d imagine this week we’ll here some louder arguments for Notre Dame jumping Clemson in the CFP rankings. I strongly doubt it happens and don’t think it should, but I’m not going to sweat it if they do. All it would mean is we’d be the “road team” in the Orange Bowl and puts a nice little chip on our shoulder. Notre Dame finishes up their season at USC next weekend.

#3 Pitt (7-4, 6-1) (LW:#3):

Pitt defeated Wake Forest 34-13 to clinch the ACC Coastal. Pitt is also 7-4 and plays at Miami this week. Playing the U in a kind of meaningless game before playing the ACCCG feels like it could be a trap game for Pitt (this was not a sentence I ever thought I’d write). Pitt climbed into the top 25 this week, but a loss to Miami and Clemson will be facing an unranked, 7 win team in the ACCCG.

#4 Syracuse (8-3, 5-2) (LW:#3):

Cuse fell hard to Notre Dame after Eric Dungey went down with injury. It’s sounding like he won’t be back for the season finale at Boston College and may not be able to pay in the bowl game.

#5 NC State (7-3, 4-3) (LW:#7):

State beat up on hapless Louisville 52-10, and will conclude their regular season by heading to Chapel Hill for a matchup with rival UNC.

#6 Boston College (7-4, 4-3) (LW:#4):

BC, what are you doing? Missing their starting QB and RB, Boston College lost to Florida State 22-21. I understand those were major injuries, but I still expected more from BC. Maybe they couldn’t play in that warm Florida weather. The Eagles host rival Syracuse this weekend.

#7 Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3) (LW:#9):

Georgia Tech pulled off a thrilling 30-27 overtime win over UVA. The Jackets will head to Athens to clash with UGA. The odds may not look good for Tech against the Dawgs, but GT has won the last two meetings in Athens.

#8 Virginia (7-4, 4-3) (LW:#6):

After falling to GT in Atlanta, UVA turns its attention to Virginia Tech. The Wahoos will be looking to break a 14 game losing streak to the Hokies this Friday in Blacksburg.

#9 Duke (7-4, 3-4) (LW:#8):

Duke fought admirably against Clemson but was overmatched. It is nice to hear stories about the respect between Dabo and Cutcliffe.

Very cool gesture. Duke hosts Wake Saturday.

#10 Miami (6-5, 3-4) (LW:#10):

Miami dominated Virginia Tech 38-14. The Canes will host Pitt Saturday.

#11 Florida State (5-6, 3-5) (LW:#13):

FSU pulled off the upset of #20 BC to get win #5 on the year. The Noles will be trying to clinch bowl eligibility and keep their bowl streak alive this weekend as they host #13 Florida.

#12 Wake Forest (5-6, 2-5) (LW:#11):

Wake fell to Coastal champ Pitt 34-13. Deacs head to Duke on Saturday.

#13 Virginia Tech (4-5, 3-4) (LW:#12):

Va Tech was dominated by a bad Miami team. If the Hokies can defeat rival Virginia on Friday, the university is planning to a game on Dec 1 to replace the cancelled game from earlier this year due to the hurricane.

Like FSU, Virginia Tech is also at risk of losing their 26 game bowl streak with a loss Saturday or on December 1.

#14 North Carolina (2-8, 1-6) (LW:#14):

UNC blew out instate for Western Carolina and then this happened:

Running on the field after beating a FCS school? That’s our thing! Don’t tell me the Tar Heels are swiping our tradition! Nah, there actually was another reason for the crowd on the field.

This is really cool that UNC does this, even if it’s just for one game. One of the things that’s so cool about Clemson letting fans on the field is the kids getting to go out and toss the ball around the field that they just watched their heroes play on. Seeing other programs do similar things is always good to see. UNC probably turned some kids into lifelong fans with this, and more programs should do something of this nature.

#15 Louisville (2-9, 0-8) (LW:#15):

The Lorenzo Ward era began with a 42 point loss to NC State. Now the Cards limp into the Bluegrass showdown with #17 Kentucky, who’s struggled in the past few weeks.