ACC Power Rankings: Miami’s Tropical Depression

#1 Notre Dame (10-0, 9-0) LW: #1 Next Game: 12/19 vs Clemson, ACCCG, 4:00 PM, ABC.

Notre Dame did not play over the weekend, a topic that had been much discussed and led to the accusations of the ACC protecting Clemson and Notre Dame by having them off. Who knows if the ACC actually is protecting these teams, but honestly, props to them if they are. The first Clemson-ND game did great in the ratings, and now you’ve got a rematch with a healthier Clemson team. For the first time in years the ACC Championship may be the most hyped championship of the weekend. Might as well make sure that product is as good as it can be.

#2 Clemson (9-1, 8-1) LW: #2 Next Game: 10/19 vs Notre Dame, ACCCG, 4:00 PM ABC.

Clemson also did not play over the weekend. It looks as if the Tigers should be pretty close to full strength heading to Charlotte. Clemson opened as a touchdown favorite and the line has shifted to Clemson -11. Clemson would lock in a playoff slot with a win.

#3 North Carolina (8-3, 7-3) LW: #4 Next Game: TBD

Alexa, play Petey Pablo. The Heels went to Miami and crushed the Canes 62-26. Absolutely a huge way for the Heels to close a season and positions them nicely in the bowl selection process.

#4 Miami (8-2, 7-2) LW: #3 Next Game: TBD

Faithful readers, I’d like to ask for your forgiveness this week. I did something I never thought I would do. In an overzealous quest to argue Clemson’s strength of schedule, I hyped up Miami, and made comments along the lines of “Miami would beat Indiana by 20.” As you know, I pride myself on Cane hatred and ridicule, but such an odd season where I constantly heard the cries of “Coastal Carolina has better wins than Clemson” led me to stick up for the Canes, against my better judgement, and I am sorry.

This Miami loss will go down as a top-5 loss in Canes’s history, along with the 2015 58-0 drubbing to Clemson and the 2007 48-0 loss to UVA to close out the old Orange Bowl Stadium. This loss carries a special burn, as even as good as Mack Brown may get the Tar Heels, it will take a lot before being blown out by UNC doesn’t have the taint of being bested by a “basketball school.” No disrespect to the Tar Heels football program, but after years of great basketball and mediocre football, seeing UNC break 60 will carry a little extra shame, particularly for a once-proud program like Miami.

Miami’s upcoming game with Georgia Tech has been cancelled, so the U awaits their bowl destination.

#5 NC State (8-3, 7-3) LW: #5 Next Game: TBD.

State didn’t play over the weekend. They also await a bowl destination.

#6 Pitt (6-5, 5-5) LW: #9 Next Game: None (Opted out of Bowl).

Pitt faced off against Georgia Tech in a make up game from earlier this season, and it was bizarre, to say the least. First, the game was done on a Thursday instead of Saturday, I believe due to Georgia Tech graduation this weekend. The game was also on Fox Sports South because the ACC refuses to let that go, so the game was on ESPN3 for some, blacked out for others, probably not on your YouTube TV, and so on. Then, a wreck on North Avenue led to multiple brief power outages in the game.

Pitt won 34-20, although there were a few questionable calls against Georgia Tech. The Panthers’ season comes to an end, as the program has decided to decline any bowl invitations.

#7 Boston College (6-5, 5-5) LW: #8. Next Game: None (Opted out of Bowl).

BC has announced that they will not consider a bowl bid, so the Eagles first season under Jeff Hafley ends with a gentleman’s 6-5 record.

#8 Virginia Tech (5-6, 5-5) LW: #10 Next Game: TBD.

Virginia Tech defeated rival UVA 33-15 to reclaim the Commonwealth Cup. Was this enough to save Justin Fuente’s job? That remains unclear, but we may hear something in the next week. The Hokies also await a bowl invite.

#9 Virginia (5-5, 4-5) LW: #7 Next Game: None (Opted out of Bowl).

The Cavs fell to Va Tech and have announced they will not consider an invite to a bowl game.

#10 Louisville (4-7, 3-7) LW: #12 Next Game: TBD.

The Cards had a nice 45-21 win over Wake Forest. With the various teams opting out of bowls, the Cards could go bowling.

#11 Wake Forest (4-4, 3-4) LW: #6 Next Game: 12/19 vs FSU 12:00 PM ACCN.

The Deacs were blown out by Louisville. Wake has a chance to boost their bowl resume against FSU Saturday.

#12 Georgia Tech (3-7, 3-6) LW: #11 Next Game: None (Opted Out of Bowl).

The Jackets fell to Pitt in a weird Thursday night game, as discussed earlier. GT has canceled their game with Miami and declined any bowl invite, thus ending year two for Geoff Collins.

#13 Florida State (3-6, 2-6) LW: #13 Next Game: 12/19 @ Wake Forest 12:00 PM ACCN.

The Noles blew out a hapless Duke team. FSU will have another chance for a win against Wake Saturday. FSU also got some big news this week.

Picking up the transfer of former UCF QB McKenzie Milton is huge.

#14 Duke (2-9, 1-9) LW: #14 Next Game: TBD.

The Devils fell to FSU. The Devils could possibly make a bowl game, but is it really worth it to keep this season going? Also, Chase Brice is entering the transfer portal again.

#15 Syracuse (1-10, 1-9) LW: #15 Next Game: None (Opted Out of Bowl).

Syracuse is done.