Chris Mitch Pat
1. Clemson 1. Clemson 1. Clemson
2. Virginia Tech 2. Virginia Tech 2. Virginia Tech
3. Miami 3. Wake Forest 3. Miami
4. Wake Forest 4. Florida State 4. Georgia Tech
5. Florida State 5. Miami 5. UNC
6. Georgia Tech 6. Georgia Tech 6. Florida State
7. UNC 7. UVA 7. Wake Forest
8. UVA 8. Duke 8. NC State
9. Duke 9. UNC 9. UVA
10. NC State 10. NC State 10. Duke
11. Maryland 11. Maryland 11. Maryland
12. Boston College 12. Boston College 12. Boston College
Power Rankings
*-Bowl Eligible
1. Clemson (LW 1) (8-0)*
Pat: Here’s the thing. They’re getting better. Every week Clemson plays, they are taking advantage of that weeks practice and making sure that they don’t regress. That’s championship material. Well, at least ACC championship material. It helps that the (what I’m going to begin calling) stumblin’ bumblin’ Heels turn the ball over every other play in their own territory, but when you put 59 points on the board against a, quote-unquote “defensive team”, whose defense (myself being a Carolina fan who observes and understands every capability of the UNC defense) played well over the weekend, this team is a lot better than they were at the beginning of the season when they only beat the Seminoles by 5 in week 4 and barely pulled the game out against Wofford in week 2. Be careful anytime you suit up against Clemson…they’ll be better than the week prior. With Georgia Tech struggling as of late, and the Gamecocks missing their best player, don’t be surprised if the Tigers run the table and subsequently lose the votes to make a National Championship game. Thank you, Florida State for not competing at the expected level to help Virginia Tech take ACC football to a respectable status over the last 10 years.
Mitch: Their defense is not as good as it should be to be for an elite team, but their offense is insanely explosive. Not sure how that offense would stack up against LSU/Bama but then again, whose would? Their offense is not terribly complicated in sense of scheme, and it doesn't need to be. Their Jimmy and Joes are better than anyone else's X's and O's. Kudos to the offensive coordinator for not over thinking it and getting the ball to their best players more often than they don't.
2. Virginia Tech (LW 2) (7-1)*
Pat: If an early punt goes like it should, the Hokies would’ve either shut-out or gave up the throw away touchdown in the 4th quarter to the worst team in the conference. Only because of the botched punt in the first quarter was this game ever a game at all. The Hokies weren’t able to put the ball in the endzone in the first half, but they’ve had games where the majority of scoring came after turmoil in the first half. It’s basic adjustments that this coaching staff is capable of making that leads the Hokies to run away wins in the second half. They’re fine. Yes, the Hokies are down this year, but no worries, they’ll still win the division and I’d be willing to say, they will finish the regular season with 1 loss. I wish my team could manufacture a 1 loss season during a “down” year.
Chris: Not the prettiest win for the Virginia Tech team but when is it ever? David Wilson is the first back in the nation to break the 1000 yard mark. He know has 1037 yards on 164 carries and is on pace to break Virginia Tech's single-season rushing record set by Ryan Williams in 2009 with 1655 yards. David Wilson has at least one run a game that makes me say "Who the hell is this guy?" That has actually become his middle name for me. David "Who the hell is this guy?" Wilson. The coaches probably asked the same thing at halftime when Wilson came in and told running back coach, Shane Beamer (Yes, it is that Beamer's son), that they need to run the ball more. Wilson was absolutely right and his running in the second half helped Virginia Tech take the lead and ultimately win a game that was tougher than the Hokies expected. The injuries are piling up for this defense but they keep playing tough. Once again, thanks Bud Foster.
3. Miami (LW Tied for 5th) (4-3)
Mitch: I know they have only two conference wins, but they are a different team than just a month ago. I hate Miami because of all their BS swag. but doesn't it seem like they are playing with less swag and more punch you in the face (or balls) and run past you? They are playing for Golden, making good decisions and improving as players. Shows how Shannon's lack of development truly set them back.
Chris: I really can't believe that Miami has moved all the way up to the third sport in the power rankings but they deserve to be where they are. This team has been coming on strong since the second half of the Virginia Tech game. Despite not winning that game they came out of it as a better team. They played the top three teams in the Coastal Division in three straight weeks and came out of it with a 2-1 record, not too shabby. They play UVA this weekend which could be an interesting game but the next game I am interested in for Miami is their trip to Tallahasse on November 12. I think Miami is rising and Florida State might have finally turned it around, though beating Duke is no proof. Expect this rivalry to be competitive and entertaining this year.
4. Wake Forest (LW 4) (5-2)
Chris: It was tough for me to put Wake at this four spot after only beating Duke by one point. But a win is a win is a win and they are now one game away from being bowl eligible and still have a chance to win the Atlantic Division. If they win the rest of their conference games this team will play in Charlotte. The conference games remaining on their schedule are @Duke, @UNC, @Clemson and Maryland at home. They will probably be favored in every game but the Clemson game. This team could make a lot of noise in the ACC and I hope they are able to keep things interesting these last few weeks of the season.
Mitch: They deserve every win they get and they are coached well. I don't think they have the horses to run with the big schools when the Tigers or Hokies come up against them. Good for them for being solid and playing with pride. It was a fun game against Duke as the teams were similar in talent and coaching. ACC football, where the smart schools square off in barn burners.
5. Florida State (LW Tied for 5th) (4-3)
Pat: Florida State seems pissed. That’s good. It’s about time we saw some production out of this team this year. But, we need to wait to see what kind of response they’ll have to the early season struggles once they face a team that will actually challenge them. Let’s be honest. Not overly passionate, but honest. In the games that have tested FSU’s play, the Seminoles have shown that they lack anything outside of E.J. Manuel passing. They still have a flawed defense and a nonexistent running game. Only when they suit up against Miami in a couple of weeks will we really be able to tell if the Seminoles have regained anything since losing three straight. So, we’re brought to three questions that are of a ridiculous nature: Will the Seminoles go undefeated in conference play over the next two years? Absolutely not. Will they go undefeated through the rest of the season? Nope. Will they lose a conference game through the rest of the season? Yeah, well, at least one. But even if they do run the table this year, whatever you do, don’t actually believe that things have changed. FSU will be an underachiever as long as people are still buying them in the preseason. Any disrespect from FSU in the future will be subtle and irrelevant. Just be thankful you’re in the ACC’s version of the SEC east.
Mitch: I appreciate the responses to my Declaration last week. I did it in the light of three straight losses and begged Chris to let me stir the pot. Of course, I stand by some of what I said: we have been shooting ourselves in the foot and recruiting has improved. But clearly we haven't been getting it done on the field and that is what matters. I look forward to more games where we score in the 40's and give up two touchdowns or less. We won't get any credit for wins against bad teams and we deserve not to based on three straight losses. That is college football. But we are a completely different team with EJ Manuel. We can run to the outside to open up the middle. We can throw over top and have good decision making. I love him.
6. Georgia Tech (LW 3) (6-2)*
Mitch: I am beginning to lose faith in the Jackets. Are they throwing too much? What happened to the video game style running? Dammit! I wanna see awesome power runs and awesome counters. I want trap blocking and triple option misdirection. I want the cameraman faked out. DAMMIT Jackets!!
Pat: They’ve been kicked in the balls at a critical point in the season. If there was a time to subdue speculation for troubles, it was last week and they failed miserably at proving otherwise. Good luck winning either of the next games against nationally ranked top 15 ACC teams after losing to a bottom half ACC team and a decent Hurricanes' squad. The end of the season won’t mirror the beginning of the season for the Jackets. So from here on out, expect Georgia tech to struggle more and more, win or lose. They’ve been figured out…Proclamation! Georgia Tech --- 0-4 through the next 3 weeks after going 6-0 the first 6 weeks…Proclamation!
7. UNC (LW 7) (5-3)
Chris: Ouch! UNC gave up 35 points in the third quarter. 35 points! I don't want to rip UNC too much for all that because I think Clemson played a perfect quarter. Those type of quarters happen rarely and UNC just got caught up in a perfect storm. But wow 35 points! That's crazy. The Tarheels are one game away from being bowl eligible but I think they go 2-2 through their last four games and end up with a 7-5 record. Anything more than 2-2 and UNC fans should be happy. This is a tough year for this program and I think they have played over people's expectations.
Pat: Though the scoreboard wouldn’t suggest it, the Tarheels played good defense over the weekend. Which just goes to show how good Clemson actually is. Not only was it a smart strategy, but arguably the only strategy for a Tarheel defense that has no answer for the pass. Their secondary is way too bad to be overly aggressive, therefore the DB’s kept everything in front of them throughout the game. The separation in the match-up with the Tigers is solely placed on turnovers. This offense is still in its developmental stage with the only true experience coming from a single, and the best, wide-receiver, Dwight Jones. But, fumbling the ball due to it hitting off your own knee, these are things you correct in high school. And if they don’t disappear once you’ve stepped on a college campus, its up to your coaches, your collegiate coaches to erase this error by emphasizing acceptable ball carrying. Though he’s had a good sideline debut this season for the Tarheels, Everitt Withers will only be the coach for the next 4 games of the season. His recruiting is average to poor and the Tarheels are doing things that are questionable on the field. He’s been good for this stretch and we wish him well, whether with us in the future or not, but expect UNC to be making sideline changes during the off-season.
8. UVA (LW 8) (4-3)
Mitch: I still know nothing about the Cavs.
Chris: UVA runs a two quarterback system and the rotation of the quarterback is set in stone. That means the coaches don't take into account one quarterback having an off day or the other quarterback having a great day. This doesn't seem like the philosophy of a team that is planning on winning this season. Quarterbacks need to find rhythm and by pulling them off the field every other drive these guys can't find a good rhythm. By game seven this coaching staff should have already decided on a starting quarterback and stuck with him. UVA needs to win two more games to be bowl eligible but seeing those two games in their schedule will be tough. Their remaining schedule @Miami, @Maryland, vs. Duke, @Florida State and finally at home against Virginia Tech. They might struggle to win two games in this schedule but one thing that will help going into next year is to find a starting quarterback and stick with him.
9. Duke (LW 10) (3-4)
Pat: What a heartbreaking loss for the Blue Devils this weekend. Their second half surge fell just short in a game that would’ve helped morale this late in the season. Same result next week when they face the Hokies.
Mitch: They lost a close one to Wake. I wonder if Duke is ok with that and allow Cutcliffe to build on it or do you think they just get some money from their endowment and buy a new coach? I hope they stick with him because they could be that sneaky good team with a great offense.
10. NC State (LW 11) (4-3)
Chris: NC State is riding high on a season-high, two game winning streak. Can they extend it to three games in Tallahassee this weekend? Not likely. This team could still make a bowl game but it would really help to pull of an upset this weekend.
Pat: Yeah, the Pack aren’t playing up to expectations but this was a good win over a middle of the pack team that NC State needed. They now have a 4-3 record and are making their way well enough through the conference. Don’t expect a win next week in Tallahassee, but at least for now, the Pack can begin to not worry so much what may or may not be going on in Wisconsin. A win and a Badger loss, I’m sure the NC State faithful never thought that would be a cause for rejoice.
11. Maryland (LW 9) (2-5)
Mitch: They switched to a really fast quarterback. I mean he is really, really fast. He also ran into Nigel Bradham. Maybe he didn't see him because he is really fast.... ok, I kid. Things are rough in College Park. They have a team, but they aren't coming together or doing anything of consequence. I feel bad for Edsall because he is a new coach and that can be discouraging, but I don't feel that bad.
Chris: Maryland is at least still trying. They made a quarterback change a few weeks ago and it seemed to work against Clemson but not so much against Florida State. Maryland could win the next four games and go bowling this season but that is A LOT easier said than done. Maryland has been the biggest disappointment in the ACC this season, or at least for me, some might say Florida State. I liked Maryland's team last year and had no idea this might happen. This team will struggle to win one more game this season. Sorry Maryland fans.
12. Boston College (LW 12) (1-6)
Pat: Really didn’t have much of a chance with the Hokies, but this week, heading to College Park, Maryland, expect the Eagles to be up to play against a weaker squad.
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