Clemson clinched the Atlantic and Pittsburgh is one win away from wrapping up the Coastal. The rest of the league, aside from Syracuse, is a disaster.
1. Clemson (10-0, 7-0 ACC) (Last Week: 1)
Last Week: at #17 Boston College Golden Eagles (7-3, 4-2) – W 27-7
Next Week: vs Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3)
The first goal of many was accomplished Saturday, when Clemson traveled to BC and easily dispersed of the Eagles. That’s another Atlantic crown for the Tigers, who will most likely be taking on Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship game. This team will probably need to lose 2 of their last 3 games in order to miss out on the playoff.
2. Syracuse (8-2, 5-2 ACC) (Last Week: 3)
Last Week: vs Louisville Cardinals (2-8, 0-7) – W 54-23
Next Week: vs #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0)
The Orange easily took care of Louisville, and had it not been for an overtime loss in Pittsburgh, this team would have a serious chance to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. They’re the only team to give Clemson any type of fight, and as it currently sits, they look like they’re going to inch closer, if not into, the top 10 this week. A win over the Irish Saturday would make the CFP very, very interesting.
3. Pittsburgh (6-4, 5-1 ACC) (Last Week: 4)
Last Week: vs Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 3-3)
Next Week: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-5, 2-4)
The Panthers are one win away from wrapping up the ACC Coastal and securing a date with Clemson in the ACC Championship game. In their win over VT, the Panthers ran for 492 yards, averaging 13.7 yards per carry. Qadree Ollison ran for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 97-yard scamper that featured a Vance McDonald-esque stiff arm. Darrin Hall added another 186 yards and a score.
4. Boston College (7-3, 4-2 ACC) (Last Week: 2)
Last Week: vs #2 Clemson Tigers (10-0, 7-0) – L 27-7
Next Week: at Florida State Seminoles (4-6, 2-5)
The Eagles put up a valiant 1st half effort against the Tigers, but ultimately fell short in their pursuit of the Atlantic title. Steve Addazio has instilled a winning mentality into his program, and it will be interesting to see what next season holds. BC will get a good bowl game, and still has a huge matchup with Syracuse on the last weekend of the season, a game that is a nothing-to-lose game for the Eagles and could be an everything-to-lose game for the Orange.
5. Virginia (7-3, 4-2 ACC) (Last Week: 5)
Last Week: vs Liberty Flames (4-5) – W 45-24
Next Week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3)
The Cavaliers easily knocked off the Flames, but the defense that was so dominant earlier in ACC play is really struggling now. The Cavaliers have two games remaining on the schedule, both on the road. They will need to win both of them and hope that Pittsburgh miraculously loses their final two games to steal the Coastal crown.
6. Duke (7-3, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 7)
Last Week: vs North Carolina Tar Heels (1-8, 1-6) – W 42-35
Next Week: at #2 Clemson Tigers (10-0, 7-0)
Daniel Jones accounted for an absurd 547 yards in the victory on Sunday and will probably need the same amount on Saturday if the Blue Devils are going to have any chance to knock off the Tigers. The defense that played really well early on gave up 536 yards to a UNC offense that has been consistently bad all season.
7. North Carolina State (6-3, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 6)
Last Week: vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-5, 2-4) – W 27-23
Next Week: at Louisville Cardinals (2-8, 0-7)
Most people probably expected that NC State wasn’t actually the 14th best team in the country, but to come out on National TV and lose a home game to a really bad Wake Forest team is inexcusable. Once again, the offense fell entirely on Ryan Finley’s shoulders, as he threw 52 passes, completing 35 for 374 yards.
8. Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3 ACC) (Last Week: 8)
Last Week: vs Miami Hurricanes (5-5, 2-4) – W 27-21
Next Week: vs Virginia Cavaliers (7-3, 4-2)
That’s 3 straight wins, and 5 out of 6, for the Yellow Jackets who have worked their way into being bowl eligible with two games remaining. While the Coastal is out of reach, GT can still make quite a mark on the college football landscape if they can knock off Virginia this week and then take down Georgia on the final weekend of the regular season.
9. Miami (5-5, 2-4 ACC) (Last Week: 9)
Last Week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3) – L 27-21
Next Week: at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 3-3)
I want to put the Canes lower, but I can’t justify putting anyone else ahead of them. There won’t be an ACC title this year, or a Coastal title, or possibly even a bowl game. The Canes started the season ranked #8, but since starting 5-1, it has been an absolute disaster. This week they go to Blacksburg to take on a struggling Hokies team. At the beginning of the season, many thought this game would be for the Coastal championship. Now, both teams need the win just to play in a bowl.
10. Virginia Tech (4-5, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 10)
Last Week: at Pittsburgh Panthers (6-4, 5-1) – L 52-22
Next Week: vs Miami Hurricanes (5-5, 2-4)
After getting decimated by the Panthers, the Hokies must now win their last two games in order to become bowl eligible. The good news for the Hokies is that both games are at home. The bad news is, VT is bad.
11. Florida State (4-6, 2-5 ACC) (Last Week: 11)
Last Week: at #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0) – L 42-13
Next Week: vs #17 Boston College Golden Eagles (7-3, 4-2)
It’s been a theme all season, but once again the Seminoles found themselves in a game where a victory would be season redeeming, and once again FSU lost in blowout fashion. The Noles end their season with two home games against BC and Florida and look doomed to miss out on a bowl. That means Miami, VT, and FSU, three preseason top 25 teams, are all in very serious danger of missing out on bowls.
12. Wake Forest (5-5, 2-4 ACC) (Last Week: 13)
Last Week: at #14 North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3) – W 27-23
Next Week: vs Pittsburgh Panthers (6-4, 5-1)
Jamie Newman got the start for the Demon Deacons and looked amazing against a struggling Wolfpack defense. He threw for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns in the comeback victory that moves Wake one game closer to bowl eligibility. Wake is Virginia’s only hope, as a loss this week means Pittsburgh wraps up the Coastal.
13. UNC (1-8, 1-6 ACC) (Last Week: 12)
Last Week: at Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3) – L 42-35
Next Week: vs Western Carolina Catamounts (3-7)
Another week, another close loss for the Tar Heels. It’s been a dismal season for a team that has found a way to lose just about every game. The good news is this week they welcome Western Carolina to town, so a 2nd win is well within reach.
14. Louisville (2-8, 0-7 ACC) (Last Week: 14)
Last Week: at #13 Syracuse Orange (8-2, 5-2) – W 54-23
Next Week: vs #14 North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3)
Despite one of the most entertainingly awful seasons in school history, the Cardinals have fired Bobby Petrino after yet another blowout loss. Who will be lucky enough to replace him and inherit a program that is in dire need of a rebuild?
1. Clemson (10-0, 7-0 ACC) (Last Week: 1)
Last Week: at #17 Boston College Golden Eagles (7-3, 4-2) – W 27-7
Next Week: vs Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3)
The first goal of many was accomplished Saturday, when Clemson traveled to BC and easily dispersed of the Eagles. That’s another Atlantic crown for the Tigers, who will most likely be taking on Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship game. This team will probably need to lose 2 of their last 3 games in order to miss out on the playoff.
2. Syracuse (8-2, 5-2 ACC) (Last Week: 3)
Last Week: vs Louisville Cardinals (2-8, 0-7) – W 54-23
Next Week: vs #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0)
The Orange easily took care of Louisville, and had it not been for an overtime loss in Pittsburgh, this team would have a serious chance to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. They’re the only team to give Clemson any type of fight, and as it currently sits, they look like they’re going to inch closer, if not into, the top 10 this week. A win over the Irish Saturday would make the CFP very, very interesting.
3. Pittsburgh (6-4, 5-1 ACC) (Last Week: 4)
Last Week: vs Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 3-3)
Next Week: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-5, 2-4)
The Panthers are one win away from wrapping up the ACC Coastal and securing a date with Clemson in the ACC Championship game. In their win over VT, the Panthers ran for 492 yards, averaging 13.7 yards per carry. Qadree Ollison ran for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 97-yard scamper that featured a Vance McDonald-esque stiff arm. Darrin Hall added another 186 yards and a score.
4. Boston College (7-3, 4-2 ACC) (Last Week: 2)
Last Week: vs #2 Clemson Tigers (10-0, 7-0) – L 27-7
Next Week: at Florida State Seminoles (4-6, 2-5)
The Eagles put up a valiant 1st half effort against the Tigers, but ultimately fell short in their pursuit of the Atlantic title. Steve Addazio has instilled a winning mentality into his program, and it will be interesting to see what next season holds. BC will get a good bowl game, and still has a huge matchup with Syracuse on the last weekend of the season, a game that is a nothing-to-lose game for the Eagles and could be an everything-to-lose game for the Orange.
5. Virginia (7-3, 4-2 ACC) (Last Week: 5)
Last Week: vs Liberty Flames (4-5) – W 45-24
Next Week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3)
The Cavaliers easily knocked off the Flames, but the defense that was so dominant earlier in ACC play is really struggling now. The Cavaliers have two games remaining on the schedule, both on the road. They will need to win both of them and hope that Pittsburgh miraculously loses their final two games to steal the Coastal crown.
6. Duke (7-3, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 7)
Last Week: vs North Carolina Tar Heels (1-8, 1-6) – W 42-35
Next Week: at #2 Clemson Tigers (10-0, 7-0)
Daniel Jones accounted for an absurd 547 yards in the victory on Sunday and will probably need the same amount on Saturday if the Blue Devils are going to have any chance to knock off the Tigers. The defense that played really well early on gave up 536 yards to a UNC offense that has been consistently bad all season.
7. North Carolina State (6-3, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 6)
Last Week: vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-5, 2-4) – W 27-23
Next Week: at Louisville Cardinals (2-8, 0-7)
Most people probably expected that NC State wasn’t actually the 14th best team in the country, but to come out on National TV and lose a home game to a really bad Wake Forest team is inexcusable. Once again, the offense fell entirely on Ryan Finley’s shoulders, as he threw 52 passes, completing 35 for 374 yards.
8. Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3 ACC) (Last Week: 8)
Last Week: vs Miami Hurricanes (5-5, 2-4) – W 27-21
Next Week: vs Virginia Cavaliers (7-3, 4-2)
That’s 3 straight wins, and 5 out of 6, for the Yellow Jackets who have worked their way into being bowl eligible with two games remaining. While the Coastal is out of reach, GT can still make quite a mark on the college football landscape if they can knock off Virginia this week and then take down Georgia on the final weekend of the regular season.
9. Miami (5-5, 2-4 ACC) (Last Week: 9)
Last Week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3) – L 27-21
Next Week: at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 3-3)
I want to put the Canes lower, but I can’t justify putting anyone else ahead of them. There won’t be an ACC title this year, or a Coastal title, or possibly even a bowl game. The Canes started the season ranked #8, but since starting 5-1, it has been an absolute disaster. This week they go to Blacksburg to take on a struggling Hokies team. At the beginning of the season, many thought this game would be for the Coastal championship. Now, both teams need the win just to play in a bowl.
10. Virginia Tech (4-5, 3-3 ACC) (Last Week: 10)
Last Week: at Pittsburgh Panthers (6-4, 5-1) – L 52-22
Next Week: vs Miami Hurricanes (5-5, 2-4)
After getting decimated by the Panthers, the Hokies must now win their last two games in order to become bowl eligible. The good news for the Hokies is that both games are at home. The bad news is, VT is bad.
11. Florida State (4-6, 2-5 ACC) (Last Week: 11)
Last Week: at #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0) – L 42-13
Next Week: vs #17 Boston College Golden Eagles (7-3, 4-2)
It’s been a theme all season, but once again the Seminoles found themselves in a game where a victory would be season redeeming, and once again FSU lost in blowout fashion. The Noles end their season with two home games against BC and Florida and look doomed to miss out on a bowl. That means Miami, VT, and FSU, three preseason top 25 teams, are all in very serious danger of missing out on bowls.
12. Wake Forest (5-5, 2-4 ACC) (Last Week: 13)
Last Week: at #14 North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3) – W 27-23
Next Week: vs Pittsburgh Panthers (6-4, 5-1)
Jamie Newman got the start for the Demon Deacons and looked amazing against a struggling Wolfpack defense. He threw for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns in the comeback victory that moves Wake one game closer to bowl eligibility. Wake is Virginia’s only hope, as a loss this week means Pittsburgh wraps up the Coastal.
13. UNC (1-8, 1-6 ACC) (Last Week: 12)
Last Week: at Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3) – L 42-35
Next Week: vs Western Carolina Catamounts (3-7)
Another week, another close loss for the Tar Heels. It’s been a dismal season for a team that has found a way to lose just about every game. The good news is this week they welcome Western Carolina to town, so a 2nd win is well within reach.
14. Louisville (2-8, 0-7 ACC) (Last Week: 14)
Last Week: at #13 Syracuse Orange (8-2, 5-2) – W 54-23
Next Week: vs #14 North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3)
Despite one of the most entertainingly awful seasons in school history, the Cardinals have fired Bobby Petrino after yet another blowout loss. Who will be lucky enough to replace him and inherit a program that is in dire need of a rebuild?
