ACC Power Rankings: Week 12

The State of the U proceeds with our weekly Atlantic Coast Conference power rankings. Who can prove to be a top tier team in a conference of evenly matched opponents that trade victories each year? Which teams are making strides towards the illustrious ACCCG? How many C's is too many C's? All these questions and more will be answered with our evaluation of the conference power rankings.

1^st - Florida St. Seminoles - 10-0 (ACC 8-0)

Previous: vs. Syracuse (5-5); Seminoles WIN 59-3

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Idaho Vandals (1-9)

Prediction: FSU 63-7

If the whooping the ‘Noles put on Syracuse wasn't enough, this week Winston and company look to take advantage of the Vandals.

2^nd - Clemson Tigers - 9-1 (ACC 7-1)

Previous: vs. Georgia Tech (6-3); Tigers WIN 55-31

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Citadel Bulldogs (5-6)

Prediction: Clemson 56-13

While Georgia Tech showed some resiliency in the early going, Clemson was able to pummel the Yellow Jackets with touchdown after touchdown. This week the Tigers welcome Citadel, the third and final Clemson opponent to call themselves Bulldogs.

3^rd - Duke Blue Devils - 8-2 (ACC 4-2)

Previous: vs. Miami (7-3); Blue Devils WIN 48-30

Next Opponent: 11/23 @ Wake Forest (4-6)

Prediction: Duke 31-21

"ROLL DUKE ROLL. WE WANT THE BLUE DEVILS." - It's sweeping the nation, or at least the coastal division. Onward to Winston-Salem, oh mighty Blue Devils.

4^th - Virginia Tech Hokies - 7-4 (ACC 4-3)

Previous: vs. Maryland (6-4); Hokies LOSS 27-24 OT

Next Opponent: BYE

5^th - Miami Hurricanes - 7-3 (ACC 3-3)

Previous: @ Duke University (7-3); Hurricanes LOSS 48-30

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Virginia (2-8)

Prediction: Miami 35-28

The only difference between the atrocities committed by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and those by Miami's defense is at least the Miami defense never hurt anybody. On that note, unless D'Onofrio begins bum rushing council members and leaking footage of him and Uncle Luke, we may be forced to endure this poor performance throughout our first bowl appearance since Tommy Streeter was acquainted with the stadium wall in the Sun Bowl.

NOTE: I am not pinning the performance on D'Onofrio or the players. Although, I am debating an attempt to lure Rob Ford to Coral Gables. Until Ford reportedly had a violent physical confrontation with a player, he happened to be a decent coach.

WHICH IS JUST WHAT WE NEED.

6^th - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - 6-4 (ACC 5-3)

Previous: @ Clemson (9-1); Yellow Jackets LOSS 55-31

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs (4-7)

Prediction: Yellow Jackets 49-7

Hey, the Yellow Jackets are playing the Bulldogs, too.

7^th - Boston College Eagles - 6-4 (ACC 3-3)

Previous: vs. NC State (3-7); Eagles WIN 38-21

Next Opponent: 11/23 @ Maryland (6-4)

Prediction: BC 31-27

Eagles vs. Terrapins, this is what Charles Darwin dreamed of.

8^th - Syracuse Orange - 5-5 (ACC 3-3)

Previous: @ Florida State (10-0); Orange LOSS 59-3

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Pittsburgh (5-5)

Prediction: Pitt 28-24

Syracuse looks to bounce back after their blowout loss to Florida State and hopefully get back to the stifling defense that had flourished against its other ACC foes.

9^th - North Carolina Tar Heels - 5-5 (ACC 4-3)

Previous: @ Pittsburgh (5-5); Tar Heels WIN 34-27

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (8-3)

Prediction: UNC 35-17

Aside from any major miscues, North Carolina's matchup with Old Dominion looks to be their ticket to bowl eligibility. It's been a long ride since starting the season 1-5, but UNC has finally righted the ship.

10^th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 4-6 (ACC 2-5)

Previous: BYE

Next Opponent: vs. Duke Blue Devils (8-2)

Prediction: Duke 31-21

11^th - Maryland Terrapins - 6-4 (ACC 2-4)

Previous: @ Virginia Tech (7-4); Terrapins WIN 27-24 OT

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. Boston College (6-4)

Prediction: BC 31-27

Forget Darwin, the Terrapins seek to ride the wave of their overtime victory over Virginia Tech.

12^th - Pittsburgh Panthers - 5-5 (ACC 2-4)

Previous: vs. North Carolina (5-5); Panthers LOSS 34-27

Next Opponent: 11/23 @ Syracuse Orange (5-5)

Prediction: Pitt 28-24

Pittsburgh-Syracuse is pegged to be the closest game of the week. Both teams have losses to avenge and both are worthy adversaries.

13^th - N.C. State Wolfpack - 3-7 (ACC 0-7)

Previous: @ Boston College (6-4); Wolfpack LOSS 38-21

Next Opponent: 11/23 vs. East Carolina Pirates (8-2)

Prediction: ECU 31-24

If Eastern Carolina can beat both North Carolina and NC State, the state will become inhospitable for fans of the two Carolina giants. ECU WANTS DUKE.

14^th - Virginia Cavaliers - 2-8 (ACC 0-6)

Previous: BYE

Next Opponent: 11/23 @ Miami Hurricanes (7-3)

Prediction: Miami 35-28

SEEKING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE WIN OF THE SEASON.... And life's still stressful. Go ‘Canes.

Conference Notes:

ACC vs. SEC (2-2)

ACC vs. Big 10 (0-2)

ACC vs. Big 12 (1-0)

ACC vs. Pac-12 (0-2)

ACC vs. AAC (2-0)

ACC vs. Non-Conference Overall (36-11) Includes FCS*

For more highlight videos from the Atlantic Coast Conference, head over to the ACC Digital Network on YouTube.