ACC Power Rankings: Week 13

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 - 11-0 (ACC 8-0)

Previous: vs. Idaho Vandals (1-10); Seminoles WIN 80-14

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ Florida Gators (4-7)

Prediction: FSU 42-14

Florida drops a game to Georgia Southern and is tasked with Florida State the next week. That's just criminal.

2^nd - Clemson Tigers - 10-1 (ACC 7-1)

Previous: vs. Citadel Bulldogs (5-7); Tigers WIN 52-6

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ South Carolina Gamecocks (9-2)

Prediction: Clemson 34-28

Clemson's first true test since Florida State and it's against archrival and SEC foe, the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina is slated as a 5-point favorite in Vegas. How Clemson's offense performs against Jadeveon Clowney and company will garner the most interest, but if Clemson's defense doesn't contain the Gamecocks offense it'll be a tough sledding for the Tigers.

3^rd - Duke Blue Devils - 9-2 (ACC 5-2)

Previous: @ Wake Forest (4-7); Blue Devils WIN 28-21

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5)

Prediction: UNC 42-35

Duke found a way to survive last weekend in Winston-Salem. This week the Blue Devils fire up the busses once more for their season finale at Chapel Hill. North Carolina presents a much larger obstacle for the Blue Devils, and both teams are riding their own respective win streaks.

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

Previous: BYE

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ Virginia Cavaliers (2-9)

Prediction: VT 38-20

Can Virginia Tech give Miami another much needed loss to end the season? Beamer says no and I'm inclined to agree. Although, after the Maryland debacle it does give ‘Canes fans a sliver of hope.

5^th - Miami Hurricanes - 8-3 (ACC 4-3)

Previous: vs. Virginia (2-9); Hurricanes WIN 45-26

Next Opponent: 11/29 @ Pittsburgh Panthers (6-5)

Prediction: Miami 35-31

Heinz Field. Frigid temperatures. Plenty of wind. Handful of injuries. Tightened sphincters (see Pittsburgh below). Go ‘Canes.

6^th - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - 7-4 (ACC 5-3)

Previous: vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs (4-8); Yellow Jackets WIN 66-7

Next Opponent: 11/30 vs. Georgia Bulldogs (7-4)

Prediction: UGA 27-21

The Bulldogs will be without the services of quarterback Aaron Murray against Georgia Tech, though, UGA is still a very talented and capable squad without the 4-year starter. The Yellow Jackets haven't won the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry since Murray set foot on campus back in 2009.

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

Previous: @ Maryland (6-4); Eagles WIN 29-26

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ Syracuse (5-6)

Prediction: BC 24-14

Boston College and Syracuse both return to action after hard-fought last second battles. Against Maryland, Boston College was on the better end of things and I fully expect that trend to continue this weekend in New York.

8^th - North Carolina Tar Heels - 6-5 (ACC 4-3)

Previous: vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (8-4); Tar Heels WIN 80-20

Next Opponent: 11/30 vs. Duke Blue Devils (9-2)

Prediction: UNC 42-35

North Carolina has been wreaking havoc with a five game win streak that includes four ACC foes. UNC looks to completely salvage their season with a statement win over Coastal leader Duke.

9^th - Pittsburgh Panthers - 6-5 (ACC 3-4)

Previous: @ Syracuse Orange (5-6); Panthers WIN 17-16

Next Opponent: Friday 11/29 vs. Miami Hurricanes (8-3)

Prediction: Miami 35-31

With injuries to the secondary piling on for Miami, Pittsburgh's passing attack just became far more worrisome. The Panthers heavily favor the passing game and come prepared with a duo of exceptional receivers in Tyler Boyd, Devin Street, and a very capable tight end in Manasseh Garner. Of course, this is without mentioning Pitt's extremely disruptive defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

10^th - Syracuse Orange - 5-6 (ACC 3-4)

Previous: vs. Pittsburgh (6-5); Orange LOSS 17-16

Next Opponent: 11/30 vs. Boston College (7-4)

Prediction: BC 24-14

Syracuse will be hosting Boston College to close out the season and will need every bit of effort from their defense to stop BC's powerful running back Andre Williams.

11^th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 4-7 (ACC 2-6)

Previous: vs. Duke Blue Devils (9-2); Deacons LOSS 28-21

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ Vanderbilt Commodores (7-4)

Prediction: Vandy 28-14

In the ACC-SEC's least intriguing matchup Wake Forest and Vanderbilt prepare for battle in Tennessee. Vanderbilt has claimed the last two meetings and showcases a significant 31-27 win over Georgia on their 7-4 record.

12^th - Maryland Terrapins - 6-5 (ACC 2-5)

Previous: vs. Boston College (7-4); Terrapins LOSS 29-26

Next Opponent: 11/30 @ N.C. State (3-8)

Prediction: Maryland NC State 31-28

The Terrapins wish to leave the ACC with a victory over a ‘winless in the conference' Wolfpack. NOT SO FAST, EDSALL.

13^th - N.C. State Wolfpack - 3-8 (ACC 0-7)

Previous: vs. East Carolina Pirates (9-2); Wolfpack LOSS 42-28

Next Opponent: 11/30 vs. Maryland Terrapins (6-5)

Prediction: Maryland NC State 31-28

It's time.

14^th - Virginia Cavaliers - 2-9 (ACC 0-7)

Previous: @ Miami Hurricanes (8-3); Cavaliers LOSS 45-26

Next Opponent: 11/30 vs. Virginia Tech (7-4)

Prediction: VT 38-20

Virginia's in the same boat as NC State in seeking their only conference win on the year. If the win could come against in-state rival Virginia Tech, that'd be swell.

MUST SEE: Andre Williams' stiff arm, it's a thing of beauty.

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 (40-12) Includes FCS*

Four matchups with the SEC slated for Thanksgiving Day weekend and the Conference Notes portion of the Power Rankings becomes relevant again. As shown in the predictions, the ACC is expected to break even going 2-2. Games to watch include: Wake vs. Vandy, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, and Clemson at South Carolina. Each of those games offer a moment of achievement, or disaster, for the Atlantic Coast Conference. This year the ACC has been painted in a more positive light with our early success against the almighty SEC, however, if the ACC walks away with only one victory this weekend those notions may quickly deteriorate.

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