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Georgia Tech's defeat of Clemson and Miami coming up short against Florida State has put an end to the ‘Canes hopes of winning the Coastal Division. Saturday began on a promising note when Virginia Tech beat the Blue Devils 17-16, but as of now any Duke shortcomings only benefit the Yellow Jackets. That being said let's take a look at who might represent the Coastal Division in Charlotte.
Georgia Tech completed its conference schedule with a dominating victory over Clemson. For the Yellow Jackets to reach the ACC Championship Game they need another loss from the Blue Devils. Duke finds themselves in a precarious position with its loss to Virginia Tech. The Blue Devils survived matchups against Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse but couldn't overcome the worst Virginia Tech Hokies team in recent memory. David Cutcliffe's squad doesn't appear as strong as either the Yellow Jackets or Hurricanes at this point despite a victory over Georgia Tech earlier in the year. For Duke to repeat as Coastal Division Champions they must win out. The Blue Devils have home games against North Carolina and Wake Forest remaining on the schedule.
I, personally, would rather see Georgia Tech represent the Coastal Division in Charlotte. Not because I feel they have a shot at knocking off Florida State, but because I believe they have a much better chance than the Blue Devils. Despite back-to-back losses to North Carolina and Duke, the Yellow Jackets swarmed over its last four conference opponents. They appear to be the stronger team at this point of the season and sit atop our Coastal Division power rankings. Paul Johnson's offense may bore you to tears on December 6th, but it's better than watching Duke get thrashed two years in a row.
For these unfortunate individuals, myself included, Duke winning out stands between life as normal and leaving planet Earth. I've always fascinated over life in space, but whalers on the moon be damned, I'm not ready to leave my sandy confines on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Enjoy our ACC Power Rankings.
Atlantic Division
1st - Florida State Seminoles 10-0 ACC: 7-0
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: 3rd/1st/1st
Previous week: at Miami Hurricanes (6-4); Result: WIN 30-26
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM vs. Boston College Eagles (6-4)
2nd - Clemson Tigers 7-3 ACC: 6-2
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: 22nd/NR/NR
Previous week: at #17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-2); Result: LOSS 28-6
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM vs. Georgia State Panthers (1-9)
3rd - Louisville Cardinals 7-3 ACC: 5-3
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: 24th/NR/NR
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3)
4th - Boston College Eagles 6-4 ACC: 3-3
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM at #1 Florida State Seminoles (10-0)
5th - N.C. State Wolfpack 6-5 ACC: 2-5
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-8); Result: WIN 42-13
Next opponent: BYE
6th - Syracuse Orange 3-7 ACC: 1-5
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM at Pittsburgh Panthers (4-6)
7th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-8 ACC: 0-6
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: at N.C. State Wolfpack (6-5); Result: LOSS 42-13
Next opponent: November 22nd 12:30PM vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5)
Coastal Division
1st - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9-2 ACC: 6-2
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: 18th/17th/16th
Previous week: vs. #18 Clemson Tigers (7-3); Result: WIN 28-6
Next opponent: BYE
2nd - Miami Hurricanes 6-4 ACC: 3-3
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: vs. #1 Florida State Seminoles (10-0); Result: LOSS 30-26
Next opponent: November 22nd 7:00PM at Virginia Cavaliers (4-6)
3rd - Duke Blue Devils 8-2 ACC: 4-2
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/25th/25th
Previous week: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5); Result: LOSS 17-16
Next opponent: Thursday, November 20th 7:30PM vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (5-5)
4th - North Carolina Tar Heels 5-5 ACC: 3-3
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-6); Result: WIN 40-35
Next Opponent: Thursday, November 20th 7:30PM @ #25 Duke Blue Devils (8-2)
5th - Virginia Cavaliers 4-6 ACC: 2-4
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next opponent: November 22nd 7:00PM vs. Miami Hurricanes (6-4)
6th - Pittsburgh Panthers 4-6 ACC: 2-4
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: at North Carolina Tar Heels (5-5); Result: LOSS 40-35
Next opponent: November 22nd 3:30PM vs. Syracuse Orange (3-7)
7th - Virginia Tech Hokies 5-5 ACC: 2-4
CFB Playoff/AP/USA Today Coaches' ranking: NR/NR/NR
Previous week: at #25 Duke Blue Devils (8-2); Result: WIN 17-16
Next opponent: November 22nd 12:30PM @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-8)
Conference Notes:
ACC vs. AAC (4-2)
ACC vs. Big Ten (1-3)
ACC vs. Big 12 (2-0)
ACC vs. PAC-12 (1-1)
ACC vs. SEC (0-1)