ACC Power Rankings: It’s a free-for-all in the Coastal Division

The Virginia Tech Hokies, coming off a dominating 34-3 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, fell victim to the Syracuse Orange on Saturday. The North Carolina Tar Heels, fresh off its worst offensive performance under Head Coach Larry Fedora, outlasted the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. The Coastal Division, notorious for its turbulent nature and general disarray, has returned to its state of disorganization following this past weekend’s conference games.

Now, with muddled conference records, the North Carolina Tar Heels lead in the Coastal Division standings. To win the Coastal Division is a race of endurance, however. Every member still has a chance of winning the division championship, albeit Duke at 0-3 in conference play has an unlikely shot. Few games may separate the Coastal Division Champion from the runner-up. Margin for error is slim in such a cluttered division.

For the Hurricanes, there's still time to right the ship. Before we continue with any discussion of Miami's ACC Championship Game worthiness, however, the ‘Canes must correct problems at home. The Hurricanes have a defense that ranks 14th in the nation in total defense and has shown it's capable of hanging with top-25 offenses. But, without a consistent offense, a reliable offensive line, receivers, they're not ready for ACC Championship Game conversation.

That's viewing the ACC through orange and green tinted lenses. Now, back to your regularly scheduled ACC Power Rankings.

Along with the Coastal Division’s mess, closely fought contests from Atlantic Division heavyweights, the Clemson Tigers and Louisville Cardinals, make up this week’s ACC Power Rankings. Before we get to the rankings, let’s run through this past weekend’s happenings.

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Louisville struggled against the Blue Devils defense but ultimately prevailed, winning 24-14 on Friday night.

Atlantic Division leader Clemson had similar problems with N.C. State. The Tigers overcame the Wolfpack in overtime, 24-17.

Florida State held Wake Forest to just 68 yards rushing in the Seminoles’ 17-6 victory in Tallahassee.

North Carolina thrust themselves back into the race for the ACC Championship Game with a 20-13 win over the Miami Hurricanes.

After dominating the Tar Heels a week before, the Virginia Tech Hokies were beaten by the Syracuse Orange, 31-17.

Georgia Tech bested Georgia Southern, 35-24, in Atlanta.

Despite giving up 21 first quarter points to the Cavaliers, the Pittsburgh Panthers hung on to win, 45-31, in Charlottesville.

Those are your quick-hitters from around the ACC. Now, let’s see how this past weekend’s results impacted the ACC Power Rankings.

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ACC Power Rankings

1. Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0 ACC)

Previous week: vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC); Result: WIN 24-17 OT

Next opponent: BYE

2. Louisville Cardinals (5-1, 3-1 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Duke Blue Devils (3-4, 0-3 ACC); Result: WIN 24-14

Next opponent: vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC)

3. North Carolina Tar Heels (5-2, 3-1 ACC)

Previous week: at Miami Hurricanes (4-2, 1-2 ACC); Result: WIN 20-13

Next opponent: vs. Virginia Cavaliers (2-4, 1-1 ACC)

4. Florida State Seminoles (5-2, 2-2 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2 ACC); Result: WIN 17-6

Next opponent: BYE

5. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2, 2-1 ACC)

Previous week: at Virginia Cavaliers (2-4, 1-1 ACC); Result: WIN 45-31

Next opponent: BYE

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-1 ACC)

Previous week: at Syracuse Orange (3-4, 1-2 ACC); Result: LOSS 31-17

Next opponent: vs. Miami Hurricanes (4-2, 1-2 ACC)

7. Miami Hurricanes (4-2, 1-2 ACC)

Previous week: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (5-2, 3-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 20-13

Next opponent: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-1 ACC)

8. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 24-17 OT

Next opponent: at Louisville Cardinals (5-1, 3-1 ACC)

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2 ACC)

Previous week: at Florida State Seminoles (5-2, 2-2 ACC); Result: LOSS 17-6

Next opponent: BYE

10. Syracuse Orange (3-4, 1-2 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-1 ACC); Result: WIN 31-17

Next opponent: at Boston College Eagles (3-3, 0-3 ACC)

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (3-3); Result: WIN 35-24

Next opponent: BYE

12. Virginia Cavaliers (2-4, 1-1 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2, 2-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 45-31

Next opponent: vs. North Carolina (5-2, 3-1 ACC)

13. Duke Blue Devils (3-4, 0-3 ACC)

Previous week: at Louisville Cardinals (5-1, 3-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 24-14

Next opponent: BYE

14. Boston College Eagles (3-3, 0-3 ACC)

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: vs. Syracuse Orange (3-3, 0-3 ACC)

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If you have any thoughts or comments on these rankings, teams, or want to list your own rankings, please do so below in the comments section.