No ?s about Spiller for Heisman now.

We could be seeing a whole different story being told this season and even month in the ACC. The two front-runners for the ACC Championship Game would struggle at home, but somehow pull it out. Is this consistency I am seeing from ACC football? The toughest games left for Clemson and Georgia Tech are next week which will tell you exactly who will be in Tampa. As for everybody else, UNC took a step forward to bowl contention while Duke’s bowling trip is on hold, Miami slept through most of another game and rolled still as the Groh era presses on to its extinction, and NC State defeated Maryland in a high scoring game with almost FCS teams.

Rank (LW)….Team……………………..Record
1)..(1)…Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets…………..9-1(6-1 ACC)
Coach Johnson knows what his machine can do and he will ram through defenses on all downs. With 4th down and the game in OT, he runs it up the middle and the next play is the win for the Jackets. Reckless? Possibly. Nuts? Definitely. Correct? History is written by the victors and Johnson’s Jackets are just that. Overall, Georgia Tech was not overly impressive, but Wake Forest did not back down and really played well so you cannot fault the Jackets too much.

2)..(2)..Clemson Tigers………………6-3(4-2 ACC)
One game closer…the Tigers are two games away from clinching their first Atlantic Division title after a flat-out weird 40-24 win over the ‘Noles. C.J. Spiller secured his spot in NY for the Heisman with a ridiculous 312 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs in the win. Kyle Parker made his share of mistakes in this game, but his bullet through traffic to Durell Barry in the endzone would seal the game late in the 4th quarter. Clemson travels to Raliegh next week for another huge Atlantic Division game for them.

3)..(3)..Miami Hurricanes………………………7-2(4-2 ACC)
The Canes did just enough to lead in the first half and would blow the ‘Hoos away in the second in a 52-17 win over Virginia. Canes QB Jacory Harris would look shaky again as his WRs are not open as they were earlier this season. Miami’s ground game stole the show with 268 rushing yards. A trip to the streaking Heels comes up next.

4)…(4)…Virginia Tech Hokies…………………6-3(3-2 ACC)
There were punts…a couple scores…and more punts, but the Hokies are bowl-eligible now after the 16-3 win. Virginia Tech faced a tough situation and made the best of it by coming out of a hostile environment with the win. They face Maryland on the road next weekend.

5)..(5)..Boston College Eagles………………….6-3(3-2 ACC)
The Eagles had the week off before making the trip to Charlottesville next weekend.

6)..(9)..North Carolina Tar Heels………………………6-3(2-3 ACC)
The Heels’ D led the way once again in a dominating performance over Thad Lewis’ Blue Devils. They held Duke to only 125 total yards offensively. It was a close, FG-friendly game most of the way, but UNC found a way to get into the endzone and that was it for this game. The rolling Heels face an on/off Miami team in Chapel Hill next week.

7)..(6)..Duke Blue Devils…………………………5-4(3-2 ACC)
Oh, how quickly a week changes things. Duke looked to be on track to go bowling last week–now have to take 2 of 3 from Miami, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest. Duke’s lack of a running game really hurt them as UNC was able to pressure Lewis constantly and cover his receivers well.

8)..(7)..Florida State Seminoles……………4-5(2-4 ACC)
And here’s a game where the defense did not totally lose the game for the ‘Noles–it was the turnovers. FSU had several drives halted against a wounded Clemson defense with two of its stars out after turnovers and Ponder, at times, struggled. The worst outcome of this game for the ‘Noles was Ponder seperating his shoulder on a meaningless tackle off from an INT down by 9 with under 4 to go. A trip to face the Deacs who absolutely own the Noles awaits them.

9)..(8)..Wake Forest Demon Deacons…4-5(2-4 ACC)
So close…they were probably just a few yards from atleast attempting a game-winning FG in regulation, but GT’s Derrick Morgan would get the sack to force OT. Wake really played well on both sides of the ball in this game and has little to hang the head about. They face the Noles next week and could keep up their bowling chances with such a win.

10)..(10)….Virginia Cavaliers…………………..3-6(2-3 ACC)
Virginia played a solid 2 and a half quarters or so, but Miami’s overwhelming talent advantage took over in the second half for a blowout loss. The ‘Hoos had a number of injuries so they were up against it and played relatively well. Their slim chances for bowling could get a boost with a win over BC.

11)..(11)..North Carolina State Wolfpack………….4-5(1-4 ACC)
NC State proved to the best of the worst in the Atlantic with a 38-31 victory over Maryland who put up quite the fight. Pack QB Russell Wilson had an on/off day with 3 TDs/INTs. They were aided by Maryland QB Chris Turner’s absence for most of the game with an injury, but it probably would not have mattered anyway. The Wolfpack, with an ACC finally under their belts now, have a chance to play spoiler in the Atlantic with a win over Clemson to aid BC possibly.

12)..(12)..Maryland Terrapins……………………2-7(1-4 ACC)
The Terps put up a fight, even with their field general going down, and I applaud them for that, but in the end, the loser of this game just looks really bad. They are one of the first eliminated from bowl contention in the FBS division.

Agree with the rankings? Think they’re wrong? Offer a comment…

Tagged with: ACC Football • Boston College Eagles • Clemson Tigers • Duke Blue Devils • Florida State Seminoles • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets • Maryland Terrapins • Miami Hurricanes • North Carolina State Wolfpack • North Carolina Tar Heels • OTB's ACC Power Poll • Virginia Cavaliers • Virginia Tech Hokies • Wake Forest Demon Deacons
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