ACC Football Power Rankings Week 12: Clemson up top, title bout set with Pitt

As the ACC football year moves to the penultimate week of the regular season, let’s take a look at this week’s ACC Football Power Rankings. The list is topped by the two teams that will square off in two weeks for the ACC title: Clemson and Pittsburgh. From there on down, though, it’s a bit of a maze.

(Clemson and Pitt will play in Charlotte on Dec. 1. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.)

 

No. 1 Clemson

Duke hung tough with Clemson for a half, but Travis Etienne was the different in the final 30 minutes — two touchdown of 25+ yards. Going back to the 2000 season, only one ACC back has rush for over 1,110 yards and 15 touchdown while averaging at least seven yards per carry: Dalvin Cook (2015). Etienne is in line to do just that: 1,158 yards, 17 touchdowns, 8.5 yards per carry.

Clemson has also now usurped Alabama in ESPN’s FPI metric.

Next up: South Carolina

 

No. 2 Pittsburgh

We have our ACC Football Championship Game set — just like we all expected, right? With its ground game mostly held in check against Wake Forest, Pitt went to the air; Kenny Pickett delivered. The sophomore quarterback threw for a career-high 316 yards and three touchdowns. For the first time since 2016, Pitt is back in the AP Top 25, too.

Next up: at Miami

 

No. 3 Syracuse

So, yeah. That didn’t go so great against Notre Dame, huh? The Orange lost 36-3; it was just the second time since Dino Babers took over that Syracuse has failed to score a touchdown.

Next up: at Boston College

 

No. 4 NC State

Louisville struck first, but after that first field goal for the Cardinals, an avalanche ensued. In the 17th 300-yard passing game of his career, Ryan Finley hit four different receivers for touchdown passes, including his go-to guy, Kelvin Harmon.

Harmon caught seven ball for 100 yards. This was the 13th 100-yard receiving game for Harmon during his three seasons in Raleigh.

Next up: at North Carolina

 

No. 5 Georgia Tech

It took overtime and four field goals for Georgia Tech to get its seventh win of the season — a 30-27 victory over Virginia. After TaQuon Marshall’s 1-of-8 passing performance, Tech is now undefeated (3-0) in games this season when its completed one or fewer passes. Football is a weird game, man.

Next up: at Georgia

 

No. 6 Boston College

A fourth comeback from Florida State derailed what could’ve been Boston College’s eighth win of the 2018 season. AJ Dillon didn’t look quite himself against FSU, but he still carried the ball 37 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Dillon has now carried the ball 30+ times in seven of his 21 games at BC.

Next up: Syracuse

 

No. 7 Virginia

That had to be a frustrating loss for the Cavaliers; however, UVA can turn its fortunes around on a short week — at Virginia Tech on Friday. Virginia hasn’t defeated its in-state rival since 2003, but the Hoos are favored to win, for the first time since 2014.

Next up: at Virginia Tech (Friday, Nov. 23)

 

No. 8 Duke

In its first matchup with Clemson since 2012, Duke struggled offensively. The Blue Devils didn’t turn the ball over, which is good, but mustered just 262 yards of total offense (3.3 yards per play); Daniel Jones averaged only 3.7 yards per pass attempt. (Breaking news: Clemson’s defense is excellent.)

Next up: Wake Forest

 

No. 9 Miami

The win over Virginia Tech wasn’t exactly a sharp performance for Miami (11 penalties), but the Hurricanes — behind N’Kosi Perry (three total touchdowns) and its defense (three turnovers) — got the job done.

Next up: Pittsburgh

 

No. 10 Florida State

It’s been a tough debut season for Willie Taggart, but FSU went on the road and got its best win of 2018 over Boston College. Florida State’s defense had some nice moments, especially in leverage situations against the Eagles.

#DoSomething

Next up: Florida

 

No. 11 Wake Forest

Wake Forest had a long week to prepare for its home contest against Pitt, but the Demon Deacons just couldn’t get online in this game. The defense did well against Pitt’s ground game, but Jamie Newman struggled (50 percent completion rate, two interceptions) and the offense managed to gain just 285 total yards.

Next up: at Duke

 

No. 12 Virginia Tech

Boy, this really has been a depressing campaign. Derailed with injuries, the Hokies have slumped for two months now. After the UNC win, Tech has lost four straight and has resorted to adding — potentially — another game to its 2018 schedule (Marshall) to keep its bowl streak in line.

Next up: Virginia (Friday, Nov. 23)

 

No. 13 North Carolina

In the win over Western Carolina, UNC had its best offensive game of the season: 654 total yards (8.4 yards per play, seven touchdowns, 30 first downs. All of those numbers are high water-marks for this season. Can that carry over against the Wolfpack, though?

Next up: NC State

 

No. 14 Louisville

Good job, Good effort? Um, at least Lamar Jackson played well this weekend for the Ravens? Eh…here’s a video of cats to make you feel better

Next up: Kentucky

 

Contributor Rankings

David GlennBrian GeisingerJosh GrahamConsensus
1ClemsonClemsonClemsonClemson
2PittPittPittPitt
3SyracuseNC StateSyracuseSyracuse
4NC StateSyracuseNC StateNC State
5Georgia TechGeorgia TechBoston CollegeGeorgia Tech
6VirginiaBoston CollegeGeorgia TechBoston College
7Boston CollegeVirginiaVirginiaVirginia
8DukeDukeDukeDuke
9MiamiMiamiMiamiMiami
10Florida StateFlorida StateWake ForestFlorida State
11Wake ForestWake ForestVirginia TechWake Forest
12Virginia TechVirginia TechFlorida StateVirginia Tech
13UNCUNCUNCUNC
14LouisvilleLouisvilleLouisvilleLouisville

 

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