1. No. 1 Clemson (11-0, 8-0 ACC)
The Tigers continued to show they are one of the best teams in college football, with a resounding 33-13 win against Wake Forest. Despite throwing two interceptions, sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson padded his Heisman-worthy resume, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
2. No. 17 UNC-Chapel Hill (10-1, 7-0 ACC)
With the win against Virginia Tech Saturday, the Tar Heels secured the Coastal Division berth in the ACC Championship game. UNC will conclude its regular season against in-state rival NC State before they get a crack at the Clemson Tigers Dec. 5 for the conference title.
3. No. 16 Florida St. (9-2, 6-2 ACC)
The Seminoles blitzed through Chattanooga this weekend, with Dalvin Cook continuing to solidify his Heisman resume, posting his sixth game of 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. If Cook can put up numbers against No. 8 Florida, he will make himself a finalist for the award.
4. Pittsburgh (8-3, 6-1 ACC)
The Panthers rolled through the Louisville Cardinals, defeating them 45-34, and redshirt junior quarterback Nate Peterman tossed four touchdowns in the victory. Pitt can reach its first nine-win season since 2009 with a win against Miami this coming weekend.
5. Miami (7-4, 4-3 ACC)
It seems interim coach Larry Scott has been the tonic the Hurricanes needed to reverse their season, as they have only lost once in the four games with him at the helm. With a win against Pittsburgh this weekend, the Hurricanes will have erased the early-season mess former head coach Al Golden left behind.
6. NC State (7-4, 3-4 ACC)
The Wolfpack rushing attack came out to play against Syracuse. Freshman receiver Nyhiem Hines played well, accounting for 208 total yards and a rushing touchdown on 14 touches. Up next for the Wolfpack is NC State’s rival, UNC-Chapel Hill.
7. Louisville (6-5, 5-3 ACC)
The Cardinals’ hot streak finally cooled, as they lost a shootout to Pittsburgh 45-34. With a solid conference record, all the Cards need to solidify a bowl spot is a win against in-state rival Kentucky.
T-8. Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4 ACC)
The Hokies did everything they could to get a win in Frank Beamer’s final home game but fell short in overtime to UNC. Virginia Tech will have to win its final game, against Virginia, to possibly send Beamer to his 23rd-straight bowl game appearance.
T-8. Duke (6-5, 3-4 ACC)
The wheels have officially come off the wagon for David Cutcliffe’s team. Since the controversial loss to the Hurricanes a few weeks ago, Duke has lost three straight, surrendering a combined 139 points in those losses.
10. Virginia (4-7, 3-4 ACC)
It isn’t entirely inconceivable to think the Cavaliers could be competing for a bowl game had a few more games gone their way. Including the win against Duke, the Cavs have now played eight games that have been decided by eight points or less, but they are just .500 in such contests.
11. Syracuse (3-8, 1-6 ACC)
Frustration from losing eight straight finally reached a boiling point in the loss to the Wolfpack Saturday. Syracuse had nine penalties, with two players getting ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct and the bench receiving the same penalty as well.
12. Georgia Tech (3-8, 1-7 ACC)
The Yellow Jackets finally finished their abysmal conference season, losing to Miami 38-21. Georgia Tech has a chance to get something from its horrible season against in-state rival Georgia this weekend.
13. Wake Forest (3-8, 1-6 ACC)
The Demon Deacons have struggled late after competing hard at the beginning of the year. During their current five-game losing streak, the Deacs have surrendered an average of 33.2 points per game.
14. Boston College (3-8, 0-7 ACC)
Despite the strong defensive showing against Notre Dame, the Eagles still could not get a win, falling 19-16 at Fenway Park. The Eagles will conclude their injury-marred season this coming weekend against struggling Syracuse.
