ACC Rankings Week Ten

Atlantic

1. Clemson Tigers: Clemson continues to be the clear class leader in the ACC. The Tigers posted three 100+ yard running attacks against the Cardinals: Travis Etienne (153 yards, 1 TD), Lyn-J Dixon (116 yards, 1 TD), Tavien Feaster (101 yards, 2 TDs). The defense scored on a pick-six, generated three total turnovers, and held helpless Louisville to only 312 offensive yards. Next week the Tigers face off against the Eagles in what is now a very interesting prime time match up with conference implications!

2. Syracuse Orange: Eric Dungey showed what he can do with his legs, rushing for 119 yards and a TD as the Orange easily overcame Wake Forest. Syracuse mustered up five rushing TDs during the game and dominated time of possession 37:48 to 22:12. Dino and company host Louisville this Friday.

3. N.C. State Wolfpack: A disciplined effort that saw the Wolfpack establish a strong running game, protect the ball, and dominate time of possession over FSU. With the win NCST has become bowl eligible. This Thursday they host Wake Forest.

4. Boston College Eagles: It didn’t matter that AJ Dillon left the game in the third quarter, because backup RB Travis Levy scored a TD on the very next play. BC methodically established the run, kept away from penalties, and protected the ball. This weekend’s match against Clemson will be tough!

5. Florida State Seminoles: FSU played a poor and undisciplined game against NCST. Justin Blackmon threw for 421 yards and four TDs, but the rushing attack only managed to generate 24 yards on 20 rushing attempts. The Seminoles also turned the ball over twice and was penalized 16 times for 121 yards. Let’s see… who is next… oh a visit to Notre Dame. FSU is staring another L right in its face.

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Wake didn’t necessarily play poorly, but Syracuse played much better. The biggest problem for the Deacons was trying to contain a shifty Eric Dungey, which proved to be too insurmountable. Life remains complicated next week when they travel to NCST.

7. Louisville Cardinals:

Coastal

1. Pittsburgh Panthers: The surprise rushing attack from the Panthers is legitimate and their defense stepped up to hold Bryce Perkins down and allow Pitt to get consecutive wins for the first time this season. The Panthers must be anxiously awaiting the arrival of a pedestrian VT rushing defense this Saturday.

2. Virginia Cavaliers: The defense was brutalized by Darrin Hall, but did a decent job otherwise, holding Pitt to 61 passing yards. Pitt was able to contain Bryce Perkins (15 rushes for -7 yards) and held the total offensive output to 249 yards. Things should get a little easier next week when UVA hosts Liberty.

3. Duke Blue Devils: Weather was certainly a factor, but the Blue Devils did enough to halt their two-game slide and earn bowl eligibility. Miami gashed Duke for 300 yards on the ground, but two costly fumbles and some brilliant play by the Duke offense was enough to carry the Blue Devils past the Hurricanes. This Saturday Duke hosts their bitter rivals, the Tar Heels.

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Tobias Oliver had another solid game, passing for one TD and running for two more. GT will try to earn bowl eligibility Saturday against Miami.

5. Miami-Florida Hurricanes:

6. Virginia Tech Hokies:

7. North Carolina Tar Heels: In addition to Louisville the Tar Heels have been eliminated from bowl eligibility.

Overall Conference Rankings

1. (No. 2 AP / No. 2 Coaches) Clemson Tigers (9-0 / 6-0) – Static

2. (No. 13 / No. 13) Syracuse Orange (7-2 / 4-2) – Static

3. (No. 22 / No. 22) N.C. State Wolfpack (6-2 / 3-2) – Up One

4. (No. 17 / No. 14) Boston College Eagles (7-2 / 4-1) – Up One

5. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-4 / 4-1) – Up Two

6. Virginia Cavaliers (6-3 / 4-2) – Down Three

7. Duke Blue Devils (6-3 / 2-3) – Up One

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-4 / 3-3) – Up Two

9. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (5-4 / 2-3) – Down Three

10. Florida State Seminoles (4-5 / 2-4) – Down One

11. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-4 / 3-2) – Static

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-5 / 1-4) – Static

13. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-7 / 1-5) – Static

14. Louisville Cardinals (2-7 / 0-6) – Static