Streaking the Lawn’s Week 13 ACC Football Power Rankings

We’ve come upon the end. The final week of the regular season. That means the final week of the Power Rankings. You’ve seen it all this year. From Clemson being No. 1 in the preseason to Clemson being No. 1 at the end because they hate fun. Luckily everyone else loves fun and moving around in the polls.

Here’s how the STL staff breaks down the ACC heading into the final weekend:

1. Clemson Tigers (11-0, 8-0). Last week: 1
Last game: Win 35-6 vs. Duke. This week: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

They’ve now ruined multiple seasons for us. Gone are the years of parity and competitive football games. Now we have a national power amongst schools that value education, basketball, and not paying players. Makes you think.

2. Pittsburgh Panthers (7-4, 6-1). Last week: 4
Last game: Win 34-13 at Wake. This week: at Miami

Pitt might be the greatest 8-4 team in the history of college football. I know they’re the greatest rushing team. I still don’t think they have a chance against Clemson next week though.

3. N.C. State Wolfpack (7-3, 4-3). Last week: 5
Last game: Win 52-10 at Louisville. This week: at UNC

After dropping three of their last four including a headscratcher to Wake, NC State got their first of three bye weeks to end the season with a game against Louisville. Now they get to play UNC and end the season against 3-7 ECU. 9-3 Wolfpack helps UVa’s chances to get selected for the Belk Bowl so let’sssssssss goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo PACK!

4. Boston College Eagles (7-4, 4-3). Last week: 2
Last game: Loss 22-21 at FSU. This week: vs. Syracuse

After hanging with Clemson for awhile, BC follows it up by losing to FSU in Tallahassee. This is the #goacc we all desire and we want more of. Less Clemson, more #goacc.

5. Syracuse Orange (8-3, 5-2). Last week: 3
Last game: Loss 36-3 vs. Notre Dame. This week: at BC

We probably though Cuse would hang with Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. And then they didnt. And they might have lost Eric Dungey in the process. If he can’t go against BC, it’s hard to imagine Syracuse knocking off BC in Chestnut Hill.

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 5-3). Last week: 7
Last game: Win 30-27 vs. UVa. This week: at UGA

Part of me longs for the day when Paul Johnson is fired so I don’t have to watch UVa play a triple-option team. Watching them run 5:41 off the clock and 11 plays to only go 41 yards was heartbreaking and maddening.

7. Virginia Cavaliers (7-4, 4-3). Last week: 6
Last game: Loss 30-27 at GT. This week: at VT

When short punts are hitting blockers and kickers that havent hit 40+ yarders in five weeks are draining them from 42 and 48 with ease, it’s not going to be your night. Still, DO. NOT. EVER. FAKE. SPIKE. IT. TWO. WEEKS. IN. A. ROW.

8. Duke Blue Devils (7-4, 3-4). Last week: 8
Last game: Loss 35-6 at Clemson. This week: vs. Wake

With the exception of maybe winning in Atlanta against GT, David Cutcliffe has gotten Duke to win every game you’d expect them to win. The man is a lesson in stability. A win at home against Wake to end the season at 8-4 is impressive.

9. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (6-5, 3-4). Last week: 10
Last game: Win 38-14 at VT. This week: vs. Pitt

After being a dumpster fire for four straight games, Miami got off the mat and destroyed the Hokies. This gives me hope. It’s probably a false hope, but it is hope.

10. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-6, 3-4). Last week: 9
Last game: Loss 38-14 vs. Miami. This week: vs. UVa

If it wasn’t for a miraculous comeback against UNC to win 22-19, we’d be talking about six straight losses for the Hokies. Instead, we’re talking about four and hopefully a fifth this weekend. That is what happens when you play a QB that started off at Kansas.

11. Florida State Seminoles (5-6, 3-5). Last week: 12
Last game: Win 22-21 vs. BC. This week: vs. Florida Gators

I’ve seen Florida play. They’re somehow ranked 13th and are not great. FSU might be able to put two respective games together and eek out a bowl berth?

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-6, 2-5). Last week: 11
Last game: Loss 34-13 vs. Pitt. This week: at Duke

For a half I thought the Deacs might still have enough in the tank to take out Pitt. They had clearly beaten a better team the week before in NC State and had extra time to prepare. Then the second half started at Pitt outscored them 28-3.

13. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6). Last week: 13
Last game: Win 49-26 vs. Western Carolina. This week: vs. NC State

Well they got their FCS win for the season. They also beat the Coastal champions. Never forget that.

14. Louisville Cardinals (2-9, 0-8). Last week: 14
Last game: Loss 52-10 vs. NC State. This week: vs. Kentucky Wildcats

New coach. Still gross.