This is now the fourth time I am writing this blog for the ACC Power Rankings. Freaking word press was not saving my work and if it doesn’t save this time, I am jumping off the SkyWay Bridge. I already have the worst conference, the Big 10, and the most electric, the Big 12, done. I really hope I get through this one because most of these teams suck.

Tier 1 Power Rankings: Playoff Contenders

#1 Clemson

This team did not look great last week versus a very overrated Syracuse team. They have questions at QB, but their defense did step up and play good in the second half and the end of the game. Dabo needs to steady the ship for the number one team in the power rankings and coach the boys up if they want any chance in the playoff. Right now, what I am seeing, they will make the playoff because their schedule is soft the rest of the year. The issue is when they get there they look like a team that does not belong with the big boys. I don’t know if Dabo will figure it out, but we will see.

Tier 2 Power Rankings: Good Teams

#2 Wake Forest

I have done the power rankings for each conference the last few weeks. I just want to be clear when I have this tier as “good teams”. These are the teams that are in the top 25 but won’t make the playoff.  Wake Forest is an absolutely great team. Sam Hartman running the slow mesh and throwing dimes to A.T. Perry, Jahmal Banks and Donovan Greene is so exciting to watch. The Demon Deacons are my favorite team to watch and they will win out to make a New Years Six Bowl. Sucks that they have divisions in the ACC because they would beat Clemson in the rematch.

#3 North Carolina

I can’t fight having this team in the top three of the power rankings. I know and you know they can’t play defense. Maybe they don’t have to if Drake Maye is just going to continue to play QB like he is this year. The freshman starter is outstanding leading the Tar Heel offense. The defense is just god awful, who lets Notre Dame blow them out at home, Notre Dame sucks. If they can assemble some sort of a defense, maybe they can pick Clemson off? Maybe?

#4 Syracuse

The Orange put up a good fight versus the Tigers last week in Death Valley. They had the game in control until the fourth quarter. I keep telling everyone that this is not Syracuse’s year, next year is. They will lose a couple more games this year but will make a very respectful bowl. Maybe the Alamo or Gator, I forget the affiliates. With Shrader, Tucker, and Gadsden all young and coming back next year, the Orange will be formidable and probably at the top two spots of the power rankings all year.

Tier 3 Power Rankings: Bowl Teams

#5 Duke

I usually never second guess myself when it comes to power rankings. Who the hell puts Duke in this spot? I kind of have to. They will win one more game and be bowl eligible; I think that’s obvious. They looked unstoppable versus Miami, even though the Canes just kept giving them the ball. All the Blue Devils need to do is win one out four games left and they have two very winnable games. They belong here, I think. We will revisit next week in the power rankings.

Tier 4 Power Rankings: They Are All The Same

#6 NC State, Florida State, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Pitt

These teams are all the same. I am not saying in players or style of teams, I am saying they will all beat each other and I can’t figure out where they will end up or even where they are now. The power rankings are there for what teams have done and who they will beat. Even SpikedJohnnyB can’t figure these teams out. NC State, no QB. Florida State, hot and cold. Louisville only has Malik. Georgia Tech, I have no idea, and Pitt has Abanikanda and no one else. I think two of these teams at least make a bowl. Hopefully they will shake each other out next week for the power rankings.

Tier 5 Power Rankings: Virginia Teams

#11 Virginia

I have the Cavaliers here in the power rankings as the best team in Virginia, well in the ACC in Virginia. ODU, JMU, Richmond and William and Mary are all better than the two ACC Virginia teams. Yes, I know the Cav’s few wins were against those other Virginia teams. I am making fun of them, let me riff. The Cavs are ranked slightly higher than the Hokies this week only on record alone. They suck.

# 12 Virginia Tech

Everything I said about Virginia, except they have less wins and more losses. What a fall from greatness. At least you have this entrance.

Tier 6 Power Rankings: Fall From Greatness

#13 Boston College

A once very good annual contender in the ACC, the Eagles suck. They have been plagued with injuries and that is the only reason they aren’t last in my power rankings. What ever happened to having some heart? Where is the red bandana pride? This team needs an overhaul. Bring Flutie back to the program.

#14 Miami

I have the Canes here for a lot of reasons. If you asked Spiked Sports own SpikedRob, he will tell you everything you want to know. This team has zero heart, pride, care, hustle; all the intangibles needed to be a good team. They have all the talent in the world, but no one knows how to play as a team. This team just gets penalty after penalty while dropping every pass and blowing every assignment. It is just a calamity of errors. They should be a top 20 team with this talent. Mario better figure it out quick or the boosters will send him packing.

Again, this conference is not very good at all. I did the power rankings anyway because I care about you, the reader. So please argue on twitter with me. Tell your team deserves to be higher. Tell me why Clemson’s stupid tradition of storming the field is a good thing or why Syracuse is good. You are wrong, but I will entertain you. The ACC sucks this year. Maybe next year they can have a team contend for the playoff.

 

 

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