1. Georgia Tech: The Jackets locked up the ACC Coastal Division by scoring 49 unanswered points against Duke after trailing 10-0 early. The Jackets played stout defense and had a well-balanced offensive attack accumulating 306-rushing yards and 213-passing yards (519 total). Georgia Tech is playing very well right now and is 10-1 entering a bye week before their regular season finale against rival Georgia.
2. Virginia Tech: The Hokies had no trouble with Maryland, winning 36-9 at College Park. The Hokies offense cruised through the first half putting up 27 points on touchdowns by four different players. Ryan Williams recorded his seventh 100-yard game of the season and Tyrod Taylor looked strong throwing touchdown passes to three different receivers. The Hokie defense allowed only three points all game (MD recovered a Tyrod Taylor fumble in the end zone for their only touchdown).
3. North Carolina: The Tar Heels have made an incredible turn-around winning three straight including games over Virginia Tech and Miami. North Carolina put up 33 points on Miami despite only scoring one offensive touchdown; kicker Casey Barth made 4/4 field goals and both Melvin Williams and Kendric Burney returned interceptions for touchdowns.
4. Clemson: The Tigers have won five straight and can lock up with Atlantic Division this weekend with a win over Virginia. C.J. Spiller pulled off a rare feat in Clemson’s 43-23 win over North Carolina State; Spiller threw a touchdown, rushed for one, and caught one. Spiller has been unstoppable in the past few games, a large reason for Clemson’s current winning streak.
5. Miami: The Canes lost for the second time in their last four games when North Carolina upended them this weekend. The Canes recorded over 400-yards of offense but were severally crippled by Jacory Harris’s four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns). Miami has really fallen off since a strong start; maybe their youth is to blame, maybe not.
6. Boston College: Boston College barely got by Virginia on the road this weekend, winning 14-10. Running back Montel Harris has placed this team on his back, carrying 38 times for 151-yards on Saturday; in doing so, Harris broke the 1,000-yard milestone on the season. The Eagles need to win-out and need Clemson to lose to Virginia if they want to make the ACC Championship game this season. Good luck with a Clemson loss to UVA!
7. Florida State: The Seminoles won this weekend behind freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel completed 15-20 passes for 220-yards and a touchdown; he also added 45-yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Jermaine Thomas provided Manuel with some much needed support rushing 25 times for 149-yards and a touchdown. The Noles have now won three of their last four games.
8. Duke: The Dookies were dismantled by Georgia Tech, but at least they aren’t a bottom-dweller this season, 5-5 (3-3 ACC).
9. NC State: The Wolfpack have lost five of their last six games. The defense has serious issues as they have allowed 30 or more points in their last seven games.
10. Wake Forest: The Deacons dropped their fifth straight game with a loss to Florida State over the weekend. Wake has a bye week before their season finale against Duke 11/28. Wake desperately needs to win this in order to take any kind of momentum going into the off-season.
11. Virginia: The Cavaliers are another team with a nice losing streak going (four straight). The Virginia offense has been atrocious, scoring an average of 14.8 points per game in ACC play.
12. Maryland: The Terps have lost five straight and seven of the last eight. They have only beaten one FBS team this season and that was Atlantic Division leader Clemson in week 5. The Terps offense was held to three points against the Hokies on Saturday.