#goacc Power Rankings: Week 7

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Well, it finally happened. The day that everyone from John Swofford to Mark Warner was hoping would arrive for the last 10 years did: the ACC is a relevant national conference.

I'll get to that, but for now let's cherish in the part that doesn't make the ACC nationally relevant, also known as everyone outside of the top three. Just for kicks, with the news of the Battle at Bristol, I added in a location that would be the dream neutral-site game for each team.

The Dave Shinskie Division

(Dregs of the conference)

14. Virginia (2-4, LW: L 27-26 @ Maryland)

What happened: It was just one of those games in which everything seemed to go right until it all went wrong for the Cavaliers. They totaled over 500 yards of offense, forced three turnovers, were playing Maryland's backup quarterback and David Watford even had a competent day, yet the game still ended like this. Pause that video at the 0:19 mark. You see that face? That's the face of a man who will be the defensive coordinator at a non-descript American Athletic Conference school in two years.

What's coming up: Virginia plays Duke this week, which would seem like a slight reprieve, right? Right?!? Oh dear God. If the HBC's team gave up 332 passing yards to a guy who was struggling to beat out a former linebacker and Ricardo Young in College Park, what are they going to do against the Fighting Cutcliffes? Seriously, David Cutcliffe was able to make Todd Helton complete 55 percent of his passes. This probably won't end well.

Virginia's dream neutral-site location: Everyone said that Martha's Vineyard is the go-to place for a Wahoo neutral-site, but let's be honest...could they sell out that converted squash court?

Most of the State of North Carolina Division

(Go Duke?)

13. NC State (3-3, LW: L 24-10 vs Syracuse)

What happened: I know that Syracuse's final two touchdowns came in the last 6:30 of the game, so technically it was a close game until the end, but State got steamrolled. I'm talking flattened like Stan Podolak. The Pack gave up 9 yards an attempt...on the ground. Nine yards a carry! If you do that, as well as complete under 50 percent of your passes as a team, things probably won't work out well for you.

(Side note: if you know me, you knew the odds of me making a Space Jam joke in one of these columns was high.)

What's coming up: State gets a week off to think about their life and consider their options going forward. Considering that they've lost back-to-back games against Wake Forest and Syracuse, their bowl chances are slipping away. Having Tom O'Brien and seven wins doesn't seem too bad anymore, does it?

NC State's dream neutral-site location: Anywhere but Winston-Salem. Seriously, they would rather play anywhere else in the entire world. To NC State, Winston-Salem is the worst place on the planet..

12. Wake Forest (3-3, LW: BYE)

What happened: The Demon Deacons had a bye week, but Michael Campanaro still tallied 9 receptions, 134 yards and a score.

What's coming up: Wake hosts Maryland in what is somehow a 3:30 game. Can ESPNU hire me to write those promos?

"Tanner Price! Caleb Rowe! It's the battle for a backup quarterback job with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in two years!"

"Michael Campanaro! Stefon Diggs! It's the tail of two receivers that have literally nothing in common!"

"Edsall, Grobe...It's the Underperformance Bowl on ESPNU!"

Wake Forest's dream neutral-site location: The Boca Raton Retirement Community Golf Course. Grobe's just practicing for the future.

11. North Carolina (1-4, LW: BYE)

What happened: The Tar Heels had a bye week, giving quarterback Bryn Renner an extra week to recover from the injury that kept him out of the Tech game. I may be a little premature on this, but if Renner gets beaten alive for a half against Miami, does Fedora think about making a change? Their offense was much more fluent with dual-threat Marquise Williams back there in Blacksburg, and Renner is basically a sitting duck against an athletic front-four.

What's coming up: The Hurricanes at home on Thursday. This is not only going to tell us exactly what we need to know about the Heels as a team (they may not be as bad as we think, or they may fold like Tom Savage's offensive line), but about UNC as a viable football school. I can't imagine what having a team start 1-4 would do to me, and I recognize that they have been incredibly disappointing, but a Thursday nighter against a top-10 team? That place better be bumping, and if not I expect an emotional letter written by a drunk Carolina student on someone's couch.

North Carolina's dream neutral-site location: Wherever they're playing the Final Four. Roy hasn't been back in a while.

The Grant Noel Division

(PROVE ME WRONG TERREL, PROVE ME WRONG)

10. Syracuse (3-3, LW: W 24-10 @ NC State)

What happened: Jerome Smith ran for 140 yards. Prince-Tyson Gulley ran for 132 yards on 9 carries while also entering the running for "most interesting hyphenated name" contest. Terrel "Don't Call Me Grant Noel" Hunt ran for 92 yards (though he came dangerously close to having his second consecutive Noel). We all knew that 'Cuse was set up to run...but good lord.

What's up next: With their first conference win off their shoulders, the next task is bowl eligibility. It won't be easy, but with Wake, BC and Pitt all at home it's definitely possible. The next hurdle to cross? Get Hunt to become at least an average passing threat. In fact, I bet the Orange would settle for a below-average passing threat, because right now it's just miserable, and it'll be hard to run against 10 guys in the box (I kid...barely).

Syracuse's dream neutral-site location: From what I hear, people up there are a big fan of Greensboro, North Carolina. Let's set them up for...well let's just say a lifetime series.

The Riley Skinner Division

(They'll do...whatever they're super average and no one really cares)

9. Boston College (3-3, LW: L 24-14 @ Clemson)

What happened: Another week, and again the Eagles impressed in a loss against a good team. They're still losses, granted, but is this really the team that had to come back against Villanova? Steve Addazio is a legitimately good coach, who gets the absolute best out of his players. If he had any Todd Graham in him, I'd say he'd be a great candidate for a job way better than Boston College (personally, I'd be terrified if he was hired by Virginia).

What's up next: BC has a bye before consecutive games against UNC and Virginia Tech. While I've been heaping praise on them, two tough losses to Clemson and Florida State are still losses. Can the Eagles get bowl eligible? It'll be incredibly tough, but they still have winless New Mexico State (which basically can just be counted as a win) and a bunch of games against the middle of the conference. I'm not really sure we know how BC will play against the middle. Their three wins have come against Villanova, Wake Forest and Army, but their three losses have come against two top five teams (Clemson and Florida State) and talented underachiever Southern Cal. How will they do against teams that will finish between 5-7 and 8-4? Showing the consistent ability to beat those teams is the sign of a team on the rise.

Boston College's dream neutral-site location: A mud pit where throwing is overrated and those pesky teams with "athletes" can be slowed down for four quarters instead of two.

8. Duke (4-2, LW: W 35-7 vs Navy)

What happened: The Fighting Cutcliffes thoroughly beat Navy in quarterback Anthony Boone's return to action. He suffered a broken collarbone in their game against Memphis in week two. It was probably their most impressive win of the season, but much like a tree in the forest, if a team falls at Wallace Wade Stadium and no one is there to see it, did it actually happen?

What's up next: We've already covered this. They're playing UVa and those little Wahoos have had a Duke problem for the past couple of years. Little Wahoos having a Duke problem sounds like something that can be fixed with a little blue pill, doesn't it?

Duke's dream neutral-site location: Anywhere that has the word "bowl" preceding it.

The Danny O'Brien (at Wisconsin) Division

(What the hell happened to this guy?)

7. Georgia Tech (3-3, LW: L 38-20 @ BYU)

What happened: Their third loss in a row prompted more questions about Vad Lee, Justin Thomas, and a whole lot of "playing within the system" quotes from Paul Johnson.

What's up next: The Yellow Jackets still have Clemson and Georgia on their schedule, which is less than promising. Does anyone think that they'll actually beat the teams that they're supposed to? And remember, since they have two FCS teams on the schedule, they actually need to win seven games to be bowl eligible. Is it possible that Johnson didn't even mean to schedule Alabama A&M? It could have possibly gone something like this:

Assistant Coach: "Hey Paul? You know we still have an opening on the schedule next year?"

Johnson (looking up from his three page playbook while listening to last year's Alabama Texas A&M game): Eh, just go get Alabama A&M or something.

Assistant Coach: You mea-

Johnson: JUST DO IT, DAMN IT.

There are a lot of tears shed in the hallways of the Georgia Tech Athletic Department.

Georgia Tech's dream neutral-site location: Somewhere on a dirt field in 1953 where both sweater vests and the veer are in-style, and no one can question the PJ's decision-making (mainly because there are no reporters there).

6. Pittsburgh (3-2, LW: L 19-9 @ Virginia Tech)

What happened: Dadi Nicolas happened, and Tom Savage got hit a lot.

What's up next: Pitt wins three to five more games, Devin Street and Tyler Boyd keep putting up impressive numbers, Aaron Donald keeps eating offensive opponents whole and Tom Savage finishes the season with 'Nam-like flashbacks.

Pittsburgh's dream neutral-site location: Anywhere that's not the BBVA Compass Bowl. They're like exes that keep getting back together, you know it's not good for them, but they keep trying to "work things out".

5. Maryland (5-1, LW: W 27-26 vs Virginia)

What happened: The Terps snuck by Virginia, making me think that I may or may not have jumped the gun on the whole "Maryland is really good at football" thing. Not that they're a bad team, but let's put it this way: out of all the teams that Maryland has beaten this season, Virginia ranks the highest on Football Outsiders college football rankings...at 66 out of 125.

What's up next: Maryland plays Wake Forest, and although quarterback C.J. Brown is cleared to play, I'll go out on a limb and say that he doesn't necessarily have to for the Terps to win against another team in the bottom 80 of the previously mentioned rankings.

Maryland's dream neutral-site location: A cornfield or something Midwest-y that makes them feel like they belong in the Big 10. You know, other than losing to teams with a lot of athleticism. That makes them fit in immediately.

The Logan Thomas Division

(You can throw your snarky 2012 jokes away now)

4. Virginia Tech (6-1, LW: W 19-9 vs Pittsburgh)

What happened: This just shouldn't be a surprise anymore. The defense is dominant, the offense will be able to do just enough against almost every team left on its schedule and they're going to grind out wins that you'll never remember in three years.

What's up next: This team could win out. It's that simple. It will always be too close for comfort, and there will be at least one surprisingly tight game that will have everyone biting their nails until the end (the dreaded nooner in Chestnut Hill the week before the Miami game?). It's not exciting, but I think I'm finally ready for what comes with that non-excitement.

Virginia Tech's dream neutral-site location: JORTS EFFECT '16. Need I say more?

The Tyrod Taylor Division

(The People's Champs)

3. Miami (5-0, LW: BYE)

What happened: Miami had a bye before Thursday's game at North Carolina. I refuse to say anything else nice about them until I watch a full game. I don't think they belong in the top-10. Top-15? Maybe. Top-10 is absurd and makes about as much sense this Les Miles press conference explosion.

What's up next: It's really simple, actually. Miami has North Carolina, Wake Forest, Florida State and Virginia Tech in a four game stretch starting tomorrow. If they win three of those games that means they're really good. If they win two of those game, they're exactly where I think they are. If they all four, I'm going to light myself on fire because "Da U is back" narrative is back.

Miami's dream neutral-site location: Come on guys, be nice. We all know that Sun LIfe Stadium is pretty neutral friendly already.

2. Clemson (6-0, LW: W 24-14 vs Boston College)
1. Florida State (5-0, LW: BYE)

You knew it was coming. I had to put these two together, considering that they're playing what is being dubbed as simply #TheGame (solid marketing, guys), and because the winner of #TheGame will go on to content for a national title with the likes of Alabama and Oregon.

The thing that makes me most excited for this game isn't the fact that it's quite possibly the biggest game in the history of the conference, it's that we have the opportunity to see two different long-term storylines be bucked at the same time.

The first is that the Atlantic Coast Conference has been alternating between being a punch line (Wake Forest in '06, Virginia Tech/Kansas in '07, Florida State having to play Northern Illinois in last year's Orange Bowl) and just plain depressing (the score 70-33 comes to mind) for years. Nearly every single media outlet has cast it off as the second worst conference in the country, pour one out for the Big East, and one that will never produce a serious national title contender. Now? The conference has three teams in the top-10 (no matter how much I dissed Miami in the previous section they're still there) and two that could legitimately contend for the national title. Depending on who you ask, the ACC could be considered the second best conference in the country (up for grabs with the Pac-12) but it's better than the Big Ten and Big 12. We've come a long way, and it only looks to get better.

The second is the whole "Clemsoning" thing. I get it, Clemsoning is fun. You're not a blogger in ACC territory worth your salt if you haven't been able to make a good joke or two about Clemson folding when it is least appropriate. It was something that has hurt the reputation of both the school and the conference for years, but now I can't help but think that it may be over, at least for now.

Clemsoning doesn't mean blowing a big game, but rather the small one before or after it. Losses to NC State and Georgia Tech come to mind. And how did those losses happen? For the most part, especially in the Dabo Swinney era, a good offense is tripped up while the underdog opponent takes advantage of a porous Tiger defense. Clemson isn't able to get stops, and inevitably lose the game to what was considered an inferior opponent.

Don't look now, but this Tiger defense isn't bad at all (it is top-two in the nation in both sacks and tackles for loss with Virginia Tech). You guys remember that NC State game on a Thursday night in September? Hostile crowd, the Tiger offense sputtering? That had all the makings of a "Clemsoning" classic that didn't happen because that defense stepped up. The same could be said with the Boston College game last week. This is just a different team. Sure, they may not be as explosive, but are they more balanced? Is this actually Clemson's year to make the national stage, the year that the offense isn't quite as good?

That being said, I've gone on record in saying that I thought Florida State would beat Clemson, but do we know much about the Seminoles? They've cruised through the season and have had to wade through about a quarter's worth of adversity. Is it absolutely crazy to think that this...gritty?...Clemson defense can get to Jameis Winston and knock him around a little?

It's going to be an amazing game, and even more amazing to watch as the country gazes as two of the best four teams in football right now, both from the ACC.

Clemson and Florida State's dream neutral-site location: Pasadena, California, playing for the national championship.

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"You know when the Hokies say 'We are Virginia Tech' they're going to mean it."- Lee Corso

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (210) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas