If there were any doubts about who sits atop the ACC heading into November, this past weekend put them to rest: Miami held off UNC in Chapel Hill, Wake Forest drubbed Virginia, and SMU suffered a surprising loss at Syracuse.
The Hurricanes and Demon Deacons are on a crash course toward a conference championship game, but some teams, including Duke, hope for a slip-up or two in the title race.
Here is our ACC Power Rankings heading into Week 10:
1. Miami (8-0, 6-0 ACC)
North Carolina challenged Miami on Saturday. This weekend’s matchup at Notre Dame could be a preview of the College Football Playoff.
2. Wake Forest (7-1, 5-1)
The Demon Deacons continue to smash opponents but stay under the radar. I’m certain Jake Dickert prefers it that way.
3. Duke (6-2, 3-2)
An all-around solid performance by the Blue Devils in the 47-2
shellacking of Boston College makes you wonder what happened against Georgia Tech and UNC.
4. SMU (6-2, 4-2)
The Mustangs’ playoff hopes took a huge hit with the upset loss at Syracuse.
5. Virginia Tech (6-2, 3-2)
Did the Hokies get the best out of the James Franklin/Matt Campbell situation? It looks like it right now.
6. Louisville (5-3, 4-2)
The Cardinals are still in the ACC title race but can’t afford another slip-up.
7. Clemson (5-3, 3-2)
Until they beat someone worth bragging about, I’m just going to assume that Clemson is the epitome of mediocre this season.
8. Pittsburgh (6-3, 3-3)
The Panthers got off the mat after three straight losses with a beatdown of Georgia Tech.
9. North Carolina (4-4, 2-3)
No shame in the Tar Heels’ three-point loss to Miami.
10. NC State (4-4, 2-3)
The Wolfpack won their first game with interim head coach Todd Goebbel. Are they really going to hire Philip Rivers?
11. Virginia (4-5, 2-4)
Three straight losses, including this past Saturday’s 51-7 loss to Wake Forest, have Cavaliers’ fans wondering what is going on.
12. Boston College (4-4, 2-3)
A Jekyll-and-Hyde team, the Eagles put up 49 points in a win against Georgia Tech a week before putting up two, thanks to a returned blocked extra-point attempt, against Duke.
13. Syracuse (4-4, 2-4)
A gutsy home win against SMU gives the Orange a shot at becoming bowl eligible in the last four games.
14. Stanford (4-5, 2-4)
A trip to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech faces the Cardinal this week before the Battle for the Axe.
15. California (3-6, 2-4)
The Golden Bears have lost five of their last six games, but three winnable games (at UVA, Stanford and Pittsburgh) dot the calendar in November.
16. Florida State (3-5, 1-4)
The Seminoles finally rid themselves of Mike Norvell after six-plus seasons. Now, can they get someone to rebuild the program back into a power?
17. Georgia Tech (2-6, 1-4)
Duke’s loss to the Yellow Jackets continues to look stranger and stranger as the weeks go by.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: ACC Football Power Rankings after Week 9: Duke rises after win
