Week 8 ACC Blitz Football Power Poll Rankings

Not a ton changed from last week’s poll; Clemson and Virginia Tech kept their spots at the top. Miami and Wake Forest saw a move up, while Georgia Tech slid after losing their second game in a row.

1)Clemson (8-0, 5-0)
This Tiger team seems to look better and better each week. They carved up a good Tar Heel defense to the tune of 450 yards and six offensive TD’s. QB Tajh Boyd officially gained recognition in the Heisman race after throwing for 367 yards and 5 TD’s while rushing for another (tied a school record for TD responsibility). The Heels continually shot themselves in the foot, committing six turnovers to go along with nine penalties.

Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas and Virginia Tech held steady at #2.

2)Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1)
Hokie QB Logan Thomas and RB David Wilson had standout games in their 30-14 win over Boston College. Given, the Eagles aren’t exactly a powerhouse in the ACC this year but they still tout one of the better defeneses. Tech is now in the drivers seat in the Coastal with Georgia Tech losing again. A loss by the Jackets against undefeated Clemson squad (who handed VT their only loss) this weekend would all but wrap things up for the Hokies.

3)Wake Forest (5-2, 4-1)
The Deacons nearly blew their chances at an unexpected Atlantic title run against Duke, need a late 66 yard TD pass to go ahead for good. While a near loss to the Blue Devils would normally drop a team a spot or two, Wake is still sitting at (4-1) in conference play. The showdown with Clemson in a few weeks is getting bigger and bigger.

4)Miami (4-3, 2-2)
The Canes continue to look better and better. Their defense held high-octane Georgia Tech to under 300 total yards and just seven points in their 24-7 win. The close losses to (now #11) Kansas State, and (now #12) Virginia Tech are easier to stomach with those two showing themselves as two of the better teams in the country.

5)Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2)
Going from just outside the Top 10 and undefeated to more than likely being out of the Coastal race has to be a tough pill to swallow for Jacket fans. First Virginia, and now Miami have figured out a way to completely shutdown Coach Johnsons option attack. And things don’t look to get much better this weekend with #5 Clemson rolling into town. History is on the Techs side though – the last time Clemson was (8-0), it was GT that upset them and derailed a perfect season.

6)Florida State (4-3, 2-2)
Back to back conference wins have to be healing at least some of the wounds of that three game slide. The Noles look as if they’ve regained early season form, dominating both Duke and Maryland. QB E.J. Manuel threw for 264 yards and RB’s Freeman and Thomas combined for almost 200 yards rushing. A visit by lowly NC State will likely move FSU to 3-2 in ACC play, keeping them on the fringe of being in contention (but not likely).

7)North Carolina (5-3, 1-3)
A season of promise is quickly melting away. The Heels started off (5-1), with their only loss being a nail-biter to Georgia Tech. Saturdays debacle in Death Valley was a different story. After hanging around for the first half, the Tigers blew up for 35 points in the third quarter en route to a 59-38 win. Six turnovers didn’t help. Things get easier this week against Wake in what is a very winnable game (and by easier, I mean a (5-2) Wake Forest team as opposed to (8-0) Clemson).

8)Virginia (4-3, 1-2)
For a bried second, I really thought coming into the NC State game that the Cavs had turned a corner after the win against Georgia Tech. The defense looked stout, the offense played well. Fast forward to post-28-14 loss and it’s back to the old Virginia. They turned the ball over four times, three by QB David Watford. Their path in conference play doesn’t get any easier, with a trip to Miami looming Thursday.

8)NC State (4-3, 1-2)
The Pack sport easily one of the best defensive backs in the country in David Amerson. He came in leading the nation in INT’s and added to his total with two more, one of which he returned for a game-clinching TD. QB Mike Glennon is having a good year, but it’s going to take a few more wins to see a move up the list, which might be hard to do with Florida State and Clemson still on the schedule.

10)Maryland (2-5, 1-3)
The Terps must have a touch of schizophrenia. They go from looking great (hanging with Clemson, and Georgia Tech) to flat out looking terrible (38-3 loss to Temple, and 41-16 loss to FSU). With almost not offensive identity, it’s hard to justify having them much higher than tenth. The defense once again surrendered huge numbers, with the Seminoles gaining nearly 500 yards of offense and putting up 41 points.

11)Duke (3-4, 1-2)
The Blue Devils, surprisingly enough, are a total of three points away from being (5-2) and (2-1) in conference play. Atlantic challenger Wake Forest needed a late TD to pull ahead, and intercepted QB Sean Renfrees pass to seal the game. Unfortunately for Duke, they still Have the heavy hitters of the Coastal left on their plate. Although, it’s easy to see them being a landmine for at least one team.

12)Boston College (1-6, 0-4)
You almost have to start feeling for the Eagles at some point. Things weren’t pretty in their 30-14 loss Virginia Tech. QB Chase Rettig had no retaliation for Hokies QB Logan Thomas and RB David Wilson, both of which lit up the BC defense. The lone bright spot was once again LB Luke Kuechly, who added to his nation leading average.