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Week 9 Power Rankings

By Robert Reinhard

 

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Clemson went as the Clemson of old for Halloween this year. In typical Clemson fashion they lose a game which they shouldn't have lost, and now they are eliminated from the BCS discussion. They now no longer look invincible, and perhaps Virginia Tech could beat them if they were to face in the ACC Championship. Who knows, maybe even Wake Forest can travel to Death Valley and come back with a victory. Maybe dreams do come true.

 

1. Clemson (8-1) Last Week  1

Result: L (17-31) at Georgia Tech

This Week: BYE

This was the Clemson we know and love. They had a primetime game on ABC, and they go and lose by 2 touchdowns. Just when you thought they were going to turn it around after they picked it off inside Georgia Tech's 20, Tajh Boyd throws an interception and gives the ball right back to Georgia Tech. They have a BYE this week, before facing Wake Forest in a game that should determine who wins the Atlantic Division title. 

 

2. Florida State (5-3) Last Week  3

Result: W (34-0) vs. N.C. State

This Week: at Boston College

If this is the team that showed up every Saturday, they could easily be 5-1 right now and leading the Atlantic Division. Look for them to continue to roll throughout the rest of the season. ESPN is going to regret having picked this game against Boston College as a Thursday game. FSU should get up early and then just milk the clock, which certainly won't be good for ratings. I'd say Florida State will build off a strong ending to this season and take that into next year, but I think we were saying the same thing last year.

 

3. Virginia Tech (8-1) Last Week  2

Result: W (14-10) at Duke

This Week: BYE

Virginia Tech should have rolled over Boston College and Duke the past two weeks. Instead, they won in rather unconvincing fashion. They are still the odds on favorite to win the Coastal Division, but Florida State has been far more impressive since dropping their first to conference games to Clemson and Wake Forest.

 

 

4. Georgia Tech (7-2) Last Week 6 

Result: W (31-17) vs. Clemson

This Week: BYE

Coming off a very impressive victory over previously undefeated Clemson, Georgia Tech must now prepare for next week's Thursday night game against Virginia Tech. If Georgia Tech can get out to a lead over Virginia Tech like it did over Clemson, then the triple option might just bleed Virginia Tech to death. That offense is just superb for ball possession and making defenses take risks. If Georgia Tech can capitalize on those risks then they could win, but I would expect Bud Foster to come out with a tremendous gameplan.

 

5. North Carolina (6-3) Last Week  7

Result: W (49-24) vs. Wake Forest

This Week: at N.C. State

North Carolina rebounded nicely and had an impressive victory over Wake Forest. The Tar Heels still have games remaining against N.C. State and Duke. Everett Withers has done a fine job with the team this season and if they win their bowl game, they could finish the season with 9 wins.

 

6. Wake Forest (5-3) Last Week 5

Result:  L (49-24) at North Carolina

This Week: vs. Notre Dame

Tough game for the Deacs last week, and the next two weeks will be even harder as they face Notre Dame and then travel to Clemson. Wake just has to find a way to win one more game this season and they will be bowling for the first time since 2008. After Vanderbilt's performance against Arkansas, that game certainly doesn't seem like a gimme. All we need to do is beat Maryland. Just make a bowl and I'll be happy. I don't care if it is in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

 

 

7. Virginia (5-3) Last Week  9

Result: W (28-21) at Miami

This Week: at Maryland

I thought their loss to Southern Miss would greatly hurt their chances of reaching bowl eligibility, but recent wins over Georgia Tech and Miami have been huge for this program. Mike London continues to inspire this team, and I expect them to become bowl eligible after their trip to College Park this Saturday. Darius Jennings is a superstar in the making and is showing why he was offered by such teams as Oregon and Ohio State.

 

8. Miami (4-4) Last Week  4

Result: L (28-21) vs. Virginia

This Week: vs. Duke

Just when I thought I could trust this team, they go and lay an egg at home on national television. This team has played a very difficult schedule, but given that they've been able to defeat Georgia Tech and Ohio State, and nearly defeat Kansas State and Virginia Tech, it's unacceptable losing to Maryland and Virginia. They better not overlook Duke, because the Blue Devils will be ready to play.

 

 

9. Duke (3-5) Last Week  11

Result: L (14-10) vs. Virginia Tech

This Week: at Miami

 

I know that Duke hasn't won in their last 3 games, but I believe they've been more impressive than State, BC, and Maryland. They only lost to Virginia Tech by 4, they nearly came back and beat Wake, and they were at least able to put points on the board against Florida State. I wouldn't be shocked if they were able to beat Miami this week. 

 

10. N.C. State (4-4) Last Week  8

Result: L (34-0) at Florida State

This Week: vs. North Carolina 

At no point was N.C. State in contention to beat Florida State. Florida State absolutely dominated this game from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. This week State faces their biggest rival in North Carolina. Even though State has gotten the better part of North Carolina over recent seasons, I believe that Carolina's running attack will be too much for the Wolfpack. 

 

11. Boston College (2-6) Last Week  12

Result: W (28-17) at Maryland

This Week: vs. Florida State

I'll give Boston College a lot of credit for their recent win over Maryland. This is a team that fought very hard in defeat at Virginia Tech, and then were clearly more prepared than Maryland. They went up 21-3 and never looked back. This team is all but eliminated from bowl contention, but I bet this time will be competitive in their remaining four games. 

 

12. Maryland (2-6) Last Week  10

Result: L (28-17) vs. Boston College

This Week: vs. Virginia

Welcome to the bottom of the ACC, Maryland. That was simply a horrendous performance on Saturday, and it appears that things are only to get worse. They should be the underdogs in their remaining 4 games this season. This season could be very similar to 2009 when the Terrapins went 2-10.