POWER RANKINGS
1. Notre Dame (10-0, 9-0 ACC): The Fighting Irish capped off a perfect regular season in their first-ever foray into league play; now they’ll attempt to claim a first conference championship two weeks hence.
2. Clemson (9-1, 8-1): Clemson polished off Virginia Tech last week to set up another showdown against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship Game. The Tigers have been looking forward to a rematch since losing in double-overtime at Notre Dame on Nov. 7.
3. Miami (8-1, 7-1): After going 6-7 in their first year under Manny Diaz, the Hurricanes have a chance to post a 10-1 record with games remaining against North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
4. N.C. State (8-3, 7-3): The Wolfpack completed its reversal from a 4-8 season by winning its last four games and going 8-3. Not bad for a team picked for an 11th-place finish in the preseason poll.
5. North Carolina (7-3, 6-3): The Tar Heels will follow up a breather against Western Carolina by playing at Miami, which should present a considerably stiffer challenge.
6. Virginia (5-4, 4-4): The Cavaliers are upwardly mobile following their victory vs. Boston College. Virginia snapped a 15game losing streak against in-state rival Virginia Tech last season; can the Cavs do it again?
7. Boston College (6-5, 5-5): The Eagles were on the cusp of winning seven games for the first time since 2009, but not even a 520-yard passing day by backup QB Dennis Grosel could save them last week vs. Virginia.
8. Wake Forest (4-3, 3-3): Going a month between games isn’t ideal, but the Deacons will take what they can get. Wake is seeking its record fifth straight bowl bid.
9. Pitt (5-5, 4-5): Coach Pat Narduzzi has quietly guided the Panthers to 28 ACC victories since 2015; that ranks third-best in the conference, trailing only Clemson (46) and Miami (32).
10. Virginia Tech (4-6, 4-6): The Hokies have lost four in a row following a 4-2 start. The best way to salve the season? A win against arch-rival Virginia.
11. Georgia Tech (3-6, 3-5): Tech has lost four of the last five in the series against Pitt and will be an underdog once again this week.
12. Louisville (3-7, 2-7): The ACC’s biggest disappointment? The vote goes to the Cardinals, who were tabbed for a fourth-place finish in the preseason poll.
13. Florida State (2-6, 1-6): The Seminoles may snap a three-game losing streak this week, with Duke coming to town. Florida State leads the series 20-0, which ranks as the most wins in the nation without a loss against a conference opponent.
14. Duke (2-7, 1-7): The Blue Devils’ season will come to a merciful end Saturday. 15. Syracuse (1-10, 1-9): Somehow the Syracuse offense put up 21 points last week vs. Notre Dame. Unfortunately for the Orange, their defense surrendered 45.