ACC football power rankings: Week 14

With the regular season officially wrapped up and (almost) all of the ACC teams having played 12 games, we now have a clear picture of who will and won’t be going bowling this season.

Before that, however, Clemson and Miami are set up for the first ACC Championship Game of the College Football Playoff era that will serve, effectively, as a play-in game. It’s the biggest ACCCG in quite awhile. Maybe ever.

How do the teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference line up in the final power rankings of the 2017 season?

1. Clemson (11-1, 7-1 in ACC, up one spot from last week’s rankings)

The Tigers ran out to a 34-0 lead on the road against rival South Carolina Saturday, winning 34-10.

Up next: A win in Clemson’s clash in the ACC Championship Game this weekend against Miami would send the Tigers to the College Football Playoff for the third straight year.

2. Miami (11-1, 7-1, down one spot)

Miami playing down to the level of its opponent finally burned the Hurricanes over the weekend as they lost embarrassingly to 5-7 Pittsburgh on Friday, briefly benching starting QB Malik Rosier in the loss.

Up next: The good news for UM is that a win against Clemson in Charlotte this weekend would still likely be enough send the ’Canes to the CFP.

3. Virginia Tech (9-3, 5-3, up one spot)

VT kept its lengthy win streak over in-state rival Virginia intact this weekend, shutting out the Cavaliers 10-0 in Charlottesville for the 14th straight win over the Hoos.

Up next: Virginia Tech’s regular season is over as the Hokies now await their bowl destination.

4. NC State (8-4, 6-2, up one spot)

NC State capped off its best year in the ACC in a decade with a 33-21 win at home against North Carolina behind 196 yards and two touchdowns by running back Nyheim Hines.

Up next: NC State is off this weekend and will find out its bowl destination this weekend.

5. Louisville (8-4, 4-4, up one spot)

After a loss to the Wildcats cost Louisville an Orange Bowl berth last season, the Cardinals bounced back, smacking Kentucky 44-17 in Lexington over the weekend.

Up next: No UL game this weekend, but the Cards will go bowling.

6. Wake Forest (7-5, 4-4, down three spots)

Wake’s strong regular season finished weakly Saturday with a 31-23 home loss to Duke which saw the Demon Deacons get outscored 21-6 in the second half.

Up next: Still, Wake is bowl bound for the second straight year and head coach Dave Clawson is drawing some interest as a coaching candidate at bigger programs.

7. Boston College (7-5, 4-4, no change)

BC wrapped its regular season in dominating fashion, soundly beating Syracuse in its own stadium, 42-14. Running back AJ Dillon, the runaway ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, padded his resume with nearly 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Up next: Like Wake, BC will head to a bowl for the second time in as many seasons, no small feat for head coach Steve Addazio.

8. Florida State (5-6, 3-5, up two spots)

The Seminoles have struggled mightily this season, but Saturday’s 38-22 win over Florida was a display of how much worse things could be.

Up next: Despite the disastrous season, FSU has a chance to extend its nation leading postseason streak to 36 years with a win against Louisiana-Monroe this weekend.

9. Virginia (6-6, 3-5, down one spot)

UVA, a trendy pick to finally snap its losing streak to Virginia Tech, came up flat offensively, managing just 191 yards of offense in the 10-0 home loss.

Up next: The loss was a disappointment, but the Cavaliers will earn an unexpected bowl bid this weekend after last year’s 2-10 finish.

10. Duke (6-6, 3-5, up one spot)

Duke pulled off its second upset in as many weeks to snag a bowl bid, this time defeating Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, 31-23.

Up next: After missing a bowl last season, Duke will make its fifth postseason appearance in the last six years this December.

11. Georgia Tech (5-7, 3-5, down two spots)

Needing a win against rival Georgia to get bowl eligible, the Yellow Jackets put up little resistance, falling 38-7 at home to the Bulldogs.

Up next: GT is the first of four ACC teams on this list that is not bowl eligible. The team’s season is over and, after failing to get to six wins for the second time in three years, Paul Johnson’s time in Atlanta may be done.

12. Pittsburgh (5-7, 3-5, up one spot)

Pitt may not be bowling, but a 24-14 upset victory over undefeated Miami is a heck of a way to end a season.

Up next: The Panthers’ season is over.

13. Syracuse (4-8, 2-6, down one spot)

Forced to resort to its third string quarterback, Syracuse was outmatched in its 42-14 loss to Boston College on Saturday.

Up next: For the second time in as many years under Dino Babers, the Orange will not be receiving a bowl bid, but progress was shown this season.

14. North Carolina (3-9, 1-7, no change)

UNC led 14-12 at halftime, but blew its chance to end the dismal season on a high note, falling 33-21 to NC State.

Up next: The injury-filled and very disappointing season is over. Head coach Larry Fedora now gets a chance to look ahead and plan for next season.