Lots of surprises this week (welcome to the ACC, where no one does what they're supposed to) and the race for a berth in the ACCCG just got a lot more interesting.

1. Georgia Tech (8-1, 5-1). Let's face it, Georgia Tech is the class of the league. But what does that say when they went into the half tied with Vanderbilt? Either Vanderbilt is better than their 2-6 record said going into the game, or GT dodged a huge bullet. I'm more inclined to go with the latter. Last Week: 1

2. Clemson (5-3, 3-2). Okay, so Coastal Carolina isn't the most difficult opponent, but the Tigers did what they were supposed to do: go in and dominate a much weaker team, and that's saying something for a program that has struggled to live up to expectations for the last two seasons. Losing DE DaQuan Bowers is a big loss going into this week's game against FSU. Last Week: 3

3. Miami (6-2, 3-2). It wasn't pretty, but the Canes snuck out of Winston-Salem with a win and that's all that matters. This team is essentially mathematically eliminated from the ACCCG, but winning games like the one last week will do a lot to help this program remember how to win (consistently) again. Last Week: 4

4. Virginia Tech (5-3, 3-2). Soul-crushing defeat for the Hokies last week to Carolina. The offense looked anemic, and the defense couldn't stop the Heels when it mattered the most. This is still a very good football team and will likely win out to finish the season, but Tech fans have to be disappointed. Last Week: 2

5. Dook (5-3, 3-1). The Blue Devils are in a great position; they control their destiny in the ACC, and they have a chance to defeat their most hated rival in their building after they are coming off a huge emotional win. If the Blue Devils catch UNC sleeping, they will be in great position for (gasp) a bowl game. Last Week: 6

6. Boston College (6-3, 3-2). Central Michigan hasn't lost in MAC play, but Boston College soundly defeated the Chippewas and became bowl-eligible in the process. If David Cutcliffe wasn't in the ACC, I could make a very strong case for Frank Spaziani for ACC Coach of the Year. Last Week: 5

7. Florida State (4-4, 2-3). It was closer than the experts thought, but the Seminoles still defeated an NC State team that gave them a lot of trouble. This week's game against Clemson is huge for FSU; if they can beat the Tigers, it gets them back to .500 in the league and they will be one win away from becoming bowl-eligible. Last Week: 9

8. North Carolina (5-3, 1-3). Biggest win in the last four years for the Tar Heels. Going into Lane Stadium on Thursday and coming out with a win rarely (if ever) happens, and yet Carolina got the win that absolutely saved their season. If they can get past hated rival Dook this week, they will be one win away from becoming bowl-eligible. Last Week: 11

9. Wake Forest (4-5, 2-3). Tough loss for Wake Forest, as they simply couldn't hold on against Miami. This team has definitely taken a step back this season, albeit a small one, and needs to regroup if they are going to become eligible for postseason play. Last Week: 8

10. Virginia (3-5, 2-2). Losing to Dook is never a good feeling, but Virginia fans had to know that the success this season wasn't going to last forever. The Cavaliers need to win out to go to a bowl, but with Miami, Clemson, and VT left on the schedule it doesn't look likely. Last Week: 7

11. NC State (3-5, 0-4). It was closer than the experts thought (so give coach Tom O'Brien a little credit for a productive bye week) but with half the ACC season gone the Wolfpack still has not tallied an ACC win. If they lose to a putrid Maryland team then they don't deserve to go to a bowl this year, plain and simple. Last Week: 12

12. Maryland (2-6, 1-3). The Terps didn't lose last week because of the bye week, and that's a good thing for Ralph Friedgen. Why? Because it gave him an extra week to clean out his office and put his house on the market. The Terps have been awful this year, and except for a gift from Clemson it is very possible that this team could only have 1 win this year. This week's game against NC State is huge for both teams; a loss for either team eliminates them from postseason play. Last Week: 10