ACC Power Rankings Week 10: Conference Title Race Thickens

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With only five weeks remaining in the regular season, the Atlantic Coast Conference is still full of questions about who will ultimately rise to the top. The No. 11 Clemson Tigers (6-1, 5-0 ACC) have dominated their ACC slate so far but have yet to face the top teams in the conference. The No. 5 Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0) have struggled on an almost weekly basis but have found ways to consistently come out on top. The No. 20 SMU Mustangs (7-1, 4-0) and No. 18 Pitt Panthers (7-0, 3-0) have overcome low preseason expectations and remain undefeated in conference play deep into the season.

While all four teams are in the midst of impressive campaigns, only two teams will have the chance to play for the conference title. With stiff challenges remaining for each team, it will take perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity for two teams to turn their great seasons into ones that are truly special.

Here are the Week 10 ACC Power Rankings as voted on by the College Football Dawgs staff.

1. Clemson Tigers (6-1, 5-0)

Previous Ranking: 1

The Tigers have been explosive on offense since their season-opening loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, ranking as one of the top five offensive units in the country with 42 points per game and 490.4 yards per game. Coming off a bye, the Tigers now face their toughest three-week stretch of the season. After a visit from the Louisville Cardinals (5-3, 3-2), Clemson will travel to face two of the hottest teams in the league in the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3, 3-1) and Pitt Panthers. Quarterback Cade Klubnik will need to continue his efficient play in order to keep the Tigers unscathed in conference play.

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Upcoming game: Louisville (5-3, 3-2)

2. Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0)

Previous Ranking: 2

After three straight weeks of tightly-contested, one-score victories, the No. 5 Hurricanes finally earned a blowout win over the Florida State Seminoles (1-7, 1-6). In the 36-14 Miami victory, quarterback Cam Ward took a back seat and that allowed running back Damien Martinez to shine. Martinez accounted for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 15 carries in a dominant performance on the ground.

The defense also showed signs of improvement against the Seminoles. Florida State was held to just 248 total yards and converted just 3-of-13 third-down attempts. Miami will hope to continue its defensive growth when it faces a much stiffer test against the Duke Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) next week.

Upcoming game: Duke (6-2, 2-2)

3. Pitt Panthers (7-0, 3-0)

Previous Ranking: 4

Coming off a bye week, the No. 18 Panthers were still in search of their first complete performance against a Power 4 opponent. In a 41-13 win over Syracuse on Oct. 24, Pitt proved it is a legitimate contender in the ACC title race. The Panthers were completely stifling on defense, returning 3 interceptions for touchdowns in the first half and gathering 5 interceptions on quarterback Kyle McCord in total. The Panthers' defensive line was dominant as well, holding the Orange to just 6 total rushing yards.

The Panthers now turn their focus to their toughest test of the season yet against SMU. In a game that features two high-powered offenses, quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid will be forced to carry more of the load. The Panthers will need their offensive stars to step up to the task to keep their perfect season alive.

Upcoming game: at No. 20 SMU (7-1, 4-0)

4. SMU Mustangs (7-1, 4-0)

Previous Ranking: 3

Since announcing quarterback Kevin Jennings as the full-time starter, the SMU Mustangs have been unstoppable on offense, averaging 45.5 points per game and 453.8 yards per game. Against Duke, the Mustangs once again moved the ball with ease, piling up 469 total yards on a tough Blue Devil defense. Sloppy mistakes, however, nearly cost the Mustangs a win.

Jennings contributed five of the Mustangs' 6 turnovers, and Duke managed to take the game to overtime despite being overmatched for much of the contest. In the end, SMU pulled off a 28-27 victory, but it will have to clean up its mistakes to continue its success with much stiffer competition ahead.

Upcoming game: No. 18 Pitt (7-0, 3-0)

5. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3, 3-1)

Previous Ranking: 8

The Hokies have completely turned their season around since their heartbreaking loss to Miami. In the three games since then, Virginia Tech has beaten their opponents by an average score of 31-11 in complete statement wins. In a 21-6 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-3), the Hokies' defense was smothering, allowing the Yellow Jackets offense to convert just 5-of-19 third-down attempts and 1-of-5 fourth-down attempts. Quarterback Kyron Drones continued his electric play, accounting for a touchdown pass, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown in the victory.

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Louisville Cardinals (5-3, 3-2)

Previous Ranking: 9

Last game: 31-27 win over Boston College (4-4, 1-3)

Upcoming game: at No. 11 Clemson (6-1, 5-0)

7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 7

Last game: 21-6 loss to Virginia Tech (5-3, 3-1)

Upcoming game: Bye

8. Duke Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2)

Previous Ranking: 6

Last game: 28-27 OT loss to SMU (7-1, 4-0)

Upcoming game: at No. 5 Miami (8-0, 4-0)

9. Syracuse Orange (5-2, 2-2)

Previous Ranking: 5

Last game: 41-13 loss to No. 18 Pitt (7-0, 3-0)

Upcoming game: Virginia Tech (5-3, 3-1)

10. Virginia Cavaliers (4-4, 2-3)

Previous Ranking: 10

Last game: 41-14 loss to North Carolina (4-4, 1-3)

Upcoming game: Bye

11. Boston College Eagles (4-4, 1-3)

Previous Ranking: 11

Last game: 31-27 loss to Louisville (5-3, 3-2)

Upcoming game: Bye

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2)

Previous Ranking: 12

Last game: 27-24 win over Stanford (2-6, 1-4)

Upcoming game: Bye

13. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-4, 1-3)

Previous Ranking: 14

Last game: 41-14 win over Virginia (4-4, 2-3)

Upcoming game: at Florida State (1-7, 1-6)

14. NC State Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3)

Previous Ranking: 13

Last game: Bye

Upcoming game: Stanford (2-6, 1-4)

15. Cal Golden Bears (4-4, 0-4)

Previous Ranking: 15

Last game: 44-7 win over Oregon State (4-4)

Upcoming game: Bye

16. Stanford Cardinal (2-6, 1-4)

Previous Ranking: 16

Last game: 27-24 loss to Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2)

Upcoming game: at NC State (4-4, 1-3)

17. Florida State Seminoles (1-7, 1-6)

Previous Ranking: 17

Last game: 36-14 loss to No. 5 Miami (8-0, 4-0)

Upcoming game: North Carolina (4-4, 1-3)