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In Weeks 11 and 12, chaos broke out across the Atlantic Coast Conference. First, the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) suffered a shocking loss against the injury-plagued Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 5-3). Then, a Louisville Cardinals (7-4, 5-3) team that beat the No. 12 Clemson Tigers (9-2, 7-1) in Death Valley collapsed late in a stunning loss to the Stanford Cardinal (3-8, 2-6).
In Week 13, though, the top teams in the ACC reasserted their dominance. Miami started slow but ultimately pulled away from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-7, 2-5) for a convincing 42-14 win. Louisville bounced back with a commanding 37-9 win over a solid Pitt Panthers (7-4, 3-4) team. A week after struggling to pull away from the Boston College Eagles (6-5, 3-4), the SMU Mustangs (10-1, 7-0) responded with a strong defensive effort in a resounding victory over the Virginia Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4)
While the week-to-week chaos of college football can project confusing signals about the overall strength of teams, true contenders will always find a way to bounce back from mediocre performances. In Week 13, Miami, Louisville and SMU proved that they have what it takes to address their issues and come back stronger in response.
Here are the Week 14 ACC Power Rankings as voted on by the College Football Dawgs staff.
1. SMU Mustangs (10-1, 7-0)
Previous Ranking: 1
The No. 9 Mustangs put together their most complete performance of the season in a 33-7 win over the Cavaliers. Quarterback Kevin Jennings continued to dominate, going 25-for-33 passing with 323 yards and 3 total touchdowns. A bounce-back performance from the defense, though, was the most encouraging part of the week. The SMU defense held Virginia to 173 total yards of offense and 3-for-15 on third-down conversions while garnering a mind-blowing 9 sacks.
Upcoming game: Cal (6-5, 2-5)
2. Miami Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1)
Previous Ranking: 2
In Week 12, the Miami defense allowed a staggering 271 yards on the ground against Georgia Tech, a discouraging performance for a team that has College Football Playoff aspirations. Against Wake Forest, the Hurricanes responded. Miami's defensive front was tenacious, allowing just 94 total yards and 2.4 yards per rush. Cam Ward continued his consistent success, completing 27 of 38 passes for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns, as Miami cruised to a 42-14 win.
Upcoming game: at Syracuse (8-3, 4-3)
3. Clemson Tigers (9-2, 7-1)
Previous Ranking: 3
A win against The Citadel admittedly will not quiet fans who have doubts about Clemson's performance in big games. But the No. 12 Tigers did manage to rediscover their explosive offensive ability in a 51-14 blowout. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was electric in limited action, going 12-for-16 for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. Freshman running back Jay Haynes added 118 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 carries, and the Tigers may have found a spark at the perfect time with a pivotal rivalry matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) on the horizon in the Palmetto Bowl.
Upcoming game: South Carolina (8-3, 5-3 SEC)
4. Louisville Cardinals (7-4, 5-3)
Previous Ranking: 4
Heading into an important conference game against Pitt, the Cardinals needed a strong performance to regain confidence after a Week 12 collapse to Stanford. The Louisville defense delivered in a stunning upset, forcing three pivotal turnovers and shutting out the Panthers until late in the third quarter to earn a 37-9 win. The offense continued its efficient play, rushing for 214 yards behind standout performances from running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson.
Upcoming game: at Kentucky (4-7, 1-7 SEC)
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 5-3)
Previous Ranking: 5
Playing with backup quarterback Aaron Philo at the helm for most of the night, the Yellow Jackets performed admirably through three quarters, leading by two scores and dominating on defense. After a late defensive collapse, however, the NC State Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5) took a 29-23 lead with just over a minute remaining to put Georgia Tech's promising season in jeopardy. Then, Philo became the unlikely hero of the night, capping off a clinical 7-play, 75-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown rush to give the Yellow Jackets the win.
Upcoming game: at No. 7 Georgia (9-2, 6-2 SEC))
ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17
6. Syracuse Orange (8-3, 4-3)
Previous Ranking: 6
Last game: 31-24 win over UConn (7-4)
Upcoming game: No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1)
7. Duke Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3)
Previous Ranking: 8
Last game: 31-28 win over Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)
Upcoming game: at Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5)
8. Pitt Panthers (7-4, 3-4)
Previous Ranking: 7
Last game: 37-9 loss to Louisville (7-4, 5-3)
Upcoming game: at Boston College (6-5, 3-4)
9. Virginia Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4)
Previous Ranking: 10
Last game: 33-7 loss to No. 9 SMU (10-1, 7-0)
Upcoming game: at Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)
10. Boston College Eagles (6-5, 3-4)
Previous Ranking: 12
Last game: 41-21 win over North Carolina (6-5, 3-4)
Upcoming game: Pitt (7-4, 3-4)
11. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-6, 3-4)
Previous Ranking: 11
Last game: 31-28 loss to Duke (8-3, 4-3)
Upcoming game: Virginia (5-6, 3-4)
12. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4)
Previous Ranking: 9
Last game: 41-21 loss to Boston College (6-5, 3-4)
Upcoming game: NC State (5-6, 2-5)
13. Cal Golden Bears (6-5, 2-5)
Previous Ranking: 16
Last game: 24-21 win over Stanford (3-8, 2-6)
Upcoming game: at No. 9 SMU (10-1, 7-0)
14. NC State Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5)
Previous Ranking: 14
Last game: 30-29 loss to Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3)
Upcoming game: at North Carolina (6-5, 3-4)
15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-7, 2-5)
Previous Ranking: 13
Last game: 42-14 loss to No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1)
Upcoming game: Duke (8-3, 4-3)
16. Stanford Cardinal (3-8, 2-6)
Previous Ranking: 15
Last game: 24-21 loss to Cal (6-5, 2-5)
Upcoming game: at San Jose State (6-5, 3-4 Mountain West Conference)
17. Florida State Seminoles (2-9, 1-7)
Previous Ranking: 17
Last game: 41-7 win over Charleston Southern (1-11)
Upcoming game: Florida (6-5, 4-4 SEC)
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