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Week 13 rankings: With new team at No. 1, ACC closes in on final weekend

Scott Keepfer, Greenville News
·5 min read

The only thing left to be decided in the Atlantic Coast Conference is who will prevail in the Atlantic Division and face Coastal Division champion Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 4.

Three teams still have a shot, and here’s what must unfold:

► Wake Forest: Must win at Boston College.

► N.C. State: Must beat North Carolina and have Boston College defeat Wake Forest.

► Clemson: Must have North Carolina beat N.C. State and Boston College beat Wake Forest.

Sound complicated? It’s actually more compelling than convoluted and adds an additional layer of drama to the regular season’s final weekend. Enjoy.

1. Pittsburgh (9-2, 6-1)

Last week: 2

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Quarterback Kenny Pickett made his final home game a memorable one, passing for 340 yards with four touchdowns as the Panthers clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game for the second time in four years. Not bad for a team that was picked to finish fourth in the Coastal Division in the preseason poll.

Up next: Saturday at Syracuse, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

2. N.C. State (8-3, 5-2)

Last week: 3

The Wolfpack probably wish they could replay that 45-42 loss at Wake Forest two weeks ago. N.C. State still has a shot at its first ACC title since 1979, but the Wolfpack will have to get help from Boston College … and defend its home field against archrival North Carolina on Friday night.

Up next: Friday vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m., ESPN

3. Clemson (8-3, 6-2)

Clemson running back Will Shipley hits open space last week against Wake Forest.
Clemson running back Will Shipley hits open space last week against Wake Forest.

Last week: 4

In early October, the Tigers were 2-2 and seemingly counted out as an ACC contender. They head into the final week of the season 8-3 with a chance to claim a seventh consecutive ACC title.

Up next: Saturday at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network

4. Wake Forest (9-2, 6-1)

Last week: 1

The Demon Deacons were dominated by Clemson last week, falling to 0-13 against Dabo Swinney. Wake Forest can still win the Atlantic by winning at Boston College, but that may be easier said than done against the Eagles, who have a formidable offensive line and quarterback Phil Jurkovec back in the lineup.

Up next: Saturday at Boston College, noon, ESPN2

5. Virginia (6-5, 4-3)

Last week: 5

It’s rivalry week in Virginia, and the Cavaliers are playing catch-up against the Hokies, who have won a remarkable 16 of 17 games between the two rivals since 2003. Saturday’s result should help close that gap.

Up next: Saturday vs. Virginia Tech, 3:45 p.m., ACC Network

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) gets a pass away as Pittsburgh defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) pressures him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) gets a pass away as Pittsburgh defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) pressures him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

6. North Carolina (6-5, 3-4)

Last week: 6

The Tar Heels are bowl-eligible for a third consecutive season, but they’re likely more excited about having an opportunity to eliminate N.C. State from ACC title contention.

Up next: Friday at N.C. State, 7 p.m., ESPN

7. Miami (6-5, 4-3)

Last week: 7

Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has notched five consecutive games with at least 300 yards passing, and Miami has won four of those games. No one is happier with the success than Coach Manny Diaz, whose employment appears safe for another year.

Up next: Saturday at Duke, 12:30 p.m., ESPN3

8. Florida State (5-6, 4-4)

Last week: 8

Is anyone more improved than the Seminoles? Probably not. A victory against Florida this week would make Florida State the first Power 5 team to go bowling after an 0-4 start since Colorado in 1986.

Up next: Saturday at Florida, noon, ESPN

Nov 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs with the ball during the 1st half of the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs with the ball during the 1st half of the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

9. Louisville (6-5, 4-4)

Last week: 10

Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham is the most exciting player in the ACC. Need evidence? Cunningham accounted for 527 yards and seven touchdowns in last week’s win at Duke.

Up next: Saturday vs. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

10. Boston College (6-5, 2-5)

Last week: 9

The Eagles will be bowling this holiday season but would like nothing more than to play spoiler against Wake Forest this week. They’ll certainly have plenty of support from fans in Raleigh and Clemson.

Up next: Saturday vs. Wake Forest, noon, ESPN2

11. Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)

Last week: 11

The Hokies are looking for a new coach as well as a sixth win to make them bowl- eligible. Virginia Tech travels to Virginia this week, hoping to continue its recent dominance in a series in which the Hokies are 16-1 since 2003.

Up next: Saturday at Virginia, 3:45, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

Miami defensive lineman Zach McCloud forces the fumble from Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami defensive lineman Zach McCloud forces the fumble from Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.

12. Syracuse (5-6, 2-5)

Last week: 12

The Orange are limping home after being outscored 82-20 in their past two games. This week they get Pitt and it could get ugly – the Panthers are averaging a league-leading 43.9 points per game.

Up next: Saturday vs. Pitt, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

13. Georgia Tech (3-8, 2-6)

Last week: 13

With a 55-0 loss at Notre Dame last week, the Yellow Jackets suffered their second-most lopsided defeat of the poll era. Things won’t get an easier this week as Georgia Tech plays host to top-ranked and unbeaten Georgia.

Up next: Saturday vs. Georgia, noon, ABC

14. Duke (3-8, 0-7)

Last week: 14

It seems like forever ago that the Blue Devils got off to a 3-1 start. Barring an upset victory against Miami this week, Duke will go winless in ACC play for the first time under Coach David Cutcliffe and extend its league losing streak to 13.

Up next: Saturday vs. Miami, 12:30 p.m., ESPN3

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: With a new team atop rankings, ACC closes in on final football weekend