This week's polls have been released. Here's how the ACC fared, from the top of the polls to the bottom, and what it means.
(AP/Coaches)
7/8. Clemson
Losses to undefeated Boise State and Stanford gave the Tigers a window of opportunity to move up in the polls. However, Clemson nearly took that opportunity away from themselves with a 31-28 scare from Wake Forest in Death Valley on Saturday. The Tigers were forced to rally back from a two-score second half deficit after giving up 21 points in a five minute span during the third quarter. Wake Forest's undersized defense found ways to frustrate quarterback Tajh Boyd early, but the talented sophomore made adjustments and led two impressive fourth quarter drives - the last one resulting in Chandler Catanzaro's game-winning field goal as time expired.9/7. Virginia Tech
Like clockwork, Frank Beamer has the Hokies competing for an ACC Coastal Division title in mid-November. With their only loss of the season coming at the hands of Clemson, Virginia Tech positions themselves for their fifth ACC Championship Game berth in seven years with a road win over Georgia Tech. The victory leaves just North Carolina and Virginia left on the schedule, with only the Cavaliers in a position to overtake the Hokies in the standings. As long as Logan Thomas and David Wilson keep moving the ball on the ground, they should find themselves with an opportunity to face the Tigers again. This time the stakes will be higher, with a bid to a BCS bowl game on the line.23/22. Florida State
The Seminoles find themselves back in the polls after putting away in-state rival Miami for their fifth straight win. The return of quarterback EJ Manuel to the starting lineup has made everyone on the offense better, and the defense is giving up only 11.6 points per game in the winning streak. Florida State's goals of returning to the ACC Championship Game have already become unattainable, but there is plenty left for second-year head coach Jimbo Fisher to build on with the rest of this season.OTV/23. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets' hopes of making an ACC Championship Game were dashed in the loss to Virginia Tech at home on Thursday night. The Ramblin' Wreck tried to pull out the same home-cooking that stunned the Hokies two weeks earlier, but the defense had no answer for the powerful combination of Logan Thomas and David Wilson in the fourth quarter. A personal foul on Jeremiah Attaochu for a punch thrown at Thomas will end up being the play that sticks out as the game's turning point, but the Yellow Jackets need to put that game behind them and avoid slipping back into a funk. Georgia Tech has lost three of their last four, but will have opportunities to finish strong at Duke and at home against in-state rival Georgia to close the season.Others receiving votes:Georgia Tech sits right on the outside of the AP poll, but no other ACC teams received votes from the media. Mike London's Virginia squad fell just a handful of spots outside of the Coaches' Poll, and will have a chance to gain some ground if they can win out and steal the Coastal Division.
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