David Hale, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Boston College, Georgia Tech make noise in ACC Week 8 power rankings

It's pretty clear which teams are at the top.

North Carolina made a statement that it's got a lock on the bottom spot in our power rankings.

In the middle, though? It's a jumbled mess in the ACC, with Boston College and Georgia Tech making some big noise in Week 8, while Duke and Florida State continued to stumble.

1. Clemson Tigers

Clemson had a week off to ponder its loss at Syracuse. The funny thing is, after the Orange played Miami close on the road, the Tigers' loss at the Carrier Dome doesn't look quite as bad.

2. Miami Hurricanes

No one will confuse Miami with a dominant team, but it's hard to argue with the Hurricanes' grit in the fourth quarter. For the third week in a row, Miami scored late in the fourth to put a game away.

3. Virginia Tech Hokies

Josh Jackson's numbers through seven games -- 64 percent completions, 2,005 yards, 17 TDs and four turnovers -- have essentially matched the production of Jerod Evans a year ago. That's incredibly impressive given all the turnover elsewhere on offense for the Hokies.

4. NC State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack had the week off before a two-game stretch that will define their season. NC State heads to Notre Dame next week before hosting Clemson in what figures to be back-to-back games against top-15 foes.

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

A failed two-point try and a final-minute tipped pass are all that separates the Yellow Jackets from being 6-0 right now. The come-from-behind win over Wake Forest on Saturday was impressive, and the Jackets will now get a chance to showcase their big-play offense against Clemson's sterling D.

6. Louisville Cardinals

Lamar Jackson continues to look like one of the best players in the country. That hasn't been enough for Louisville most weeks, but Jackson's heroics helped push them past Florida State in a game the program desperately needed.

7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Another tough loss for Wake Forest at Georgia Tech, and the road keeps getting tougher. Wake has shown it can move the ball and has a solid defense but simply can't put away good teams. But head coach Dave Clawson will likely feel quite a bit better if the Deacons can knock off Louisville next week -- one year after the WakeyLeaks controversy.

8. Boston College Eagles

Break up the Eagles! Boston College scored 40 in back-to-back games for the first time since 2002 with a dominant victory over Virginia. With FSU, NC State, Connecticut and Syracuse left, BC sees a window to bowl eligibility.

9. Virginia Cavaliers

The 5-1 start was excellent, but the blowout loss to Boston College certainly sends Virginia back to reality. The Cavaliers are still poised for a bowl berth, but the work for coach Bronco Mendenhall & Co. isn't done yet.

10. Syracuse Orange

The Orange aren't quite ready to win big games on a weekly basis, but they aren't far off, either. Quarterback Eric Dungey's dismal first half against Miami was nearly eclipsed by a strong second half, but the Orange came up just shy. Better days are ahead.

11. Florida State Seminoles

We might have some choice words to describe Florida State's performance thus far, but coach Jimbo Fisher has already heard enough. So we'll just say this: The FSU administration might want to work on rescheduling the canceled Louisiana-Monroe game or bowl eligibility might be in doubt.

12. Pittsburgh Panthers

Pitt got a much-needed win. More importantly, however, the Panthers ran the ball well. After struggling to find any consistency on the ground this season, Pitt got a huge day from Darrin Hall, who finished with 254 yards and three TDs.

13. Duke Blue Devils

The less said about the current status of Duke's football program, the better. On the upside, basketball season is right around the corner.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels

The less said about North Carolina, the better. On the upside, basketball season is right around the corner.

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