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          College Football Nation Blog

          ACC Week 12 power rankings: It's Miami, Clemson and everyone else

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          Experience helps Hurricanes overcome slow start (0:40)

          Mack Brown and Booger McFarland react to Miami's second-half surge to beat Virginia and why the Hurricanes better be ready to play when they head to Pitt. (0:40)

          • Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior WriterNov 19, 2017, 03:00 PM
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            • ACC reporter.
            • Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
            • Graduate of the University of Florida.
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          Miami and Clemson won as expected, so there's no movement at the top of the latest power rankings. But there's some shuffling elsewhere, especially after Wake Forest upset NC State.

          1. Miami (10-0, 7-0) After trailing Virginia 28-14 in the third quarter, Miami reeled off 30 straight points to win comfortably. Will the Hurricanes finish the regular season unbeaten at Pitt next Friday?

          2. Clemson (10-1, 7-1) Beating The Citadel does not change a thing for Clemson. The Tigers have to beat South Carolina next weekend to be able to continue to control their playoff destiny.

          3. Virginia Tech (8-3, 4-3) The Hokies have not looked great over the past three weeks, but their goal-line stand to beat Pitt was a sight to see (unless you are a Pitt fan).

          4. Wake Forest (7-4, 4-3) Dave Clawson and John Wolford might be the most underrated coach-quarterback duo in the country. The Deacs' 30-24 win over NC State was their first over a Top 25 team since 2011. They go for eight regular-season wins next week against Duke.

          5. Louisville (7-4, 4-4) Lamar Jackson has owned Syracuse the past two seasons, and the return of Jaire Alexander to the defense has made a huge difference. These Cards look like a rejuvenated team going into Kentucky.

          6. NC State (7-4, 5-2) Dave Doeren wanted to try to make history with his seniors and become the first NC State team to go 7-1 in ACC play. But a heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest means that goal is out of reach. So is a spot in the Top 25.

          7. Boston College (6-5, 3-4) Despite a heap of injuries to their starting center, quarterback, linebackers and a host of others, the Eagles have clinched bowl eligibility for the fourth time in five seasons.

          8. Virginia (6-5, 3-4) The Cavaliers came in with an excellent game plan against Miami, and it worked for about a half. But Kurt Benkert's fourth pick-six of the season ended up shifting momentum in a loss to Miami.

          9. Florida State (4-6, 3-5) The Seminoles handled Delaware State as expected, but the must-win game comes next weekend against rival Florida. They have to win to keep their bowl hopes alive (who would have thought anyone would type those words in August?)

          10. Duke (5-6, 2-5) The Blue Devils ended a six-game losing streak with an impressive 43-20 win over Georgia Tech. If they can upset Wake Forest next week, Duke gets to six wins and a bowl game.

          11. Georgia Tech (5-5, 4-4) The Jackets had to beat Duke in order to ensure bowl eligibility, but they blew an early 14-3 lead and now need a win over rival Georgia just to get to six wins.

          12. Pitt (4-7, 2-5) The Panthers have come agonizingly close to wins the past two weeks against North Carolina and Virginia Tech, but they haven't made the plays late in the games that matter. Still, a chance for a huge upset looms against Miami.

          13. Syracuse (4-7, 2-5) This Orange team looks nothing like the one that upset Clemson last month. Without Eric Dungey, the Orange have been unable to find any momentum on offense. And the defense had no answers for Lamar Jackson.

          14. North Carolina (3-8, 1-6) The Tar Heels beat FCS Western Carolina as expected but can really make a statement next week against rival NC State.