TNIAAM ACC Football 2014 Season Power Rankings: Week 10

Each week, the TNIAAM football staff ranks all 14 ACC teams in a completely subjective manner, just like everyone else on the internet. Feel like we're completely off base? Chime in with your own ACC power rankings below.

What the hell is going on here? I mean, sure, we're bummed about Syracuse's loss on Saturday, but take a glance around the conference. There are a LOT of teams in similar or worse straits as the Orange, with tougher schedules remaining. This conference is setting itself on fire, and seems to get a kick out of watching everyone but the 'Noles burn. So, chin up? And if you're at all curious about who's a #disloyalidiot? Here's the voting breakdown.

1. Florida State Seminoles (7-0) (5-0) (LW: 1)

Last Week: Bye; Next Week: at Louisville

Highest Position: 1; Lowest Position: 1

A week off the field for Florida State seemed very beneficial for the program -- both in terms of the constant, swirling controversy and in order to get the team healthy again. So now, the most-doubted national championship contender jumps back into the ring against Louisville this Thursday in what might be the toughest test remaining on their schedule -- ACC Title Game included. Win, and... well, we don't really answer any questions, unfortunately.

2. Clemson Tigers (6-2) (5-1) (LW: 2)

Last Week: W, 16-6 over Syracuse; Next Week: Bye

Highest Position: 2; Lowest Position: 4

What to make of Clemson? Cole Stoudt is obviously no Deshaun Watson, and that offense in general is... well, not great. But that defense is as top-notch as they come; with as expert a pass-rush as you'll find this season and a relentless ability to make stops in the backfield. So while the offense invites a ton of doubt, the defense gives this team a shot in every game. You have to wonder what they'd be this year had Watson played the full slate.

T-3. Duke Blue Devils (6-1) (2-1) (LW: 3)

Last Week: Bye; Next Week: at Pittsburgh

Highest Position: 2; Lowest Position: 5

While Duke enjoyed a bye week, the Coastal division continued to crumble around them, and as a result, they're the only team with one loss in league play. Considering their remaining schedule features no ranked teams nor even any teams currently sitting above .500, that is enormous, and makes this weekend's tilt with Pitt even more important. A win doesn't lock up their second straight division title by any means, but it certainly goes a long way toward pushing them above their struggling competition.

T-3. Louisville Cardinals (6-2) (4-2) (LW: 4)

Last Week: Bye; Next Week: vs. Florida State

Highest Position: 2; Lowest Position: 4

This is the beginning of the stretch run for Louisville, and the biggest test yet in its young ACC tenure. So can they pull an upset over Florida State on Thursday night? That defense should be the guiding force in a game that won't propel 'Ville into the league title picture, but does allow them to set the tone for the remainder of this year. With matchups against Notre Dame and Kentucky also lurking for them, a win over FSU should tell the difference between 7-5 and 9-3.

5. Miami Hurricanes (5-3) (2-2) (LW: 7)

Last Week: W, 30-6 over Virginia Tech; Next Week: vs. North Carolina

Highest Position: 4; Lowest Position: 8

No one knows what to make of this Miami team STILL in week 10, though the one thing we can say for certain is that Duke Johnson is exactly the star we thought. After a 200-plus yard performance on Thursday in their blowout win over Virginia Tech, Johnson has re-announced himself on the national stage. But can Miami? With their win over Duke, they're the most dangerous challenger left in the Coastal right now. A sixth win over UNC edges them closer to that elusive division title on Saturday.

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-2) (3-2) (LW: 6)

Last Week: W, 56-28 over Pittsburgh; Next Week: vs. Virginia

Highest Position: 5; Lowest Position: 7

What Tech managed to do to Pitt on Saturday was astounding, and suddenly, the Wreck look to be right back in line to contend this season after a disappointing loss to UNC the week before. Sure, it may be tough to really get a read on this defense -- they haven't exactly stopped much this year -- but with the triple-option appearing to fire on all cylinders (again, passing helps this!), teams are struggling vs. Georgia Tech for the first team since Paul Johnson's early days.

7. Virginia Cavaliers (4-4) (2-2) (LW: 5)

Last Week: L, 28-27 to North Carolina; Next Week: at Georgia Tech

Highest Position: 6; Lowest Position: 9

Two weeks ago, these Hoos were in first place in their division. Now, following two very close losses to UNC and Duke, they've tumbled back to earth and a .500 record. This UVa team is light years better than what we saw on the field in 2013 during a 2-10 debacle. But how many wins is that going to earn them? Their final four opponents (Georgia Tech, FSU, Miami, Virginia Tech) are a combined 22-9 right now. Better is good, but Mike London can't stick around without making a bowl this year.

8. Boston College Eagles (5-3) (2-2) (LW: 9)

Last Week: W, 23-17 over Wake Forest; Next Week: at Virginia Tech

Highest Position: 10; Lowest Position: 12

Boston College did what it had to do in order to beat Wake Forest. But as you probably know already, they also took their foot off the gas and nearly coughed this one up late, too. With five wins now, the Eagles just need to keep themselves focused long enough to notch one more victory and then they're going bowling. This a team that clearly knows what it's doing, and its opponents do as well. We'll see if that can continue to yield positive results over the last four weeks.

9. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-4) (2-2) (LW: 11)

Last Week: W, 28-27 over Virginia; Next Week: at Miami

Highest Position: 6; Lowest Position: 9

If only North Carolina started the every season at the midway point, they'd like be national title contenders. For the second straight year, a slow start had everyone very down on UNC. And for the second straight year, they've managed to resuscitate themselves back into relevance with big wins to start the latter half of the schedule. At 4-4, the Heels are still far from the Coastal contender some thought they'd be. But this offense, led by Marquise Williams, is getting the job done right now -- even if just by a thread.

10. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4) (2-2) (LW: 8)

Last Week: L, 56-28 to Georgia Tech Next Week: vs. Duke

Highest Position: 10; Lowest Position: 11

The Panthers are yet another team sitting in the Coastal's muddled middle, and also another one that should regret not having more wins by this point if they hope to make a bowl. Pitt, once 3-0, has cratered to 4-4, and still has Duke, Miami, North Carolina and Syracuse on the schedule. Can YOU guarantee the Panthers get to six wins the way they've been playing? An upset over Duke would be a nice start, though, and actually toss them back into Coastal contention.

11. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-4) (1-3) (LW: 10)

Last Week: L, 30-6 to Miami; Next Week: vs. Boston College

Highest Position: 10; Lowest Position: 12

What's going on in Blacksburg? Two straight Thursday-nighters (usually easy money with Virginia Tech), two losses. And now the Hokies appear to be in freefall. The injuries have take their toll -- this we know. But week after week, they should still have a shot because of the defensive talent on this roster, no? After the 30-6 drubbing at the hands of Miami, I'm not so sure anymore. The 'Canes demoralized them on their homefield and may have put an exclamation point on what's been a frustratingly inconsistent season.

12. Syracuse Orange (3-5) (1-3) (LW: 12)

Last Week: L, 16-6 to Clemson; Next Week: vs. NC State

Highest Position: 10; Lowest Position: 12

It was there. Up 6-3 at halftime in Death Valley, all of the ingredients were there for Syracuse to improbably pull off an upset over Clemson just a year after getting completely waxed by the Tigers at the Carrier Dome. But with an anemic offense, the Orange just couldn't get it done (despite the defense forcing four turnovers) and they fell short, putting their season in the balance. Are we worried? Of course. But let's take this thing one game at a time now as SU needs to go 3-1 over the final third of the season to get to the postseason. I'll have faith, but they have to win one first.

13. NC State Wolfpack (4-4) (0-4) (LW: 11)

Last Week: Bye; Next Week: at Syracuse

Highest Position: 13; Lowest Position: 13

Syracuse doesn't want to be NC State's first ACC win since 2012. This is obvious. So can State finally put the pieces together and grab a conference victory under Dave Doeren? Honestly, there are few teams we know less about than the Wolfpack after eight games, as the team has looked both great and horrible against lesser teams and overall, seems to bring an entirely different set of skills to each contest. Like many ACC schools, for NC State, the season boils down to these last four games.

14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-6) (0-4) (LW: 14)

Last Week: L, 23-17 to Boston College; Next Week: Bye

Highest Position: 14; Lowest Position: 14

For one fleeting quarter against Boston College, it appeared that the Demon Deacons had located their long-lost offense. John Wolford led the charge in trying to come all the way back to beat BC, and while he fell short, he also gave some hope to a downtrodden Wake squad. The freshman Wolford can lead this team and put them on his back as necessary. He just needs a little more help. That'll come with experience and recruiting, but you have to like early returns from him if nothing else.