ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings Week 10

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Another week of ACC Football, another round of Coastal Division Power Rankings

Clarity.

That is what Week 10 was all about. Just a week after the CFP released their first rankings, teams started to make things a little more clear.

Lets start with the Big Ten. Wisconsin made things clear by beating Northwestern. That coupled with Nebraska losing makes the Badgers the team to beat in the Big Ten West. Though Minnesota could still win if they were to win out as well.

The West also saw some clarity with Michigan and Ohio State winning big. It is looking more and more clear that “The Game” will determine the East. That is unless Penn State wins out causing a three-way tie for first.

In the Pac-12, a week after getting slammed by the committee, Washington slammed the door on California. The North is the Apple Cup’s to lose now. Meanwhile, the south is most likely going to be Utah or Colorado. USC though is coming on strong and you can never count out the Trojans.

In the Big 12 clarity comes in the form of exclusion. The more the Big 12 plays the more clear it becomes they are going to miss the playoffs for the second season in a row.

In the SEC, the biggest clarity is that the West will win the conference. The East could still be won by a Kentucky team that has lost four games already this season. Meanwhile the West looks to be coming down to the Iron Bowl once again. Auburn and Alabama continue to win and are making the final week a killer one.

All that leaves is ACC football.

The Atlantic got a little more clarity as the best two teams are Clemson and Louisville. Clemson will clinch the Atlantic if they win next week. Louisville is the best chance for the ACC to get two teams in the playoffs.

Even the Coastal got some clarity this week. So with that all done, let’s delve into this week’s rankings.

Nov 5, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver T.J. Rahming (3) is taken down by Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Terrell Edmunds (22) in the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Blue Devils

(3-6, 0-5)

Last week: Lost 24-21 to Virginia TechLast rank: 7th

Duke has come so close to getting that first ACC win the last two weeks. Both contests have been by three points. A win this past Saturday and North Carolina fans would be jumping in the stands thanking the Blue Devils. But it was just not meant to be. The game went downhill when at 7-7, Duke tried a field goal. The kick was blocked and returned for a TD. All of a sudden it was 14-7 Virginia Tech. The worst part was Daniel Jones missed his tight end for an easy touchdown on that drive. All that means is the Blue Devils remain winless in ACC play. It also means they have to win out to make a bowl game. First up is the Tar Heels. The game is on Thursday night, so Duke won’t have a lot of time to lick their wounds after this one.

Next: No Joy in Hoosville

Nov 5, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall argues a call in the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. The Demon Deacons defeated the Cavaliers 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Cavaliers

(2-7, 1-4)

Last week: Lost 27-20 to Wake ForestLast rank: 6th

And just like that Virginia’s bowl dreams come to an end for the fifth straight season. At least this game was winnable. The Cavaliers were even winning going into the final quarter. Alas, that is how this season has gone. Virginia is 0-3 this season in games decided by a score or less. The Cavs will look to end their current four-game losing streak Saturday. In their last home game of the season, Virginia will try to topple a Miami team that just ended a four-game losing streak of their own.

Next: This Justin: Thomas gets Injured

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels defensive linemen Malik Carney (53) during the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

(5-4, 2-4)

Last week: Lost 48-20 to North CarolinaLast rank: 4th

Georgia Tech saw that game unravel quickly. Despite going down ten points at multiple times, the Yellow Jackets wouldn’t go away until the second half. Twice they got within three points. However a couple of third quarter fumbles turned into Heel touchdowns and next thing you know it was a blowout. Tech did get the ground game going against a Heel defense that had been improving. For the second-straight week Georgia Tech got over 500 yards of total offense. The bad news for the Yellow Jackets was the possible loss of QB Justin Thomas. His health or lack their of could determine if the Jackets win another game this season. They will try again to clinch a bowl berth this week against Virginia Tech. Though this week they were pulling against Georgia Tech, next week all the fans in Chapel Hill will be pulling for the upset.

Next: Broken Road Warriors

Nov 5, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers fullback George Aston (35) runs past Miami Hurricanes linebacker Mike Smith (57) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Panthers

(5-4, 2-3)

Last week: Lost 51-28 to MiamiLast rank: 3rd

And the road woes continue for Pitt. After losing a close one to Virginia Tech the week before, the Panthers must have decided their season was really over as they didn’t show up in Miami. Pitt’s 23 point defeat was more than twice as many points as they lost by in their last three losses combined. It also makes the Panthers 1-3 on the road this season. And just like Georgia Tech, they remain one game shy of bowl eligibility. Things don’t get easier for the Panthers as they travel to play undefeated Clemson this week. Another loss and the Panthers will be staring at their first three-game losing streak in the Narduzzi Era.

Next: Mighty Hurricanes of Miami

Nov 5, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end David Njoku (86) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half against Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Hurricanes

(5-4, 2-3)

Last week: Won 51-28 against PittsburghLast rank: 5th

Miami makes the two spot jump this week thanks to wins over the two previous squads. Their win also snapped a four-game losing streak and keeps bowl hopes alive. Brad Kaaya is the latest QB to take advantage of the porous Pitt pass defense. The Hurricane QB threw for 356 yards and four scores. RB Mark Walton also broke out of his slump. The sophomore running back ran for over 100 yards for the first time since September 17th. The Hurricanes will look to get to bowl eligibility this week when they travel to take on Virginia.

Next: It all Looks Good under the Hood

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs with the ball during the forth quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels

(7-2, 5-1)

Last week: Won 48-20 against Georgia TechLast rank: 2nd

North Carolina just keeps winning. This week it was the Elijah Hood show. The Junior running back ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries. No that’s not a typo. That is 14 yards per carry. The only downside was he only got 12 carries. Mitch once again looked good. Bug Howard continued to honor his fallen comrade by wearing number 13. The Heels are still struggling with false start penalties. They also had some trouble containing Georgia Tech’s running game. Regardless they won by 28 points and look like the biggest challenger to Clemson from the Coastal. One problem, they don’t control their own Coastal destiny. So all they can do is keep winning and hope for a Hokie’s upset. This week they travel to play Duke on a short week. UNC will be looking for their tenth straight true road game and third straight against the Blue Devils.

Next: Road Escape

Nov 5, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies fullback Sam Rogers (45) reaches for a pass in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech Hokies

(7-2, 5-1)

Last week: Won 24-21 against DukeLast rank: 1st

Virginia Tech just keeps finding ways to win. Two straight road games. Two straight road wins by three points. They are doing just enough and they continue to hold their lead in the Coastal division. The Hokies only have two ACC games left this season and both are in Blacksburg. The other advantage is the two teams are a combined 3-8 in ACC play. Virginia Tech plays the first of those two games Saturday. That’s when Georgia Tech comes into town hoping to pull the upset and become bowl eligible this season.

Well that does it for this week’s rankings. Miami’s dominant win over Pittsburgh closes the door for whatever hope Pitt had of winning the Coastal. It will either be UNC or Virginia Tech. And again, thanks to a Hurricane, the Hokies own the tie breaker and control their own destiny. Don’t worry Heel’s fans, this is ACC football, anything can still happen.

What did you think of this week’s rankings? Let us know in the comments below.