The ACC Championship race just blew up! Week 11 was arguably the most chaotic weekend of the season, shattering the idea of a clear leader as the top three contenders all fell to unranked or significantly lower-ranked opponents. This is now a wide-open, five-way fight for the two spots in Charlotte.
Here is your updated ACC Power Rankings for Week 12. Check Out All EasySportz’s College Football Content Here!
The Week 11 Scoreboard Highlights
- Wake Forest 16, #14 Virginia 9 (Demon Deacons deliver the fatal blow to the last undefeated ACC team)
- California 29, #15 Louisville 26 (OT) (Golden Bears stun the Cardinals in a thrilling upset)
- UConn 37, Duke 34 (Blue Devils lose a shocking out-of-conference battle)
- Clemson 24, Florida State 10 (Tigers win the rivalry, FSU is eliminated from bowl eligibility)
- #18 Miami 38, Syracuse 10 (Hurricanes bounce back with a decisive victory)
- #20 USC 38, Northwestern 17 (Trojans win convincingly on the road)
- #17 Georgia Tech, Pitt, NC State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Stanford, and Boston College were idle.
ACC Football Power Rankings: Week 11 Catastrophe
Tier 1: The New Top Tier (The 5-1 Conference Knot)
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-1, 5-1 Conference) The Yellow Jackets had a bye week but emerged as the biggest winner of the weekend. Their only loss is to NC State, but the chaos around them has vaulted them to the top of the overall standings. They have a clear path to the title game if they win out. Next Week: vs. Boston College (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ACC Network)
- Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2, 5-1 Conference) Pitt also enjoyed a well-timed bye week. With a five-game winning streak and a strong 5-1 conference record, they are the quiet favorite heading into their toughest remaining stretch of the season. Next Week: vs. #10 Notre Dame (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
- SMU Mustangs (7-3, 5-1 Conference) The Mustangs were the only team in the top tier to play and win, crushing Boston College 45-13. They are now 5-1 in league play and have secured bowl eligibility. Rhett Lashlee’s team is focused solely on winning the ACC. Next Week: BYE
Tier 2: Contenders Needing Help
- Miami Hurricanes (7-2, 3-2 Conference) Miami got their house in order, dominating Syracuse 38-10 to rebound from their loss. Their two conference losses (to Louisville and SMU) hurt badly, but their talent is immense. They need chaos above them and a flawless finish. Next Week: vs. NC State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2)
- Louisville Cardinals (7-2, 4-2 Conference) A devastating 29-26 overtime loss to Cal crushes the Cardinals’ title hopes. Their two conference losses mean they are out of the driver’s seat, but they are still a dangerous team with an elite overall record. Next Week: vs. Clemson (Friday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
- Virginia Cavaliers (8-2, 5-1 Conference) The Cavaliers suffered a shocking 16-9 loss to Wake Forest, knocking them out of the ranks of the unbeaten in conference play. With QB Chandler Morris injured, the immediate outlook is worrisome, but they remain tied for the best conference record. Next Week: at Duke (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2)
- California Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 Conference) Cal pulled off the upset of the week, beating Louisville 29-26 in overtime! This monumental win secures their bowl eligibility and keeps them in the crowded race for the second spot in Charlotte. Next Week: BYE
- Duke Blue Devils (5-4, 4-2 Conference) The Blue Devils took a stunning loss to UConn, 37-34. This out-of-conference defeat drops them a spot, but they remain at 4-1 in the league and control their own path to the title game against both Georgia Tech and Virginia. Next Week: vs. #18 Virginia (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2)
Tier 3: The Bowl Contenders
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-3, 3-3 Conference) The Demon Deacons became bowl eligible with a gritty 16-9 win over Virginia. This team is tough and physical and is now focused on climbing the final rankings. Next Week: vs. North Carolina (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET, The CW)
- NC State Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 Conference) The Wolfpack had a bye week after their monumental upset of Georgia Tech. They are just one win away from bowl eligibility and are focused on pulling another upset this week. Next Week: at #18 Miami (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2)
- North Carolina Tar Heels (4-5, 2-3 Conference) The Tar Heels secured their fourth win, beating Stanford 20-15. Bill Belichick’s team needs two more wins to reach bowl eligibility with three games left. Next Week: at Wake Forest (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET, The CW)
- Clemson Tigers (4-5, 3-4 Conference) The Tigers won a crucial rivalry game against Florida State 24-10. They still need two more wins to reach bowl eligibility with three games remaining. Next Week (Friday Night): at #19 Louisville (Friday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Tier 4: Season Complete
- Virginia Tech Hokies (3-6, 2-4 Conference) The Hokies were on a bye week. Next Week: at Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ACC Network)
- Florida State Seminoles (4-6, 1-5 Conference) FSU’s season is over after a 24-10 loss to Clemson. They have dropped to 1-5 in conference play. Next Week: vs. Virginia Tech (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ACC Network)
- Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-5 Conference) The Cardinals lost to North Carolina 20-15 and are mathematically eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: BYE
- Syracuse Orange (3-7, 1-6 Conference) The Orange were easily handled by Miami, losing 38-10. They are mathematically eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: BYE
- Boston College Eagles (1-9, 0-6 Conference) The Eagles suffered a shocking loss to UConn 37-34 and are mathematically eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: vs. #17 Georgia Tech (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ACC Network)
Week 12 Preview: The Last Chance
Week 12 features matchups that are critical for the ACC Championship race:
- Clemson at Louisville (Friday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN) – Louisville tries to avoid another massive upset.
- Virginia at Duke (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2) – Winner remains squarely in the title conversation.
- NC State at Miami (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN2) – Miami must win to keep its slim title hopes alive.
- Notre Dame at Pitt (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN) – Pitt attempts to solidify its spot in the top three against a fierce rival.
