The Confidential’s ACC Standings Poll: Week 8
As we enter Week 8, the standings are starting to become even clearer, as all six correspondents voted for the same 10 teams. Here are the poll standings as of today and a brief synopsis:
10.Boston College (4-2), 10 points. The win over North Carolina State continued the unpredictable Boston College season. What is known is that the Eagles play hard every week. They are 2/3 of the way to a bowl game with 1/2 the season remaining. Someone else can do the math, but that seems pretty good.
9. Miami (4-3), 12 points. The Hurricanes looked better against Cincinnati. But it is just Cincinnati. It is hard to know what Miami will show up every week, but they are closing in on a bowl game. That gets them into the top 10.
8. Virginia Tech (4-2), 17 points. Virginia Tech got a week off to heal. 5 of their next 6 opponents are in the Coastal, so do not count the Hokies out yet. Georgia Tech losing to Duke helped keep them in the hunt.
7. Louisville (5-2), 29 points. The Cards lost to Clemson, who lost its QB during the game. This was the game that could have propelled Louisville into the top 25, but instead Clemson gets the nod. A few more wins can get the Cards back into that discussion.
6. Virginia (4-2), 31 points. Virginia is 4-2, but its schedule gets much much harder in conference play, with Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State, and Virginia Tech still looming. Virginia should take care of UNC at home, but it may very likely be underdogs in the remaining five games (only Miami is at home). For now, they are #1 in the Coastal.
5. Georgia Tech (5-1), 34 points. The Yellow Jackets were in the drivers’ seat of the Coastal and then gave the keys to Duke. Like Virginia, 4 of the last 6 games are on the road. Georgia Tech gets Virginia and Clemson at home. A much tougher slate.
4. Duke (5-1), 37 points. The Blue Devils control their own destiny in the Coastal, as they can win out and get the edge of Virginia by head-to-head. Surprisingly, the Duke defense may be as good as it has ever been. There are horses on offense too. 3 of Duke’s remaining opponents are winless in conference play (UNC, Wake Forest, Syracuse).
3. Clemson (4-2), 46 points. The Tigers lost a QB, but found a way to beat Louisville. This gives the Tigers the edge for the #2 spot in the Atlantic. Of course, that is a meaningless distinction… but it is better than the alternative that losing would have brought! Clemson needs to watch out for BC this week. The Eagles play well against top notch opponents.
2. Notre Dame (6-0), 56 points, 2 first place votes. It is unclear why beating UNC by 7 points at home is better than beating Syracuse by 18 points on the road. But two Confidential voters believe that ND deserves the #1 spot over FSU. So it goes. The Fighting Irish can prove it on the field Saturday. The winner gets first place.
1. Florida State (6-0), 58points, 4 first place votes. The Seminoles did what they needed to do in Syracuse–win. Now they face Notre Dame in a much-anticipated battle between 6-0 teams. If the Seminoles can beat Notre Dame, maybe they will slingshot back into first place.
Others receiving votes: None.
What do you think? Did we hit/miss?
The Confidential 