ACC Power Rankings updated after Week 12 of college football

The latest ACC Power Rankings are here following Week 12 of college football and a full slate of action, courtesy of the On3 Massey Ratings.

The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

Let’s dive into the ACC Power Rankings following Week 12 of the college football season.

1. Miami

After a week off, Miami remained at the top of the ACC going into the final two games of the season. The Hurricanes will get Wake Forest and Syracuse to conclude the season.

They control their own destiny to the ACC title and College Football Playoff. But they have to avoid slip ups here.

2. Clemson

Clemson is done with its ACC games so the Tigers await their fate if they make the conference championship. Seemingly their only path to the playoff is through winning the conference, since they’re 8-2 overall.

Clemson edged Pittsburgh in a thriller on Saturday to put themselves in position and only the top three teams in these rankings can make the ACC title game. If Clemson is to play Miami for the crown, Miami would have to win at least one of its remaining games and SMU has to lose out, falling behind in the ACC. Clemson would play SMU if Miami loses at least one game and SMU wins at least one of its final games.

3. SMU

SMU is undefeated in conference play and controls its own destiny for the ACC Championship game. They didn’t move in the ACC rankings this week though.

The Mustangs beat Boston College 38-28 and have the opportunity to play Miami or Clemson for the conference crown. As long as SMU wins one of its final two games, it will play Miami or Clemson for the championship.

4. Louisville

Despite losing to Stanford 38-25, Louisville didn’t shift in the ACC rankings per Massey. The team is now 6-4 on the season while Stanford is 3-7 and still at the bottom of the conference.

The Cardinals will conclude with Pitt at home and will travel to rival Kentucky during the final week. It’s just about bowl positioning at this point.

5. Pittsburgh

Since that 7-0 start, the Panthers have lost three in a row but are still top five in the ACC. Just goes to show you what a muddle mess the conference is after the top three.

Nate Yarnell played well, throwing for 350 yards and a touchdown on 54 pass attempts. But the game ending interception will stick out. It wasn’t the worst moment, but Pitt was desperate in the end after a late Clemson touchdown.

6. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech had a bye week after beating Miami, basking in the glow of the upset. At 6-4, the Yellow Jackets are bowl eligible and will fight for a good landing spot.

They have one more ACC game against NC State this weekend before playing rival Georgia. So perhaps one more win and then a prayer?

7. Duke

Duke was also off last week after a win over NC State and have two ACC games left against Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. At 7-3 overall, it’s been a successful campaign for Manny Diaz.

The question is how high can this team climb the rest of the way and then go into 2025. Diaz is certainly pushing all of the right buttons so far.

8. North Carolina (+1)

The Tar Heels become bowl eligible with a 31-24 win over Wake Forest. Jacolby Criswell threw for 132 yards and a touchdown and had a rushing touchdown but it was Omarion Hampton that was the star.

He had 244 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win. UNC has two ACC games left against Boston College and NC State.

9. Syracuse (+3)

Syracuse won another ACC game head coach Fran Brown can take a shower because winners get washed! Now at 7-3, the Orange are in good shape to play in a higher quality bowl game.

Kyle McCord threw for 323 yards and one touchdown. LeQuint Allen had 23 carries for 109 yards and two scores to get the win on the road.

10. Virginia Tech

The Hokies had a week off following the loss to Clemson but have two ACC games left against Duke and Virginia. At 5-5, Virginia Tech needs one win to become bowl eligible.

Can this team get to the postseason? There’s certainly a good shot but the Duke game will be difficult off the bat.

ACC Power Rankings after Week 12

11. California (-3)
12. Virginia (-1)
13. Boston College
14. NC State
15. Wake Forest
16. Florida State
17. Stanford

Cal fell out of the top 10 of the ACC with the loss to Syracuse and Virginia dropped a spot as well. The other teams stayed the same.