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ACC Football: Power Rankings after end of regular season

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12), defensive end Demarcus Walker (44), and running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrate after the Seminoles beat the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12), defensive end Demarcus Walker (44), and running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrate after the Seminoles beat the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 College Football season has come to a close, next stop is the ACC Championship. Check out the final ACC Power Rankings for the regular season.

The end of the regular season is upon us. Clemson and Virginia Tech will face each other in the ACC Championship game in Orlando to decide this year’s ACC Champion.

Clemson went 7-1 in the ACC Atlantic division, clinching their second straight division title. Virginia Tech went 6-2 in the ACC Coastal division to win their first division title since 2011. Not bad for head coach Justin Fuente’s first season.

It was an impressive end to the season for some teams. The North Carolina State Wolfpack got their sixth victory for bowl eligibility over the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated their in-state rival Georgia Bulldogs 28-27 in Athens for their first victory since 2014.

It was a disappointing end to the season for some teams as well. The Louisville Cardinals lost their second straight game to ruin any potential playoff hopes they may have had. Wake Forest lost their third straight game, an epic collapse after a promising 5-1 start.

Next up for some teams, it’s bowl season. Eleven teams from the ACC are bowl eligible this season. It marks a good end to the season for the conference as a whole.

Here are the final ACC Power Rankings for the regular season.

Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

The Virginia Cavaliers finished the season 1-7 in ACC play. The Cavaliers lost their last seven games to close out the regular season. It marks the 13th straight game they have lost to the Virginia Tech Hokies as well.

It marks a rough beginning to the Bronco Mendenhall era in Charlottesville, but it was expected for the most part. The Cavaliers gave up a season-high 52 points in the final game of the season. The offense turned the ball over three times in the game, surrendering 10 points off turnovers.

The Hokies were an overwhelming force for Virginia all game long. The Cavaliers managed a season-low 247 total yards of offense and just 14 first downs on the day. The defense allowed a season-high 29 first downs and gave up six touchdowns for the first time since September 10 when they faced Oregon.

What’s Next?

The Cavaliers end the season and will begin to get back on the recruiting trail. Currently Virginia boasts the 39th ranked recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. Coach Mendenhall will look to improve that ranking as the team opens next season against William & Mary.

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