ACC Football Power Rankings: No change at the top in Week 12
By Dana Becker
It was not pretty for Duke this past Saturday, as they went on the road and lost to Army, 21-16.
The Blue Devils (4-6, 1-5 ACC) had just 89 yards rushing, allowing Army to go for 226. They also managed only 164 yards passing, as Daniel Jones tossed an interception.
Unless Duke pulls an upset, or gets a break from bowl personnel, they are likely to miss out on the postseason with games vs. Georgia Tech and at Wake Forest remaining.
Needless to say, last Thursday’s 34-31 setback at home to North Carolina was not a good one for the resume of the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Pitt (4-6, 2-4 ACC) received a game effort from Darrin Hall, as he ran for 121 yards and four touchdowns. The rest of the offense, though, failed to show face in the game.
The task only gets more difficult for the Panthers over the final two weeks of the season, as they travel to Virginia Tech this Saturday before closing out with Miami.
North Carolina earned its first ACC win of the season last Thursday, tripping up Pittsburgh on the road, 34-31.
Anthony Ratliff-Williams tossed a 35-yard touchdown and also caught five passes for 75 yards and a score in the win. Nathan Elliott got the start at quarterback, tossing two touchdowns and completing 20 of 31 for 235.
The Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6) also received 96 key yards from the rushing attack.
North Carolina will try to keep the momentum going when they step out of league play vs. Western Carolina.
It sure seems as if the high ranking Syracuse was receiving wasn’t warranted.
Earlier this year, the Orange (4-6, 2-4 ACC) defeated Clemson at home and hung tough with Miami on the road – the two teams will won their respective division titles.
However, they were defeated by Florida State two weeks ago and allowed Wake Forest to score 64 on them this past Saturday.
Despite dropping three in a row, Syracuse can finish at .500 with wins over Louisville and Boston College.