ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 12: Virginia Tech makes noise

The Duke Blue Devils had their best home crowd of the season against the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Unfortunately for those in attendance, the Blue Devils weren’t very competitive falling to the Irish 38-7. The offense has sputtered for the last three weeks. They’ve scored 38 points the last three weeks, and they haven’t gotten stellar play from the defense either.

Unless there’s a secret schedule the Blue Devils can play, they will be home in two of their last three games — one against a resurgent Miami team. Their one road game is Wake Forest. Now that I think about the situation, maybe the crowd that came loved the outcome of the game since most of them were probably Notre Dame fans.

Interim head coach Odell Haggins has been part of the Florida State coaching staff for 26 years. To say he’s seen it all is an understatement. He’s 1-0 so far this season after a 38-31 road win against Boston College. It’s good to see the Seminoles not lie down after Willie Taggart’s firing.

We don’t want to turn this into a “best candidates for Taggart” post since this is the power rankings. However, I think if Odell does a good job with the Seminoles down the stretch — maybe an upset against Florida — he should at least get an interview if he wants one.

These are the Hurricanes we’ve been waiting for all season. Maybe we got impatient. Here at headquarters we sit looking at our autographed No. 47 Michael Irvin jersey and the dreadlock we “borrowed” from Edgerrin James cleats and wonder, “Where’s the U?”

Here’s the truth, there have been some great stories this season in the ACC. We’ve had Louisville’s restoration, Virginia leveling up, Pitt Specials and the rise of the Demon Deacons. That’s all fantastic, but the ACC is a better conference when it’s representation from Florida — Florida State and The “U” — is playing at a high level. That’s why they were brought to the ACC in the first place — to give football credibility to a basketball conference.

We can only hope this is the start of a return by Miami. Also, the Hurricanes still have a shot in the Coastal; they need to win out and get some help.

The Tar Heels were off this week, and face the Pitt Panthers in what is essentially an elimination game in the ACC Coastal division on Thursday night. The Tar Heels are also playing for bowl eligibility. They need to win two of their last three in order to go bowling. They have Mercer as part of that three, but that game’s book-ended between Pitt and NC State — both road games. The Wolfpack have struggled, but this interstate rivalry could have bowl eligibility hanging in the balance for both teams at the end.