ACC Football Power Rankings 2021: Pitt reigns supreme in final edition

2 of 6

November 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe jogs onto the field before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /

. Blue Devils . 14. team. 825. . 3-9, 0-8

After going winless in the ACC for the first time since 2007, the Duke Blue Devils and David Cutcliffe have agreed to part ways. Cutcliffe has been Duke’s head coach for 14 seasons, leading the Blue Devils to 77 wins and six bowl appearances.

Most important, Cutcliffe made Duke football sustainable and relevant for the first time in the modern era. Unfortunately for Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils began to look like the doormats they used to be.

After declining the Tennessee job, Cutcliffe famously said, “You win seven games in Knoxville, they fire you; you win seven games in Durham, they build you a statue.” Get that man a statue.

880. . 3-9, 2-6. . Yellow Jackets . 13. team

Head coach Geoff Collins might not be out as Georgia Tech’s head coach, but another 3-9 season in 2022 won’t cut it in Atlanta. A confluence of issues plagued the Yellow Jackets. Starting quarterback Jeff Sims dealt with injuries all season.

The defense allowed over 40 points five times this season, including two 50 burgers. The offensive line did not block very well, which affected the running game. The plight of hiring Collins to Georgia Tech was becoming a mediocre spread team in the first place.

Do the ‘Jackets have to be a special prep to be competitive in this new landscape of college football? Three consecutive three-win seasons suggest maybe they do.

5-7, 2-6. . Orange . 12. team. 827.

Head coach Dino Babers and the Syracuse Orange took up residence in the Heartbreak Hotel this season. Babers and his staff will look back at this season and reflect on the egg they laid against Rutgers and three straight three-point losses and think about what could have been.

Babers is safe, for now. However, offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, tight ends coach Reno Ferri and defensive line coach Vinson Reynolds were fired.

The best news from Syracuse, New York, is that running back Sean Tucker will return to upstate New York and not transfer. Tucker’s return is good news after losing star wide receiver Taj Gibson to the portal earlier this season. Both Tucker and Shrader return for the Orange next season.

Home/ACC