ACC Football Power Rankings: Georgia Tech has found life, Clemson dominates

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-3, 2-1)

“We went from trying not to lose, and now we’re learning how to win,” Key said after Georiga Tech’s 23-20 overtime win against Duke. “That’s a valuable lesson these guys can take to the next game.” Was interim head coach Brent Key throwing shade at the Geoff Collins regime, or did he merely point out a flaw in what Collins was doing in Atlanta?

Whichever is true; Key’s done two things by winning two games in a row. First, he’s making a rock-solid case to keep the job, making it painfully apparent that Collins lost the locker room. Tech has two winnable games left on their schedule. If Key wins one, he shouldn’t; he could have interim removed from his job title.

5. #15 North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-1, 1-1)

The Wolfpack will take the win against Florida State, but head coach Dave Doeren has to be concerned about quarterback Devin Leary. His injured shoulder does not require surgery, which is a positive, but there is no timetable for his return. Fortunately for NC State, their most challenging game is behind them.

The schedule is not brutal, but they travel to #18 Syracuse this weekend and host Wake Forest in early November, which would be a revenge game for the Demon Deacons. The defense might get them through the Syracuse game, but they’ll need Leary for Wake Forest.

4. #14 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-1, 1-1)

Those same Demon Deacons know the anxiety of not having and not knowing when you’ll have your veteran starting quarterback return to the line-up. As Sam Hartman has, few starting quarterbacks in the country have mastered their team’s playbook.

The Demon Deacons are trying to keep pace with Clemson in hopes someone trips them up. They made short work of the Army last weekend. The Deacons have a bye-week ahead of playing a banged-up Boston College squad.