Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Considering all but two teams finished either 5-3 or 4-4 in the ACC, there really is very little difference between them, but one team separated itself from the rest this weekend. There was no change at the top from last week, which means one team has finally proven itself to consistently be good. Here are the final regular-season power rankings:
1. Georgia Tech (9-3, 5-3 ACC) -- The Yellow Jackets beat a ranked SEC rival on the road. Any questions? The only other team in the ACC to finish the regular season with nine wins was ...
2. Boston College (9-3, 5-3) -- There was never any question about the Eagles' defense, but backup quarterback Dominique Davis proved effective in his first game as starter.
3. Florida State (8-4, 5-3) -- Oh come on. What did you THINK was going to happen against Florida? That loss can't take away from the fact the Seminoles are one of the best teams in the league.
4. NC State (6-6, 4-4) -- Sorry, Hokie fans, but the Wolfpack is hot right now, finishing the season with four straight wins, including a win over Miami -- something Virginia Tech didn't do.
5. Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3) -- The Hokies deserve credit for beating rival Virginia and winning the Coastal Division. They played hard and never quit.
6. Clemson (7-5, 4-4) -- This team, you might remember, was 1-3 in the ACC last month. The Tigers won their way to a bowl game, and they won Dabo Swinney the head coaching job. All with a win over rival South Carolina. Not bad for a day's work.
7. North Carolina (8-4, 4-4) -- The Tar Heels move up this week after a near flawless performance from quarterback T.J. Yates, which is exactly what they needed heading into bowl selection time.
8. Miami (7-5, 4-4) -- The Hurricanes had a chance to redeem themselves from their embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech, but couldn't stop Russell Wilson and NC State. Still, it was a much better season than a year ago.
9. Wake Forest (7-5, 4-4) -- The Demon Deacons will go out on a respectable note, notching a win over SEC opponent Vanderbilt and stating their case to earn one of the ACC's nine guaranteed bowl berths.
10. Maryland (7-5, 4-4) -- After back-to-back losses to end the season, it's hard to believe the Terps held the Atlantic Division in their hands a few weeks ago. Boise, anyone?
11. Virginia (5-7, 3-5) -- The Cavaliers tried everything -- including Vic Hall at quarterback -- and still failed to go to a bowl game twice in the past three years. They beat themselves again with turnovers.
12. Duke (4-8, 1-7) -- The progress is there, you just can't see it in the league standings or the power rankings. David Cutcliffe did an admirable job in his first season and Duke fans should be excited about next year.
Heather Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
