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ACC Power Rankings: How far did Virginia Tech tumble after a blowout loss at SMU?

Where are the Hokies after the loss to the Mustangs?
ByScott Roche
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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ten weeks are now down in the 2026 college football season, and we are just a month away from championship games. When it comes to the ACC, there are still some monster games on tap, beginning this upcoming weekend when Wake Forest visits SMU in Dallas.

It was a weekend with not many surprising results in the conference. With that said, let's fire up the latest ACC Football Power Rankings.

Week 11 ACC Football Power Rankings

17. Georgia Tech

  • Record: 2-7 (1-5 ACC)
  • Last Week: 17

If there is one team that can't have their season end quickly enough, it's Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets, who were routed at home by Louisville. Next week doesn't get any better at Clemson.

16. California

  • Record: 3-6 (2-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 16

The Golden Bears had a much-needed bye week and need to win out to become bowl-eligible, beginning next weekend at Virginia.

15. Stanford

  • Record: 4-5 (2-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 15

Like Cal, the Cardinal were on a bye this weekend and are headed to Blacksburg to face a Hokies team coming off a blowout loss at SMU.

14. Boston College

  • Record: 4-5 92-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 13

After being blown out last weekend at Duke, the Eagles blew and early lead and lost to Seminoles team playing their first game after firing Mike Norvell last weekend. Boston College heads to South Bend next weekend to play Notre Dame.

13. Florida State

  • Record: 4-5 (2-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 14

A bowl game is still well within reach for the Seminoles, who rallied past BC after firing Norvell. It's a short week for FSU, heading to Pittsburgh on Friday night.

12. Virginia

  • Record: 4-5 (2-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 12

If there were a team that needed a bye week more than anyone to get healthy, it's the Cavaliers who need to win two out of their last three to become bowl-eligible. It's certainly doable, but they will have to play better.

11. Syracuse

  • Record: 4-5 (2-5 ACC)
  • Last Week: 11

One week after taking down SMU, the Orange fell short at home against Clemson and now need to win two out of their last three games against NC State, Boston College and Notre Dame, with the two ACC games away from the JMA Wireless Dome.

10. North Carolina State

  • Record: 4-5 (2-4 ACC)
  • Last Week: 10

The Wolfpack were punched in the mouth by Duke and steamrolled at home in what has to be rock-bottom this season and in some time.

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9. Pittsburgh

  • Record: 6-3 (3-3 ACC)
  • Last Week: 8

Pitt was another team that had a bye this week, and they will return to the field on Friday night at home against Florida State.

8. North Carolina

  • Record: 5-4 (2-3 ACC)
  • Last Week: 9

After losing at home last week to Miami, Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels hit the road and picked up a 17-point win at UConn to move within one win of bowl eligibility.

7. Virginia Tech

  • Record: 6-3 (3-3 ACC)
  • Last Week: 3

Coming off a bye, the Hokies were routed by SMU in Dallas in what was the first loss for Virginia Tech in a month. They will host Stanford this weekend under the lights at Lane Stadium.

6. Louisville

  • Record: 6-3 (5-2 ACC)
  • Last Week: 7

The Cardinals went on the road and were the latest team to roll into Atlanta and steamroll Georgia Tech.

5. Clemson

  • Record: 6-3 (4-2 ACC)
  • Last Week: 6

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers did what SMU couldn't do last weekend: survive a close game in Central New York against Syracuse.

4. SMU

  • Record: 7-2 (5-2 ACC)
  • Last Week: 5

The Mustangs kept their slim ACC Championship Game hopes alive with a 51-28 rout of Virginia Tech. Next week, a showdown with Wake Forest at home awaits them.

3. Duke

  • Record: 7-2 (4-2 ACC)
  • Last Week: 4

Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils blew out NC State in Raleigh and now head to South Florida for a matchup with Miami.

2. Wake Forest

  • Record: 8-1 (5-1 ACC)
  • Last Week: 2

Who did the Demon Deacons tune up for before their trip to SMU? Beating Merrimack, 77-0, in Winston-Salem.

1. Miami

  • Record: 8-1 (6-0 ACC)
  • Last Week: 1

After falling behind 24-3 at Notre Dame on Saturday night, the Hurricanes rallied late, but fell one touchdown short. Until someone in the ACC knocks them off, they are still the best team.

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