ACC power(less) rankings, week 4

Another black-eye weekend for the ACC in what so far has been a black eye of a season.

Not sure if there was anyone on the planet who thought Duke and Wake Forest would win their games over Alabama and Stanford, respectively.

But mere respectable showings seemed to be somewhat realistic. Then the teams surrender a combined 122 points and 1,161 yards while getting annihilated.

Maryland looked awful in the first half at West Virginia, falling behind 21-0 before losing 31-17 in Morgantown.

The ACC is now a putrid 1-9 in non-conference BCS games. The only exception is N.C. State's home victory over Cincinnati last Thursday.

I guess it was a positive to see Florida State dust BYU and Virginia Tech take care of East Carolina. But enough to crow about?

And what does it say about a conference when its crowning achievement thus far -- Clemson's impressive showing at Auburn -- was a loss?

I would submit that, while the ACC certainly isn't a great conference, it's not as bad as people think. But it's hard to mount a spirited defense after the last two weekends.

Here's my stab at ranking the conference teams:

1. Miami (last week: 1)--Watched a replay of the loss at Ohio State, and the Hurricanes were more impressive than the score indicates. Eliminate a few boneheaded mistakes, and this game goes down to the wire. Still wonder about Miami's linebackers' though.

2. Clemson (LW: 2)--Tigers would be in the top spot had they closed the deal at Auburn. This team proved a lot Saturday night, but we'll learn what they're made of in their next two games against Miami and North Carolina.

3. Florida State (LW: 3)--What's the over-under on this week's game against Wake Forest? Ninety?

4. Georgia Tech (LW: 5)--The Yellow Jackets' offense looked just fine Saturday at North Carolina. Georgia Tech has run for 689 yards against the Tar Heels the last two years.

5. Virginia Tech (LW: 4)--Hunch: Hokies win Saturday at Boston College and a week later at N.C. State.

6. N.C. State (LW: 6)--Still a little skeptical of the Wolfies, but Jon Tenuta has already made a noticeable difference with their linebackers.

7. Boston College (LW: 7)--Thanks to an open date and games against Weber State and Kent State, we still know nothing about the Eagles. That'll change Saturday.

8. North Carolina (LW: 8)--Heels had the momentum against Georgia Tech, up 24-17 with the ball. T.J. Yates gave it right back with a fumble at midfield.

9. Maryland (LW: 9)--Did you see the Terps' rushing total at West Virginia? Minus-10 yards. Pathetic.

10. Virginia (LW: 10)--Cavs can't spoil all this goodwill by wetting the bed against VMI.

11. Wake Forest (LW: 11)--Stanford scored touchdowns on its first eight possessions.

12. Duke (LW: 12)--Crimson Tide broke more of a sweat walking to and from their locker room than in the game.

Here's Heather Dinich's rankings. She's higher on N.C. State than I, and she's really down on North Carolina.

Rob Daniels of The ACC Sports Journal puts Clemson fourth, behind Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech.

And you thought Clemson's situation on the offensive line was dicey with David Smith's injury? Take a gander at Maryland's situation after the loss of left tackle Justin Gilbert.

Terps' defense has been on the field for 80 plays in two of its last three games, by the way.

Apparently news of John Blake's dirty business caught some folks by surprise in Chapel Hill. No surprise here.

Here's a look at Miami's Leonard Hankerson, who's unveiling something called "Hank Time."

Lamar Miller had his genuine “Miller Time” haircut. Leonard Hankerson has his T-shirt.

The Hurricanes’ leading receiver showed up Sunday at UM’s athletic complex wearing his own version of walking Pictionary.

On the front of Hankerson’s T-shirt — a design invented and created by his friend — was his initials and jersey number: LH85.

On the back? A clock with no numbers, just L in place of what would normally be 12, H in place of 3, 5 in place of 6 and 8 in place of 9. The hands of the clock pointed to the L and H.

Hank Time.

Randy Shannon is mostly worried about his defense heading into Thursday's game at Pitt.

And Doc Saturday points out Texas Tech just isn't the same under its new regime.

The Red Raiders were held to fewer total yards (144), fewer passing yards (158) and fewer yards per play (2.7) in Saturday night's 24-14 home loss to Texas than in any single game of Leach's entire tenure, against anyone, home or away.

Somewhere, a pirate is smiling.



LW