ACC Power Rankings: What happened to Georgia Tech?

It’s been a season of success in the ACC. The conference has four teams ranked and the No. 1 team in the nation, and the majority of the conference will see a bowl game. One of the biggest surprises hasn’t been a success story, though.

Georgia Tech came into 2015 with high expectations. The Yellow Jackets were the favorites to win the Coastal division, and, at the very least, would see a good bowl game. This week, that same team lost its seventh game and guaranteed it wouldn’t go bowling. So … what happened?

We knew they would be a big running team, but the Yellow Jackets’ complete inability to go through the air hurt them. Georgia Tech is 123rd in the nation in passing yards per game, and it’s hard to win consistently while being so one-dimensional. Justin Thomas was supposed to rival Deshaun Watson for the title of best quarterback in the ACC, but instead he’s completed less than 43 percent of his passes and has a QB rating of 29.8.

In all honesty, Georgia Tech could have easily won more games this year. Only two of its losses (Duke and Clemson) were by more than one possession, but the Yellow Jackets just couldn’t get it done in the fourth quarter. Maybe things will get back on track next year; there has to be some talent left over from the team that won the Orange Bowl last season.

ACC Atlantic Power Rankings

1. Clemson (last week: 1)

Deshaun Watson dominated Syracuse this week, piling up 465 all-purpose yards. The Orange were able to capitalize on some of the Tigers’ mistakes and keep it close, but Clemson’s overwhelming talent prevailed.

2. Florida State (last week: 2)
Florida State may be out of the ACC title picture, but it hasn’t lost focus. The Seminoles beat NC State 34-17 this week, as Dalvin Cook added 138 more rushing yards to his resume. An impressive win, but over a mediocre team.

3. Louisville (last week: 3)

The Cardinals were barely able to edge out Virginia in a 38-31 win. Kyle Bolin got the call at quarterback this week, but completed less than half of his passes and was overshadowed by great plays from Lamar Jackson and Reggie Bonnafon.

4. NC State (last week: 4)
The Wolfpack are already bowl eligible, which is good considering NC State may not win another game this season. After losing to Florida State this week, NC State has a Syracuse team that stayed with Clemson and North Carolina to end the year.

5. Syracuse (last week: 6)
Syracuse may have lost this week, but losing to Clemson by only 10 isn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. The Orange did it all with third-stringer Zack Mahoney running things under center, too.

6. Wake Forest (last week: 5)
Wake Forest lost its fourth straight to Notre Dame, and it gets even harder this week when the Demon Deacons travel to Death Valley to play Clemson. It’ll be just part of another forgettable season for Wake Forest.

7. Boston College (last week: 7)
Boston College had the week off, which it hopefully used to try to figure out how to win an ACC game. The Eagles are 0-7 so far in conference play, but its last chance for an ACC win is against a beatable Syracuse in two weeks.

ACC Coastal Power Rankings

1. North Carolina (last week: 1)

The Tar Heels just keep on winning. North Carolina continued its trend of blowing out opponents when it took down Miami 59-21 this week, and is now a win or a Pitt loss from the ACC Championship Game.

2. Pittsburgh (last week: 2)
Pittsburgh kept its ACC title hopes alive by beating Duke this week, but it still doesn’t look good for the Panthers. Pitt needs to beat Louisville and Miami, and hope North Carolina falls apart, to win the Coastal.

3. Duke (last week: 3)

The Blue Devils were eliminated from ACC title contention this week, but there’s still plenty to be happy about if you’re a Duke fan. This team is trending upward, and at least it’s basketball season, right?

4. Miami (last week: 4)
It was a reality check for the Hurricanes this week, as they were run over by North Carolina. It was the team’s first loss since firing Al Golden, and it isn’t favored to win either of its remaining games, either.

5. Virginia (last week: 7)
Virginia lost its chance at a bowl game this week with its seventh loss, but Matt Johns threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. Given the expectations going into the season, Virginia hasn’t had that bad of a year.

6. Virginia Tech (last week: 5)
Technically, the Hokies did win this week, but does a victory against Georgia Tech even count anymore?

7. Georgia Tech (last week: 6)
The biggest disappointment of the ACC added to its legacy by losing to Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have only won one game in the conference, and have their last ACC matchup against Miami before the rivalry game against Georgia to end the year.