ACC Power Rankings, Week 6: Florida State Debuts at No. 1

Everybody loves power rankings, right? The easily-digestible, highly-subjective power polls that are ubiquitous around the sports world are coming to SB Nation D.C. in the ACC football variety via yours truly, SBN's Maryland blogger from Testudo Times. There's no special catch to these things: 12 teams, ranked in order from best to worst based on their achievements so far and the talent on the team. Let's kick it off:

1. Florida St. Seminoles (5-1, 3-0)

Last Week: @ Miami, 45-17

Florida State demolished the Canes last Saturday, beating a supposed top 15 team on the road by 28 and putting up nearly 300 yards on the ground in doing so. The only clear blemish on the resume comes from the beatdown the Noles received in Norman, but Oklahoma is looking more and more like a national contender by the day. Unless they stumble unexpectedly, FSU should have this spot on lockdown the rest of the season.

Next Up: vs. Boston College (12:00, ESPN/ESPN3.com)

2. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-0)

Last: vs. Central Michigan, 45-21

After that terrible start, Virginia Tech stifled Boston College, beat upstart N.C. State in Raleigh, and dealt with Central Michigan last week. The reemergence of QB Tyrod Taylor and the return of Beamerball - the Hokies have forced seven turnovers and scored two special teams TDs in the past three games - have Hokies forgetting about September ... almost.

Next Up: vs. Wake Forest (3:30, ESPNU)

3. N.C. State Wolfpack (5-1, 2-1)

Last: vs. Boston College, 44-17

QB Russell Wilson has taken the ACC by storm and appears to be one of the early front-runners for offensive POY. No one thought N.C. State would be this competitive, but they dealt with good Cincinnati and Georgia Tech teams and had a chance at beating Virginia Tech. The game against FSU in Raleigh in two weeks should be one of the best of the season.

Next Up: @ Eastern Carolina (12:00)

4. Miami Hurricanes (3-2, 1-1)

Last: vs. Florida State, 17-45

Miami was undisputed as the conference's best team until they showed up dull and surprisingly swagger-less against FSU. They beat Pitt and Clemson on the road and there's always talent in South Beach, but after losing to Ohio State and FSU the question has to be asked: can the Canes win a big game?

Next Up: @ Duke (1:00, ESPN3)

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2, 3-1)

Last: vs. Virginia, 33-21

The Jackets are tough to judge; they didn't show up at all in Week 2 in their loss to Kansas, and looked bad against N.C. State in Atlanta. But they also beat UNC and UVA somewhat convincingly, and the duo of QB Josh Nesbitt and RB Anthony Allen, who combined for over 300 yards and four touchdowns on the ground against UVA, makes the triple option scarily dangerous.

Next Up: vs. Middle Tennessee State (3:30, ESPN3.com)

6. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-2,  1-1)

Last: vs. Clemson, 21-16

UNC's scandal has officially reached disastrous levels, with stars DT Marvin Austin, DE Robert Quinn, and WR Greg Little all off the team. But they were competitive in their two losses against LSU and Georgia Tech, and surprised Clemson at home last week. No one knows how long the depleted Tar Heels can keep it up, but if they keep holding onto the ball (QB T.J. Yates has only thrown one interception) and their defense stays top 50, they'll be bowling.

Next Up: @ Virginia (6:00, ESPN3.com)

7.  Clemson Tigers (2-3, 0-2)

Last: @ UNC, 16-21

Clemson's better than their 2-3 record, with close losses to good Auburn, Miami and UNC teams. They haven't been soundly beaten yet this year, but they're still looking for a playmaking replacement for C.J. Spiller. Without him, they're just kind of boring.

Next Up: vs. Maryland (12:00, ESPN3.com)

8. Maryland Terrapins (4-1, 1-0)

Last: vs. Duke, 21-16

If Clemson's better than 2-3, Maryland's worse than 4-1. The Terps have relied on big plays and turnovers so far this year, and both will probably be harder to find in ACC play. Still, a bowl looks like a pretty good bet at this point.

Next Up: @ Clemson (12:00, ESPN3.com)

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-4, 1-2)

Last: vs. Navy, 27-28

Wake Forest has had a painful past two weeks. First they lose their lead to Georgia Tech in the final minute, and then the same thing happens against Navy the next week. The Deacs aren't far away from being 4-2, and if they can sort out a scattered QB battle, there's some light on the horizon.

Next Up: Bye

10. Virginia Cavaliers (2-3, 0-2)

Last: @ Georgia Tech, 21-33

Mike London's done a great job at UVA so far, especially on the recruiting trail, but the Cavs still lack an FBS win and a consistent running game. They're getting better, but there's a long way to go in Charlottesville.

Next Up: vs. UNC (6:00, ESPN3.com)

11. Boston College Eagles (2-3, 0-2)

Last: @ N.C. State, 17-44

Is this the year Boston College's comparative lack of recruiting firepower catches up with them? It looks like it. The Eagles always seemed destined for eight wins, but c'mon: their QB stable consists of a true freshman, a 26-year-old sophomore fresh in from minor league baseball, and an unproven sophomore who had no other offers, FBS or otherwise. They're gearing up for hockey season in Chestnut Hull.

Next Up: @ Florida State (12:00, ESPN/ESPN3)

12. Duke Blue Devils (1-4, 0-2)

Last: @ Maryland, 16-21

All is right with the world when Duke is bad again. After a year of semi-relevance, the Blue Devils are back to rebuilding with a solid wide receiver corps and a young QB. They're still dangerous through the air, but the defense is below-par and the running game isn't imposing. Even the passing game comes and goes, and inexperienced QB Sean Renfree will make his share of mistakes. There's not a lot of hope right now for the Dukies.

Next Up: vs. Miami (1:00, ESPN3.com)

Game of the Week: Maryland-Clemson

Okay, so it's a mild slate this week. But Maryland-Clemson has potential; Maryland is Clemson's kryptonite, having won 3 of the last 4, and the Tigers still need to show they can win an ACC game.