We're about at the midway point of college football season, and the Atlantic and Coastal division titles are still up for grabs. While FSU and Virginia Tech have both pulled ahead, nearly everyone still has a chance to win.
That being said, two struggling ACC teams are on the brink of elimination this week. There could be only 10 teams still with the chance to play for the ACC Championship (on paper, of course) after this upcoming Saturday.
All that talk about this finally being the year that Duke get to a bowl has already been proven wrong. A probable Virginia Tech win this Saturday would eliminate their chances of winning the Coastal Division and going to the ACC Championship.
While many thought Boston College could ride the Mark Herzlich momentum wave to success this year, but the Eagles have been the last thing from successful this year. Their current four game losing streak has included 3 ACC losses, and the next ACC loss will eliminate their chances of winning the Atlantic Division and going to the ACC Championship. That could happen on Saturday against Maryland.
Florida State is currently on a five game winning streak and right now is the clear favorite to win the ACC, and many would favor them in the ACC championship, also. But it won't be easy for the Seminoles. They still have NC State and Maryland on the road, as well as Clemson and North Carolina at home.
Virginia Tech has responded from an 0-2 start that dropped them out of the Top 25 for five straight weeks, and is atop the Coastal Division and pulled into the Top 25 this week at 23. Their remaining ACC schedule is manageable, but trips to Miami and North Carolina could be dangerous.
Wake Forest and Virginia both continue to have a great amount of struggles, and while not mathematically out of the race to the ACC Championship, they're out of it.
NC State and Clemson will be threats to Florida State in the Atlantic Division to season's end. As will Georgia Tech, Miami, and North Carolina to Virginia Tech in the Coastal.
Maryland is the wild card in the ACC. While they haven't played strong all season, and definitely do not have a strong team, the Terps are in 2nd place in the Atlantic division, just kind of hanging in there. I doubt they'll be a contender at the end of the season, but right now they're in the position to shock the ACC.
That's the position of the Atlantic Coast Conference right now in a nut shell. Here's the official ACC standings, from TheACC.com.
| (As Of October 17) | ||||
| ATLANTIC DIVISION | ||||
| School | Conference | Pct. | Overall | Pct. |
| Florida State | 4-0 | 1.000 | 6-1 | .857 |
| NC State | 2-1 | .667 | 5-2 | .714 |
| Maryland | 1-1 | .500 | 4-2 | .667 |
| Clemson | 1-2 | .333 | 3-3 | .500 |
| Wake Forest | 1-3 | .250 | 2-5 | .286 |
| Boston College | 0-3 | .000 | 2-4 | .333 |
| COASTAL DIVISION | ||||
| School | Conference | Pct. | Overall | Pct. |
| Virginia Tech | 3-0 | 1.000 | 5-2 | .714 |
| Georgia Tech | 3-1 | .750 | 5-2 | .714 |
| Miami | 2-1 | .667 | 4-2 | .667 |
| North Carolina | 2-1 | .667 | 4-2 | .667 |
| Virginia | 0-3 | .000 | 2-4 | .333 |
| Duke | 0-3 | .000 | 1-5 | .167 |
So who do you think will win the ACC? Comment below.
