The latest ACC Power Rankings have been released, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the conference's football landscape following Week 10 of the college football season. Courtesy of the On3 Massey Ratings, which have been officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995, these rankings offer a detailed analysis of game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

Unveiling the ACC's Gridiron Dominance

The Hurricanes Remain Undefeated

The University of Miami Hurricanes have maintained their position at the top of the ACC rankings, remaining undefeated after a convincing 53-31 victory over Duke. Despite the game being close at one point, Cam Ward's impressive performance, with five touchdowns and 400 yards through the air, sealed the deal for the Hurricanes.

SMU's Rise to the Top

SMU, the new addition to the ACC, has made a significant impact, improving to 8-1 on the season and climbing to the 13th spot in the national rankings. The Mustangs are firmly in the driver's seat to make the ACC Championship Game, having remained undefeated in conference play. In their 48-25 win over Pitt, Kevin Jennings threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns, while Brashard Smith ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Clemson's Stumble and Louisville's Rise

Despite their loss at home to Louisville, Clemson only fell one spot in the ACC rankings. The Tigers' winning streak came to an abrupt halt, despite Phil Mafah's impressive performance, rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns. On the other hand, Louisville moved up one spot in the ACC rankings, with the Massey Ratings placing them behind Clemson despite the head-to-head victory. The Cardinals are now 6-3 and bowl eligible, with Jeff Brohm's team ranked 25th in the latest AP Poll.

Pitt's Downfall and Georgia Tech's Resilience

Pitt suffered a lopsided 48-25 loss to SMU, falling behind 31-3 at halftime and never recovering. As a result, the Panthers fell two spots in the ACC rankings, marking their first loss of the season. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech, despite a 21-6 loss to Virginia Tech, moved up two spots in the ACC rankings due to other teams' movements. The Yellow Jackets will face a tough end to the season, with home games against Miami and NC State, followed by an in-state rivalry matchup against Georgia.

Duke's Missed Opportunity and North Carolina's Dominance

Duke fell one spot in the rankings despite a close loss to Miami. Maalik Murphy's impressive performance, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, was overshadowed by his three interceptions. The Blue Devils, however, could be favored in their remaining three ACC games. On the other hand, North Carolina jumped four spots in the Massey Ratings, dominating Florida State 35-11. Jacolby Criswell threw for 211 yards and a touchdown, while Omarion Hampton had a standout game, rushing for 172 yards and four touchdowns, while also catching three passes for 93 yards and a score.

Syracuse's Resurgence and Virginia Tech's Setback

Syracuse became bowl eligible with a win over Virginia Tech and moved up a spot in the ACC rankings. Kyle McCord threw for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, but the real star was LeQuint Allen, who rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns. On the other hand, Virginia Tech, despite a positive performance, lost to Syracuse in overtime and dropped three spots in the ACC rankings. Collin Schlee threw for 206 yards and a touchdown, while the Hokies had three different players score on the ground, including Schlee.

The Shifting Landscape of the ACC Basement

The backend of the ACC rankings saw some minor movement, with California and Boston College dropping two and one spots, respectively. NC State moved up one spot, while Virginia and Wake Forest swapped positions, with Wake Forest moving up one spot. The big story, however, is Florida State, who now sits at 1-8 on the season, raising serious questions about the program's future.As the college football season progresses, the ACC Power Rankings continue to provide a fascinating glimpse into the conference's dynamic landscape. With the top teams jockeying for position and the lower-ranked programs striving to make their mark, the coming weeks promise to deliver even more thrilling action and unexpected twists in the race for ACC supremacy.