The biggest college football traffic jam belongs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Virginia took a stunning loss to Wake Forest, which impacts its top ACC ranking from last week. But Louisville’s ranking gets impacted too, leading to a new No. 1 team in the conference.
**1. Pittsburgh (+2)**
The Panthers are one of four ACC teams featuring a 5-1 conference record. We’re awarding them the top spot by virtue of their current ACC-best five-game winning streak. Could the College Football Playoff be in Pitt’s future?
**2. SMU (+2)**
The Mustangs are breathing towards the top of the standings following Virginia’s disappointing loss to Wake Forest. Count Matt Leinart as a SMU believer, telling fans to “book” the Mustangs in the ACC title game.
**3. Virginia (-2)**
What a difference more than a month makes. UVA’s student section went from storming the field after the Florida State upset to this fan’s reaction on Saturday following the loss.
**4. Louisville (-2)**
The Cardinals had their own fans down in the dumps after the Cal loss. Shockingly, both of their regular-season losses are at home.
**5. Georgia Tech (-)**
The Yellow Jackets stay grounded at No. 5. They can claw their way back to No. 1 with a strong regular-season finish.
**6. North Carolina State (-)**
Do the Wolfpack have another top 25 upset on deck? They are well-rested before facing No. 16 Miami.
**7. Miami (+1)**
The Hurricanes smothered a stumbling Syracuse team, keeping Miami alive in the ACC title game hunt. But once again, the upcoming Saturday matchup against NC State presents a brand new trap game.
**8. Duke (-1)**
Good news: The UConn loss came in non-conference play. The bad news for the Blue Devils? No. 20 Virginia is next on Saturday.
**9. Wake Forest (-)**
Duke’s better conference record gives them the edge over a surging Wake Forest club. Demon Deacons head coach Jake Dickert has already created a bowl team in just his first year.
**10. Cal (+1)**
Head coach Justin Wilcox showed a rare, jubilant side after the walk-off overtime touchdown. Saturday also marked the first time Wilcox will lead Cal to a third straight bowl season, joining Pappy Waldorf and Jeff Tedford in achieving that feat.
**11. Virginia Tech (-1)**
While the Hokies stunned Cal, losses to three ACC foes place them here. A road trip to Tallahassee is next against a struggling Florida State team.
**12. Clemson (+1)**
Dabo Swinney secured a much-needed 24-10 win over FSU. He can potentially save his job by stunning No. 19 Louisville next.
**13. North Carolina (+2)**
Though they defeated a struggling Stanford bunch, Bill Belichick beat an old NFL foe, Frank Reich, in Chapel Hill. Now UNC has its first winning streak under the legendary coach.
**14. Stanford (-2)**
Frank Reich lowered his chances of shedding the interim tag by losing to UNC. Upcoming rivals Cal and Notre Dame loom for the 3-7 Cardinal, which could signal an unprecedented fifth straight 3-9 season.
**15. Florida State (-1)**
Mike Norvell returns to the hot seat once again following Saturday’s debacle. Winning out should ensure his return for 2026.
**16. Syracuse (-)**
Fran Brown and company have fallen on hard times with their six-game slide. They are officially eliminated from bowl contention.
**17. Boston College (-)**
[Content for Boston College was not provided in the original text.]
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This dynamic ACC race continues to evolve each week, with teams jockeying for position in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive conference chase. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/clutchpoints-2025-week-12-acc-football-power-rankings