The picture is much clearer as we head into the final week of the regular season. Florida State will play for the ACC title, and the Coastal Division was down to Georgia Tech and Miami. But with the Hurricanes deciding to self-impose a postseason ban, Georgia Tech will play in the championship game. Here's how the ACC stacks up heading into Week 13:
1. Florida State (10-1, 7-1 ACC; LW: No. 1): The Seminoles clinched a share of the Atlantic Division title and guaranteed themselves a trip to the Dec. 1 Dr Pepper ACC championship game in Charlotte with their 41-14 win Saturday at Maryland. The Noles got their ground game going against the Terps, played a stifling defense, and immediately began looking forward to Florida.
2. Clemson (10-1, 7-1; LW: No. 2): The Tigers’ offensive fireworks continued in a 62-48 win over NC State, as Clemson clinched a share of the Atlantic Division title. Clemson has won seven straight heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale against rival South Carolina.
3. Miami (6-5, 4-3; LW: No. 4): The Hurricanes became bowl eligible with their 40-9 drubbing of South Florida. Stephen Morris threw for more than 400 yards, and three different receivers finished with 100 yards receiving. But Miami will not be going bowling this year, as the Hurricanes announced Monday morning they would self-impose a bowl ban for the second straight season.
4. Georgia Tech (6-5, 5-3; LW: No. 5): The Yellow Jackets became bowl-eligible with their 42-24 win over Duke and moved into first place in the Coastal Division standings -- quite a turnaround from the Jackets’ 1-3 start in league play. Georgia Tech has won three straight heading into Saturday’s game against rival Georgia.
5. Duke (6-5, 3-4; LW: No. 3): The Blue Devils’ hopes of winning the Coastal Division came to an end with Saturday’s loss at Georgia Tech. It’s still the program’s best season since 1994, but those within it were hoping for more than just bowl eligibility. Duke can play the role of spoiler this week by knocking Miami out of the running for the division title.
6. North Carolina (7-4, 4-3; LW: No. 6): The Tar Heels left no doubt they were the better team in Thursday night’s 37-13 win at Virginia. UNC played the role of spoiler and ended the Cavaliers’ hopes of becoming bowl eligible this season.
7. NC State (6-5, 3-4; LW: No. 8): The Wolfpack didn’t have a problem scoring against Clemson, they just couldn’t score enough to keep pace with the Tigers. NC State has lost three of its past four, and will close the regular season at home this weekend against BC.
8. Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4; LW: No. 9): The Hokies kept their bowl hopes alive with a 30-23 overtime win at Boston College, their first road win of the season. The Hokies need to beat rival Virginia in Blacksburg this weekend in order to become bowl eligible for the 20th straight season.
9. Wake Forest (5-6, 3-5; LW: No. 10): The Deacons were outplayed and beaten soundly on the road by the No. 1 team in the country in their 38-0 loss to Notre Dame. Wake Forest must beat Vanderbilt Saturday in order to become bowl eligible.
10. Maryland (4-7, 2-5; LW: No. 12): The Terps’ depleted offense had no answer against Florida State’s dominant defense in their final home game of the season. The game was the least of Maryland’s concerns, though, as news broke during the game that the school is interested in joining the Big Ten.
11. Virginia (4-7, 2-5; LW: No. 7): The Cavaliers made too many mistakes and didn’t have enough answers on defense to stop UNC and quarterback Bryn Renner on Thursday night. Virginia lost its chance at bowl eligibility and is assured of a losing record this season.
12. Boston College (2-9, 1-6; LW: No. 11): The Eagles were oh-so-close to beating Virginia Tech, but couldn’t stop quarterback Logan Thomas when it mattered most -- in overtime. BC will end the season at NC State trying to avoid the dubious distinction of matching its worst record since 1989.