Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Halfway through the season, this team still remains a mystery, but with a 2-2 ACC record and a win over BC, Clemson can still win the Atlantic Division. The Tigers have an inexcusable 24-21 loss at Maryland on their résumé, but looked like the dominant team they should be this past weekend in a 38-3 smackdown of Wake Forest. First-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has rivaled Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple as the best off-season hire, as the Tigers’ defense is No. 2 in the ACC in scoring defense and total defense behind North Carolina. The blitzing and pressure has been the one constant about this team, but only against the Deacs did the new coaching staff finally get the most out of one of the most talented three-loss teams in the country. The jury is still out on Dabo Swinney in his first season as head coach, but the most noticeable difference during his tenure is that this team doesn’t quit.

Offensive MVP: C.J. Spiller. He’s easily the most versatile player in the conference and one of the most explosive players in the country. He became the first ACC player and 27th in NCAA FBS history with over 6,000 all-purpose yards. He currently ranks sixth in the nation in all-purpose rushing yards, and has scored a touchdown of at least 60 yards in four different ways. He is second in the conference with 190.8 all-purpose yards per game. He’s averaging 77.7 rushing yards per game, and is No. 2 in the conference in kickoff return average (37.1),

Defensive MVP: DeAndre McDaniel. He leads the ACC with five interceptions and is fourth with 50 tackles. He’s in a tie for first in the nation in interceptions per game. He returned his fifth interception 26 yards against Wake Forest last weekend, and is a huge reason why Clemson is No. 2 in the ACC in pass defense and seventh in the nation in interceptions with 10.