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The regular season is over, and there are only two teams who still have a chance to make a statement this week, as Clemson and Virginia Tech will face each other in Saturday's ACC championship game. Clemson had the upper hand earlier this season in a 23-3 win over the Hokies, but much has changed since then. Including who is No. 1 ...

1. Virginia Tech (11-1, 7-1 ACC; LW: No. 1) – With their convincing win over rival Virginia on Saturday, the Hokies clinched the Coastal Division title and they also earned 11 wins during the regular season for only the second time in school history. The Hokies are ranked No. 5 in the latest BCS standings heading into the championship game, and they’ve come a long way since their 23-3 loss to Clemson during the regular season.

2. Clemson (9-3, 6-2 ACC; LW: No. 2) – The Tigers dropped to No. 20 in the BCS standings following their third straight loss to rival South Carolina this past weekend. Clemson has faltered down the stretch, losing three of their final four games, but this is the second time in three years the Tigers have won the Atlantic Division.

3. Virginia (8-4, 5-3 ACC; LW: No. 3) – The Cavaliers were outplayed in every phase of the game against Virginia Tech, but this season should still be considered a success under coach Mike London. The Hoos are bowl bound for the first time since 2007, and they beat both Florida State and Miami during a four-game winning streak.

4. Florida State (8-4, 5-3 ACC; LW: No. 4) – Does this eight-win season feel more like a six-win season to anyone else? The Noles have been flat offensively in recent weeks, and they lost the games that mattered most this season. FSU is likely bound for Champs Sports Bowl, but will the Noles remember to take their offense with them?

5. Georgia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC; LW: No. 5) – The 6-0 start to this season was too good to be true, as Georgia Tech went 1-2 against Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia. Georgia’s defense smothered the Jackets, who were held to 79 rushing yards in the second half. Quarterback Tevin Washington threw two interceptions and linebacker Julian Burnett said the team is “tired of being the little brothers in the state.”

6. Wake Forest (6-6, 5-3 ACC; LW: No. 6) – The Deacs played like they had their bowl eligibility all wrapped up, and Vanderbilt played like it was their Super Bowl in a 41-7 win. The Commodores became bowl eligible for the first time since 2008, and the Deacs allowed 481 yards of total offense.

7. NC State (7-5, 4-4 ACC; LW: No. 7) – Unbelievable. NC state was trailing 41-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter and came back to beat Maryland 56-41. It was the second-biggest comeback in ACC history, and the Wolfpack became bowl eligible with the win. It was a remarkable way to finish the season.

8. Miami (6-6, 3-5 ACC; LW: No. 8) – Ugh. The senior class closed its chapter with a home loss to a woeful Boston College team, and quarterback Jacory Harris threw a forgettable four picks. It was a disappointing finish for the recruiting class of 2008, which never lived up to the hype it entered with, but a new contract extension for coach Al Golden assured fans recruiting will continue under his watch.

9. North Carolina (7-5, 3-5 ACC; LW: No. 9) – The Tar Heels continue to be a more physical team than rival Duke, and it showed up front on Saturday, as the offensive line paved the way for 508 total yards. UNC beat Duke for the eighth straight year and is one win away from matching its eight-win ceiling under former coach Butch Davis.

10. Boston College (4-8, 3-5 ACC; LW: No. 10) – It was an impressive effort in the win over Miami, and the Eagles deserve a lot of credit for winning three of their last five after starting the season 1-6. There is no bowl game, but there is some positive momentum to build off of heading into the offseason. The question is whether any staff or personnel changes will be made.

11. Duke (3-9, 1-7 ACC; LW: No. 11) – It’s an all-too-familiar storyline for the Blue Devils, who finished the season with seven straight losses. The defense remains a question heading into the offseason, and recruiting must improve if Duke is going to take the next step under coach David Cutcliffe.

12. Maryland (2-10, 1-7 ACC; LW: No. 12) – The Terps tanked under first-year coach Randy Edsall. From a nine-win season to a two-win season that was capped off by Saturday’s meltdown at NC State, it should be a relief to everyone that the season is over in College Park. Edsall is locked into a lucrative contract, but it will be interesting to see how much turnover there is on the roster and if any staff changes are made.

With bowl games no longer an option for either team, both Miami and Boston College were playing on Friday afternoon for their seniors, their pride and their future.

At Boston College, the Eagles never quit this season, despite losing six of their first seven games. BC rallied in the second half of the season under coach Frank Spaziani and finished with a 3-2 record in the final five games, including Friday’s 24-17 win over the Canes. It was a gritty, disciplined performance on the road that was classic BC -- tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar football led by the defense.

For Miami, in many ways the game was a microcosm of the entire careers of the recruiting class of 2008: A disappointment that fell below expectations. Miami’s offense produced two big touchdown plays early, but then stuttered for the majority of the game. The running game wasn’t working, so the Canes turned to a short passing game, but third-and-long situations put Miami under pressure. Untimely penalties like the holding call on Harland Gunn early in the fourth quarter were devastating and came at points when Miami desperately needed a spark. Quarterback Jacory Harris threw four interceptions, and made poor throws and decisions down the stretch.

BC’s Chase Rettig, on the other hand, played tough and aggressive in the face of Miami’s pass rush. He made good decisions and threw the ball well. The Eagles also made great use of tight end Chris Pantale, and the running game opened things up in the play-action pass. This was the closest thing to a bowl game that Boston College will see this year, and the Eagles played like it.

Both programs, though, have lots of questions to answer this offseason. Al Golden’s recent contract extension went a long way in erasing the speculation surrounding his future, but the NCAA must still rule on the program’s future. Until it does, though, recruiting will remain the No. 1 priority.

BC must also find a way back to the postseason. Will the Eagles' determination down the stretch be enough to keep Spaziani in the good graces of AD Gene DeFilippo, or will another change be made? Was that the last spectacular collegiate performance for junior linebacker Luke Kuechly, a projected first-round draft pick?

It was a trying season for both programs and head coaches, but on Friday, BC found a way to finish on a positive note.

Miami coach Al Golden was smiling. His players were dancing, bobbing their heads and waving their arms.

And this was before Jake Wieclaw kicked the winning field goal against South Florida in a 6-3 game.

This is why Al Golden is a good coach. Because in crunch time, with the game and bowl eligibility on the line, he got his players to relax, have fun, and win. South Florida couldn't ice that.

The Bulls' defense was smothering all game. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was sacked six times and the Canes went nowhere. When it mattered most, though, Miami was able to move the ball enough to get Wieclaw in field goal position, and he sealed the deal with a 36-yarder. It wasn't pretty, but Miami got its sixth win of the season, and the Canes did it on the road against a gritty, relentless, in-state opponent. That's a win no matter how you look at it.

In the battle for bowl eligibility, USF and Miami have not exactly supplied the offensive fireworks as they go into halftime tied at 3.

The teams have combined for seven punts and a turnover each. Both have had their opportunities but have come up short. Miami had a chance to score on its final possession but had several missteps, including a penalty and sack.

USF has gotten good pressure on Jacory Harris, but he has been able to break away from most of it, going 13-of-19 for 139 yards in the first half. B.J. Daniels has not been quite as effective, going 10-of-17 for 86 yards and an interception. That turnover came a play after USF recovered a Miami fumble, squandering an opportunity to take advantage of the miscue.

Somebody is going to have to step up and make a play between these in-state rivals.

Here are the top stories to watch in the Big East in Week 12:

1. Separation. I may have to put this at No. 1 for the final three weeks of the season depending on what happens Saturday. Cincinnati still controls its destiny. But a loss against Rutgers, and the door flings wide open for every other two-loss team in the league. There are scenarios for a five-way tie, and for a six-way tie, which seems pretty fitting given what has happened to the Big East this fall. Does anybody want to take charge?

2. Munchie in charge. Yes, he has one of the best names in college football. But this is serious business for Munchie Legaux and the Bearcats. You have a player who was involved in a serious competition for the backup quarterback job until Week 1 of the season, who saw meaningful snaps for the first time ever against West Virginia last week and is now being asked to help deliver a Big East championship. No pressure. Cincinnati has to win two of its final three games on the road, but there is a streak the Bearcats have going for them -- they have won five straight in the series against Rutgers. Cincinnati has had success with its backup quarterbacks in the past (Zach Collaros for Tony Pike) and is hoping for more of the same with Legaux.

3. Mohamed Sanu vs. Cincinnati secondary. The Bearcats face one of the top receivers in the Big East for the second straight week. They didn't do so well containing Stedman Bailey or Tavon Austin last week -- each player had more than 100 yards receiving with Bailey hauling in a 59-yard touchdown. Now they face the tough task of playing against Sanu, who is second in the nation in receptions per game (9.4) and the undisputed go-to guy for Rutgers quarterback Chas Dodd. It is a safe bet that Cincinnati will be just fine at stopping an anemic rushing game. The Bearcats have the advantage at the line of scrimmage, too. But if there is an area they can get beat in, it is in the secondary with Sanu running free.

4. Louisville run D vs. UConn run O. The Cardinals gave up 200 yards rushing last week to Pitt, and now face a team that wants to ground and pound. Can Louisville revert to its old ways and stop somebody? Does coach Charlie Strong have the attention of his players? The Cardinals are hurting for depth up front with several players banged up, but they should still have an advantage in this game. Louisville has got to play disciplined, though, because UConn is one of the least penalized team in the league and Louisville is one of the most. In a game that figures to be without offensive fireworks, you can bet each coach is emphasizing all the little things.

5. UConn magic? UConn has played better at home in Big East play (no, I have not forgotten about Iowa State and Western Michigan). And the Huskies still have a chance to win the Big East, just like Louisville. UConn has been in this position before. Think back to last year when everybody counted the Huskies out. They got the last laugh. One fun tidbit about this game: The last team to beat UConn in the regular season last season? Louisville.

6. Rivalry. USF definitely counts its matchup against Miami as a rivalry game, but do the Hurricanes? Both teams need a win to become bowl eligible, but you have to believe this one might mean more to USF. The Bulls are still a program on the rise and must win these games to gain respect across the state of Florida and on the recruiting trail. After beating Miami 23-20 in overtime last year, you have to believe that the Bulls are going to be confident going into this game. A second straight win over Miami would be huge.

7. Jacory Harris vs. USF front. If you don't know the book on Harris by now, then you have not followed college football for the past few years. The guy makes mistakes. He has been much better at taking care of the football this year, but I have a feeling the USF game plan is going to be to get in his face to force him into errant throws. USF has 31 sacks on the season, so this is an area the Bulls have to win in order to have a shot in the game.

8. Big East vs. ACC. A USF win would give the Big East a winning record over the ACC (4-2) in the regular season, with potentially three bowl matchups to follow (Champs Sports Bowl, Belk Bowl, Orange Bowl). The Big East has finished with a winning record over the ACC just once in the past four years (2008, 4-3). Remember my preseason prediction, folks.

There's a reason neither of these teams are ranked.

Some telling stats from this game:

• Miami has had three turnovers.
• Florida State has had three first downs and two rushing yards.
• FSU has had the ball for just 9:37.

Florida State has finally run into some better competition, and once again, the Noles' defense has been its best attribute. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was injured late in the first half and went to the locker room early, leaving the game in the hands of capable backup Stephen Morris. If there is an official update from Miami on Harris' status, I'll post it. Special teams has also played a role in this game, as Greg Reid returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown, and Dustin Hopkins missed a field goal. If FSU is going to hang onto this lead, the defense has continue to continue to pressure Miami into mistakes.

It’s not easy being perfect. That’s why I’m not. One itsy bitsy teeny flaw in last week’s picks left me at 4-1, the lone erroneous pick against NC State. C’mon, five straight? Who outside Raleigh saw that one coming? Then again, it wouldn’t be a week in the ACC if there wasn’t at least one upset, right? Get ready for another one …

Georgia Tech 21, Virginia Tech 17: The Hokies are so well-coached that they won’t make the same turnover mistakes Clemson made against the Yellow Jackets, but the difference in this game will be the injuries to Virginia Tech’s defense. The veterans like Bruce Taylor who are sidelined are the ones who have seen this offense before, but too many rookies will be learning the ropes on the fly. The Jackets will sustain drives and keep Virginia Tech off the field just long enough to win.

NC State 24, Boston College 21 (OT): NC State hasn’t run the ball very well to begin with this season, and the Eagles will make it even more difficult and force quarterback Mike Glennon to win the game, which he will. As long as the Pack gives him time to throw, Glennon will get NC State one step closer to a bowl game.

Clemson 42, Wake Forest 21: The atmosphere at Death Valley combined with Clemson’s sheer talent will be too much for the Deacs to overcome. Clemson will be playing its final home game of the season, the crowd will be relentless, and the Tigers can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win. Wake Forest will play better than it did against North Carolina, but it will still be overmatched.

Florida State 31, Miami 28: That’s right, FSU by a field goal. The fact that it’s in Tallahassee was only a small factor in the decision. The main reason was because Florida State has played better more consistently in recent weeks, and the defense has been unstoppable. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris has played exceptionally well lately, but FSU quarterback EJ Manuel will have the edge against Miami’s secondary.

Notre Dame 38, Maryland 10: Turnovers will make this game ugly. Regardless of how coach Randy Edsall plans to use quarterbacks C.J. Brown and Danny O'Brien, the Terps won’t be able to get past a scoring defense that has held opponents to just 20.89 points per game. Nor will Maryland’s defense be able to stop one of the nation’s top receivers in Michael Floyd.

Virginia 28, Duke 24: This is going to be another heartbreaker for the Blue Devils. The Hoos’ three-game losing streak to Duke will end, thanks to Virginia’s improved defense. The pass efficiency defense is No. 20 in the country, and running backs Perry Jones and Kevin Parks will continue to get their yards and set up the pass for Michael Rocco.

It's time to start talking about Florida State.

Miami quickly put its home loss to Virginia in the rearview mirror with a 49-14 drubbing of Duke, but the test now is if Miami can play that well two weeks in a row. Miami's offense was unstoppable against Duke, racking up 467 yards, 265 on the ground. Lamar Miller scored twice. Mike James scored twice. And Jacory Harris threw three touchdown passes to three different players.

Can the Canes keep that pace against Florida State's dominant defense? In Tallahassee?

One of Miami's biggest problems this year (much like the rest of the league) is playing with any consistency. Coach Al Golden will be the first to tell you his team has yet to get the same effort in back-to-back games. Bowl eligibility shouldn't be a problem for Miami at this point, as the Canes have three more chances to hit the six-win mark with games against FSU, South Florida and BC remaining, but the Noles will be their biggest obstacle.

For Duke, a team devastated by close losses in recent weeks, this was a reality check. Those within the program were so sure that they were on the brink of turning the corner. And now this. To become bowl eligible, Duke must now win out at Virginia, against Georgia Tech, and on the road at North Carolina. It's not impossible, but it will be if the Blue Devils don't play more like they did against Virginia Tech and less like they did against Miami. Duke has returned to its familiar place at the bottom of the Coastal Division standings, but Duke still has a chance to finish strong. How the Blue Devils handle this loss will determine whether or not they stand a chance on the road at Virginia.

Um, yeah, about Duke keeping things interesting ...

Miami has no reason to be afraid. Not after that half. Duke's defense has allowed about a whole game's worth of offense in the first half, as Miami has had four drives, four trips into the red zone, and quarterback Jacory Harris has thrown three touchdown passes already. Miami already has 300 total yards, and Harris has only thrown four incomplete passes.

This is the Duke team that held Virginia Tech scoreless in the second half last week?
This is the Miami team that lost at home to Virginia last week?

The Canes have already scored more points today than they did in four quarters last week (21). Miami has controlled the clock, and was 4-of-5 on third downs. Touchdown Tommy Streeter is at it again, and these Canes look unstoppable offensively right now. Even backup quarterback Stephen Morris is getting into the action, and fans could see more of him in the second half.

The question is which Duke defense will show up in the second half.

With only five games this week, the math is easy: Two things to watch in each game. Here’s your top 10 in Week 10, in no particular order:

1. BC’s offensive line against Florida State’s defensive line. This could be the game-defining matchup, as the Eagles have been playing better up front in recent weeks and their running game has flourished as a byproduct, but Florida State’s defensive line has been flat-out dominant. The Noles are No. 3 in the country in sacks, and No. 8 in tackles for loss. Bjoern Werner (7.5) and Brandon Jenkins (6.5) lead the Seminoles in tackles for loss.

2. Young running backs in Chestnut Hill. For Florida State, Devonta Freeman has totaled 226 rushing yards in the past three games. He became the first freshman to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games since Chris Parker in 1988. For Boston College, sophomore Rolandan Finch ran for 243 yards and two touchdowns in last weekend’s 28-17 victory over Maryland; prior to that, Finch had never surpassed the 100-yard mark. He has run for 81 or more yards in each of the past three games.

3. Quarterbacks in College Park. The saga continues, as Maryland coach Randy Edsall said on Wednesday’s ACC teleconference that both Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown continue to compete and the Terps could “get in a situation where we play both of them, play one.” Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco, meanwhile, said this week he has benefited from the diminished role of true freshman David Watford, who was sharing the reps. Rocco took all but one snap in last weekend’s win at Miami.

4. Maryland’s run defense. The Terps enter this game with the nation’s No. 118 rushing defense, and Virginia’s ability to run the ball has been crucial to its success in this series. Virginia is 22-8 against Maryland since 1937 when gaining at least 150 rushing yards. UVa has rushed for at least 150 yards in seven of eight games in 2011. In last year’s loss, the Hoos ran for just 92.

5. NC State’s pass defense against UNC quarterback Bryn Renner. Renner is the ACC’s most efficient passer, but he will face a secondary that boasts the nation’s leader in interceptions in David Amerson, who has eight. Brandan Bishop has four. Renner has thrown nine interceptions this year to 19 touchdowns.

6. UNC tailback Giovani Bernard. He needs just 35 more yards to become the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Jonathan Linton in 1997. Bernard has 965 yards this year and leads all freshman runners in the country with 107.2 yards per game. He leads the ACC with 12 touchdowns. NC State’s rushing defense has been holding opponents to 160.1 yards per game.

7. Duke’s defense in the second half. The Blue Devils have allowed one second-half touchdown — a fourth-quarter score by Wake Forest — in their past two games, and held Virginia Tech scoreless last weekend for the entire second half. Safety Matt Daniels has defended 16 passes, second in both the ACC and the FBS.

8. Turnovers at Miami. The Hurricanes forced seven turnovers in last year’s victory over Duke, and the Blue Devils are coming off a loss to Virginia Tech in which they had four turnovers. Quarterback Sean Renfree has thrown four interceptions in the past two games, including three against the Hokies. Since the loss to Kansas State, Miami quarterback Jacory Harris has thrown 11 touchdowns to just one interception.

9. Wake Forest’s defensive line against Notre Dame’s offensive line. The Demon Deacons will have a definite size disadvantage, and the Irish went the whole month of October without allowing a sack. Notre Dame’s offense line averages 305.6 pounds; Wake Forest’s defensive front averages 247.5 pounds. Wake will have to put some pressure on Irish quarterback Tommy Rees to help disrupt a passing game targeted at one of the nation’s top receivers in Michael Floyd.

10. Wake Forest defensive back Merrill Noel. He leads the FBS in passes defended with 16, an average of 2.0 per game. The freshman only has one interception, but he’s been a major contributor to Wake’s defense and could play a crucial role in helping slow down Floyd, who is ninth nationally with 7.9 receptions per game.

At 5-1 last week, I was real close to bowl eligibility, but not quite. The only game I missed was NC State’s win at Virginia, which was impressive and not a complete shock. My overall record stands at 51-14 for a winning percentage of .785. I can do better. Can Georgia Tech?

Clemson 38, Georgia Tech 28: Because Clemson has struggled against the run, it seems likely the Jackets will be able to move the ball and their offense will find a spark again. Just not enough to win. This game will be close until the fourth quarter and then the Tigers will win their ninth straight game.

Boston College 21, Maryland 20: Yes, the Terps have home field advantage, but the Eagles have stability at their quarterback position, and the offensive line has been making gradual progress each week. Coach Frank Spaziani has kept this team in games, the Eagles are due for an ACC win, and this is the weekend they’ll get it.

Florida State 31, NC State 28: The Seminoles need to be concerned about NC State cornerback David Amerson in this game. He leads the nation in interceptions and has been a bright spot in an otherwise dreary season for the Pack’s defense. FSU, though, has one of the best defenses in the country, and the defensive line will be the difference, as the Noles find a way to fluster quarterback Mike Glennon.

Wake Forest 28, North Carolina 24: The Deacs’ offensive line will be challenged, but the injuries have been piling up for UNC. Wake Forest will take advantage of a struggling secondary with its passing game just like Clemson did, and the Deacs will leave Chapel Hill bowl eligible.

Virginia Tech 38, Duke 21: The Blue Devils will put up a fight and hang around like they always seem to do, but the Hokies will overpower Duke’s defense in the fourth quarter. The difference will be Virginia Tech’s running game, led by David Wilson, and the decision making of quarterback Logan Thomas, who has completed 60.5 percent of his passes of 10 yards or more with five touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three games

Miami 35, Virginia 14: This isn’t the Orange Bowl. Virginia has never won in Sun Life Stadium, and the Canes have been on a roll. Miami is starting to turn the corner under first-year coach Al Golden, and the Canes’ defense --which has been holding opponents to 21 points per game -- will stifle the Hoos. Miami also has the edge at quarterback with Jacory Harris, who is No. 14 in the country in passing efficiency.

On Sunday, a day after Miami defensive tackle Micanor Regis had served his one-game suspension against Maryland for punching a North Carolina player below the belt the previous week, coach Al Golden said his top interior lineman had “paid a price.”

So has Miami -- until now.

A series of NCAA-related suspensions that began in the season opener against Maryland helped derail Miami’s championship hopes, and just as the Hurricanes thought their off-field troubles were finally over last week, the misconduct by Regis was captured on video and brought to Golden’s attention. Now, finally, as the Hurricanes prepare this week to face Virginia on Thursday night, they do so with the most complete roster they have had since the preseason. For the first game this season, all of Miami’s players are eligible.

While several injuries still remain concerns, Golden said this week that he doesn’t anticipate any more players missing time this year for disciplinary reasons. At the closest to full strength it’s probably going to be this year, Miami has the potential to finish the season strong. It will need some help from Virginia Tech’s remaining opponents to have a meaningful stake in the Coastal Division race, though. Regardless of whether or not the Canes actually make it to Charlotte, there has been noticeable improvement in back-to-back wins that indicates Miami is a contender in the ACC when all of its starters are in the lineup on a consistent basis.

“We’ve played a tough schedule amidst a transition year, amidst a lot of adversity that we could not foresee coming,” Golden said. “There’s been a lot of transition, there’s been a lot of inconsistency, and now we’re starting to get some traction. They’re starting to understand the process, they’re starting to understand what it means to be consistent and to take care of your business every day. They’re starting to see results.”

Those results added up to wins against North Carolina and No. 22 Georgia Tech in each of the past two weeks. Both wins kept the Canes alive in the Coastal Division race, and Miami faces two more divisional opponents in Virginia and Duke before traveling to rival Florida State on Nov. 12. Defensive end Olivier Vernon served a six-game suspension as a result of the NCAA investigation and didn’t return until last weekend against Georgia Tech. Standout safety Ray-Ray Armstrong was suspended until the Virginia Tech game. And there were a total of eight players suspended for the season-opening loss to Maryland.

“I think we all know they were a big factor,” Golden said. “I don’t think there’s any question when you look at the players involved and of course the impact they’ve made. To say that Jacory Harris, or Travis Benjamin or Sean Spence or Ray Armstrong -- any of those guys -- wouldn’t have made a difference early in the season, I think it’s fair for us to say they would have made a difference.”

Over the past few weeks, they have made a difference. Spence played in the middle against Georgia Tech and led the team with10 tackles. He also had six solo stops and a tackle for a loss of 2 yards. Against UNC, he led all defensive players with 14 tackles, including a crucial sack late in the fourth quarter for a loss of 7 yards. Harris has improved dramatically, throwing 12 touchdown passes to four interceptions. He threw three touchdown passes in the road win at North Carolina.

"I feel like we're pretty good right now," Harris said. "We've got everybody back and I feel like the guys who were missing after the one-game suspension were a big part in helping us move forward. Now that everyone is back, we do have a complete team, but at the same time we have to take care of the little things in order for us to be where we want to be."

Of course, it's hard not to wonder where they could have been this year had there not been so many suspensions.

"Of course we could say it would have been a different season, but at the same time, if we would've just taken care of business we'd be in a great position right now," Harris said. "Obviously we didn't do that, but having these guys back, we can still have a good season moving forward."

A win against Virginia would guarantee the Canes of a winning record in the ACC in Golden's first season. Miami is undefeated against Virginia in Sun Life Stadium, but was ranked No. 22 last year when it lost to the Cavaliers on the road. Virginia coach Mike London said he has noticed a change in Miami in recent weeks.

“You see a lot of things that Al has got going that can add up to where they play hard on defense, run around,” London said. “The quarterback is throwing the ball down the field to some of the skilled receivers; their special teams has become a weapon for them also. I can imagine that with having guys back they will just add to the fact that they are getting better.”

They had little choice but to get better. A 2-3 start at Miami is a big price to pay.

First-year Miami coach Al Golden had heard the critics loud and clear. The value of quarterback Jacory Harris was already determined in the minds of many Miami fans –- as the backup to Stephen Morris -- before summer camp even began.

“I think there were a lot of naysayers out there with the notion that he wasn't going to change or improve,” Golden said. “And I don't think that's fair in college or with student-athletes.

“I think you've got to give them an opportunity to find the things that they do well and capitalize on them. From the beginning I was looking at his assets, his strengths, the number of games started, his football intelligence, maturity, his leadership. We coupled that with some good decision making, his ability to distribute the ball and obviously he's protecting the ball and getting us in the right place. So, very pleased with him so far.”

Miami fans should be, too.

Harris enters Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech ranked No. 8 in the country in passing efficiency. He has thrown 89 passes without an interception, a span of three straight games. As Harris has improved, so has the rest of the team, and the Hurricanes could keep their hopes of winning the Coastal Division alive on Saturday with a win against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets, though, are looking to rebound from an upset loss to Virginia. Miami has won the past two games in this series and is the only ACC program to have defeated Paul Johnson’s Jackets in consecutive years. Harris is 33-of-43 with five touchdown passes in those games.

Part of Harris’ improvement can be attributed to the style and philosophy of first-year offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch. Under his direction, Harris’ completion rate (67 percent), pass efficiency rating (170.77), yards per attempt (9.05) and longest pass (77 yards) this season are all career highs.

“Obviously Jedd's (Fisch) doing a great job,” Golden said. “[Harris is] trusting not only Jedd, but he's trusting his teammates, the guys around him and letting them do things with the ball.

“He got sacked a couple times the other day. He protected the ball very well. If he's going to get sacked, don't give up a sack/fumble. He threw it out of bounds other times and found his second receiver or his check down a bunch of times. He's doing a nice job. He's level-headed, consistent, and very mature and experienced. And he's playing the way we thought he would play.”

Still, don’t count out Georgia Tech just yet. The Jackets only have one conference loss, and historically, they rebound. Johnson is 3-0 in games following his first loss of the season at Georgia Tech, and winning those games by an average of 18 points.

“I feel like our guys are going to have a positive attitude,” Johnson said. “We’re disappointed that we lost, but the sky isn’t falling. The team is 6-1. Before you bury us let us play two more games. It seems like everyone wants to end the season and bury the team. Maybe they’re right, but let’s at least go play and see what happens.”

For the only time this year, the schedule will feature an all-ACC lineup, with six league games. Two important division games will be played with Georgia Tech at Miami and Maryland at Florida State. Here are 10 things to watch in the conference this week, in no particular order:

1. Miami’s defensive line: How the Canes handle the suspension of starting tackle Micanor Regis will help determine how the run defense fares against the nation’s No. 2 rushing offense. Adewale Ojomo is expected to start in place of Regis, who punched UNC receiver Dwight Jones in the groin last week. Regis is the Canes’ healthiest and most experienced defensive tackle.

2. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris vs. Georgia Tech DB Rod Sweeting. Harris has thrown 89 passes without an interception, a span of three straight games. Sweeting, though, has intercepted a pass in three of Georgia Tech’s past four games, including one against Virginia last weekend that he ran back for a touchdown.

3. Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins. You should be watching him every week, but he’s on the verge of breaking freshman ACC records this weekend. Entering Saturday’s game against North Carolina, Watkins has 46 catches for 728 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He needs 125 receiving yards and two touchdown catches to set the ACC records in both areas. Koren Robinson of NC State had 853 receiving yards a freshman in 1999. Greg Carr of Florida State had nine touchdown receptions in 2005 and Heath Miller of Virginia had nine TD receptions as a tight end in 2002.

4. Field position in Death Valley. Speaking of Watkins, he’s No. 6 in the country in kickoff returns, but he’s not the only one who has been playing well on special teams this season. UNC is No. 29 in the country in kickoff return defense, and the Tar Heels are No. 10 in the country in punt return yardage defense, allowing just 13 total yards on six attempts.

5. David Wilson’s 100-yard streak. He enters Saturday’s game against Boston College needing 97 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Wilson currently ranks third nationally in rushing yards (903), and fifth in rushing yards per game (129). He has surpassed 100 yards in six of the Hokies’ seven games.

6. Boston College on third downs. The Eagles have struggled to sustain drives this season and are No. 80 in the country in third-down conversion percentage at 37.93 percent. That could be a problem against a Virginia Tech defense that held Wake Forest to just 1-of-13 third-down attempts last weekend.

7. Big plays against Duke’s defense. Coach David Cutcliffe said he expects Wake Forest to try and do what Florida State did, which was exploit the defense with big pass plays. Duke allowed three passes of at least 50 yards in the first quarter against FSU. Wake Forest receiver Chris Givens is averaging more than 18 yards per catch, and this series has a history of high-scoring games.

8. NC State’s rushing defense. Virginia is coming off a season-high 272 rushing yards, and NC State’s defense is No. 77 in the country, allowing 172.33 rushing yards per game. UVa running backs Perry Jones and Kevin Parks are coming off their best game of the year.

9. Virginia’s pass defense against quarterback Mike Glennon. Glennon has already thrown 16 touchdown passes in six games. Virginia’s pass defense is No. 8 in the country at 166.83 yards per game. Cavaliers' cornerback Chase Minnifield is tied for third among all active FBS players with 12 career interceptions.

10. Florida State’s defense against Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown. After running for 286 yards in the past two games, Brown isn’t a secret anymore. FSU’s rushing defense, which is No. 9 in the country and holding opponents to 86.83 yards per game, should be prepared for Brown’s ability to take off. He ran for 162 yards against Clemson.

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

No change at the top, status quo at the bottom. In between? Every day I’m shufflin’ …

1. Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC; LW: No. 1) – Maryland gave Clemson its best shot, but the Tigers escaped College Park with a win thanks in large part to a record-setting performance by freshman receiver Sammy Watkins. It was not, however, a banner day for the defense. It was a close call, but Clemson still stands alone in the ACC and is one of 10 undefeated teams remaining in the country.

2. Virginia Tech (6-1, 2-1; LW: No. 3) – Welcome back, Hokies. Virginia’s upset of Georgia Tech gave the Hokies a boost in the conference race, but Virginia Tech has done a good job of helping itself lately. Quarterback Logan Thomas had another impressive performance in the win over Wake Forest, and the offense seems to have finally found its groove over the past two weekends.

3. Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-1; LW: No. 2) – This team has shown some vulnerabilities all season, and Virginia’s running game took advantage of one of them on Saturday. That loss didn’t undo the Jackets, it just leveled the playing field a bit more in the Coastal Division race.

4. Miami (3-3, 1-2; LW: No. 6) – Quarterback Jacory Harris has now gone three consecutive games without an interception, and the Canes seem to have new life. Miami has yet to put together back-to-back wins, but could be catching a Georgia Tech team when it’s down this weekend.

5. Wake Forest (4-2, 3-1; LW: No. 4) – The Deacs’ four-game winning streak came to a screeching halt against Virginia Tech, as the defense couldn’t find an answer for Logan Thomas or David Wilson. Wake now has back-to-back road trips against in-state opponents Duke and North Carolina, and is still in good shape with only one conference loss.

6. North Carolina (5-2, 1-2; LW: No. 5) – The Tar Heels have lost the two games that matter most so far, to division opponents Georgia Tech and Miami. It’s not going to get any easier this week at No. 7 Clemson. The Tar Heels are 5-2, but they’ve still got a lot to prove.

7. Florida State (3-3, 1-2; LW: No. 7) – The Seminoles took their frustrations out on Duke in a 41-16 romp over the Blue Devils and earned their first conference victory and snapped a three-game losing streak. After three consecutive road games, the Noles finally return home this weekend against a struggling Maryland team.

8. Virginia (4-2, 1-1; LW: No. 10) – The win over then-No. 12 Georgia Tech was monumental for coach Mike London and his program, but the challenge for Virginia now is to build on it -- something the Cavaliers weren’t able to do after last year’s upset of Miami. This team has a chance to become bowl-eligible, but it needs to take advantage of a home game against a struggling NC State team this weekend.

9. Maryland (2-4, 1-2; LW: No. 8 ) – It was an all-out effort by the Terps and an outstanding performance by quarterback C.J. Brown, but it wasn’t enough to knock off Clemson. Maryland has now lost four of its past five, and its bowl hopes seem grim. The outlook doesn’t look much brighter this weekend with a road trip to Tallahassee looming.

10. Duke (3-3, 1-1; LW: No. 9) – The Blue Devils’ three-game winning streak ran into a brick wall over the weekend against Florida State. Historically, the upcoming matchup with Wake Forest has been lopsided in the Deacs’ favor, but it’s been an entertaining series in recent years. Duke will have to get a faster start offensively, though, if it’s going to hang with Tanner Price & Co.

11. NC State (3-3, 0-2; LW: No. 11) – The Wolfpack had a bye week to heal and regroup, and they needed it -- just as much as Boston College. The problem is, NC State has back-to-back road games, and Virginia has confidence and momentum after its upset of Georgia Tech. Opportunities for bowl eligibility are getting slim.

12. Boston College (1-5, 0-3; LW: No. 12) – Coach Frank Spaziani is right: His team has shown some improvement week to week, but BC fans are ready for it to show up in the win column. That will be easier said than done, though, with back-to-back road trips, starting this weekend in Blacksburg.