As much as any diehard Terrapin football fan doesn’t want to admit it, it is right about time to start looking ahead to what Gary Williams and his team have in store for the month of November and beyond.

Heading into a much-needed bye week at 2-6, the Terps need to win out if they want to make any sort of bowl game. Unfortunately the schedule doesn’t get any easier, especially for a team that has lost to Duke, Virginia, and Middle Tennessee State.

If you were foolishly hoping this week would unfog the conference picture in the ACC, think again. But, was Clemson’s win over Miami enough to push them ahead of the ‘Canes? How far did Boston College’s heart-breaking loss to Notre Dame cause them to fall?

Find out as our motley crue of sports writers and other Diamondback staffers take our best shot at organizing the contenders and the pretenders.

1. Virginia Tech (Last week- 2):

The common theme here is that all you have to do is not play anybody for a week and you are bound to jump in Terrapin Trail’s Power Rankings. So without further ado I would like to welcome Frank Beamer’s well-rested Hokies back to top spot this week. – Mike Lemaire

2. Georgia Tech (Last week- 3):

I can’t see anyone overtaking their conference record, mainly because it’s hard to see any other squad netting five ACC wins. Clearly the team to beat here, and they can seal their ACC championship berth with manageable games against Wake Forest and Duke. After a win against whichever underacheiver comes out of the Atlantic Division, the Yellow Jackets will be seeing Orange. – Kyle Goon

3. Miami (Last week- 1):

The ‘Canes showed just how young, inexperienced, and thin they are defensively. And Randy Shannon, once a candidate for Coach of the Year, showed just how overmatched he is with the headset on. – Mike Lemaire

4. Clemson (Last week- 5):

Believe it. My Tigers are finally showing why they’re easily the most talented team in the Atlantic Division. After narrowly beating Florida State in Death Valley on Nov. 7, coach Dabo Swinney’s team will roll past N.C. State and Virginia to get to the ACC title game. – Aaron Kraut

5. Florida State (Last week- 9):

Florida State showed what their key to victory is from here on out — commit penalties. The ‘Noles had 16 of them for 121 yards, ran for just 43 yards as a team, and still beat North Carolina. – Mike Lemaire

6. Boston College (Last week- 5):

Maybe they’re still leading the Atlantic Division because Matt Ryan isn’t around to teach them how to choke. I think they will anyway. – Kyle Goon

7. Duke (Last week- 8):

David Cutcliffe should be lauded for the efficiency of the Blue Devils’ offense. – “Jumpin” Jack Harlow

8. Virginia (Last week- 6):

Back to reality (and real opponents) for the Cavs. – Aaron Kraut

9. Wake Forest (Last week- 7):

Triple-option? How about triple-awful. Navy beat Wake without throwing a SINGLE PASS Saturday. And it’s not like the Demon Deacons were caught off guard by the Midshipmen’s option-heavy, ball control offense. They faced Navy TWICE last season. – Aaron Kraut

10. North Carolina (Last week- 10):

At the beginning of the season the Tar Heels were supposed to be weak at wide receiver. But as the season rolls along it is becoming more and more apparent T.J. Yates and the quarterback position are the problem. Those waiting to see touted youngsters Mike Paulus and Bryn Renner might not have to hold their breath much longer. – Mike Lemaire

11. North Carolina State (Last week- 11):

Remember when the Wolfpack had just beaten a talented Pittsburgh team and many were touting them as the conference darkhorse? Yeah me neither.  - Mike Lemaire

12. Maryland (Last week- 12):

The Terps have as good a chance of making a bowl game as Balloon Boy does of living a normal adulthood. – Rob Gindes

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