Week 9 of the ACC is now over and we head into the final month of the season with a clear championship picture.

Miami, Clemson, Pitt and SMU remain undefeated in conference play through November and it looks like we’re going to have some combination of these four teams playing for the title. The only team that could crash this party is Virginia Tech, which is the only team other than the top four to experience a conference loss. The Hokies still have a chance to make some noise in the ACC.

So how did Week 9 shake up this week’s ACC Power Rankings?

17. Florida State (1-7, 1-6). Last week: 17

Florida State didn’t have much of a chance against Miami on Saturday and they never really looked like they had a chance. The defense was able to contain Cam Ward somewhat, but the offense couldn’t move the ball and couldn’t stop the run. FSU will now miss a bowl and host North Carolina next Saturday.

16. Stanford (2-6, 1-4). Last week: 16

Stanford fought hard against Wake Forest at home yesterday, but they couldn’t get a win and now need to win if they want to reach a bowl game. The Cardinal defense failed to slow down Wake Forest’s passing attack and now must travel across the country to face NC State.

15. Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2). Last week: 15

Wake Forest won against Stanford yesterday and they are now in the group of teams that are 4-4 in the ACC. The offense did most of the work yesterday and this win was huge for Wake’s possible chances of winning a bowl. The Demon Deacons are off next week before starting the final part of the season.

14. Cal (4-4, 0-4). Last week: 14

Cal still doesn’t have a win in the ACC, but they ended their losing streak by beating old Pac-12 rival Oregon State yesterday. The Golden Bears got a great game from Fernando Mendoza (364 yards) and are just two more wins away from clinching bowl eligibility. Will they find a way to make it happen in their first year in the conference? They are off next week.

13. Virginia (4-4, 2-3). Last week: 10

Virginia found itself favored against North Carolina on Saturday, but was blown out at home 41-14. Virginia’s defense continues to struggle, giving up nearly 300 passing yards to Jacolby Criswell and over 100 rushing yards to Omarion Hampton. This team felt like it improved this year under Tony Elliott, but this was a setback. They need two wins to reach bowl eligibility and a bye week to figure some things out.

12. Boston College (4-4, 1-3). Last week: 11

It looked like Boston College had Louisville on the ropes Friday night as they led 20-0, but they allowed the Cardinals to come back. The defense struggled to stop Louisville’s offense and the loss dropped Boston College to 4-4. They have a bye week to try to figure some things out and the Eagles are yet another ACC team that is two wins away from making a bowl game.

11. NC State (4-4, 1-3). Last week: 12

NC State was off this week and is back in action against Stanford at home on Saturday.

10. North Carolina (4-4, 1-3). Last week: 13

After losing four straight games, North Carolina got back in the win column on Saturday by beating Virginia 41-14. Considering how the last few games have gone, this was an impressive effort from the Tar Heels, especially the defense. They still have bowl hopes and will travel to Tallahassee next week to face 1-7 Florida State.

9. Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3). Last week: 9

The Yellow Jackets lost their second straight game Saturday when they fell to Virginia Tech and there may not be a team that needed a bye week more than Georgia Tech. Quarterback Haynes King is still injured and did not play yesterday, as was linebacker Kyle Efford. With a remaining schedule that includes Miami, NC State and Georgia, they will need these players to have a chance at a bowl game.

8. Syracuse (5-2, 2-2). Last week: 5

Syracuse got blown out on the road Thursday night against Pitt and turnovers were the cause. Quarterback Kyle McCord did not play well and put the team in bad position time and time again by throwing interceptions. This team is likely out of the ACC race now and will host a surging Virginia Tech team on Saturday.

7. Louisville (5-3, 3-2). Last week: 7

The Cardinals were really struggling coming off a bad loss Friday night against Boston College, but Tyler Shough and Ja’Corey Brooks brought them back and gave them a win. Louisville has a huge chance to shake up the ACC race on Saturday when they travel to Clemson.

6. Duke (6-2, 2-2). Last week: 6

Give Duke credit. They were big underdogs at home and went to overtime with SMU, but the two-point play didn’t work and the Blue Devils likely lost their chance to be an ACC contender. They have one more chance to shake things up this week when they travel to Miami to take on the undefeated Hurricanes, a chance for Manny Diaz to take on his old program.

5. Virginia Tech (5-3, 3-1). Last week: 8

Don’t look now, but Virginia Tech has now won three in a row and still has a chance in the ACC. The offense wasn’t great against Georgia Tech yesterday, but the defense did more than enough to win. Keep an eye on the status of running back Bhayshul Tuten, who was injured in yesterday’s game. Can Virginia Tech win its fourth straight game Saturday on the road at Syracuse?

4. SMU (7-1, 4-0). Last week: 4

SMU was on the ropes Saturday night against Duke, but they pulled it away and improved to 7-1 and remained undefeated in the ACC. The Mustangs will face Pitt on Saturday and the winner of that game will be well-positioned to pose a threat to Miami and Clemson in the ACC.

3. Pitt (7-0, 3-0). Last week: 3

Continue to doubt Pitt at your peril. The Panthers dismantled Syraucuse on Thursday and remain undefeated in the ACC. The Panthers have a tough schedule to finish the year, but they are a determining factor in the ACC heading into November. A huge test drive at SMU awaits next Saturday.

2. Clemson (6-1, 5-0). Last week: 2

Clemson was off this week and will be back in action next Saturday against Louisville.

1.Miami (8-0, 4-0). Last week: 1

Miami was never really in danger on Saturday against Florida State. Their running game dominated against the Seminoles and the defense didn’t allow them to do anything. One thing to watch for going forward is that Florida State was able to pressure and contain Cam Ward on Saturday. The Hurricanes are still the best team in the conference and will now face Duke on Saturday as they look to improve to 9-0.

Additional links:

Georgia Tech Football: The good, the bad and the ugly since the loss to Virginia Tech

Georgia Tech Football: Everything from head coach Brent Key after Yellow Jackets’ loss to Virginia Tech

Georgia Tech Football: Biggest takeaways from Yellow Jackets’ 21-6 loss to Virginia Tech