ACC power rankings: SMU rises after Week 10 with dominant win over undefeated Pitt

Miami avoided a scare to Duke, but Clemson was upset by Louisville to shake up the ACC power rankings in Week 10 of the college football season.

SMU also handily defeated undefeated Pitt 48-25 at home, showing the Mustangs are true conference championship contenders. SMU and Miami are the only two ACC programs that control their own destiny for a spot in the ACC Championship Game, meaning if they both win out, they will face off for the conference title.

REQUIRED READING: Ohio State win, Iowa State loss headline college football Week 10 winners and losers

Florida State continued its disappointing season with a 35-11 loss to North Carolina, falling to 1-8 on the season and 1-7 in conference play. NC State also defeated Stanford 59-28, while Syracuse defeated Virginia Tech 38-31.

Here's the updated ACC power rankings after Week 10 of the college football season:

ACC football power rankings

1. Miami (9-0, 5-0 ACC)

• Last week: 1

• This week: at Georgia Tech

Miami faced a 28-17 deficit to Duke in the second half, digging itself a hole yet again but managing to pull back in and then some on Saturday. The Hurricanes rallied for a 53-31 win over the Blue Devils, behind Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward's 400 passing yards and five touchdowns. Miami keeps fighting adversity and will remain in the No. 1 spot with an undefeated record.

2. SMU (8-1, 5-0)

• Last week: 4

• This week: Bye

The Mustangs showed they're for real with a big 48-25 win over Pitt in Dallas. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, whom Nick Saban called one of the most underrated players nationally, completed 17 of 25 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns in the commanding win over the previously undefeated Panthers. SMU now controls its own destiny in the ACC Championship Game hunt, and will reach the conference championship as long as it wins out.

3. Clemson (6-2, 5-1)

• Last week: 2

• This week: at Virginia Tech

The Tigers suffered a 33-21 home upset to Louisville on Saturday, as Clemson out-gained the Cardinals 450 to 366 in yards on the night but couldn't find a win. Clemson was out beat in special teams, as Louisville blocked two field goals and made four of its own on the night. Clemson no longer controls its own destiny, and will need either Miami or SMU to lose a conference game to have a chance at making the ACC Championship.

4. Pitt (7-1, 3-1)

• Last week: 3

• This week: vs. Virginia

Pitt had a dominant performance in its 41-13 win over Syracuse in Week 9 but followed up with a poor performance against SMU. Pitt put up 453 total yards, although most of which came in the second half with the game already out of reach as it faced a 31-3 deficit at halftime. The Panthers drop to a list of teams in the ACC standings with one conference loss this season.

5. Louisville (6-3, 3-2)

• Last week: 7

• This week: Bye

Louisville makes a jump in the power rankings after defeating Clemson 33-21 on the road, winning a game with defense and special teams play. The Cardinals have proven to be a tough out for some of the conference's best teams this season, also pushing Miami to the brink a few weeks ago. Don't overlook Louisville and coach Jeff Brohm.

6. Syracuse (6-2, 3-2)

• Last week: 5

• This week: at Boston College

The Orange bounced back from their 41-13 loss to Pitt in Week 9 with a 38-31 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. Syracuse has proven to be a capable team this season when quarterback Kyle McCord doesn't throw five interceptions like he did against the Panthers. McCord went 24 of 35 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the overtime win, but it was running back LeQuint Allen who scored the game winner with 121 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the game.

7. Duke (6-3, 2-3)

• Last week: 6

• This week: at NC State

So close, but no cigar for Duke, as coach Manny Diaz nearly got revenge on his former school but fell handily 53-31 as Miami's offense got hot in the second half. Duke looks to get back on track against NC State, which also desperately needs a win this week.

8. Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3)

• Last week: 9

• This week: vs. Miami

Georgia Tech was on bye in Week 10, which comes at a great time before its matchup with conference leader Miami. The Yellow Jackets are amid a two-game losing streak in games to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech and will look for some magic when it faces the Hurricanes on Saturday.

9. Virginia Tech (5-4, 3-2)

• Last week: 8

• This week: vs. Clemson

The Hokies had their three-game winning streak snapped when they fell to Syracuse 38-31 in overtime on the road on Saturday. Virginia Tech was without starting quarterback Kyron Drones due to injury, with Collin Schlee filling in as a result. Up next is a matchup with Clemson, who might be a tough out following a loss.

10. NC State (5-4, 2-3)

• Last week: 11

• This week: vs. Duke

The Wolfpack have quietly won back-to-back games, and their offense exploded for 59 points in a 21-point victory over Stanford on Saturday. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 234 yards with three touchdowns, as it ran for 281 yards and five more scores as a team against the Cardinal. Next up is an in-state rivalry vs. Duke.

11. Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2)

• Last week: 10

• This week: vs. Cal

Wake Forest is coming off a bye week and has a bout against Cal at home on Saturday. The Golden Bears have yet to win a conference game and might be a hungry foe as the Demon Deacons search for their third consecutive win.

12. North Carolina (5-4, 2-3)

• Last week: 12

• This week: Bye

North Carolina made easy work of conference bottom feeder Florida State, beating the Seminoles 35-11 on Saturday. Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton, one of the best runners in the country this season, took 32 rushes for 172 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

13. Virginia (4-4, 2-3)

• Last week: 13

• This week: at Pitt

Virginia comes off a bye week with a tough matchup on the road against Pitt, who's coming off a loss to SMU. Virginia is searching for its first win since Oct. 5 when it beat Boston College.

14. Boston College (4-4, 1-3)

• Last week: 14

• This week: vs. Syracuse

BC is also coming off a bye week, looking for its second win in conference play. Since nearly beating Missouri and upsetting Michigan State in nonconference play, the Eagles have struggled in losses to Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville. Their lone conference win game against Florida State.

15. Cal (4-4, 0-4)

• Last week: 15

• This week: at Wake Forest

Cal is still looking for its first ACC win, although it's coming off a walloping of Oregon State 44-7 in a midseason nonconference game. The Golden Bears now face Wake Forest on the road.

16. Stanford (2-7, 1-5)

• Last week: 16

• This week: Bye

Let's face it: Stanford is not a good football team. The Cardinal were wrecked 59-28 by NC State on Saturday and are already eliminated from bowl contention.

17. Florida State (1-8, 1-7)

• Last week: 17

• This week: at Notre Dame

This one might get ugly, as Florida State takes on Notre Dame on the road on Saturday. The Seminoles' fall from an undefeated regular season last year to a one-win start through nine games this season has been remarkable, and FSU likely hopes for this season to end as quickly as possible.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACC power rankings: Miami, SMU lead the way as conference unbeatens