ACC Midweek Power Rankings- Bottom 6

7. Virginia Tech
The Hokies face a virtual must-win Saturday at home when they face Boston College, a team they are better than. A win would get back Tech back to .500 in conference and would set up a showdown Thursday at rival Virginia for early season positioning, and if nothing else, bragging rights. The game in Charlottesville presents a huge opportunity to send a message to the rest of the conference. More scoring is needed from Jeff Allen and Victor Davila if the Hokies want to be a major player in the ACC this season.

8. Florida State
FSU blew an opportunity for a solid home win Sunday against NC State. The Seminoles' usually top notch perimeter defense allowed a career high 31 points to freshman wing Scott Wood. The Seminoles came into the game sporting the nation's top field goal percentage defense. That defense will face a test Sunday at home against Georgia Tech, when Iman Shumpert and the Jackets come to town. Shumpert is coming off a 31 point performance in Chapel Hill.

9. North Carolina
The Tar Heels are easily one of the most disappointing teams in the country. Their lack of leadership and their inability to take care of the ball and hit perimeter shots is at times excruciating to watch. Simply put, they do not have many players in the backcourt who are ready to be solid ACC players. Their frontcourt has two NBA-ready prospects in Deon Thompson and Ed Davis, but the Heels need Larry Drew to step up if UNC wants to become relevant in the ACC this season.

10. NC State
The 'Pack got a huge resume-building win at home Tuesday against Duke. Javi Gonzalez and Farnold Degand played amazing basketball, simply outplaying Duke guard Jon Scheyer, who came into the game as a favorite for ACC player of the year. Nonetheless, don't read too far into this. Gonzalez and the rest of State's backcourt shot a combined 11 of 21 from the floor, including a staggerring 4 of 6 from three point range. They also took amazing care of the basketball, which has been an issue for Degand and Gonzalez in the past. The Wolfpack will attempt to continue their momentum Saturday at Maryland. Guard play will once again decide the Wolfpack's fate as they try to slow down Maryland's immense backcourt depth, which is loaded with experience. Maryland has beaten State in each of their past five meetings.

11. Boston College
Once again, BC has lost some early season shockers to small conference teams. This season, the Eagles lost at home to Maine and in a repeat of last season's upset, Harvard won at the Conte Center for the second season in a row. Al Skinner's team simply plays up, or down to their competition. BC boasts a 2-3 conference record with both wins coming against Miami. Saturday the Eagles play at Virginia Tech, a team they have not beaten on the road in eight seasons.

12. Miami
Every year, the Hurricanes seem to fall off the map once they become a part of the national picture. This season, they started off 15-1 and cracked the top 25 before laying an egg in Blacksburg, a game in which they were down as many as 35 points. UM then lost at Virginia and for the second time this season to Boston College. Frank Haith's team faces a huge game at Maryland on Tuesday.