Wake Forest crashed the top 10 of the Coaches Poll this week, their first time in that elite group since 2022. They earned it, too, absolutely throttling SMU 49-7 on the road in Week 11. That’s a statement win, period, and it pushed them straight past No. 11 Texas Tech in the rankings.
Demon Deacons Are Rolling, ACC Is Heating Up
Look, Wake Forest isn’t just sneaking in. That 49-7 obliteration of SMU in Dallas? That’s how you announce your arrival. For the first time since 2022, the Demon Deacons are sitting pretty in the top 10, and it’s making the ACC race incredibly interesting. They weren’t the only ones making noise, either. Louisville snagged the No. 22 spot, Duke jumped to No. 24, and Florida rounded out the top 25 at No. 25. That’s a serious surge for the conference, setting up what the experts are calling a “potentially strong finish for the ACC.” If you’re an ACC fan, you’ve gotta be hyped right now.
Georgia Is STILL King, But Who Else Wants a Crown?
While Wake Forest was making their big move, No. 1 Georgia was just doing what No. 1 Georgia does: tightening its stranglehold on the top spot. The Bulldogs locked down 58 first-place votes in the Week 12 poll. Fifty-eight! That’s dominance. But don’t sleep on the challengers. Utah grabbed 11 first-place votes, Notre Dame pulled in one, and Indiana even got three votes. Those teams are clearly on some coaches’ radars as legitimate threats. However, when you look at the top 12, Wake Forest’s jump was the only change there. Tells you how locked in those top teams are, right?
Bye-Bye SMU, Hello Louisville and Duke
The real chaos this week happened at the bottom of the rankings. SMU, South Carolina, and New Mexico all dropped out of the top 25 entirely after their Week 11 performances. Tough break, but that’s college football, baby. Their exits opened the door for some fresh blood. As we mentioned, Louisville, Duke, and Florida all capitalized and are now in the top 25. It just shows you, every single game matters, especially heading into the final stretch of the season. Who’s gonna keep their spot? Who’s gonna fall out next week?
This Week 12 Coaches Poll just set the stage for an insane run to the finish. With the ACC flexing its muscles and Georgia looking unbeatable, every snap from here on out is gonna be must-watch. Can Wake Forest keep defying expectations?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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