Week nine: Ranking the Carolinas

1. North Carolina

Record: 6-2

Last week: Won vs. Boston College, 45-24

Even though South Carolina had a bye week last week and couldn't help its situation, it just can't hold on to the top spot again. I hate to penalize a team for not playing, but UNC looked that good last week in a 45-24 dismantling of Boston College. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks had 170 yards and four touchdowns-I repeat, four touchdowns-in the Heels' impressive win. Add in the fact that each of UNC's losses were by field goals, and the Heels reclaim their status as the best college football team in the Carolinas.

2. South Carolina

Record: 5-3

Last week: Bye week

As I stated in North Carolina's recap, I hate to move South Carolina from the top spot to the second spot, but I just have to. Luckily for the Gamecocks, they will have some chances to impress in the next month and could easily regain that top spot. All of that starts this week, when Tennessee rolls into town. The Vols are obviously having a down year, but Tennessee has owned this series, and don't forget about Steve Spurrier's connection to Tennessee. USC is coming off a bye week and Spurrier should rekindle his hatred for Tennessee. … This week USC wins. ... big.

3. Duke

Record: 4-3

Last week: Won at Vanderbilt, 10-7

It was low scoring and it was ugly, but it was Duke football beating a legitimate team on the road. That describes Duke's win over Vanderbilt last Saturday. The Blue Devils committed seven penalties, missed two field goals and only rushed for 28 yards, but they came away with a win and are now only two wins from bowl eligibility. Duke now has five regular season games left and the magic number is two. A 2-3 finish to the regular season would give Duke the unthinkable: a bowl game in David Cutcliffe's first year.

4. Wake Forest

Record: 4-3

Last week: Lost at Miami, 16-10

Wake Forest has lost two-straight games and is reeling quickly, but they stay ahead of ECU because you can't take away Wake's win at Florida State earlier this season. ECU's best wins-Virginia Tech and West Virginia-can't equal Wake's win in Tallahassee, Fla. That loss is FSU's only loss of the season, and the Seminoles are in all-out surge mode right now, while Virginia Tech and West Virginia have failed to live up to preseason hype. With that said, the Deacons seriously need a win and can't afford to lose to Duke at home this Saturday, or else panic mode could set in.

5. ECU

Record: 4-3

Last week: Bye week

From arrests to suspensions, to injuries, ECU's bye week was anything but calm. I'm guessing this team just wants to get back to playing football, and it will do just that at UCF on Sunday night. The team that will take the field that night will be full of new faces, which can have its positives and negatives. The Pirates have also been anything but predictable this season with three wins to open the season then three disappointing losses to follow. ECU's next two games have serious conference title implications and you really just never know how ECU will respond to that at this point. ... We'll see.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.