HOMECOMING | For real?

At the midpoint of an ACC season that's been, to say the least, unpredictable, we break down each team's chances of a division title and a trip to Charlotte, N.C., for the 2011 ACC Football Championship.

Atlantic Division

CLEMSON: CONTENDER

Perhaps the surprise of the season, the Tigers have put themselves in great position to take the Atlantic Division. With a perfect 6-0 record and wins over defending national champion Auburn and in-conference foes Florida State and Virginia Tech, it will prove difficult for any team in the division to catch up with them. This doesn't look like any old Clemson team.

WAKE FOREST: CONTENDER

Until last weekend, the Demon Deacons' lone conference victories came against unimpressive opponents in N.C. State and Boston College. Then the team managed a 35-30 victory over preseason favorite Florida State, all but affirming its surprising legitimacy. As long as quarterback Tanner Price continues to impress, the Demon Deacons will stay in the hunt.

FLORIDA STATE: CONTENDER

No team in the ACC, or perhaps the nation, is dealing with a more disappointing start right now than the Seminoles. After losses to Oklahoma and Clemson, the team came off a bye week looking to beat Wake Forest … then didn't. Still, the remainder of its schedule could give Florida State an outside shot, and quarterback E.J. Manuel is back in the fold.

TERPS: PRETENDER

The Terps have had flashes of brilliance, most notably against Miami and in a near-comeback against West Virginia, but they have shown themselves to be too inconsistent to be a favorite. The team hasn't had a good start to a game since its season opener, and Towson's first-half performance against the Terps served to show just how far they still have to come.

N.C. STATE: PRETENDER

Without a conference win this year — or, until last weekend, a win against an FBS opponent — the Wolfpack will have to offer a sign of life soon. Yes, N.C. State's defense is beginning to come together after early injuries, and two of its three losses came in close games against ACC leaders Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, but don't count on the Wolfpack.

BOSTON COLLEGE: PRETENDER

Usually, a 1-5 start to the season is never a good sign. Add that to a remaining schedule that includes Virginia Tech and Florida State and you get a team that will remain at the bottom of the ACC. After a season-ending injury to star running back Montel Harris, the Eagles are thinking about the years ahead for the program, not the rest of 2011.

Coastal Division

DUKE: PRETENDER

Quarterback Sean Renfree carried the Blue Devils through their first five games, averaging more than 311 yards passing per game, good for 34th in the nation. But with one of the nation's worst rushing attacks and a porous defense, Duke — as has been the norm — isn't a contender.

VIRGINIA: PRETENDER

The Cavaliers have been only average so far, sneaking out a few close wins, but a loss to Southern Mississippi suggests there's trouble in Charlottesville, Va. With games remaining against Georgia Tech, Florida State and Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers aren't a threat.

MIAMI: PRETENDER

Suspensions stemming from a slew of NCAA violations forced the Hurricanes to slump out of the gate. Even with a solid quarterback in Jacory Harris and a potent rushing attack, Miami faces an uphill climb in the divisional race after Saturday's loss to Virginia Tech.

GEORGIA TECH: CONTENDER

The Yellow Jackets own one of the nation's most dominant offensive attacks. Their triple-option rushing attack averages a gaudy 378.2 yards per game and their average of 46.5 points per game is good for sixth in the FBS, making them a clear favorite in the division.

VIRGINIA TECH: CONTENDER

Do-it-all quarterback Logan Thomas and running back David Wilson lead an impressive Hokies offense. With a stingy defense that allows less than 17 points a game, the Hokies have established themselves as a threat to take the division crown, as is the case virtually every year.

NORTH CAROLINA: CONTENDER

Despite a young team that features a sophomore quarterback and a true freshman running back, the Tar Heels jumped out to a quick start this season with the help of an easy early-season schedule. They have a chance to make a title run if they can survive some tough second-half games.