Battle 4 NC: Ranking the Top 5 Football Teams in NC after Week 11

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2. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-2)

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 9: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Wake Forest may have been caught looking ahead to Clemson this past Saturday. The Deacs played pretty flat throughout, but were in the game until Virginia Tech pulled away in the fourth quarter. Wake will look to play spoiler against Clemson and will need to win at least two of the last three if they want a shot at the Orange Bowl.

The loss wasn’t the only bad thing to happen to them Saturday. Leading receiver, Sage Surratt, is done for this season after injuring his shoulder against the Hokies. Surratt ends his season with 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Week 12: @ 3 Clemson

1. Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-1)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Appalachian State Mountaineers players stand triumphantly on their bench after winning their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

This team knows how to win. It came down to the last play in Columbia, but App State was able to hold off a fierce comeback attempt from the Gamecocks. It was an impressive “grind-it-out” type of win on the road against a “superior” SEC opponent. The most impressive stat of this game is App’s defense only allowing 21 rushing yards to SC.

The win marks the second time the Mountaineers have beaten a Power Five team this season. App still has a shot at the Cotton Bowl, as they should be 12-1 going into the bowl season. They will likely need some help from the four Group of Five teams ranked above them.

Week 12: @ Georgia State

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