Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Writer 7y

ACC superlatives: Best moments, players and celebrations in 2016

There were some pretty great moments across the ACC this season. Time to look at the best of the best.

Best game: Clemson 42, Louisville 36. This was also our choice for best game at the midseason point, and nothing in the second half topped it (though Pitt over Clemson came close). Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson went toe-to-toe leading their teams, proving to the nation they are, indeed, the two best college quarterbacks in the country (apologies to Baker Mayfield). This one became an instant classic for the way it ended, Louisville falling 1 yard short in its quest to take down both Florida State and Clemson in the same season.

Best collection of defensive ends and quarterbacks: The ACC. The league had so much talent at both positions, it was hard to narrow down choices when choosing the All-ACC team. Jackson, Watson and Jerod Evans each went over 4,000 yards total offense. The ACC has never had three players top 4,000 yards in one season previously.

Watson and Jackson are Heisman finalists. Mitch Trubisky emerged as a possible No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft should he decide to leave early. Deondre Francois won ACC Rookie of the Year honors; Brad Kaaya became the Miami all-time passing leader.

Over at defensive end, the ACC is the only conference in the country to have four players post double-digit sacks this season. Harold Landry and DeMarcus Walker lead the nation with 15 each; Ejuan Price had 12 and Duke Ejiofor had 10. In the tackles-for-loss department, the ACC has the top three players in the country: Price and Bradley Chubb have 21 each, while Landry has 20.5.

Best player not in New York: Dalvin Cook, Florida State. Cook had a legitimate case to make for an invitation to the Heisman ceremony, but voters opted not to invite any running backs at all this season -- quite a surprise considering all the hype running backs got during preseason Heisman chatter. Still, Cook’s season shouldn’t be overlooked. Once again, he proved his worth as one of the top backs in the country with 1,620 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, while adding a career-high 426 yards receiving and a score.

Best comeback season: Georgia Tech. The Jackets ended their 18-game bowl streak last year after going 3-9. But they have started a new streak this year, going 8-4 and securing a spot in the TaxSlayer Bowl against Kentucky. The Jackets had the best turnaround season in the ACC (plus-5) and ended on a three-game winning streak with big wins over Virginia Tech and Georgia. As Paul Johnson would say: #BelieveIt

Best victory celebration: Dino Babers. The speech heard ‘round the college football world is worth watching just one more time (or two or three).

Runner-up: Nick Weiler's chopping celebration after nailing a 54-yard field goal to beat Florida State deserves a mention, too.

Best win in a rivalry game: Duke. It was a tough season for the Blue Devils, who missed a bowl game for the first time since 2011. But at least they have bragging rights over rival North Carolina after pulling one of the biggest surprises in ACC play this season. Duke outplayed and outcoached the Tar Heels in the 28-27 win and got possession of the Victory Bell for the next year.

Runner-up: NC State. The Wolfpack deserve some props here, too, for taking down North Carolina to end the regular season, make it back to a bowl game at 6-6 and ensure Dave Doeren’s return in 2017.

Best transfer: Evans and Syracuse WR Amba Etta-Tawo, tie. It is difficult to choose between the two, so why not give a nod to both? Evans helped bring Virginia Tech back to the ACC championship game and broke school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, while Etta-Tawo broke school records for receptions (94) and receiving yards (1,482) to lead the ACC in both categories.

Best four-loss team in college football: Pittsburgh. How many other teams beat the Big Ten champion and the ACC champion? Zero. As the Panthers say: Pitt is It.

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