Front derailleur cable tension too high with Acera shifter and Ultegra derailleur
I just figured it out... the front derailleur cable wasn't going over the leverage tab on the derailleur correctly.  I had it going under and that's why there was no leverage going into the largest chain ring.  Here is an image of what I mean by leverage tab:

http://hostelshoppe.com/PDF/ftder_cable_routing.pdf