3 ACC teams that will exceed expectations in 2025
2. Syracuse: 5.5
Last season was a great first season for former Georgia assistant Fran Brown with the Orange, who capped it off with a win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl for a 10-win season. They had a great win at home over Miami to close out the regular season and knock the Hurricanes out of the ACC Championship Game.
Yes, Syracuse has a very difficult schedule beginning with Tennessee, and it gets difficult from there, but the culture that Brown has quickly built and the JMA Wireless Dome becoming a huge home-field advantage, this feels like a team that will win more than six games in 2025.
3. Virginia Tech: 6.5
I mean, why not? The Hokies underperformed on multiple levels last season, from coaching to play on the field, and dealt with injuries to key players. However, Brent Pry made some necessary changes to his staff on both sides of the ball; offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen left to become the offensive line coach at Ohio State.
This season is a vital one for Pry, and his team has a chip on their shoulder, and teams like that can be dangerous ones. Quarterback Kyron Drones is fully healthy, and the offensive line overhaul under Matt Moore is getting rave reviews. If some Transfer Portal additions on both sides of the ball can mesh early, this could be a seven or eight-win season in Blacksburg.