National CFB writer reveals reason for optimism for Virginia Tech's 2 biggest ACC foes

When ACC plays begins for the Virginia Tech football team after their four non-conference games this fall, the Hokies will open it with one of their two biggest ACC opponents, Miami. The Hurricanes are one of two Top 25 teams on Tech's schedule to begin the season with Clemson the other.

It has been widely known that things have not gone the way that Miami would have hoped early on in the Mario Cristobal era in South Florida, but there are high hopes this season, and one of the reasons for the high hopes was Brad Crawford's reason for optimism for them in 2024, the transfer portal.

"Reason for optimism: Offseason roster additions

There's no reason why Miami shouldn't be one of the ACC's top teams in every offensive category given the firepower from the portal. Not only did the Hurricanes add Cam Ward at quarterback, but Oregon State's Damien Martinez was a post-spring signing to pair with Mark Fletcher in the backfield and Sam Brown at wideout is a big play waiting to happen. Pair that trio with a veteran offensive line group and Miami should have no issues scoring points in bunches given its offseason investments."

- Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Miami, which was ranked 19th, did bring in some very big portal pieces this season with Ward and Martinez and both can help get Miami to where they want to go and really need to go this season under Cristobal.

As for Clemson, which was ranked 14th, they are looking to bounce back from a 4-4 ACC record in 2023 and if they are, it's going to be because of their defensive line which needs to play better than it did in 2023.

"eason for optimism: Defensive line

Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. Those are the two names you need to know. Expect trench warfare when Clemson opens the season against Georgia given the production from those two former elite-level recruits. Much is expected up front from Cade Denhoff and Payton Page as well following the losses of Xavier Thomas and Tyler Davis from Clemson's pass rush. DeMonte Capehart has breakout star potential along the defensive front in Death Valley."

- Brad Crawford, 247 Sports

Along with Florida State (No. 10), who is not on Virginia Tech's schedule in 2024, Miami and Clemson are seen as the other top teams in the ACC for 2024 and they joined North Carolina State (No. 24) in the Top 25 poll. All of them have a reason for optimism this season.