When it comes to elite contenders in the ACC, it is usually a top-heavy list. Usually at the top of that list is Florida State, but after a dismal 2-10 2024 season, the Seminoles began the season in our “Possible with luck and help tier” to get back to the top of the mountain in the conference.
Our other two tiers, the “No chance” tier, which is just that, teams that have no chance to win the ACC, and the “Contenders” tier, which is just that, contenders who are not elite. For the final installment, we will reveal the “Elite” group of teams in the ACC this season, and again, it’ll feature some familiar names.
Louisville
It’s no secret that, no matter the level, quarterback play is vital to success for any team, and that is the case in college football. Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm went out and secured one of the top ones in the portal in USC transfer Miller Moss. A huge pickup for the Cardinals.
The 23-year-old threw for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season for the Trojans. He’ll have Issac Brown running the ball after he rushed for over 1,100 yards last season. Expect Louisville to be in the mix for Charlotte at the end of the season.
Miami
A late-season collapse from Miami cost them a berth in the ACC Championship Game and the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Losses at Georgia Tech and Syracuse opened the door for Clemson to sneak in the back door in Charlotte the first weekend in December.
With Ward gone to the Tennessee Titans as the first pick in the NFL Draft last month, head coach Mario Cristobal landed Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck to replace Ward. The Hurricanes lost some key pieces on both sides of the ball, but there is no doubt the talent is there to finish on top when all is said and done.
Clemson
Who did you think was going to be the final team in this tier? As mentioned above, the Tigers snuck in the back door in the ACC Championship Game and took full advantage and beating SMU on a field goal on the game’s final play. It was their only hope for the CFP.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns for another season for head coach Dabo Swinney, and until proving otherwise, the Tigers are the favorite to win the ACC when all is said and done. Tom Allen, coming over from Penn State as the defensive coordinator, could end up being a home run hire by Swinney. They get a tough non-conference opener in LSU on Labor Day Weekend.