ACC Power Rankings: Preseason

The ACC has been the big 1 and little 13 for a while as Clemson has run the conference and been in the National Title race for almost an entire decade. Eight years in a row the Coastal has been represented by a different team as Notre Dame(in a 1 off) was there in 2020. Miami and North Carolina have seemingly closed the gap, though not by much. The middle of the ACC is a mumbled mess where many teams can win 9 games or win 5, and the bottom of the conference is a bad as any group in the country.

Here are your preseason power rankings.

Clemson Tier

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1. Clemson - Off to the NFL are Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, in to replace them are DJU and 5 star RB Will Shipley. Clemson will have the best D-Line in the country led by Brian Bresee and Myles Murphy and James Skalski is back to lead the LBs. Next Game: Georgia

The Contenders

2. North Carolina - Sam Howell might be the best QB in the country and is back to lead an explosive offense. Gone are Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, but Ty Chandler arrives via the transfer portal to offset those losses. Next Game: @Virginia Tech

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3. Miami - Canes charged to an 8-1 start, but we’re humbled by UNC and Oklahoma St to close the season. D’Eriq King returns for his 6th season and Manny Diaz has his most talented roster. Next Game: Alabama

Could be good, could be bad

4. North Carolina St - Devin Leary returns at QB for an explosive Wolfpack offense. They will upset some teams, question is just who? Next Game: South Florida

5. Boston College - Jeff Hafley changed the way BC plays ball with a much more wide open scheme. Phil Jurkovec is back to lead an explosive group. Next Game: Colgate

6. Virginia - Brennan Armstrong back for another year as Bronco Mendenhall has quietly built a solid program. Next Game: William & Mary

7. Pittsburgh - Kenny Pickett returns for seemingly his 15th year. Pitt will play salty defense as always and will be a tough bout for anyone. Next Game: UMASS

8. Virginia Tech - Feels like a make or break year for Justin Fuente with the Hokies. Braxton Burmeister will take over full time at QB. Next Game: North Carolina

9. Wake Forest - Dave Clawson will always have a fun explosive offense and with Sam Hartman at QB that shouldn’t change. Next Game: Old Dominion

The Rest

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10. Louisville - Two years ago Scott Satterfield had the Cardinals overachieving, but last year crashed back to earth. Malik Cunningham back at QB will keep them competitive. Next Game: Ole Miss

11. Florida St - They have to be better in year 2 under Mike Norvell. The Noles bring in 20 plus transfers from the portal including McKenzie Milton at QB. Next Game: Notre Dame

12. Georgia Tech - Geoff Collins has increased the talent level and may have the best RB in the conference in Jahmyr Gibbs. The schedule is a bear. Next Game: Northern Illinois

13. Duke: David Cutcliffe is one of the best coaches in the country, but Duke just doesn’t have the talent to win big. Next Game: @ Charlotte

14. Syracuse - 3 years ago Dino Babers could’ve named his next job after going 10-3. Since then it has been a struggle for the Orange, and Babers is now on a short list of hot seat coaches. Next Game: @Ohio

Go Canes