Week 1 of the college football season is almost here, so how do teams like the Miami Hurricanes and others stack up in the ACC before the season gets fully underway?
While Florida State, Georgia Tech, and SMU already played during Week 0, the rest of the conference gets underway this weekend as the race for the ACC Championship begins. Here's my current power rankings outlook for upcoming season:
#1. Clemson Tigers (0-0)
Next Game: vs Georgia
Clemson has a chance to prove they might be a top-five team in the country this weekend or that the era of dominance for the Tigers has come to an end. However, it's an interesting time for Clemson as Dabo Swinney and his staff did not bring in one player via the transfer portal. The new age of college football might not be a fit for Swinney, and this season should tell a lot about his future. Regardless of what this team ends up doing this year, their nine year streak of reaching the AP Top 10 earns them the top spot in this list.
#2. Miami Hurricanes (0-0)
Next Game: at Florida
I likely would've had Florida State here in the two spot to start the season, however their disaster in Dublin can't be overlooked. The Hurricanes continue to be a team the media is high on, with their odds of reaching the revamped College Football Playoff sitting at +172 (per FanDuel). After going 7-6 last season, Miami revamped their roster with a new quarterback and a pair of edge rushers to compliment Freshman All-American Rueben Bain . If Miami makes a statement in The Swamp Saturday, there's a good shot they make it to the top of this list come next week.
#3. NC State Wolfpack (0-0)
Next Game: vs Western Carolina
While not the flashiest team in the conference, NC State went 9-4 last season and now has veteran quarterback Grayson McCall running the show for them. In addition to having one of the top receivers in the ACC in Kevin Concepcion , the Wolfpack's schedule is favorable with Clemson being their only preseason ranked ACC matchup. They'll start the season off easy against Western Carolina, but will be tested when they face the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 2.
#4. Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0)
Next Game: at Vanderbilt
A team that has received a lot of hype heading into this season, Virginia Tech returns 22 starters from last season's 7-6 team. The attention will be on Kyron Drones this coming year, who many believe could be a breakout star in college football. They have a very manageable first four games, before they head out to South Florida for a Friday night matchup against the Hurricanes. They'll also get to take on Clemson at home in a game that is likely to have an impact on the ACC Championship matchup.
#5. Florida State Seminoles (0-1)
Next Game: vs Boston College
Starting the season off with a loss against an ACC opponent is the last thing the Seminoles needed as they look to get revenge on their College Football Playoff snub. Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei did not look promising, as the Seminoles will need to find a way to get everything they can out of the former top prospect. In addition their star-studded defensive line failed to log a sack, as now they'll be tasked with containing Boston College's dual-threat quarterback Thomas Castellanos in their home opener. You can't write off the Seminoles after one game, but they'll need to be undefeated heading into their matchup against Clemson if they want a chance at playoff football.
#6: Louisville Cardinals (0-0)
Next Game: vs Austin Peavy
A double-digit win season in the first year under Jeff Brohm in 2023 for the Cardinals, Louisville switches over to another veteran quarterback for 2024 with Tyler Shough . The Cardinals did lose their top two running backs and top receiver from last season, so a lot will be expected from the newcomers to fill-in the production. A return to the ACC Championship doesn't look as likely in 2024, but they weren't expected to be there in 2023....
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