Phil Steele Predicts Photo Finish For Major Conference Title Race In 2024

The SMU Mustangs, California Golden Bears, and Stanford Cardinal joined the ACC this offseason. SMU joined from the AAC, while Stanford and Cal were previously in the Pac-12.

Phil Steele thinks it will be a close title race in the ACC. In his 2024 preseason rankings for the conference, Steele put the Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida State Seminoles at the top.

All three teams should have a good case for why they could challenge for the ACC title.

Clemson is looking to return to the ACC title game in 2024. Its last appearance was in 2022 against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tigers return stars like Cade Klubnik and Phil Mafah, the team's leading rusher from last season.

However, Dabo Swinney did lose players like Will Shipley, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Beaux Collins from last season. Shipley and Trotter headed to the NFL Draft, while Collins transferred to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Florida State and Miami relied heavily on the transfer portal this offseason. The Seminoles brought in former Oregon State Beavers and Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and the Hurricanes secured a transfer commitment from former Washington State Cougars quarterback Cam Ward.

Florida State won the ACC title last season over the Louisville Cardinals and expects to compete for it once again this year. Miami last played in the ACC Championship in 2017 and lost to Clemson. It would be a significant achievement for Miami to reach the title game, let alone win it.

Watching the ACC title race unfold should be very entertaining.

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