ESPN's McElroy, Acho Give Their ACC Champion Preseason Picks

On ESPN’s College Football Live season preview show, analysts Greg McElroy and Sam Acho gave their predictions and picks for the 2024 season, including ACC champion preseason picks.

Acho went with Clemson as his pick for this year’s ACC Champion.

Clemson has won the conference title in seven of the last nine years, including six straight from 2015-20.

“So I’m going with Clemson,” Acho said. “It’s been a couple years since Clemson has had the success that they wanted. But we talked about their defense already. I think Cade Klubnik at quarterback is going to have a huge upswing, went through the fire last year. So, I’m choosing Clemson to win the ACC.”

McElroy, meanwhile, is picking Miami to win the conference crown.

The Hurricanes have yet to win an ACC Championship, and have made just one appearance in the conference title game, since joining the league.

“I’m going Miami,” McElroy said. “I think their biggest issue last year was running back revolving wheel and a quarterback that turned it over. But if you look at it, man, they had the ball on their racket on multiple different games, and through the first half of the season, very few teams in college football were playing better than them. So, yes, the wheels came off down the stretch. But I think it’s another year of tremendous high school recruiting. Great front seven defensively. Excellent quarterback in Cam Ward. And I think on paper, they have the best roster. So, I’m going Miami Hurricanes to win the ACC.”

The 2024 ACC Football Championship Game is set for 8 p.m. ET on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This fall will be the first featuring 17 ACC football teams, and for the second consecutive season, the game will pit the top two teams based on regular-season conference winning percentage.

Last season, Florida State captured its fifth ACC Championship Game title and its 16th ACC title overall with a 16-6 victory over Louisville.

FSU and Clemson have won the ACC 12 out of the last 13 years.

FSU was picked to win the 2024 ACC title, according to a preseason poll of 170 media voters, while Clemson was picked to finish second in the ACC preseason media poll.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!