Underrated ACC teams who could make some noise during the 2024 college football season

The ACC is in transition heading into the 2024 season, welcoming SMU, Cal, and Stanford, expanding the field to 17 teams. With that expansion, the conference is about to look a little different this fall.

For a while now, Clemson has been looked at as the top team in the conference. In 2023, we saw Florida State elevate to the top. Now teams like Miami enter the fall with a lot of hype to make a similar ascension.

There are bound to be a few teams that surprise in 2024. Which ACC football teams can make some noise, and surprise in 2024? There are three that stand out most right now.

SMU Mustangs

The SMU program heads into the ACC with a very strong foundation. Head coach Rhett Lashlee has this team trending in a great direction, coming off of an 11-3 record in his second year. There is excitement around that program that is pretty unique. The staff has done a great job to turnover that roster recently and make the atmosphere exciting to be a part of.

On offense, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Lashlee has led a quick turnaround. With quarterback Preston Stone returning healthy, he is one of the better trigger men in all of college football, throwing for 3.197 yards and 28 touchdowns in 12 games. Stone will have plenty of skill position talent to work with, including tight end RJ Maryland, and several former Miami players in wide receiver Romello Brinson, and running back Jaylan Knighton.

On defense, SMU was stellar in 2023, only allowing 17.8 points per game. They are led by former Hurricane pass rusher Elijah Roberts , who was one of the best sack artists in college football last fall with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. The defense also returns linebackers Kobe Wilson and Ahmad Walker, as well as safety Jonathan McGill. There’s a lot to be excited about on that side of the football.

NC State Wolfpack

While the Wolfpack may not be the most exciting program of all time, head coach Dave Doeren just has them consistently in a solid spot, winning eight or more games seven times in his tenure thus far. They are still waiting to get “over the hump” but they are usually within shouting distance, which means that eventually they could very well finally break through.

If they do, it’ll be because the offense finally takes that next step. Under offensive coordinator Robert Anae in his first year, we saw a bumpy transition, finishing with a per game average of 26.2 points. That has to get better. NC State does have a couple of very good offensive lineman returning, including star left tackle Anthony Belton. The team will be depending on a talented list of transfers to take them over the top, including quarterback Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina), running back Jordan Waters (Duke), wide receiver Noah Rogers (Ohio State), and pass catcher Justin Jolly (UConn). Add that in with budding start wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and this offense should be very improved.

On defense, you know Tony Gibson is always going to put together a strong product. The mainstays to keep a close eye on are star defensive lineman Davin Vann, as well as Sean Brown, who moved from safety to linebacker this offseason. Nickel Ja’Had Carter got buried at Ohio State last season, but was a star at Syracuse prior to 2023. NC State hopes to get the earlier version in 2024.

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Virginia Tech Hokies

It feels like the Hokies have been the trendy pick as a sleeper this offseason so far. A big reason for that hype is an offense that returns a load of talent. It starts with former Baylor quarterback Kyron Drones, who has an exciting dual threat ability. During the 2023 season, Drones threw for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added another 818 yards rushing on the ground with another five scores, while only throwing three interceptions.

The skill position is loaded for the Hokies, returning star running back Bhayshul Tuten. They also return one of the best wide receiver trios in the conference, if not the country, with Da’Quan Felton, Jaylin Lane, and Ali Jennings. Top tight end Nick Gallo also returns, as does standout offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin and Kaden Moore.

The Hokie defense brings back one of the top cornerback duos in all of college football with Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong. They also bring back one of the top passers in the conference with Antwuan Powell-Ryland, who recorded 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2023. Leading tackler Keli Lawson also returns to the middle of the defense.