The ACC is expected to be stronger as a whole this season. There are many contenders at the top and this makes for an exciting race come conference play. How will it all play out? We try to break it down as best we can.

ACC Championship Game Prediction: Florida State over Clemson

ACC CFB Playoff Teams: Florida State, Clemson

ACC Offensive Player of the Year: Cam Ward, Miami

ACC Defensive Player of the Year: Barrett Carter, Clemson

ACC Coach of the Year: Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

Conference Notes

Miami is back. This is the statement that has been floating around the program for years now. With Cam Ward under center, this might be the year it comes true. Ward has been one of the most dynamic players in the nation. He is expected to be a contender for the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year award with an improved group of weapons. If Mario Cristobal can improve some of his in-game strategies, this might be the year that the Hurricanes contend for an ACC title.

DJ Uiagalelei has revitalized his career. The former five-star quarterback did not reach expectations at Clemson, leading to a transfer to Oregon State. The 6-foot-4 signal caller threw for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Beavers before finding a new home once again with the Seminoles. Now, he leads a Florida State team that is hungry for a title and spot in the CFB Playoff after being left out as an undefeated team last season.

Clemson was not active in the portal and that’s okay. Head coach Dabo Swinney did not feel the need to shake things up drastically in the conference despite another down year. Well, down in Clemson standards. This is a team that has lost 10 games since 2021 after contending for national titles year in and year out. Cade Klubnik returns under center while Phil Mafah is expected to be one of the top running backs in the ACC. Defensively, the Tigers remain stout.

Virginia Tech’s end to 2023 brings great hopes for this year. The Hokies were expected to go through a transition year last season and that is what happened. This was up until the final seven games of the season that saw Virginia Tech go 5-2. Kyron Drones is a dark-horse star in the conference while Bhayshul Tuten is one of many threats offensively. There is a trio of stud receivers on the outside and a defense that allowed 23.8 points per game last season. Do not be surprised to see this team in the top five in the ACC.

Jeff Brohm has Louisville progressing quicker than expected. In his first year last season, Brohm led the Cardinals to 10 wins and a spot in the ACC Championship Game. The offense was stifled by an elite Seminole defense but the Cardinals have hopes of returning. Tyler Shough enters as a transfer quarterback to give Louisville a strong-armed option under center. The expectations are high for the Cardinals once again this season.

2024 ACC Football Standings Prediction

1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. Miami
4. N.C. State
5. Virginia Tech
6. SMU
7. Louisville
8. North Carolina
9. Georgia Tech
10. Duke
11. Pitt
12. Wake Forest
13. Syracuse
14. Cal
15. Boston College
16. Virginia
17. Stanford