My Preview for all 17 ACC teams and Notre Dame in 2024:
- Miami Hurricanes
- Florida State Seminoles
- Clemson Tigers
- Louisville Cardinals
- NCST Wolfpack
- SMU Mustangs
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- California Golden Bears
- Boston College Eagles
- Syracuse Orange
- Pittsburgh Panthers
- Duke Blue Devils
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Stanford Cardinal
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Boston College Eagles
Projected 2024 Record: 6-6
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: at Florida State, at Missouri, at SMU
Boston College surprisingly lost their head coach to the Packers in the offseason, but they may have found an upgrade in former PSU coach Bill O’Brien. BC has plenty to be optimistic about as they return a large amount of starters as well, including star QB Thomas Castellanos.
With all that being said, the Eagles have a tough schedule. Florida State, Missouri, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse, SMU, and North Carolina are all losable games. BC needs to get better on defense under new DC Tim Lewis if they want to finish with a winning record this year.
Boston College has a lot of potential this year, and QB Thomas Castellanos is one of the best in the conference. The overall depth and shortcomings on defense may be their downfall.
California Golden Bears
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 6-7
Toughest Games: at Auburn, at Florida State, vs Miami
Cal’s transition to the ACC may turn out to be easier than some expect. Cal returns possibly one of the best offenses in the conference behind Preseason All-America candidate RB Jaydn Ott as well as QB Fernando Mendoza, who could develop into a star. Justin Wilcox has almost always had a good defense at Cal, even in the high-scoring Pac 12, and the defense should be even better in the ACC.
The main thing that separates Cal from the best teams in the conference is depth and schedule. The conference schedule is tough, needing to play against Florida State, Miami, SMU, and NCST, who are all much more proven, and have better talent.
Cal has the potential to be one of the better teams in the conference, they just need to be consistent, which has been a problem for this program for several years. Perhaps not having a Pac 12 schedule will help, but only time will tell.
Clemson Tigers
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2023 Record: 9-4
Toughest Games: vs Georgia, at Florida State, vs Louisville
Clemson once again has some of the top talent in the conference especially on defense. Clemson almost always has an elite defense. The question for the tigers is the offense. They return 8 starters, but sometimes experience doesn’t matter if you aren’t very good. They will be in their second year under OC Garrett Riley, who led a championship runner-up offense at TCU, so maybe their offense will get better in their second year in system. When it comes down to it, the success of the team all relies on if QB Cade Klubnik can live up to the hype he had as a freshman.
Clemson does benefit from a somewhat easy conference schedule as they avoid Miami, SMU, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina. Their week 1 matchup with Georgia may say a lot on where Clemson is as a program.
Clemson has the potential to be a playoff team, but they will need some playmakers to step up on offense if they want to reach that goal. If not, then they will lakely have another 8-9 win season in the post Trevor Lawrence era.
Duke Blue Devils
Projected 2024 Record: 5-7
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: vs vs Florida State, at Miami, at NCST
Duke losing HC Mike Elko will be a huge blow. Duke has been, historically, a very poor football program, and Elko was one of the few bright spots in their history. Duke also has a tough conference line up with 7 of my top 9 ACC teams.
Despite all the negatives, there are three main positives. 1. They have an easy non-conference. 2. Texas transfer Maalik Murphy is a good replacement for Riley Leonard at QB. 3. Manny Diaz is a very good defensive coach, and should be able to keep that side of the ball towards the top half of the conference.
I do not expect Duke to be good this year, but the defense could keep them in some games.
Florida State Seminoles
Projected 2024 Record: 10-2
2023 Record: 13-1
Toughest Games: vs Clemson, at Miami, at Notre Dame
Florida State lost a lot in the offseason, but they also gained a lot of help in the transfer portal. Perhaps the most important thing, is that they were able to keep HC Mike Norvell. I expect the defense to be very good again, they may just take some time to be elite because of their inexperience. The offense has me a little worried as I believe they will take a significant step back. QB DJ Uiagalelei definitely showed improvement at Oregon State last year, but I don’t see him being nearly as good as Jordan Travis. They also lost their three top pass-catchers and their top RB to the draft. The good thing though, is that FSU returns maybe one of the best O-lines in the country.
The schedule in-conference is manageable outside of Clemson and Miami, but the non-conference is brutal as they must play Notre Dame and Florida.
Florida State should contend for the playoffs again as I believe their talent, especially on defense, should be reloaded and ready to go. The schedule is much more difficult than last year though, which may come back to bite them.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: vs Notre Dame, vs Miami, at Georgia
Georgia Tech is a rapidly improving a program, and I believe in their coach, Brent Key. Their offense was the highlight of the team, and they return 8 starters including QB Haynes King, who has been much better at Georgia Tech than when he was with Texas A&M. I also love to see former Alabama WR Christian Leary doing well. The defense was the main problem last year though. Brent Key has hired a new DC in Tyler Santucci, and I expect that unit to be improved.
After all of my praise for Georgia Tech, you may be wondering why I only have them going 7-5. This is mainly because of schedule as they must play 3 teams that I project to go to the playoffs, as well as Florida State, NCST, and road trips to Louisville, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech should be a quality team this year, but the schedule is among the most difficult in the country.
Louisville Cardinals
Projected 2024 Record: 8-4
2023 Record: 10-4
Toughest Games: at Notre Dame, vs Miami, at Clemson
Louisville had a surprise breakout season last year, but that may partially be due to a pretty easy schedule. With that being said, I think their defense could be really good this year with 7 returning starters and some transfer help. One of their biggest weaknesses last year was their QB play, but I expect that to be improved with transfer Tyler Shough. He also has a pretty good WR group to throw to including Chris Bell and Alabama transfer Ja’Corey Brooks.
The schedule is much tougher than last year as they must play several of the top ACC teams as well both Notre Dame and Kentucky on the road.
Louisville has better roster in 2024 after making the ACC championship last year. They could make another run at an ACC title, but they are going to have to beat some better teams this time around.
Miami Hurricanes
Projected 2024 Record: 10-2
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: at Florida, at Louisville, vs Florida State
Miami is the most talented team in the ACC, especially on offense. Cam Ward may be the best QB Miami has had in my lifetime, and Damien Martinez may be the best RB while Xavier Restrepo is probably the best WR in the ACC. The O-Line should be one of the best in the conference as well. The front 7 on defense should be very good, but the secondary is the biggest roster question on the team, but they did get some transfer help.
The schedule is also favorable. Florida State, Florida, and Louisville should be tough, but the rest of the schedule should be relatively easy.
The talent on this roster says Miami should be 11-1 or maybe even 12-0, but the one thing stopping me is HC Mario Cristobal. He is one of the best coaches in football from Sunday through Friday, but he is not a very good “gameday” coach, and they may lose an extra game or two because of that. Almost every year in his coaching career whether it was at Oregon or Miami, he has lost games against teams he shouldn’t. Just ask Georgia Tech last year.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Projected 2024 Record: 8-4
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: vs Georgia Tech, at Florida State, vs NCST
North Carolina has a very easy schedule, including their non-conference. North Carolina has seen this before as they almost always seem to have a pretty easy schedule. Year after year, North Carolina underachieves and gets around 8-4 when the season is over.
The main culprit behind their shortcomings has been their defense. The Gene Chizik experiment did not work at DC, so Mack Brown hired former Georgia Tech HC Geoff Collins to be the DC. The week 1 matchup against Minnesota should be a good benchmark as North Carolina returns 7 starters and a few transfers from the SEC.
The offense is good shape as always, especially with one of the most productive RBs in the country in Omarion Hampton.
North Carolina can only be as good as their defense will let them. If the defense can reach top 5 in the ACC, then they could win the conference and go to the playoffs, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
NCST Wolfpack
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2023 Record: 9-4
Toughest Games: vs Tennessee, at Clemson, at North Carolina
I expect the offense to be improved this year with one of the best transfer QBs in 2024 in Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall. Kevin Concepcion is a star at WR as well. I am much more worried about the defense. While the defense was good last year, they have lost almost all the pieces that made it that way. It should be interesting to see how they do with such little experience.
The schedule is definitely manageable in conference, but Tennessee is a pretty tough matchup in the non-conference that should give us a good idea on just what the Wolfpack’s ceiling is this year.
I think NCST will be good like they normally are this year, but they will need the defense to get better quick if they want a shot at the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 3-9
Toughest Games: at SMU, vs Clemson, at Louisville
It seems as though HC Pat Narduzzi has lost his magic. After winning the ACC just a few years ago, Pitt has been getting worse and worse. QB play might be decent with promising young players Nate Yarnell and Alabama transfer Eli Holstein. Almost the entire time is inexperience, and their overall talent isn’t quite up to par with the top teams in the conference.
Pitt could be in for a rough year, and Par Narduzzi’s ob could be in trouble. Pittsburgh has some young players with potential, but there is almost nothing proven on the roster. Pitt’s week 2 and 3 showings against Cincinnati and West Virginia should be very telling.
SMU Mustangs
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2023 Record: 11-3
Toughest Games: vs BYU, vs Florida State, at Louisville
SMU was consistently one of the top teams in the AAC, and now they seem ready to compete in the ACC. They already recruit just as good as other ACC teams, and they return a lot of talent from a team that one the AAC and got robbed of a NY6 bowl appearance.
SMU has always had a really good offense (which has 8 starters coming back including QB Preston Stone), but they now have a great defense as well that finished in top 15 in yards allowed last year. The defense has the potential to be even better this year with the addition of some transfers.
SMU has a very easy schedule, and Rhett Lashlee has a chance to lead the Mustangs to the playoffs if everything falls right.
Stanford Cardinal
Projected 2024 Record: 3-9
2023 record: 3-9
Toughest Games: at Clemson, at Notre Dame, vs Louisville
Stanford may have the toughest transition going from the Pac 12 to the ACC as they have zero momentum as a program. There are some things to be optimistic about though. WR Elic Ayomanor is an absolute stud, and the offense could be pretty good if the O-line sees improvement. The defense was terrible last year, partially due to inexperience. This year they are much more experienced, and could improve.
The schedule is not particularly kind despite not playing against Florida State or Miami, as they must play basically all the other top ACC teams plus Notre Dame.
Stanford should be improved this year, but the schedule is difficult, and I don’t expect their record to reflect their improvement.
Syracuse Orange
Projected 2024 Record: 6-6
2023 Record: 6-7
Toughest Games: at NCST, vs Virginia Tech, vs Miami
Syracuse could be dangerous in their first year without HC Dino Babers. The offense is oozing with talent, including former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord (he wasn’t great last year, but considering he was able to start the whole season for a team like Ohio State is pretty impressive). RB LeQuint Allen, WR Trebor Pena, and TE Oronde Gadsen II are a dangerous trio of weapons as well. Syracuse’s defense should be improved as well with the addition of DC Elijah Robinson to their staff as well as some SEC transfers and veterans coming back.
Syracuse, as always it seems like, has a pretty easy schedule this year, especially in the nonconference. My main gripe with Syracuse is their depth. Almost every year it seems like Syracuse could be decent, but then they have some key players get injured, and they can never seem to replace them with quality backups. Maybe things will be different under HC Fran Brown, but I’m not sure if that will be the case in Year 1.
Syracuse has the potential to finish the regular season with a winning record, but that would require them to show up in some games against the other teams in the middle of the pack in the ACC. Syracuse has often lost these games in the past, and must now prove themselves against teams like Pittsburgh, Boston College, and Cal.
Virginia Cavaliers
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 3-9
Toughest Games: vs Louisville, at Clemson, at Notre Dame
HC Tony Elliot could be coaching for his life in Year 3 as it seems like the program has fallen off a cliff since he got the job. With that being said, the offense should be pretty good this year. They have a couple of promising QBs, the receiver corps should be one of best in the conference, and the O-line returns 4 starters and some depth with starting experience. The defense was really bad last year, but they do return a lot of experience, including 8 starters, so they could improve.
The schedule is pretty tough this year with the nonconference including Maryland and Notre Dame, while the in-conference draw included Clemson, Louisville, SMU, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech. Not easy.
Virginia lost a lot of close games last year, and must be better in clutch time if they want to make a bowl game. It is of my opinion that they will be slightly improved, but the schedule should prevent them from making a bowl game.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Projected 2024 Record: 8-4
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: at Miami, vs Georgia Tech, vs Clemson
This is one of the most exciting Virginia Tech teams I’ve seen in a ling time with all starters coming back on offense (plus WR Ali Jennings who got injured lost year), and 8 starters coming back on defense. With an easy schedule as well, things seem to adding up for a big year.
The only thing preventing me from thinking they could be a top 3 ACC team, is their performance against the top teams in the conference. They beat up on the lesser teams in the league last year, but were pounded by Florida State, Louisville, and NCST. They need to be better in the big games, but the discrepancy was so large last year, that I don’t know if they can bridge the gap in one offseason with basically the same roster.
Virginia Tech should be very good this year and get 8-9, maybe even 10 wins, but I still think an ACC championship is a little out of reach.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 4-8
Toughest Games: vs Ole Miss, vs Clemson, at Miami
Wake Forest has fallen off dramatically without Sam Hartman last year. The defense should be decent, but the offense is lacking star power. QB Hank Bachmeier has been decent throughout his career, but he is their best option. The receivers are good, but lack the NFL talent they used to have. The running backs have potential, but can only be as good as the O-line will let them, and the Demon Deacons do not have a particularly impressive line.
The schedule is brutal as well. Ole Miss is a national championship competitor in the non-conference, and they must play against 4 of the top teams in the ACC in NCST, Clemson, North Carolina, and Miami.
I believe Dave Clawson is a good coach, but perhaps the program isn’t ready for the portal/NIL era. They could prove me wrong in their second year without Sam Hartman, but the schedule may not allow for anything more than a 6-6 ceiling.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Projected 2024 record: 10-2
2023 Record: 10-3
Toughest Games: at Texas A&M, vs Florida State, at USC
Notre Dame should have an elite defense this year with the return of multiple All-American caliber players. The part of the team that could be the difference between last year and title contention, is the offense. QB Sam Hartman was very disappointing last year, and I think a big reason for that was the receivers. They got QB Riley Leonard in the transfer portal, but the only thing that he really does better than Sam Hartman is his running/scrambling ability. The got multiple transfers at WR this year including Clemson’s Beaux Collins, but we’ll have to see if they can truly elevate this team.
The most impactful move Notre Dame made this summer, was the acquisition of OC Mike Denbrock from LSU’s elite offense. If anyone can help Notre Dame’s offense reach its full potential, it’s Denbrock.
The schedule is favorable as well, with only 4 maybe 5 games against power conference programs that could make a bowl game. If they can get a week 1 win in college station, the Fighting Irish could easily be 8-0 going into their contest against Florida State.
Notre Dame is one of the top playoff contenders this year, but whether they can get some wins in the playoffs will depend on if the offense can be anything above mediocrity.
Conclusion
The ACC has many teams with a lot of potential this year, but they are almost all unproven. In my eyes, there are three true contenders. Miami, Florida State, and Clemson. If Miami wins the conference, I believe they have the best chance of getting a win once they make the playoffs, but this can only happen if Cristobal isn’t out coached by Dabo and Mike Norvell. Clemson and Florida State have the best defenses in the conference, but the offense is what sets Miami apart, and because of that, they should win the conference.
ACC Champion: Miami Hurricanes
All ACC First Team
Offense
QB – Cam Ward (Miami)
RB – Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
RB – Damien Martinez (Miami)
AP – Jadyn Ott (California)
WR – Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
WR – Kevin Concepcion (NCST)
WR – Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
TE – Oronde Gadsen II (Syracuse)
OL – Maurice Smith (Florida State)
OL – Darius Washington (Florida State)
OL – Jalen Rivers (Miami)
OL – Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College)
OL – Blake Miller (Clemson)
Defense
DL – Ashton Gillotte (Louisville)
DL – Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech)
DL – Reuben Pain (Miami)
DL – Patrick Payton (Florida State)
LB – Barrett Carter (Clemson)
LB – Marlowe Wax (Syracuse)
LB – Kaimon Rucker (North Carolina)
LB – Francisco Mauigoa (Miami)
CB – Quincy Riley (Louisville)
CB – Aydan White (NCST)
S – Shyeim Brown (Florida State)
S – Jonas Sanker (Virginia)
Special Teams
K – Andres Borregales (Miami)
P – Alex Mastromanno (Florida State)
KR – Brashard Smith (SMU)
PR – Tucker Holloway (Virginia Tech)
Awards
MVP: QB Cam Ward (Miami)
OPOY: RB Jaydn Ott (California)
DPOY: LB Barrett Carter (Clemson)
Breakout Player: WR Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
The Grinder: RB Roydell Williams (Florida State)
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