FAVORITE TEAMS

Clemson looks like the favorite to take the ACC conference again. However, their 2022 performance is something to not overlook. They trounced UNC in the conference championship only to get trounced by Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. UNC and Florida State lurk right behind them. Pitt, NC State, Duke, and Syracuse could be on the hunt if their quarterbacks and defense continue the positive direction. Louisville and Wake Forest are the teams to watch while Miami must bounce back offensively, or Mario Cristobal feels the cold front of the ‘Cane fans. Boston College must avoid injuries while Georgia Tech searches for an identity. The state of Virginia has seen better days. However, Virginia had a tragic incident and rightfully chose to end their season after the Pittsburgh game. Both have a fair shot at redemption, but offensive improvement is key.

CLEMSON TIGERS

The past two seasons weren’t technically great, and it’s unclear if it’s quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, the offensive coordinator, or the scheme not fitting for DJ, or all the above. Either way, they move on with Cade Klubnik as the full-time starter along with new OC Garrett Riley. On the other side, their defense played well, but there were times they didn’t. Pass defense was a bit of an issue. They ran into a few teams that were strong in that category last season. While the secondary could improve, the front seven should be the strongest area led by linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive linemen Xavier Thomas and Tyler Davis. If Cade works out, Clemson competes for the playoffs. However, they face four to five great to elite quarterbacks with potentially one or two others in the mix if they turn up their performance at the right time.

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

The Seminoles hype is real, but their run to the playoffs must be a reality too. Winning 10 games caught the attention of the college football world. Quarterback Jordan Travis performed well to where he has Heisman aspirations too. Top receiver Johnny Wilson’s the only returning starter, but he’ll have help from transfers Keon Coleman (Michigan State), and tight ends Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Shorter U.). Defense should be as good as last season, but the front seven should improve with Jared Verse, linebacker Kalen DeLoach, and cornerback Renardo Green returning. Special teams could also improve with kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Alex Mastromanno back. Florida State has playoff aspirations, but they’re not safe in the first and last week of September against the Tigers (LSU and Clemson). Either the Seminoles come out of this with a strong playoff push, or they’re shredded by the claws and teeth of the Tigers from the Death Valley of Clemson and Baton Rouge.

NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS

Drake Maye could make history at UNC before the 2024 NFL draft. However, Maye works with new pass catchers, but they have some reps from last season. UNC has plenty of depth at running back to utilize alongside Maye after he led the team in rushing. The offensive line returns nearly everyone but pass protection must improve after allowing 40 sacks. Defense must make strides as a unit. They don’t have to be Top 25 caliber, but they must show some improvement. Secondary is a glaring area, which is why coach Mack Brown wasted no time adding transfers for depth and experience. UNC is a dark horse ACC title and playoff contender. However, defense could determine their season. If UNC struggles offensively, the pressures at that position. Traveling to Clemson and NC State in the last two weeks is something to be nervous about if you’re a Tarheel fan.

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

The Cardinals could be sneaky good this year. Coach Jeff Brohm leaves Purdue for Louisville and could jump start their ACC title opportunity. Quarterback Jack Plummer reunites with Brohm after playing at Purdue for most of his college career before transferring to Cal. Outside of receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, there’s not much experience. However, transfer Jamari Thrash (Georgia State) and Jadon Thompson (Cincinnati) provides as additional receivers. Running back Jawhar Jordan gets more opportunities with dual threat quarterback Malik Cunningham gone, but the offensive line must provide Jordan more running room. Defense could be underrated and dangerous with a combination of returning starters M.J. Griffin and Ashton Gillotte, and transfers Storm Duck and Keith Brown. Louisville could start 4-0 before a date at NC State and Notre Dame back-to-back. After that, the rest of their schedule before Kentucky could setup for a strong finish in the ACC standings and potentially a place in the ACC title game.

NC STATE WOLFPACK

Decorated quarterback Devin Leary’s gone to Kentucky. When it looked like quarterback competition would take place, Brennan Armstrong (Virginia) arrives in time as the immediate starter. Armstrong comes in as a dynamic player, and the offensive line provides him plenty of chances as a passer and runner. However, both receivers Thayer Thomas (NFL) and Devin Carter (West Virginia) are gone, leaving little to no experience. The front seven should be as good as last season’s with linebacker Payton Wilson in command (when healthy). The secondary is a glaring issue despite forcing 19 interceptions last season. They’re replacing two safeties, but well-traveled transfer Robert Kennedy should be an immediate contributor. NC State could be in position to compete for an ACC title appearance, but the offense must play better. It was sporadic, even with Leary as their starter last season. They nearly lost to ECU, but they lost a costly game to Boston College.

DUKE BLUE DEVILS

Duke could also have a say for an ACC title appearance. They ended their 3-season bowl drought with their first nine wins in eight seasons. Quarterback Riley Leonard is Mr. Reliable along with running back Jordan Waters, experienced receivers, and experienced offensive line. Duke’s defense had one heck of a season allowing 22 points per game with 10 interceptions and forcing 17 fumbles. The front seven should repeat with more than eight players with starting experience and/or minutes on the field. The Blue Devils had a fair schedule last season to notch nine wins. 2023 adds Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame, NC State, and Florida State to their schedule. If their defense can shake them down and the offense plays with ball control, they could pester their way to the top four in the ACC.

SYRACUSE ORANGE

The Orange started strong with six wins either playing good offense or stifling opponents on defense. Then they run into Clemson and the Orange mishaps went against them, leading to not only that loss but also four more losses before the drought ended against Boston College. What will they look like this season? They still have quarterback Garrett Shrader, tight end Oronde Gadsden II, fairly experienced offensive linemen led by Chris Bleich, defensive end Marlowe Max, and safeties Justin Barron, Alijah Clark, and Jason Simmons. However, other areas must be addressed. They have time to figure it out before Purdue and Army. If they start off strong again, they face Clemson again, but at home this time. During their three-game road trip after Clemson, they face North Carolina and Florida State in back-to-back weeks. Syracuse must play solid, consistent football and not get complacent if they want the opportunity against strong competition.

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

The Panthers should be as good as last season’s team, but their backfield will look completely different. Quarterback Phil Jurkovec was a nice story at Boston College, but he has plenty to prove after failing to stay healthy and keep his starting job. However, receivers and the offensive line provides a potential bounce back for him. Defense should sustain despite the number of losses on the defensive line. That position has plenty of depth with plenty of seniors two deep. Special teams will play a part for the Panthers overall production. The first three games are winnable and gives Phil some confidence. Luckily, they host UNC and Florida State at home, and they don’t play Clemson on the schedule. If the backfield finds answers, Pitt will also compete for the ACC title appearance.

WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS

The Demon Deacons will look very different without Sam Hartman. How the offense goes depends on new starting quarterback Mitch Griffis. His feedback during the offseason and practice were positive. He’ll have plenty of pass catchers across the field, but the offensive line hopes to provide him some protection. Defense will look different, and the defensive line could have major issues with new starters across the front four. The back seven return, but their overall defense must find ways to cut down on the points allowed. North Carolina A&T transfer linebacker Jacob Roberts plans to line up next to Chase Jones to help out. Mitch figures to be the guy, but it’s unclear what the offense will look like without Hartman. Outside of COVID season, they never finished under seven wins since 2015.

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

Virginia Tech suffered their worst losing record since Frank Beamer’s last ever losing record in 1992. Defense isn’t the issue and should be good this season. The offense was the problem after averaging under 20 points for the first time since 1989. It doesn’t help when quarterback Grant Wells struggled for two seasons. After such a great start in seven games in 2020 as a freshman, he fell apart after throwing five interceptions to Rice and resulting in his first ever loss in a shutout. Long story short, Va Tech is on the wrong side of recent history. If Wells can’t end his struggles, Baylor transfer Kyron Drones takes over to revive their struggling offense. There’s not much else to explain because Va Tech’s too talented to struggle like that. No Clemson or North Carolina puts them in prime position for the ACC title run if they can just fix their quarterback dilemma.

MIAMI HURRICANES

Like Virginia Tech, Miami has no business struggling with all that talent on that roster. After their loss to Texas A&M, they went into a downward spiral real fast, real quick. Their only wins were against losing record teams except Southern Miss. A loss to Mid Tenn put coach Mario Cristobal in hot water and it only got worse when they finished under .500 without a postseason invite for the first time since 2007. However, his history in Miami as a coach should be questioned. He coached for FIU years ago, was off to a slow start in his first three seasons before succeeding in two straight seasons. When it was assumed that he would finally succeed, the team regressed, leading to his firing after a 3-9 campaign. His unit could bounce back, but not only does he need the players bought in, but he’s dealing with upgraded non-conference competition, North Carolina and Clemson in back-to-back weeks in October, and back-to-back road games at NC State and Florida State in November. A postseason is possible, but a failure to bounce back could lead to Cristobal’s firing from the Miami area just like it did 11 years ago.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

Virginia could be in full rebuild mode. Virginia’s vibe changed after Bronco Mendenhall retired, and the shooting that took a couple of players lives didn’t make the situation better. Hopefully it brought the team closer, but it’s difficult to say what they will do this season. Despite losses from the transfer portal, there’s hope on defense with returns led by pass rusher Chico Bennett Jr. The offense isn’t so hopeful. They’re undergoing changes at each level with a lack of depth. However, quarterback Tony Muskett’s an interesting transfer addition. He tallied his stats from Monmouth in three seasons despite not playing his final three games (5,687 yards, 51 touchdowns and 16 interceptions). The Cavaliers lost to Syracuse, Miami, and North Carolina by three points or less. What Muskett could provide is unknown, but if he can spark some life, Virginia could have an interesting year while rebuilding.

BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES

Quarterback Phil Jurkovec transferred to Pitt, but they moved on to Emmett Morehead after Jurkovec lost his job last season. Morehead provides hope for the offense and opportunity could be on the Eagles’ side. Running back Patrick Garwo III hopes to bounce back for 1,000 yards like he did two seasons ago. The receivers look promising as UCF transfer Ryan O’Keefe and Dino Tomlin (Mike Tomlin’s son) plans to lead the group. Defense shows promise too. Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku led the team in sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (3), and there’s hope for more production from the rest. The secondary undergoes a new roster, but transfers like Alex Washington (Harvard), Khari Johnson (Arkansas), and Victor Nelson (Long Island) could make immediate impact. If there’s a will, there’s a way and BC’s defense gives the offense an opportunity for better production. If Morehead and Garwo III are the answer, so will their increased win total.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech’s five wins seemed like their best finish of the season. After Geoff Collins was fired for his 1-3 start, Brent Key stepped in and led them to a 4-4 finish. Despite losing quarterback Jeff Sims to the portal (Nebraska), Zach Pyron is a proven starter with Haynes King (Texas A&M) and Zach Gibson as backups. While the rest of the offensive is being addressed, the offensive line should improve. Tech may have lost plenty of production from defensive lineman Keion White, the rest of the experienced defensive line should prosper. The linebacker position has new faces, but Texas A&M transfer Andre White should fit right in. The secondary could be good this season if they stay healthy and the front seven improves. Key brought life to the Yellow Jackets when it looked like they were heading to the bottom again. Four wins is possible with a potential upset or two that could make them bowl eligible.