We are just 6 weeks away from the College Football season. With the new playoff format, the ACC cannot be left out no matter how hard the CFP committee tries to make it so. That said as we look towards the ACC football season, what are some bold predictions that we think have a real chance of coming through?
1. Georgia Tech is going to beat FSU, Notre Dame, or Georgia
Georgia Tech has one of the country’s most difficult schedules, which will limit their ceiling. There’s a good chance that they will be a better team than their record, but don’t be surprised if they pull off massive upset along the way. They are solid at QB with Haynes King, skill position talent on offense, and an offensive line that will be among the conference’s best. If the defense can show any life this year, the chance of one of these upsets increases even more.
2. Virginia Tech will be playing Charlotte for an ACC Title
The more I look up and down the Hokies team, the more I think this could be Virginia Tech’s best roster in years. You combine that with a a fairly soft schedule, and I can easily see this team losing only 1 maybe 2 ACC games. Their special teams might be the ACC’s best, they are set at QB with Kryon Dones, and and they have major talent along the defense front 4. A lot of people are calling them this year’s Louisville. I’m definitely on board with that.
3. Miami will win at least 9 regular season games
It was 2017, the last time Miami won 9 regular season games. They’ll do it again in 2024. Maybe I’m being pulled in again by the Miami is back, but some of the best ACC players on paper are all over this roster. Cam Ward at QB, Damien Martinez at RB. The schedule isn’t even that bad. A game at Florida looked tougher when it was scheduled than now, and they get FSU and Virginia Tech at home. If Mario Cristobal messes this up, he may not get another year, but I like the makeup of this team.
4. Clemson will have a top 30 offense
Clemson’s defense has slipped a little since Brent Venables left to coach Oklahoma, but the offense has fallen off a cliff in recent years. Sure the numbers aren’t horrible. They were 50th in the country last year, but that is not what you expect from a program of Clemson’s caliber. The Tigers averaged over 400 yards of offense in 2023, but if we’re being honest, it’s held Clemson back. Either through through pedestrian QB play, unimaginative play calling, or just a lack of team speed on offense it simply hasn’t been good. I think it will be better with another year for QC Garret Riley and QB Cade Klubnik together. The receiving crew should be the best it has been in years. This will be a top-30 offense, and Clemson could find itself back in the ACC Title game because of it.
5. North Carolina go to Florida State 7-1 or 8-0.
North Carolina is known for fast starts and late fades under Mack Brown. This year the schedule sets up for a fast start. Minnesota is a winnable game on the road to open the season, then they should be favored in all of their games through the next two months. Georgia Tech has given UNC tons of trouble in recent years, but they get that game in Chapel Hill. I’m not sure I trust new DC Geoff Collins or that defense, but it couldn’t be any worse than it’s been in recent years. The offense has an All-American at RB with Omarion Hampton, and some high-quality receivers. North Carolina could be a dark horse team in the ACC.
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