2024 ACC Football Preview

S. Samek

With the college football season upon us let’s preview some of the conferences. Taking a look at the ACC it looks a bit different in 2024. With a trio of new teams will the standings look different, or will it be status quo?

The three teams joining in 2024 are California,SMU and Standford. None of those teams come in ranked in the top 25 preseason poll. SMU did have a good season last year winning the American Athletic conference before falling to Boston College in the Fenway Bowl.

California went 6-6 in 2023 and lost to Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl. Standford didn’t go to a bowl game after going 3-9.

Florida State is the highest ranked ACC team in the preseason poll at 10. They won the ACC title going 13-0. However, they missed the College Football Playoffs. They were then soundly beaten by Georgia 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.

Miami, Clemson and NC State are also ranked in the top 25 to begin the year. With only four ranked teams the ACC has the least number of ranked teams in the power four conferences of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC.

I think this is the conference with the biggest chip on the shoulder amongst the power four. I think the ACC wants to still stay a powerhouse conference, but still needs to show it can be.

I think Florida State would be the biggest team to watch out for. Even if at times they want to leave the ACC, they are the best team in the conference. I think they want to get their shot at the playoffs and show they didn’t just benefit from a soft schedule.

I think the ACC could field two or three teams at least in the expanded playoffs. If those teams are hungry, I think they could even win a game or two in the playoffs. Underestimate the ACC at your own risk.