Predicting every ACC college football score in Week 1

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Get out of the way Week 0, Week 1 is here and it’s in full swing. The full slate of college football will run from Thursday to Sunday, with intriguing games every day.

And in this article, I’m going to look at every ACC game for the week and predict the final score. Typically, I’m going to focus on the three biggest games on the slate and preview those, and then give quick-hitting final scores for the remainder of the games.

Here’s how I think every ACC game will go in Week 1.

MORE: Stock up, stock down from college football Week 0

Clemson vs. No. 11 LSU

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney encourages his players stretching during practice in the at the Allen N. Reeves Sports Complex in Clemson, S.C. Thursday, August 6, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

This will be the primetime game on ABC, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET. It marks Lane Kiffin’s first game at LSU, and most people are wondering if he will have three former NFL players playing on Saturday night. But even if they don’t, LSU has a really good football team on paper.

Sam Leavitt, coming from Arizona State, fits the typical Kiffin mold at QB. He can extend plays with his feet and make all the throws. The Tigers went out and went portal crazy under Kiffin, and there will be a lot of new faces.

As for Clemson, the Tigers return Gideon Davidson at RB, but QB Christopher Vizzina will debut as Clemson’s starting signal-caller against a tough LSU team. That’s not a recipe for success.

Final score: LSU 27, Clemson 14

No. 24 Louisville vs. No. 9 Ole Miss (Sun. game)

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

This feels like a game that could be really close, or Ole Miss blows the Cardinals out of the water. Louisville has a new offensive line, featuring four incoming transfers, along with former Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz under center.

The Cardinals do get back star RB Isaac Brown, who could make or break this game for Louisville. The Cardinals are going to play fast, but they need Brown to get into a rhythm quickly and make an impact.

Ole Miss brings back both QB Trindad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy. The Rebels’ defense is going to be stout this season with Pete Golding as the head coach, and Ole Miss added star LB Keaton Thomas from Baylor. Look for the Cardinals to hang with Ole Miss, but the Rebels will be too much.

Final score: Ole Miss 31, Louisville 21

No. 19 SMU vs. Florida State (Mon. game)

Jan 2, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Florida State was less than impressive in Week 0 against New Mexico State, winning 34-17. Ashton Daniels didn’t have a great debut at QB for Mike Norvell and he will need Daniels to come out and play well this weekend against a tough SMU squad.

Kevin Jennings is back for SMU and he’s a sneaky pick as a dark horse in the Heisman race. The Mustangs return most of their starting offensive line from last season, and the Seminoles’ defense will have a hard time slowing SMU down.

Final score: SMU 34, Florida State 24

The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style

Wake Forest 38, Akron 13

Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 21

No. 7 Miami 38, Stanford 24

Syracuse 34, New Hampshire 10

Pitt 27, Miami (OH) 13

Cincinnati 17, Boston College 13

Duke 21, Tulane 20

Virginia Tech 41, VMI 6

Cal 31, UCLA 28

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