ACC Football 2026 Predictions

NCAAF College Football
June 10, 2026
Boston College Eagles, California Golden Bears, Clemson Tigers, College Football, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech, Louisville Cardinals, Miami Fl Hurricanes, North Carolina State, North Carolina Tar Heels, Pittsburgh Panthers, SMU Mustangs, Sports, Stanford Cardinal, Syracuse Orange, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Chaos surrounded the ACC title race for the bulk of the ‘25 season, which culminated in Duke edging Virginia in the conference title game. However, the biggest storyline surrounding this league last year was Miami’s run to the national championship. Thanks to coach Mario Cristobal’s recruiting and player development, ‘The ‘U’ is back among the nation’s top teams and is poised for another run at the title in ‘26. Behind quarterback Darian Mensah and star sophomore receiver Malachi Toney, the Hurricanes are a heavy favorite in 2026 ACC predictions to take home a conference title.

A group of teams is fighting for positioning in the second tier behind Miami, including SMU, Louisville, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Pitt, and Georgia Tech. NC State is a sleeper team to watch behind quarterback CJ Bailey and a favorable schedule. California is another dark horse contender with rising star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returning after a strong freshman campaign.

The intrigue in the ACC continues with Florida State, North Carolina, and Syracuse aiming to rebound after disappointing ‘25 campaigns. Also, Wake Forest and Duke aim to exceed preseason expectations again, while Boston College and Stanford hope to be this year’s surprise team.

ORDER NOW: 2026 Athlon Sports College Football Preview Guide

How does Athlon Sports project the ACC for 2026? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 17 teams in the ACC for this fall:

As a former quarterback and assistant on the Farm, new coach Tavita Pritchard certainly knows what it takes to win at Stanford. But progress is likely to be slow in ‘26. The Cardinal haven’t posted a winning record in a full year since ‘18, and the combination of coaching transition, a tough schedule and roster concerns place this team at the bottom of the ACC projections. Michigan transfer Davis Warren is slated to battle freshman Mike Mitchell Jr. to start at quarterback, while the strength of the offense should be around a line returning four starters and running back Micah Ford. A defense that ranked No. 48 nationally in success rate last season, but allowed 5.9 yards per play in ACC contests, has a solid foundation in place with five returning starters. Linebacker Matt Rose is among the ACC’s top returning defenders, and new coordinator Kris Richard has experience to build around along the defensive line and in the secondary. Considering the schedule and question marks, just being competitive every week in ACC play would be a positive sign for Pritchard.

A year after a seven-win debut, coach Bill O’Brien’s team slipped to 2-10 and raised plenty of question marks about the program trajectory entering ‘26. However, O’Brien took steps to address last year’s debacle. In addition to taking over the offensive play-calling, O’Brien reset a large chunk of the staff and added a hefty transfer portal haul. Long-time coordinator Ted Roof will call the defensive signals and aim to improve a unit that allowed 34.8 points and 6.8 yards per play in ACC matchups last season. Roof is counting on several newcomers from the portal to improve the defensive front, while the secondary returns one of the conference’s top safeties in senior KP Price. New faces need to make an instant impact to jumpstart O’Brien’s offense, including intriguing Division II transfer quarterback Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State) and running back Evan Dickens (Liberty). Kaelan Chudzinski is also among the ACC’s top returning tight ends. An offensive line featuring four new starters is under the spotlight this offseason. If McKenzie sparks the offense, and the line settles, O’Brien can steer this program back into bowl contention.

Bad luck was the theme of Syracuse’s ‘25 season. A season-ending injury to quarterback Steve Angeli in the Orange’s victory at Clemson on Sept. 20 ended a promising 3-1 start and hindered the program the rest of the year. Angeli is expected to return at full strength this fall, but coach Fran Brown added insurance through the portal with Malachi Nelson (UTEP) and Amari Odom (Kennesaw State). With Angeli back to 100 percent, this offense should return to form, but this unit isn’t without question marks. Brown has assembled intriguing talent at running back and receiver, but both units need newcomers to deliver on potential. Also, a line that allowed 38 sacks returns just two starters. New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres is among the nation’s top assistant hires for ‘26. After assembling some of the MAC’s top defenses, Kehres is tasked with improving a group that allowed 6.5 yards a snap last fall. Becoming more effective against the run would help Syracuse’s defense overall, and Brown dipped into the portal for help in the trenches. Sophomore linebacker Antoine Deslauriers and cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. are two of the ACC’s top rising stars. Cornerback Chris Peal also ranks among the conference’s more underrated players.

Bill Belichick’s college debut in Chapel Hill was a massive disappointment. Although the defense flashed potential under the new staff, a listless offense dropped the Tar Heels to 4-8 with just two of those victories coming in ACC play. Roster building and overall program talent remain a question mark this fall, but Belichick did address the offense by hiring long-time coach Bobby Petrino. Despite Petrino’s baggage, successful and productive offenses have followed throughout his career. Transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin) has showcased potential throughout his career but needs to stay healthy for this attack to click. Running backs Demon June and Benjamin Hall, along with receiver Jordan Shipp, give Edwards Jr. some talented skill pieces to work with. A revamped offensive line is a major concern once again. Although UNC’s defense didn’t face a gauntlet of offenses last year, holding ACC opponents to 4.9 yards a play was a good sign from Belichick’s group. Just three starters are back, but Melkart Abou Jaoude, is one of the ACC’s top returning defensive lineman, and portal additions could solidify the linebacker and secondary units navigating turnover. If Belichick can keep the defense performing at last year’s level, and Petrino brings significant improvement to the offense, a bowl game is within reach for the Tar Heels.

The Blue Devils suffered a late setback after quarterback Darian Mensah opted to transfer to Miami just before the portal window closed for ‘26. Coach Manny Diaz added San Jose State signal-caller Walker Eget to compete with freshman Dan Mahan, but defending the program’s ACC title without Mensah is tough. Running back Nate Sheppard returns after rushing for 1,132 yards last season and should be the focal point behind a line returning two starters. Jeremiah Hasley (40 catches in ‘25) should be among the ACC’s top tight ends. Duke’s defense has room to improve after giving up 6.2 yards a play last season. With just three starters back, Diaz has a busy fall ahead to find the right answers at all three levels. Considering the late QB swap, and overall transition on both sides of the ball, just getting back to the postseason would be a good year for Diaz’s program.

The Demon Deacons were one of the biggest surprises in the ACC last season. The program opened ‘25 with low expectations after going 4-8 the previous year and navigating a coaching transition to Jake Dickert. However, Dickert pushed all of the right buttons in his debut to guide Wake Forest to a 9-4 mark. The Demon Deacons won’t sneak up on the ACC this season, but there’s plenty of reason to believe this team will post another winning record. A defense that allowed only 22.1 points a game returns eight starters and should be the strength of the ‘26 squad. After an up-and-down season at North Carolina last fall, quarterback Gio Lopez reunited with his old South Alabama offensive coordinator (Rob Ezell) in Winston-Salem. A rebound seems in order for Lopez, but there are several question marks surrounding the offense. Running back Demond Claiborne will be missed, the team must find four new starters up front, and needs to restock the playmakers at receiver for Lopez.

ORDER NOW: 2026 Athlon Sports College Football Preview Guide

It’s no secret 2026 is a make-or-break season for coach Mike Norvell. Florida State is 7-17 over its last two years and has not won a road game since ‘23. The schedule is not kind for a major rebound, as the Seminoles catch Alabama and Florida in non-conference play, along with ACC matchups against SMU, Clemson and NC State at home, with Louisville, Miami and Pitt on the road. Saving Norvell’s job is likely to hinge on how effective the offense is behind Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels and a rebuilt offensive line. Senior Duce Robinson is back as one of the top receivers in college football, while speedy sophomore Micahi Danzy averaged over 20 yards per touch in ‘25. Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner form a solid tandem in the backfield. Coordinator Tony White also has question marks to address with four returning starters. A couple of portal additions – including Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones – should bring improvement to the linebacker unit. Also, retaining Darryll Desir and Mandrell Desir was huge for a defensive line that has significant questions. Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy needs to emerge as a key cog in the team’s pass rush to help protect a secondary also navigating turnover and meshing transfers with returning personnel.

New coach Tosh Lupoi is already off to a strong start in Berkeley. The former California defensive lineman worked quickly after his hire was made official to keep rising star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele with the Golden Bears. Lupoi’s recruitment paid off, as Sagapolutele returned after a standout freshman campaign and is a key reason for optimism in ‘26. The sophomore will have a new play-caller with Jordan Somerville taking over, but Lupoi has surrounded his star quarterback with talented weapons, including running back Adam Mohammed (Washington), tight end Dorian Thomas (New Mexico), and receivers Ian Strong (Rutgers) and Chase Hendricks (Ohio) from the portal. A revamped offensive line is Lupoi’s biggest concern, but the defense also needs to show marked improvement after giving up 31.5 points a game in ACC play last season. Similar to the offense, Lupoi is counting on a handful of transfers to bolster the defense.

The Wolfpack have won at least eight games in five out of the last six seasons. And with a favorable schedule on tap this fall, coach Dave Doeren’s team has an excellent chance to extend that streak or make a dark horse run at the ACC Championship Game. The return of quarterback CJ Bailey certainly aids that quest, as the junior is among the ACC’s top signal-callers after throwing for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns in ‘25. His supporting cast is under renovation with sophomore Jayden Scott expected to fill the void left behind by Hollywood Smothers in the backfield, and just two starters return up front. The top five statistical wide receivers from last season also must be replaced. Doeren also hopes another offseason can help coordinator DJ Eliot find the right answers on defense. The Wolfpack allowed too many big plays and surrendered over six yards a snap and 30 points a game last year. Just two starters are back, so new faces need to quickly emerge for this group to improve in ‘26.

The Yellow Jackets appeared to be in great shape for a trip to the ACC title game after an 8-0 start last season but stumbled down the stretch with a 1-4 finish in their final five contests. Coach Brent Key’s program is in transition this fall with quarterback Haynes King departing and new coordinators on both sides of the ball. However, Key’s track record suggests this team will find the right answers over the course of ‘26. Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza replaces King under center, and his mobility should be an asset in what’s likely to be a run-first offense under new play-caller George Godsey. The one-two punch of Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley is among the nation’s top running back tandems, and it’s safe to assume Key will develop a quality offensive line once again despite returning only two starters. New defensive coordinator Jason Semore inherits five returning starters, including a solid linebacker duo in Kyle Efford and EJ Lightsey. How quickly a handful of transfers solidify the line and secondary will determine how far Semore can improve this group.

Quarterback Mason Heintschel provided Pitt’s offense with a spark in the second half of ‘25 and nearly guided the Panthers to a spot in the ACC title game. After a fantastic true freshman debut, expectations are high for Heintschel (244.2 total yards a game last year) to elevate his game to another level. Coordinator Kade Bell has the pieces around Heintschel to do just that, including three starters returning up front, along with promising sophomore running back Ja’Kyrian Turner. The only thing that could hold Pitt’s offense back is a receiving corps thin on proven options. As always in the Steel City, coach Pat Narduzzi will find a way to build a solid defense. This unit limited ACC teams to just 5.2 yards a play last year and finished second in the conference against the run. There are holes to fill this offseason, however. Standout linebackers Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis will be missed, and Narduzzi has to plug a couple of voids in the secondary. The schedule isn’t too daunting, but Pitt has to play at Miami, Louisville, Virginia Tech and California in ACC play this fall.

With an 11-23 record entering ‘25, coach Tony Elliott needed to show major progress to avoid the hot seat. Mission accomplished. Virginia exceeded all preseason expectations by setting a school record with 11 victories, played for the ACC Championship and ranked No. 16 in the final top 25 rankings. Replicating that success in ‘26 will require significant retooling by Elliott and his staff. Virginia brings back only eight starters and lost a handful of key cogs off last year’s team, including quarterback Chandler Morris, running back J’Mari Taylor, safety Devin Neal, and receiver Trell Harris. An offensive line returning three starters should be the strength of the ‘26 offense, with Xavier Harris and transfers Peyton Lewis (Tennessee), Jekail Middlebrook (Middle Tennessee) providing a strong trio of running backs. Missouri transfer Beau Pribula is expected to get the nod under center, and while more consistency is needed as a passer, the senior brings good mobility and experience to Charlottesville. Adding to the challenge of elevating Pribula’s play in the passing game is a revamped receiving corps. Virginia’s defense has holes to plug at every level, but confidence should be high in coordinator John Rudzinski to find the right answers. Linebacker Kam Robinson is among the ACC’s top returning defenders, and Rudzinski has plenty of experience or incoming transfers to help fill the gaps this fall.

The Hokies won the offseason with the hire of James Franklin as head coach, along with a significant investment into the program to give it all the resources it needs to contend for the ACC Championship once again. Although Franklin’s tenure at Penn State ended in disappointment, he’s won 104 combined games during stints at Vanderbilt and in Happy Valley. In other words, it shouldn’t take long for Franklin to deliver a winning program in Blacksburg. The Hokies landed a top portal haul to aid in improving off last year’s 3-9 mark, including a handful of Penn State transfers in quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds, along with other impact additions in receiver Que’Sean Brown (Duke), offensive lineman Logan Howland (Oklahoma), and cornerback Jaquez White (Troy). Although it’s odd to see former head coach Brent Pry return as defensive coordinator, that marriage should work out well for the Hokies. There are question marks for Franklin to address on both lines of scrimmage this fall. However, in the ACC, if the right pieces fall into place, the Hokies could be one of the most-improved teams in the power conference rankings in ‘26.

After last year’s underachieving 7-6 season, the ‘26 campaign is a crucial one for the overall direction for Clemson under coach Dabo Swinney. Sensing the urgency and need for a quick rebound, Swinney made a couple of staff changes, including hiring former play-caller Chad Morris to return as offensive coordinator. Also, the Tigers were more active in the portal than they were in previous years. Will it work? We’ll see. Clemson’s schedule is favorable but contending for the ACC crown is likely to hinge on how quarterback Christopher Vizzina (or Tait Reynolds) develops. If Vizzina delivers solid play, the Tigers have plenty of weapons to make this offense click, including running back Gideon Davidson and receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. In addition to the question marks at quarterback, an offensive line replacing three starters is a concern. Despite returning only three starters, the outlook is better on defense. Coordinator Tom Allen has a strong front led by end Will Heldt to build around in the trenches, with linebacker Sammy Brown returning to anchor the second level. A couple of transfers – including cornerback Elliot Washington II and safety Jerome Carter III – provide needed talent and speed on the back end.

Although coach Jeff Brohm is one of the top offensive minds in the game, an inconsistent passing game held back Louisville in a 9-4 campaign last fall. Brohm took steps to address last year’s shortcomings, landing Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, along with receivers Tre Richardson (Vanderbilt) and Lawayne McCoy (Florida State) and tight end Brody Foley (Tulsa) to fill a couple of key voids in the passing attack. Although it may take Brohm a few games to build this group, one area where the questions are minimal is with the ground attack and running back Isaac Brown (a preseason Athlon Sports All-American for ‘25). New co-defensive coordinators Steve Ellis and Mark Ivey inherited one of the ACC’s top linebacker units with T.J. Capers, Stanquan Clark, and Antonio Watts. Also, edge rusher Clev Lubin is among the conference’s top returning linemen. If Kienholz and Louisville’s offensive line develop as expected under Brohm, an early-season showdown against SMU could decide a spot in the ACC title game.

The Mustangs are 14-2 in conference action since joining the ACC prior to the 2024 season. Coach Rhett Lashlee’s team has plenty of holes to fill with just eight returning starters, but this program deserves the benefit of the doubt it will find the right answers. Also helping SMU’s case as a preseason frontrunner in the ACC is a favorable schedule. Lashlee’s team has a manageable road slate in league play and won’t have to face off against Miami. Another big reason for putting the Mustangs near the top of the league is quarterback Kevin Jennings. The senior is among the nation’s top returning signal-callers after accounting for 30 overall scores and ranking second in the ACC in total offense last fall. The receiving corps is revamped, but transfers Yannick Smith (East Carolina) and Jalen Hale (Alabama) provide experience and playmaking ability for Jennings. Also, the offense can lean on a line that should be among the best in the ACC. Maurice Crum Jr. takes over the defensive play-calling duties following Scott Symons’ departure to the NFL. Keeping the Mustangs near the top of the ACC (4.95 yards per snap allowed in conference play last year) is a challenge with just four starters back. Solidifying the defensive front and secondary top the list of fall priorities for Lashlee and Crum.

Mario Cristobal’s squad opens 2026 as a heavy favorite to win the program’s first ACC title. After a narrow loss to Indiana in last year’s national championship, the ‘Canes are showing no signs of slowing down. Top-notch recruiting in the high-school ranks or via the transfer portal has allowed Cristobal to build a deep roster and one that can only improve throughout the ‘26 campaign. Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah is one of the nation’s top signal-callers, receiver Malachi Toney is back after a standout freshman season, and running back Mark Fletcher should be a preseason All-American following a strong finish to ‘25. Transfer receiver Cooper Barkate followed Mensah from Duke to Coral Gables, giving the passing game another potential All-American on the outside. The question marks surrounding the offense are minimal. However, Cristobal does need to break in four new starters up front. Corey Hetherman’s arrival as defensive coordinator last season paid big-time dividends. Miami allowed 4.7 yards a snap (down from 5.3 the previous year) and limited teams to 14.8 points a contest (down from 25.3 the previous season). Although Rueben Bain left big shoes to fill, the cupboard isn’t bare up front with Damon Wilson II and tackles Ahmad Moten and Justin Scott anchoring the trenches. Also, an experienced secondary should rank among the best in college football. Although Cristobal has to navigate some transition on both lines of scrimmage, Miami appears primed for another deep playoff run.

Miami over SMU

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

ACC Football 2026 Predictions

Miami over SMU

Archives