College Football ACC power rankings entering Week 1

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The ACC: The Always Chaos Conference in college football. This even includes scheduling! We had an ACC conference matchup in Week Zero that was supposed to be in Brazil (but was moved back stateside), and we’ll have ACC teams in action on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in Week 1!

If you’re a fan of the ACC, you can officially watch your conference in action for 5 days straight. How is that for some ACCtion?

MORE: College Football risers & fallers after Week 0

10. NC State

Aug 29, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) passes the ball during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Saturday should have served as a wake-up call for NC State. I am still a believer that they can get to bowl eligibility and win 7 or 8 games with their schedule. But man, they did not look good on Saturday. CJ Bailey couldn’t take care of the football, the offensive and defensive lines got pushed around, and the wide receivers couldn’t get open. That’s not how you win football games, but I think they were just up against a genuinely good opponent.

9. North Carolina

Now that’s how you save your job and reputation. Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels went across the pond and beat TCU 15-10 in Week Zero. It wasn’t always pretty, but I thought that Bobby Petrino called a solid game offensively and Billy Edwards looked competent at quarterback, and that pairs nicely with a defense that flew around and made plays.

8. Georgia Tech

Jul 16, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key speaks to the media during Media Day at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

We’ll learn a lot about the Yellow Jackets on Thursday night when they take on Colorado. I put them in this spot because I blindly trust Brent Key and Tech’s offensive line play, but I reserve the right to move them up or down next week based on the performance of Alberto Mendoza at quarterback.

7. Virginia Tech

In a move that shocked absolutely no one, Virginia Tech named Ethan Grunkemeyer as their starting quarterback and officially became Penn State South Campus. In all seriousness, this team has a lot of similarities with James Franklin’s best Penn State teams, right down to the great schedule draw.

6. Pitt

It’s make-or-break time for Mason Heintschel. We won’t find out a lot about Pitt this weekend, but we will in short order. The offensive playmakers are a significant downgrade from last season, which will put a lot more pressure on Heintschel to make things happen after his productive freshman season.

5. Clemson

Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina (17) gets ready to pass near running back Chris Johnson Jr (16) during the first half at the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The Tigers finally named Chris Vizzina their starting quarterback before they take a trip to the “other” Death Valley to take on LSU. Vizzina is a bit of a wild card, with only one start at Clemson. But how well he plays will determine a lot in whether or not the Tigers start 1-0, and whether or not Dabo’s seat starts getting warm.

4. Virginia

I’m sorry, Virginia, I was not familiar with your game. I was thoroughly impressed by the ‘Hoos in their win over NC State in Week Zero. The offensive and defensive lines dominated the line of scrimmage, which is something that will travel well against any opponent. I also thought that was the best I have ever seen Beau Pribula play. If they can keep this pace up, Virginia could find themselves in Charlotte in December.

3. SMU

There is no bigger game in the ACC this week than the showdown between SMU and Florida State in Doak Campbell Stadium. If SMU can pull it out, they are through one of their toughest road tests of the season, and it’s only Week 1. I like their chances because I trust Kevin Jennings a whole lot more than I trust Ashton Daniels.

2. Louisville

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) at the teams annual kickoff luncheon with the fans at the Galt House Hotel before the upcoming 2026 football season. August 17, 2026

House money. That’s what Louisville is playing with against Ole Miss on Sunday night. Lose, and you’re relatively unaffected and can still win the ACC. Win, and you put the nation on notice that the Cardinals are an ACC contender and CFP dark horse.

1. Miami

After how Stanford looked against Hawaii in Week Zero, I’m not ready to just give this Week 1 game to the Hurricanes. It’s not easy to travel across the country and beat a team like Stanford that is well-built in the trenches (but does have a few injuries). I will not only be watching Darian Mensah, but also to see if Miami has the same advantages on both sides of the line of scrimmage that they did last season.

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