How Syracuse Football Fits into ACC Landscape Heading into 2026

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Each week throughout the college football regular season, SyracuseRoundtable will bring you the ACC power rankings. The rankings will hope to give a clearer picture as to where the top teams in the conference stack up. In December, the top two teams will compete in Charlotte, N.C., for not just the conference title, but a berth in the College Football Playoff.

So, where does Syracuse football rank on our inaugural list?

No.1 Miami

After appearing in last season's national championship game, the Hurricanes are poised to be the team to beat in the conference. They lost quarterback Carson Beck to the NFL, but they've picked up Duke transfer Darien Mensah, who should keep them very strong.

No. 2 SMU

The Mustangs have lost just two conference games combined the past two seasons. SMU is projected to be favorited in all of its conference games. The Mustangs lost in the 2024 ACC title game and nearly advanced again in 2025, but lost at Cal in the final week of the regular season.

No. 3 Louisville

The Cardinals suffered multiple losses by single-digits in 2025. If Louisville can defeat SMU later this month, the Cardinals will have a path to the title game in December. 

No. 4 Clemson

The 2024 conference champions, Clemson was perceived to be a potential national champion candidate last year, but slumped to a 7-6 record. The Tigers return impact players on both offense and defense. Remember, they lost to Syracuse last season as well, with the Orange winning 34-21 in Week 4.

No. 5 Virginia

After a win over NC State to start off the season, the Cavaliers are on a mission to prove they belong among the best in the ACC. Virginia lost in the ACC title game last season and a win would have clinched the program a spot in the CFP.

No. 6 Syracuse

The Orange would have come in at No. 8, but after the loss by NC State, and an underwhelming performance by Florida State, the Orange check in at No. 6. If Steve Angeli can match Kyle McCord's production from 2024, the Orange could only lose one to two ACC games this season. After going 3-9 last season, we're expecting Syracuse to in strong contention for a bowl game this year.

Best of the rest: 

No. 7 NC State

No. 8 Florida State

No. 9 Virginia Tech

No. 10 North Carolina

No. 11 Pittsburgh 

No. 12 Georgia Tech

No. 13 Wake Forest

No. 14 California 

No. 15 Stanford 

No. 16 Duke

No. 17 Boston College 

What ACC matchups are taking place this weekend?

All ACC teams in action during Week 1 will play non-conference games, excluding two teams.

The lone conference game kicks off on Friday when Miami take on the Stanford Cardinal. Miami is hoping to win the school's first conference title in history while Stanford is looking to grab its second overall win of the season. The Cardinal defeated Hawaii 37-27 in Week 0.

What's this weekend for the Orange look like?

Syracuse will host New Hampshire in their regular season opening game on Sept. 5. Kick off is set for noon E.T. inside the JMA Wireless Dome. 

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