TNIAAM Roundtable: who wins the ACC and CFP?

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We’ll have our Syracuse Football season predictions tomorrow, but today the TNIAAM staff gives you our choices for ACC Champion, CFP Champion and Heisman Trophy winner. Let’s jump right in…

Who will win the ACC in 2026 and why?

Dom: Give me The U. All bias aside, this is finally the year for Cristobal and Miami. Schedule-wise, of its two in-state rivals, it plays FSU at home and avoids the Gators entirely. Even if Miami drops the Notre Dame game, it won’t matter for the ACC standings. Outside of going on the road in Death Valley and trap-game potential with maybe Pittsburgh or Virginia Tech, this is the year. On top of all that, the ACC’s new tiebreaker criteria will completely avoid what happened in 2025.

Mike: This is Miami’s conference to lose… and believe it or not, I don’t think they will this time. They seem head and shoulders over nearly everyone on their schedule, with the exception of ND under the lights in South Bend. As funny as a Penn State-esque collapse would be to watch from the outside (sorry Dom, nothing personal), the odds of that are *extremely* low.

Kevin: Miami losing would be hilarious after they stole Mensah and Barkate right at the end of the portal….but it’s hard to see them not taking the title (finally). If there’s someone who can challenge them I think it’s Louisville. 

Max: Miami has the ACC this year. They have the schedule to get it done and their talent level is far ahead of the next contender in the conference.

Will another ACC team make the CFP in 2026?

Dom: Lukewarm take, but the ACC is a one-bid league unless Miami is undefeated or at one loss, but loses to Louisville, SMU, or someone else in the conference championship. Way too much has to go right. The ACC got lucky-ish in ‘24 with Clemson and SMU both making the CFP. What happened in ‘25 is much more the reality. 

Mike: I’m bullish on Virginia to be an at-large bid, especially with how dominant their defense looked against NC State in Week 0. Both the Big Ten and SEC look like total bloodbaths with little wiggle room, and while we know how that goes in terms of the rankings, a 10-win Cavs who steal a road game against FSU, SMU, or VT will be a great spot.

Kevin: I think it’s likely a one-bid league because of the Preseason Top 25 and Notre Dame’s new guarantee. It will be tough for the ACC and B12 to overcome the advantages the B10 and SEC teams enjoy in terms of “forgivable” losses.

Max: The ACC is a one-bid conference this season when it comes time for the CFP. Miami will be that one team, and it would take an upset from another top ACC team to make the ACC multi-bid conference.

Who will win the Heisman?

Dom: It’s a quarterback-heavy honor, and there are so many good candidates this year. If it doesn’t end up being a QB, that would feel like a shock. It’s a “cop-out” pick, but I’ll take Arch Manning. Good vibes in Texas, better roster, one year under his belt, big name, no ‘Bama or Georgia on the schedule: the Longhorns’ man under center has all the stars aligned to win.

Mike: You can make a legit case for at least five QBs to take home the award this year. That said, it’s gotta be Arch. He may not finish with the highest overall stats (see C.J. Carr’s paper soft slate), but there will be plenty of big moments on the Longhorns’ gauntlet of a schedule for the Manning magic to manifest itself, and those are what stick out most at season’s end.

Kevin: I think Oregon is likely the top team in the regular season and Dante Moore will have the stats and team record to win this one.

Max: The top candidates this year are all going to be QBs, and out of those candidates it’s Arch Manning taking it home and adding more hardware to the Manning trophy case. He has the weapons by his side to put up the numbers, and also a schedule that will show he can ball out against top teams in the nation.

What two teams will play for the National Championship and who will win?

Dom: Give me Georgia over Ohio State. It’s 2022 all over again.

Mike: Georgia over Notre Dame. Because the Athens street racing pipeline beating the Catholics in Sin City is way too on the nose to not happen.

Kevin: Notre Dame over Indiana. Yes, the Hoosier State once again take the crown and everyone still claims the SEC is the best conference despite missing out on the title game.

Max: Ohio State over Oregon. The Buckeyes are going to return to reigning over the college football world for the second time in the past three years.

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Now. let’s hear from you. Who are your picks to win the ACC, CFP and the Heisman this year?

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