The curtains are about to be drawn on the 2026 college football season, with Week 0 set to begin on Saturday, August 29.
The Miami Hurricanes were the ACC's class of 2025, reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Miami could certainly be one of the top teams in the ACC yet again, but several teams will be in contention to dethrone the Hurricanes in 2026.
Below, we’ll break down our ACC rankings and analyze each team’s prospects for the upcoming college football season, along with PrizePicks Team Picks projections.
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2026 ACC Power Rankings
Our full 2026 ACC power rankings contain expected powerhouses to sleeper teams and squads who could be facing uphill battles over the next several months.
The payouts listed below indicate real-money earnings if a prediction is correct; for example, a 2x on a $100 entry pays out $200. The lower the payout multiplier, the higher the chance of the outcome occurring, according to user picks.
1: Miami Hurricanes
Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.81x I No 1.92x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Darian Mensah, RB Mark Fletcher Jr., WR Malachi Toney, DE Damon Wilson II
Miami is coming off a magical season, but several key pieces (including QB Carson Beck and DE Rueben Bain Jr.) are gone. New talent will have to lead the Canes back to the promised land.
Junior QB Darian Mensah helped lead Duke to an ACC title a season ago and now brings his talents to South Beach. Electric offensive playmakers like Fletcher and Toney return after being integral parts of Miami’s CFP run.
It also doesn’t hurt that the Hurricanes landed WRs Cooper Barkate (Duke), Cam Vaughn (West Virginia), and Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina) in the transfer portal, all of whom boasted at least 15.4 yards per reception last year.
Defensively, the front seven did lose the likes of Bain, DE Akheem Mesidor, and LB Wesley Bissainthe after being tied for seventh in the nation with 34 sacks. If Wilson and DE Marquise Lightfoot can similarly wreak havoc, this could be a dominant unit again.
2: SMU Mustangs
Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.63x I No 2.17x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Kevin Jennings, RB Kendrick Raphael, WR Yamir Wright
After consecutive 11-win seasons, SMU produced a 9-4 campaign and finished tied for second place in the ACC regular-season standings. The Mustangs could’ve clinched a spot in the ACC title game if they avoided slip-ups to California and Wake Forest in the second half of the year.
Turning the page to 2026, SMU does have the fortune of having Jennings back in the fold. He can be electric at times but is also turnover-prone (24 INTs across his last two seasons).
Jennings will have to get acquainted with a new group of skill position players with Wright, RB Derrick McFall, and WR Jalen Cooper being the only returning weapons from a year ago. The Mustangs did pick up Raphael (California), WR Yannick Smith (East Carolina), WR Jalen Hale (Alabama), TE Randy Pittman Jr. (Florida State), and Theo Melin Öhrström (Texas A&M) in the portal.
The Mustangs also lost seven starters on the defensive side of the ball, which will make for an interesting season.
3: Louisville Cardinals
Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.08x I No 1.56x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Lincoln Kienholz, RB Isaac Brown, RB Keyjuan Brown, WR Tre Richardson, DE Clev Lubin
Louisville has won at least nine games in each of the first three seasons under HC Jeff Brohm. It seems the Cardinals have been on the cusp of breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling, but losing close games to marquee opponents has been their Achilles’ heel.
The Cardinals will bring back the sensational RB duo of Browns, who combined to rush for 1,588 yards and 13 TDs last season. With QB Miller Moss gone, Kienholz will likely take over. Kienholz had limited playing time in Columbus, so this will be his first shot at being “the guy.” He'll have Richardson (Vanderbilt) and TE Brody Foley (Tulsa) to throw to.
Facing No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 19 SMU in the first three weeks isn’t an ideal start, but Louisville will have early opportunities to prove they’re for real.
4: Virginia Cavaliers
Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.61x I No 2.12x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Beau Pribula, RB Jekail Middlebrook, WR Da’Shawn Martin, OL Noah Josey, DT Zion Wilson
Virginia had three consecutive losing seasons under HC Tony Elliott but excelled with an 11-3 campaign in 2025. However, QB Chandler Morris, RB J’Mari Taylor, and a host of offensive producers are gone.
The Cavaliers hit a home run in the portal with the addition of Pribula. Pribula may not have had the season in Missouri that many expected, but his dual-threat versatility brings a different dynamic.
The biggest question marks are whether the likes of Middlebrook, Martin, and WR Rico Flores Jr. produce more in Charlottesville than they did at their previous stops.
5: Clemson Tigers
Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.66x I No 2.08x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Christopher Vizzina, CB Elliott Washington
Clemson has registered just one CFP win in its last seven seasons. With lofty expectations in 2025, the Tigers got off to a 1-3 start and finished the year 7-6 despite having a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate in QB Cade Klubnik.
With Klubnik gone, Clemson wasn’t able to grab a star signal-caller and will turn to senior Vizzina, who threw for 406 yards and 4 TDs in five games last season. It’s still a bit of an unknown as to what Clemson will get in Vizzina, but that will likely decide what kind of year they have.
The Tigers may not challenge for an ACC title in 2026, but there could be a slight improvement.
6: Virginia Tech Hokies
Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.81x I No 1.85x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, RB Marcellous Hawkins, CB Jaquez White
Virginia Tech made a splash hire when the program landed former Penn State HC James Franklin. As should come as no surprise, Franklin brought some of his former players with him to Blacksburg, including Grunkemeyer.
Grunkemeyer saw significant playing time when Drew Allar went down at Penn State in 2025 and completed nearly 70% of his passes. The back half of Virginia Tech’s schedule is difficult with the likes of Clemson, Miami, and SMU.
7: NC State Wolfpack
Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.78x)
Top Players to Watch: QB CJ Bailey, RB Jayden Scott, OL Jimarion McCrimon, CB Brian Nelson II
NC State may have one of the easiest schedules in the ACC and could be a dark horse to reach the ACC Championship Game as a result. After all, Louisville is the only ranked opponent on their schedule right now. QB CJ Bailey is one of the most talented returners in the conference. He offers a ton of athleticism but never seems to hold onto the ball too long.
8: Pittsburgh Panthers
Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.72x I No 2.04x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Mason Heintschel, RB Ja’Kyrian Turner, LB Alex Sanford Jr.
Pittsburgh got off to a scalding 7-2 start, including wins against Florida State and NC State. However, they dropped two of their final three games, though those contests were against Miami and Notre Dame. Heintschel is back for another year after thriving in his first collegiate season.
The Panthers did see a few big-time defensive contributors leave in the transfer portal, including LB Rasheem Biles (Texas) and DT Francis Brewu (Notre Dame).
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9: California Golden Bears
Projected Win Total: 7+ (Yes 1.69x I No 1.96x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, RB Adam Mohammed, WR Ian Strong
California had a ton of players transfer after the 2025 season but kept Sagapolutele after he threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 18 TDs as a true freshman and will have a lanky new target in the form of Strong. The Golden Bears reached a bowl game in 2025 despite producing a fairly inconsistent season and could reach bowl eligibility again if Sagapolutele continues to improve.
10: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Projected Win Total: 7+ (Yes 2.04x I No 1.72x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Alberto Mendoza, RB Justice Haynes, OL Ethan Mackenny
Georgia Tech raced out to an 8-0 start in 2025 before dropping three of their final four games and falling to BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. QB Haynes King is gone, and the expected heir apparent Aaron Philo followed former OC Buster Faulkner to Florida.
The Yellow Jackets were able to land Mendoza (Fernando Mendoza’s brother) in the portal, so another successful season could still be on the horizon.
11: Florida State Seminoles
Projected Win Total: 6+ (Yes 1.51x I No 2.04x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Ashton Daniels, RB Quintrevion Wisner, WR Duce Robinson, WR Micahi Danzy
Florida State began 2025 with an upset win over Alabama, but that was the high point of the campaign. Daniels took over for Jackson Arnold at Auburn last season, but now he’s slated to be the starting QB for the Seminoles. The expectations don’t feel incredibly high, so reaching a bowl might be the ceiling for this group.
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12: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Projected Win Total: 6+ (Yes 1.61x I No 2.12x)
Top Players to Watch: CB Davaughn Patterson, WR Carlos Hernandez, QB Gio Lopez
After consecutive 4-8 seasons, Wake Forest went 9-4 and defeated Mississippi State in the illustrious Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The offense will be led by Lopez, who struggled mightily at North Carolina a season ago. Lopez will have the fortune of throwing to Hernandez (15.3 yards per catch in 2025), so there’s a chance for the Demon Deacons to be bowl-eligible once again if Lopez can bounce back.
13: Duke Blue Devils
Projected Win Total: 6+ (Yes 1.66x I No 2.12x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Walker Eget, RB Nate Sheppard, WR Jared Richardson
It may seem disrespectful for a team that won the ACC a season ago to be this low. However, the lethal combination of Mensah and Barkate is tough to replace. HC Manny Diaz brought Eget in from San Jose State after he threw for 5,555 yards and 30 TDs in his past two seasons, so the Blue Devils may exceed expectations.
14: Syracuse Orange
Projected Win Total: 5+ (Yes 1.75x I No 2x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Steve Angeli, RB Ahmad Miller, CB Demetres Samuel Jr.
Angeli returns for his senior season after suffering a torn Achilles last season. When he suffered the injury in late September, he was second in the nation with 1,316 passing yards. The Orange could’ve made a lot of noise in 2026, but losing five-star freshman WR Calvin Russell III to an Achilles in the spring is a major blow.
15: North Carolina Tar Heels
Projected Win Total: 5+ (Yes 2.08x I No 2.66x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Billy Edwards Jr., RB Demon June, WR Jordan Shipp
The Bill Belichick experiment didn’t get off to a great start in Chapel Hill. North Carolina produced just a 4-8 mark in 2025 and lost seven of its last nine games. Edwards does have starting experience from his time at Maryland and brings a ton of athleticism to the table, but it may not be enough to get the Tar Heels to bowl eligibility.
16: Stanford Cardinal
Projected Win Total: 4+ (Yes 1.69x I No 2.08x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Davis Warren, RB Micah Ford, LB Matt Rose
Stanford has put together seven consecutive losing seasons, but there’s actually reason for optimism. GM Andrew Luck and new HC Tavita Pritchard have brought some stability to the program. Michigan transfer Warren may not light the world on fire, but he does bring experience to the table.
17: Boston College Eagles
Projected Win Total: 4+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.72x)
Top Players to Watch: QB Mason McKenzie, RB Evan Dickens, DE Kris Jones
Boston College reached a bowl game in its first year under HC Bill O’Brien but took a massive step back in 2025 with a 2-10 campaign. The team lost QB Dylan Lonergan to Rutgers and replaced him with Division II signal-caller McKenzie.
The Eagles landed Dickens in the portal after he rushed for 1,339 yards and 16 TDs at Liberty last year. Still, it could be a long season for Boston College.
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Make 2026 ACC Predictions on PrizePicks
The ACC is expected to be a very competitive conference this year. After reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Miami figures to be a juggernaut yet again. Which teams could challenge the Hurricanes for the ACC title in 2026?
The college football season kicks off with Week 0 kicking off on Saturday, August 29, and users can make CFB predictions for the 2026 season.
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Stay locked in on Playbook for daily college football news as the 2026 regular season approaches.
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