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August is slowly turning into September, fall camp is ending, and school is about to start. This can only mean one thing; Football season is back. Usually I cover all things NFL, especially the Tennessee Titans, who I am very excited for this year, but this season I will dive into the chaotic realm of college football. With NIL, the transfer portal, conference realignment, and the new playoff system, the college football landscape has fully entered uncharted waters, which I plan to navigate throughout 2024.
Keep reading to see how the revamped ACC that now includes west coast teams could shape up in 2024, with my ACC season preview and predictions. (Note: Ranked teams are ranked using ESPN’s post Spring Game top-25 rankings).
Title Photo: Lynne Sladky / AP Photo
17. Stanford Cardinal (2023 record: 3-9)
Second-year coach Troy Taylor has a lot of work to do to rebuild a Cardinal team that hasn’t won more than 4 games in one season since 2018. He does have a dynamic playmaker on offense in WR Elic Ayomanor, but other than that, Taylor has a long way to go to rebuild Stanford into an ACC contender.
2024 Projected Record: 2-10
16. Virginia Cavaliers (2023 record: 3-9)
The Cavs offense relied heavily on wideout Malik Washington, but he is now in the NFL, leaving a massive hole in the aerial attack. The QB situation isn’t much better, with Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea not inspiring much hope in fans. Virginia will continue rebuilding this season with their eyes on success in 2025.
2024 Projected Record: 3-9
15. Pitt Panthers (2023 record: 3-9)
Pitt, like the other cellar dwellers of the conference, are a rebuilding program with eyes on 2025. After winning the ACC in 2021, it's been all downhill for coach Pat Narduzzi and co. He needs to develop his team into the program it once was or he could be on the hot seat quite soon.
2024 Projected Record: 3-9
Toughest Opponents: at SMU, vs #16 Clemson, at Louisville
14. Boston College Eagles (2023 record: 7-6)
All eyes are on new head coach Bill O’Brian. The former Houston Texans head coach takes over a BC program ready to take the next step. However, I don’t think they will this season. O’Brian’s past is riddled with inconsistencies and incompetence, and combine that with a worse defense than last year, and the Eagles could struggle. QB Thomas Castellanos has tremendous upside, but O’Brian will have to make him less reliant on his legs and get him to use his arm more.
2024 Projected Record: 4-8
New Syracuse QB Kyle McCord (6), stretches out win his team before a spring practice in March.
Photo: Dennis Nett / Syracuse.com
13. Syracuse Orange (2023 record: 6-7)
Former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord is getting one last chance to live up to his 5-star rating coming out of high school. He will be tasked with providing consistency to a passing game that didn’t have much last year. The offense will rely on RB LeQuint Allen to balance out their attack. It’s up to McCord to improve the Orange in 2024, but as with anything in college football, success is far from guaranteed.
2024 Projected Record: 5-7
12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2023 Record: 4-8)
The Demon Deacs struggled in ‘23 without record-setting QB Sam Hartman. Former Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier will lead an offense that will improve from last year. The defense was a solid unit last season, and returns most of their starters. Wake should improve in 2024, but not by much.
2024 Projected Record: 5-7
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2023 record: 7-6)
The Yellow Jackets were solid under QB Haynes King last campaign, and could definitely improve in 2024. However, their schedule is one of the hardest in all of the nation with a whopping 6 games against top-25 teams. They will be battle tested all season long, and could pull off a couple upsets, but it will be a hard season for Tech.
2024 Projected Record: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
10. Duke Blue Devils (2023 record: 8-5)
The Blue Devils lost coach Mike Elko and QB Riley Leonard in the offseason, but brought in new coach Manny Diaz and Texas transfer QB Maalik Murphy. Murphy is a raw player right now, but at 6’5” 238 lbs, he is a dynamic athlete. If he can develop quickly, Duke could make another surprise run in the conference.
2024 Projected Record: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
Cal RB Jayden Ott scampers ahead of Arizona defenders for a touchdown during his freshman season in 2022.
Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez / AP
9. Cal Golden Bears (2023 record: 6-7)
The ACC is the Atlantic Coast Conference. Cal (and Stanford) play on the West Coast, yet are in the ACC. Welcome to 2024. All jokes aside, Cal could potentially make a surprise run for the conference crown. RB Jayden Ott returns after posting over 1,300 rushing yards a year ago. QB Fernando Mendoza is primed for a breakout season, but he will have to cut down on the turnovers to do so.
Do the Golden Bears have what it takes this season, or are they a year away from a deep run that possibly results in a CFP appearance?
2024 Projected Record: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
8. North Carolina Tar Heels (2023 record: 8-5)
UNC lost star QB Drake Maye and receiver Tez Walker to the NFL, two massive blows to this year's Tar Heels roster. The defense must take a step forward this season if the Tar Heels want to stay at the level that they were at in ‘23. Former LSU and Texas A&M QB Max Johnson is likely the starter this year. While he has talent, he's nowhere near Maye’s level. The offense will rely heavily on one of the country’s top backs in Omarion Hampton. Regression seems likely for North Carolina in 2024.
2024 Projected Record: 7-6 (Bowl Loss)
7. SMU Mustangs (2023 record: 11-3, AAC Champion)
SMU has a real shot to contend in their first year in the ACC. The reigning American champs return talented QB Preston Stone, who was top-15 in the country in passing touchdowns, passer rating, and yards per attempt. The only question for Stone is if he can perform like that against tougher competition. If he can, then the Mustangs are primed for a shot at the CFP. It does help that their schedule has just 1 top-25 team.
2024 Projected Record: 9-4 (Bowl Win)
Toughest Opponents: vs #11 Florida State, at Louisville, vs Cal
6. Louisville Cardinals (2023 record: 10-4, ACC Runner-Up)
The Cards were the surprise runner-ups of the conference, losing to FSU in the championship game. It was their first ever ACC title game appearance, and it was coach Jeff Brohm’s rookie year as head coach. Unfortunately, Louisville lost a lot of talent to the NFL, including QB Jack Plummer. Did they do enough to reload, especially as the top teams in the conference got better? Only time will tell, but regression could be in the cards for the Cards in 2024.
2024 Projected Record: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)
Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones dodges Wake Forest defenders during a win in 2023.
Photo: Ryan Hunt / Getty Images
5. #21 Virginia Tech Hokies (2023 record: 7-6)
The Hokies went 6-3 in their last 9 games to end last season, including a bowl win. QB Kyron Drones found his footing as the year went on, showing off his dual threat ability with over 2,000 passing yards and over 800 rushing yards. If he can start 2024 the way he ended 2023, then Virginia Tech could ride their momentum to a strong start. An easy start to the schedule should help as well.
2024 Projected Record: 9-4 (Bowl Win)
4. #24 Miami Hurricanes (2023 record: 7-6)
Coach Mario Cristobal has put together a formidable team via the transfer portal. Former Washington State QB Cam Ward is the leader of the offense. His dynamic scoring ability gives the Canes a big play threat under center. The only question is if Cristobal can put it all together and coach this team to more wins.
2024 Projected Record: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)
3. #13 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2023 record: 9-4)
The Wolfpack reloaded their offense from the transfer portal pretty well. QB Greyson McCall and WR Noah Rogers form an exciting duo in the pass game. McCall starred at Coastal Carolina, gets a shot at a Power 4 level to prove that he is a legit prospect. The defense returns enough firepower that the loss of LB Payton Wilson to the NFL shouldn’t result in a fall off. Outside of two early season tests against Tennessee and Clemson, the schedule is a breeze. NC State has a legitimate shot to make a run at the conference title.
2024 Projected Record: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik prepares to pass against North Carolina during a game last season.
Photo: Jacob Kupferman / AP Photo
2. #16 Clemson Tigers (2023 record: 9-4)
The Tigers have struggled in the past couple seasons to get back to their old ways of reaching the Playoff every season. This is the year that changes. I’m a Cade Klubnik fan. He has the tools to be a first-round pick, and this is the season that he’ll put it all together. The defense projects to be one of the best units in the conference as well. If Klubnik can play like the #2 QB in his class the way he was rated, then Clemson will punch a ticket to the CFP once again. The schedule is loaded with 4 Top 25 battles, but I think the Tigers live to tell the tale in late December.
2024 Projected Record: 11-3 (11-1 Regular Season, ACC Runner-Up, First Round Loss in CFP)
1. #11 Florida State Seminoles (2023 record: 13-1, ACC Champions)
I am one of the people that believe that FSU did not belong in the CFP last season, and that the committee made the right choice picking Alabama. Now, the Seminoles have a chance to back up their belief that they belonged last year in the new 12-team format. It all comes down to former #1 QB in his class, former Clemson and Oregon State signal caller, DJ Uiagalelei. If he can pick up where Jordan Travis left off, then Florida State will be fine, and will most likely make the postseason. If he struggles the way he did at Clemson, then the Seminoles risk missing the CFP again. It's time for DJU to finally show up.
2024 Record: 11-3 (10-2 Regular Season, ACC Champions, Quarterfinals Loss in CFP)
Final Thoughts:
The ACC is probably the most wide-open conference of the Power 4. I’m still not sold on Florida State as a team that could make a deep CFP run, but if Uiagalelei plays well, then they have a real shot. Clemson is in a similar boat. If Klubnik plays well, then the Tigers can claim the conference, and possibly make a playoff run. NC State and Miami have a shot to make the conference title game, but they have to win their ranked games to make a push.
I just don’t see an ACC team beating an SEC team in the CFP; the SEC is just too good, and the ACC is like their younger brother that they always push around. I hope these predictions are right (or at least somewhat right), but either way, this was a fun blog to research and write. Stay on the lookout for my coverage of the other 3 major conferences (RIP PAC-12).
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