3 ACC Teams That Will Disappoint in 2026

Most programs have high expectations during the spring, but most won’t be able to reach them. Here are three ACC programs that will end up disappointing during the 2026 season.

Florida State

The skinny: An argument can be made that a program that has compiled a 7-17 record over the last two seasons can’t disappoint in 2026, but considering the annual expectations in and around Tallahassee, it is still on the table.

At this point it is hard to believe that the Seminoles were 23-4 during the two seasons prior to their landslide. But this is why expectations continue to remain high. However, in 2026 those expectations once again won’t be met, which will result in head coach Mike Norvell’s firing. The portal additions that were brought in during the winter cycle, especially at quarterback, aren’t enough to bring improvement to a program that desperately needs it.

Clemson

The skinny: Over the last 25 years, Clemson has been one of the most consistent winners in the country. From 2011 to 2022 they won double-digit games every season and played in four National Championship games. That rightfully raised expectations to epic levels. However, they haven’t been able to meet them during the last three seasons, going a combined 26-14.

For many programs, going 26-14 during a three-season run would be reason to celebrate. But at Clemson, it has caused panic. This is especially true after the 7-6 2025 season, which started with National Championship aspirations. Instead, it resulted in the Tigers’ worst season since 2010. To make matters worse, the Tigers lost a multitude of NFL-level talent, which makes it difficult to believe that 2026 will suddenly get better. Expect another mediocre season for the Tigers in 2026.