Early ACC Football Predictions for 2025

1. Clemson

The Tigers enter 2025 as the early favorite to win the ACC. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is back to direct a high-powered offense (34.7 points a game), with receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, and T.J. Moore headlining the weapons on the outside. The defense should benefit from the arrival of coordinator Tom Allen after struggling at times (5.6 yards per snap allowed) in ‘24. 

2. Miami

Cam Ward will be missed at quarterback, but coach Mario Cristobal landed arguably the best signal-caller in the portal in former Georgia standout Carson Beck. The ‘Canes need to retool a bit around Beck, and his recovery from an elbow injury suffered in the SEC Championship Game is a concern. Improving on defense is a must for Miami to play for the ACC title. New coordinator Corey Hetherman arrives in Coral Gables after building a standout defense at Minnesota (16.9 points a game allowed in ‘24).

3. SMU

The Mustangs surprised in their first season in the ACC. Coach Rhett Lashlee’s team nearly won the conference title and earned a playoff trip to Penn State. A return to the 12-team field in ‘25 will require some heavy lifting, as SMU loses a chunk of talent on both sides of the ball. However, Kevin Jennings returns as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

4. Louisville

Coach Jeff Brohm’s high-powered offense should reload behind USC transfer quarterback Miller Moss and one of the nation’s deepest backfields that includes running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson. Both lines of scrimmage will require an offseason renovation, but the Cardinals have significant help on the way from the portal. An ACC slate that includes road trips to Miami, Pitt, SMU, and Virginia Tech is tough.

5. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are on solid foundation entering the 2025 season. Coach Brent Key has guided the team to back-to-back bowl trips, and with quarterback Haynes King returning, contending for a finish in the top 25 is within reach. Key reloaded King’s weapons through the portal with a couple of big pickups to join Malik Rutherford on the outside. Coordinator Tyler Santucci’s arrival in ‘24 helped Georgia Tech make big strides on defense. After giving up 29.5 points a game in ACC contests last year, the Yellow Jackets cut that total to 25.5 and limited opponents to 5.6 yards a snap. 

6. Duke

Manny Diaz’s first team in Durham exceeded all preseason expectations with a 9-4 finish. A defense that held opponents to 24.5 points a game will require some retooling, but Diaz should find a way to keep this unit near the top of the ACC. Tulane transfer Darian Mensah was one of the top quarterbacks in the portal and should help to spark an offense that averaged only 5.2 yards a play in ‘24.

7. Pitt

After a promising 7-0 start, the Panthers finished ‘24 on a six-game losing streak. Coach Pat Narduzzi’s team has the right ingredients in place to get back on track next fall, including quarterback Eli Holstein and one of the ACC’s top playmakers in running back Desmond Reid (154.9 all-purpose yards a game). Also, the return of linebacker Kyle Louis (101 tackles) is huge for a defense that limited conference opponents to 5.2 yards a snap.

8. Syracuse

Fran Brown had one of the better debuts by a first-year coach in 2024 by guiding Syracuse to a 10-3 mark. Reaching double-digit victories in ‘25 won’t be easy, as quarterback Kyle McCord, running back LeQuint Allen, receiver Jackson Meeks, and tight end Oronde Gadsden II are off to the NFL. Improvement is needed on a defense that allowed 6.2 yards a snap and 29.2 points a game in ‘24.

9. Florida State

After last year’s surprising 2-10 finish, coach Mike Norvell heads into ‘25 squarely on the hot seat and under pressure to get the program back on track. The Seminoles should be better next fall but how high this team climbs in the ACC will hinge on a transfer class heavy on help for the offensive line, along with quarterback Thomas Castellanos (Boston College). Norvell also has new coordinators on both sides of the ball. 

10. North Carolina

With Bill Belichick taking over, North Carolina might be college football’s most interesting team for the 2025 season. The cupboard isn’t bare for the new staff and a solid transfer haul should help Belichick restock the roster. Replacing the production of running back Omarion Hampton won’t be easy, and there’s quarterback uncertainty going into the spring with Max Johnson recovering an injury suffered in the ‘24 opener against Minnesota. 

11. Virginia Tech

The Hokies were projected to be a sleeper contender for the ACC in ‘24 but finished with a disappointing 6-7 mark. A healthy year from quarterback Kyron Drones is needed for coach Brent Pry’s team to take a step forward in ‘25. Also, Virginia Tech is counting on immediate contributions from several transfers up front and on defense in the secondary. 

12. Boston College

The Eagles had a successful debut (7-6) under first-year coach Bill O'Brien in '24. Quarterback Grayson James (1,366 yards and six touchdowns) showed flashes of potential after taking over the starting job and should benefit from a full offseason to work under O'Brien. End Donovan Ezeiruaku (80 tackles and 16.5 sacks) is a huge loss on defense. 

13. NC State

The Wolfpack’s streak of winning at least eight games in a season ended at four with last year’s 6-7 mark. Coach Dave Doeren must navigate some turnover in ‘25, as defensive play-caller Tony Gibson left to be the head coach at Marshall, and offensive coordinator Robert Anae was dismissed in favor of Kurt Roper. Quarterback CJ Bailey is promising, and Roper can build around the sophomore with running back Hollywood Smothers, tight end Justin Joly and receiver Noah Rogers returning. Doeren is counting on contributions from a handful of transfers on the offensive line and in the secondary to address two of the team’s biggest concerns in ‘25.

14. Virginia

The Cavaliers took a step forward in coach Tony Elliott’s third year with a 5-7 mark. However, with an 11-23 record overall since arriving in Charlottesville in ‘22, next season is a crucial one for Elliott’s hot seat status. North Texas transfer quarterback Chandler Morris should be an impact addition for an offense that managed only 22.7 points a game. The Cavaliers also need to show improvement (30.8 points a contest allowed in ACC play) on defense to make a bowl in ‘25.

15. California

The Golden Bears are coming off back-to-back bowl trips, but coach Justin Wilcox hasn’t had a winning season since ‘19. Addressing an offense that ranked near the bottom of the ACC in scoring and yards per play was a priority this offseason. The hires of Bryan Harsin and Nick Rolovich as offensive assistants should help this unit, and freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a promising player to build around. And if needed, Ohio State transfer Devin Brown is a good transition option under center until Sagapolutele is ready. Running back Jaydn Ott’s return is also significant after an injury-filled ‘24 campaign. 

16. Wake Forest

Change is the top storyline for Wake Forest entering spring practice. Former Washington State head coach Jake Dickert takes over after Dave Clawson resigned following an 11-year run atop the program. Improved quarterback play is a must for the Demon Deacons to return to a bowl, which could come in the form of Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie. Getting running back Demond Claiborne for another season in Winston-Salem is huge, and Dickert’s work in the portal helped to restock at receiver and along the offensive line. Wake Forest has finished eighth or worse in the ACC in scoring defense in each of the last eight years.

17. Stanford

Troy Taylor inherited a major rebuilding project at Stanford prior to 2023 and has made some small gains over the last two years. However, with a 6-18 mark in that span, showing progress in ‘25 is crucial. Redshirt freshman Elijah Brown is expected to inherit the controls of the Cardinal offense after Ashton Daniels (Auburn) and Justin Lamson (Bowling Green) transferred. Elic Ayomanor (63 catches in ‘24) leaves big shoes to fill at receiver. For Stanford to escape the cellar of the ACC, improving a defense that allowed 6.5 yards a play in conference action is a must.