Miami, SMU, and Louisville lead the ACC football rankings post-spring practice, while Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina are under scrutiny. Potential challengers include NC State, Georgia Tech, and Virginia.
Key points
Miami, SMU, and Louisville are the top teams in ACC rankings.
Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina are under scrutiny.
NC State, Georgia Tech, and Virginia are potential challengers.
Clemson is bringing back offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
MiamiSMULouisvilleClemson
Miami, SMU and Louisville are the teams to beat in USA TODAY Sports’ post-spring ACC power rankings, with potential spoilers such as NC State, Georgia Tech and Virginia just behind the top three.
You won’t currently find Clemson anywhere in this conversation. Likewise with Florida State. And North Carolina.
The Tigers, Seminoles and Tar Heels will be among the most scrutinized teams in the Power Four. Clemson looks to turn back the clock by bringing back former offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Like the Tigers, FSU is good enough to make some noise if the Seminoles can get out of their own way.
Don’t expect any miracles from UNC and second-year coach Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels went deep into the portal to flip a roster that was uncompetitive in 2025 but still need to develop line play on both sides of the ball.
Q&A
What are the top teams in the ACC football rankings after spring practice?
The top teams are Miami, SMU, and Louisville.
Why are Clemson and Florida State not in the ACC rankings conversation?
Clemson and Florida State are currently not performing at a competitive level, leading to their absence from the rankings.
Which teams could potentially challenge the top three in the ACC?
NC State, Georgia Tech, and Virginia are considered potential challengers.
What changes is Clemson making to improve their performance?
Clemson is bringing back former offensive coordinator Chad Morris to help improve their performance.
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With spring practices in the books and a long summer ahead, here’s how the ACC currently shakes out:
1. Miami
The defending national runner-up must replace standout defenders such as edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. but will be sparked by the addition of Duke transfer Darian Mensah at quarterback. What Miami needs to achieve before the opener is rebuilding an offensive line that was the driving force behind last year’s playoff run.
2. SMU
The Kevin Jennings-led offense could be explosive enough to carry SMU back to the ACC title game, especially if the running game picks up after a down 2025. Coming out of the spring, the factor that will determine whether the Mustangs can make the playoff is the performance of a defense that is heavily reliant on transfers up front and in the secondary.
3. Louisville
Like SMU, Louisville will score points in bunches behind former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. He brings a different type of athleticism to the table than the Cardinals’ recent transfers. This spring saw Kienholz begin to develop a rapport with a receiver group that added Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson and former Tulsa tight end Brody Foley.
4. NC State
NC State has a solid quarterback in CJ Bailey but question marks at wide receiver, especially with projected top target Teddy Hoffmann out for the season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The schedule is nearly perfect. The Wolfpack get Louisville at home and close the year with Stanford, California, Duke, Syracuse, North Carolina and Florida State.
5. Georgia Tech
Three big pieces to replace: quarterback Haynes King, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and offensive line coach Geep Wade. This season will test how far Tech has come under Brent Key. But the Yellow Jackets should remain a bruising, run-heavy contender that leans on impact running back transfer Justice Haynes.
6. Virginia
Returning most of last year’s offensive line has helped Virginia ease in a new quarterback, likely former Missouri transfer Beau Pribula, and begin settling on a rotation at running back. The Cavaliers could make a run at double-digit wins if transfers such as former Michigan safety Brandyn Hillman lock things down in the secondary.
7. Clemson
After a hugely disappointing 2025, Dabo Swinney has given the offense back to former coordinator Chad Morris and is poised to hand the starting quarterback job to backup Christopher Vizzina. The decision not to pursue an experienced transfer could end up dooming the Tigers’ season. Or it could prove the right call if Vizzina can connect regularly with one of the nation's best receiver groups that includes T.J. Moore, Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr.
Virginia Tech should reach bowl eligibility and could do much more in James Franklin’s first year. The Hokies have been overhauled with a huge Penn State influence, led by likely starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. But Tech will also lean on holdovers on the offensive line who struggled last season while gaining experience that could pay dividends in 2026.
New coach Tosh Lupoi had one huge offseason win in convincing quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to return for his sophomore year. To speed up his growth, he needs help up front and a stronger running game. But Lupoi’s biggest job this spring was to start rebuilding a defense that lost a huge chunk of production off a unit that allowed 5.9 yards per play in ACC action in 2025.
10. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons have put together a pretty good roster that exits the spring still trying to find the right mix to replace productive running back Demond Claiborne, a three-year contributor. Look for Wake to lean on a committee approach headed by last year’s backup, Ty Clark III. North Carolina transfer Gio Lopez is expected to be the quarterback.
Sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel is a strong piece to build around on offense, though a questionable receiver corps could stunt his development. The Panthers really need Western Carolina receiver transfer Malik Knight to carry his explosive spring into the regular season.
12. Duke
Duke’s outlook changed dramatically with Mensah’s late transfer to Miami. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget has moved into the driver’s seat for the starting job after tossing 30 touchdowns and 20 interceptions the past two years. But that’s not the only issue for the Blue Devils, who are also facing defensive concerns after losing the key pieces behind last year’s pass rush.
13. Florida State
FSU has a slightly better outlook for 2026. Again, there’s enough talent to lift the Seminoles into conference title and playoff contention. But the program has a poor track record in the portal, especially on the offensive side, and additions such as new starting quarterback Ashton Daniels just don’t move the needle.
14. North Carolina
Belichick’s second team looks stronger than his first, though that’s a low bar to clear. UNC spent the spring trying to get things meshing on offense under new coordinator Bobby Petrino. The early results have been mixed. The Tar Heels won’t budge from the bottom third of the conference unless Petrino can add some juice to what was last season one of the worst offenses in the Power Four.
15. Syracuse
There’s a boom-or-bust feeling around Syracuse, which has gathered a nice collection of young talent in the past two recruiting classes but is short on experience and depth. The most touted youngster on the roster is five-star freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell, who has already made a case for being the top target for quarterback Steve Angeli.
After just two wins in 2025, Boston College is poised to hand the offense to Division II quarterback transfer Mason McKenzie ahead of a season under pressure for third-year coach Bill O'Brien. The Eagles went heavy on offensive linemen in recruiting and in the portal while bringing in former Liberty running back Evan Dickens.
17. Stanford
Patience will be a virtue for the Cardinal as it will take time for new coach Tavita Pritchard and general manager Andrew Luck to build up this roster. For now, Stanford will look to set a foundation and establish an identity while leaning on holdovers such as running back Micah Ford.
