ACC Football Power Rankings: Miami, SMU still favorites after Virginia's impressive opener

The college football season officially started on Saturday with Week Zero action. There were a few ACC teams in action, giving us a glimpse of what they’re all about in 2026. For everyone else, we’ll just have to rely on preseason thoughts and conjecture as we put together our first ACC football power rankings of the season.

1. Miami

After poaching Darian Mensah from Duke, the Hurricanes have a proven quarterback, setting them up to potentially make another run in the College Football Playoff. There are still some questions to be answered at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. But the Hurricanes have a proven head coach and quarterback, which is enough to make them the preseason ACC favorites.

2. SMU

With Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs have the ACC’s most experienced quarterback, not to mention someone who led them to the CFP two years ago. The other big takeaway from our preseason look at SMU is an experienced offensive line that could be among the best in the conference. With much of the defense and offensive skill positions being revamped through the portal, SMU has one or two more questions than Miami, although the Mustangs will be a team to watch this year.

3. Virginia

Was there a more impressive team in Week Zero than the Cavaliers? Granted, not that many teams played, but Virginia looked even better than our preseason projection. New quarterback Beau Pribula looked even better than advertised, as did the Virginia defense. You never want to overreact to one game, but Tony Elliott might have a chance to pick up where he left off with the Cavs at the end of last season.

4. Clemson

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers face more preseason questions than they have in a long time after last year’s 7-6 campaign. However, Swinney’s track record has earned him the benefit of the doubt, especially since he has started using the transfer portal a little more. Of course, a lot is riding on new quarterback Christopher Vizzina, and we’ll find out soon if he and the Tigers are ready when Clemson opens the season against LSU.

5. Pittsburgh

Once again, the Panthers hope to fit the profile of a dark horse in the ACC. A strong front seven and an experienced quarterback in Mason Heintschel put Pitt in a good position. The Panthers also play a schedule that should allow them to start fast and put themselves in the ACC title hunt sooner rather than later.

6. Louisville

The Cardinals definitely fit the description of a sleeper in the ACC this season. They started fast in 2025 but fell apart late in the year. There is also plenty of returning talent and some key portal additions on Louisville’s roster. However, the readiness of new quarterback Lincoln Keinholz will decide how good the Cardinals can be. Louisville will face both Ole Miss and SMU in September, so a fast start is key.

7. Georgia Tech

Haynes King leaves big shoes to fill, as not everyone understands just how much he carried the Yellow Jackets last year. On the bright side, the backfield of Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley should be able to carry some of the load in 2026. While Georgia Tech still looks solid overall, early-season games against Colorado and Tennessee should tell us more.

8. Virginia Tech

It’s anybody’s guess what the Hokies will look like in James Franklin’s first season in Blacksburg. Franklin takes over a team that went 3-9 last year. Tons of talent was added in the transfer portal, but that doesn’t always equate to immediate success. Of course, the Hokies have a chance to ease into the season with a manageable September schedule.

9. California

With a new coach and a ton of roster turnover, our preseason assessment of Cal is that the Bears are rather mysterious heading into the 2026 campaign. But the one thing we know is that quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has a chance to be among the ACC’s best after an impressive freshman season in Berkeley. That’s enough to put them in the middle of the pack in our power rankings to open the season.

10. North Carolina

It was easy to question Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels before the season, but credit where credit is due. The Tar Heels traveled to Ireland and beat TCU to open the college football season. New quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. had some moments, while Syracuse transfer Derek McDonald led a strong defensive effort. That win gives North Carolina the benefit of the doubt for now. But keep in mind the Tar Heels face a brutal schedule.

11. Florida State

A 34-17 win over New Mexico State, a team that went 2-6 in Conference USA last year, isn’t nearly as impressive as North Carolina’s win. Keep in mind, the Seminoles were just 2-6 in ACC play last season and 1-7 in the league the year before. Mike Norvell is banking on a slew of transfers to get things turned around, but the jury is still out, especially with games against SMU and Alabama on the horizon.

12. NC State

The Wolfpack entered the season as a potential sleeper, only to fall asleep at the wheel in their season opener. A conference road game to begin the season is never easy, but that shouldn’t excuse getting completely dominated on both sides of the ball. The only silver lining is that Virginia was one of the toughest games on NC State’s schedule, so there is time to recover.

13. Duke

After losing Darian Mensah in the transfer portal, the Blue Devils have some work to do this year despite technically being the reigning conference champs. The pressure is on San Jose State transfer Walker Eget to fill those shoes and overcome a defense that may not be reliable.

14. Syracuse

The Orange is probably better than 14th, especially with Steve Angeli healthy. But after losing eight in a row, mostly in lopsided fashion, to close out the 2025 campaign, Fran Brown and company have a lot to prove this season, so Syracuse has to start toward the bottom.

15. Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons shocked the ACC by going 9-4 in 2025. But they have to start from scratch this season, just like everyone else. The Wake offense is relying on a lot of transfers to plug holes right away, and North Carolina transfer Gio Lopez isn’t exactly an upgrade at quarterback after an unconvincing season with the Tar Heels last season.

16. Stanford

By virtue of beating Hawaii, the Cardinal avoids the bottom spot in the power rankings. After losing to Hawaii in last year’s season opener, it was a great redemption win for Stanford. Unfortunately, the Cardinal has to face Miami on Friday.

17. Boston College

The Eagles are coming off a 2-10 season in 2025, and Bill O’Brien thinks that bringing in a quarterback from a Division II program will be the answer this season. It’s fair to be skeptical of that, right? Boston College has some reason to be optimistic, but opening with non-conference games against Cincinnati and Rutgers will make things tough.

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