2023 College Football Preview - ACC Power Rankings

As the sun sets on one college football season, it rises on another, bringing with it the promise of thrilling matchups, memorable plays, and the quest for supremacy in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The ACC, known for its dynamic competition and rich football tradition, is a battleground where teams vie for conference glory and national recognition. 

As the 2023 season begins, we embark on the journey of assessing the landscape and projecting the contenders and dark horses in our ACC College Football Power Rankings. From the defending champs to the hungry contenders, the conference promises exciting matchups and intense rivalries. 

Let the games begin, and let the ACC power rankings set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable season of college football. Here's a comprehensive for the upcoming season:

14. Virginia Cavaliers 

The Cavaliers were one of the worst teams in the conference last year, finishing with a record of 3-7. They lost some of their best players during the offseason, with some through the transfer portal and others to the NFL. Sadly they were unable to replace those players with anyone significant.

Virginia did receive a new quarterback via the portal in Tony Muskett, but unless he becomes a star this team will struggle. The schedule doesn’t do them any favors either, so expect it to be another rebuilding year. 

13. Boston College Eagles

 With an abysmal record of 3-9 last year, the Eagles didn’t fare much better than their rivals from Virginia. The offense and defense were both a mess, as both finished in the bottom three of the conference. One of the biggest losses for this team is receiver Zay Flowers, who left for the NFL. It will be interesting to see if returning quarterback Emmett Morehead will have any solid weapons at his disposal.

Much of his success will hinge on anyone stepping up in the passing game. The offensive line isn’t much better, as last year they allowed 3.8 sacks per game. If there is any hope for the Eagles to not finish last, it rests with the defense, which returns many of its starters from a season ago. Only time will tell if that will be enough, otherwise, Boston College is in for a long year.

12. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The future is looking bright at Georgia Tech. Last year’s interim head coach Brent Key earned the permanent gig by leading the team to a .500 record. The Yellow Jackets have also brought in new quarterback Haynes King from Texas A&M via the transfer portal, and he should help their offense immediately.

The defensive side, however, still needs a lot of work, as four of the top defenders are now gone. Last year’s defense was near the bottom of the ACC (#12), and it doesn’t project to be much better. If Haynes and the offense can keep them in games, Georgia Tech could approach .500.

11. Virginia Tech Hokies

With only three wins last year (the fewest since 1992), things clearly didn't go well for the Hokies. Virginia Tech will be looking to its quarterbacks to help improve an atrocious passing game (2nd worst last year), and the hope is that there will be a vast improvement.

On the defensive side, while the Hokies boast a secondary that can match up with almost anyone, the rest of the defense is suspect at best, meaning that many other things will have to go right for this team to be bowl-eligible.

10. Syracuse Orange

The end of 2022 was a rough one for Syracuse, as they dropped six of their last seven games. If they don’t improve, this could be head coach Dino Baber’s swan song. Despite the rough ending, their overall record was over .500 (7-6), which wasn’t bad.

However, it remains to be seen if they can replicate that, as even though this year the Orange get to host Clemson, the rest of their schedule is brutal. Add to it the fact that they lost most of their offensive line and defensive starters to the NFL, and things could get ugly fast. Their success will depend on improvements in multiple areas.

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

After finishing with an 8-5 record last season, the Demon Deacons are in an interesting conundrum. Despite the loss of A.T. Perry to the NFL, most of the players on the offense return. Whether this will be enough to keep them afloat remains to be seen.

While they do have plenty of depth on the offensive side, the secondary last year was atrocious (No. 121 in the nation in passing yards allowed). If their pass defense can make significant strides and limit turnovers, it could propel Wake Forest to an over .500 record for the second consecutive year.

8. Louisville Cardinals

Even though Louisville had a solid record last year of 8-5, they decided to go in a completely different direction. Gone is old coach Scott Satterfield and in is former Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, who took Purdue to the Big Ten Championship game one year ago. Add to that the Cardinals were able to secure Brohm’s former Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer via the transfer portal, and the offense should be vastly improved.

There is reason for optimism with this team. Unfortunately, they are not rated higher because the Cardinals have barely averaged seven wins the last five years, and only four starters on offense return. Could they make some noise? Definitely. More than likely though this is a transition year. Louisville’s new coaching staff and quarterback are assets, but their defense needs vast improvement for a higher rank.

7. Pittsburgh Panthers

First, the bad: Pitt lost two of its best players this past offseason in running back Israel Abanikanda and wide receiver Jared Wayne. They also lost a few of their top starters on the defensive side of the ball. That could be problematic in more ways than one.

Now, the good: Pat Narduzzi is one of the best coaches in the league, and the Panthers have a new quarterback via the transfer portal in Phil Jurkovec. While Jurkovec hasn’t been nearly as good since he left Boston College a few years ago, he will reunite with his former coach Frank Cignetti, the new offensive coordinator. Add to it the fact the Panthers followed up their 2021 conference title by finishing third last year and don’t play Clemson, Miami, or NC State at all, and there is a blueprint for a lurking title contender.

6. Duke Blue Devils

When head coach Mike Elko took over the Duke football program last year, he inherited a mess. Fast forward a year later, and the coach has his team heading in the right direction. Fresh off a 9-4 record with a vastly improved defense, the Blue Devils are poised for a breakout year. 17 players return, including stud quarterback Riley Leonard, and the expectation is that the team continues to make strides and be bowl-eligible.

This year may be a bit more challenging, however, as their schedule includes matchups against Clemson, Notre Dame, NC State, and Florida State, the ACC powerhouses. Should Duke win some of those games, their preseason rank of 35 will most likely skyrocket. If they don't.....well....it may become a transition year. Either way, this is a team that should be playing in a bowl game by season’s end.

5. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes first season with Mario Cristobal wasn’t the best. Not only did they lose their starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to injury, but the rest of the offense was so bad they ended up letting their offensive coordinator go. The team’s record ended up being a paltry 5-7, and they were unable to qualify for a bowl bid for the first time since 2007. Things don’t get much easier with the schedule this time around either, with Clemson, Florida State, NC State, & North Carolina all on the docket.

However, with the return to health of Van Dyke, plus an offensive line that has the potential to be one of the best in the country, Miami’s record should improve. Assuming most everyone can stay healthy, the talent is there to have a .500 season and be in the running for a bowl game once again. Winning their home opener has put them off to a good start.

4. NC State Wolfpack

Head Coach Dave Doeren will begin his 11th season at the helm, and during that time has managed to win at least seven games in eight of those seasons. This year NC State has the potential to be not just good, but really good, as they return six starters on a stifling defense that was ranked top 20 in the country.

Add in new transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong and his old coach Robert Anae as offensive coordinator, and you have the makings of a very good offense. Even though the schedule doesn’t necessarily do them any favors, don’t be surprised if this team is at or near the top when all is said and done.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels

As reigning ACC Player of the Year Drake Maye goes, so go the Tar Heels. Last season this offense was elite, with Maye and the entire group helping North Carolina get off to a 9-1 start. Many of the same starters return, and this team’s running back depth is second to none. The Tar Heels have also acquired some new receiving weapons to help fill the void left by Josh Downs, so offensively they should remain at or near the top.

The defense, however, is a completely different story. To say it was putrid may be an understatement, as the defense ranked dead last in the ACC in almost every category. North Carolina is talented, but the defense currently has too many holes to confidently say they are one of the top three in the ACC. If the defense improves, then the Heels will be legit, otherwise, the offense will need to carry them once again.

2. Florida State Seminoles

After winning 10 games for the first time since 2016 and a bowl bid, the Seminoles are poised to make a run at the CFP this year. Head coach Mike Norvell has done wonders to the program since taking over, and inherits a veteran and deep group that should rival Clemson for ACC supremacy. On the offensive side, stud quarterback Jordan Travis leads an explosive offense that was ranked 16th nationally, and has eight other starters coming back. On the defensive side, this unit is no slouch either, as the bulk of the starters return.

The Seminoles ranked #20 nationally in scoring defense and figure to remain at or better than that going into this season. While Clemson is still the favorite, Florida State is quickly closing the gap, and the talent is there to be the team to take down the Tigers.

1. Clemson Tigers 

For the sixth consecutive year, the Tigers are projected by most to be the ACC champs. At 11-3 last year, it marked the 12th year in a row of double-digit victories. That said, the offense, by Clemson standards, was bad. So bad in fact that the offensive coordinator was let go despite the bowl bid and the double-digit win record.  This year, under a new offensive philosophy, the hope is that sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik can lead the Tiger offense back to elite status.

On the defensive side, eight starters return for another year, helping to lead an elite defense back to prominence. For Clemson, anything short of returning to the four-team CFP will be a disappointment. However, with a stud defense and a new offensive philosophy in place, don’t be shocked if the Tigers end up in the four-team CFP field once again. 

The 2023 ACC college football season promises intrigue, unpredictability, and memorable moments. With established powerhouses like Clemson and up-and-coming challengers like North Carolina, the conference is poised for a thrilling journey. As teams battle it out for ACC supremacy, these rankings provide a snapshot of the landscape, setting the stage for what promises to be another captivating season of college football.

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