The ACC doesn’t have a lot of intrigue going into the 2025 season. The top team  is much better than the rest. The battle is in the middle of the pack.

ACC Preview

1.Clemson Tigers- Quarterback Cade Klubnik had an outstanding junior season and looks to do better in 2025. In fact, he is a top candidate fo the Heisman Trophy. Several wide receivers such as fist team ACC is Antonio Williams. Look for sophomores TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco, Jr, return after a successful freshman season. Head coach Dabo Swinney may become a national title winning coach.They open on August 30th at home vs a tough LSU Tigers team. Additional info: Games are played at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC and will seat 81,500 fans. 

2. Miami Hurricanes- Head Coach Mario Cristobal looks to take his team closer to a national title. In 2024, they had the best offense in the nation and now in 2025, they add an impact quarterback in Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia. The  weakest part is the receivers but Keelan Marion, a transfer from BYU and sophomore returnee Joshisa Trader are capable of handling the duties. The Hurricanes open on August 31st at home against Notre Dame. Additional information finds they play at Hard Rock Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida that seats 64,767 fans

3. Louisville Cardinals- Head coach Jeff Brohm will look to his receivers to carry the offense, He will have running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson returning from a successful campaign in 2024, Former USC quarterback Miller Moss will be the starter. Wide receivers include veterans Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy. The offense is taken care of. Second place is attainable for Louisville. They open on August 30th at home against Eastern Kentucky, Additional information includes their  stadium is L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, KY and it seats 60,800 fans.

4. Florida State Seminoles- Head coach Mike Norvell had a lethargic offense in 2024. He took the off-season to completely revamp his offense and his coaching staff. Transfers Duce Robinson from USC and Squirrel White from Tennessee become the wide receiver corps along with freshman running back Ousmane Kromah will provide scoring. Quarterback situation was given to Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos. He previously played for offensive coordinator Gus Makzahn at UCF. They kicking team will need to be replaced. Florida State opens at home on August 30th against Alabama. Additional information finds FSU plays at Doak Campbell stadium in Tallahassee, Florida with seating for 70,000 fans.

5. SMU Mustangs – Head coach Rhett Lashlee was 11-3 overall in 2024 but has lost a ton of production. However, Kevin Jennings return to the QB spot. He got turnover prone late in the year and that is a concern. RB Brashard Smith is gone and unproven  and four transfer options are available but unproven. The receiving corps will get the bulk of work as wide receivers Romello Brinson and Jordan Hudson may be the answer, Tight ends Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland  will need to learn on he job.  Additional information includes that SMU opens on August 30th at home against East Texas State in Gerald L.Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX.

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Look for a no drop-off in 2025 on the offense. Haynes King returns as quarterback . The rushers return in Jamal Haynes and Malik Richardson. The area of concern comes at the offensive line  through graduation and transfers. Ethan Mackenney is back from his first year where he was named Freshman All- American in 2023. Additional information is that the Yellow Jackets play at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta GA. Opening day is August 29th on the road against Colorado.

7. Duke Blue Devils– This team is an offensive squad that averaged 26.3 points per game. That will likely be duplicated as Tulane transfer Darian Mensah is the new quarterback for head coach Manny Diaz. Jacquez Moore will handle the rushing concerns along with a revamped defense that is superior. Secondary defense is good with Chandler Rivers and Jaiden Deanciois from Utah State on board.  Duke opens at home on August 30th  against Elon. Additional information find they play at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC and the attendance max is 35,018.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels – Be assured this team will be in the news plenty with Bill Bellichick at the helm. In 2024, they finished 6-7 on the season/ Plenty of makeovers have happened and some assistant coaches come from the NFL. At QB is Gio Lopez from South Alabama. Jordan Shipp and Kobe Paysour will  be the primary receivers. The defensive is under the direction of coaches son Steve Bellichick. This team is a wild card and can go either direction but with the experience they will win more games than they lose. They open up on September 1st at home versus TCU. Additional information for UNC, the Tar Heels will play at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC and can seat 50,500 fans.

9. Pitt Panthers – In 2024, they finished 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the ACC. Head coach Pat Narduzzi qill stick with quarterback Eli Holstein  will begin his sophomore season with tailback Desmond Reid is a likely Top Twenty player in his position. Kenny Johnson is a very good receiver that fits in well. This team averaged 32.9 points per game. They open at home against Duquesne. Additionally, they play Acrisyre stadium that fits 68,400 fans.

10. NC Wolfpack– Last season, they averaged 28.5 points per game and in 2025,the quarterback coach takes over as offensive coordinator.  in Kurt Roper. He will have his offensive ready made with sophomore CJ Bailey at quarterback, sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers sophomore wide receiver Noah Rogers and junior tight end Justin Joly.. The defensive line is set and ready to go le by nose tackle Brandon Cleveland. This is a team that in two years could be atop the ACC. Additional information is this team plays at Carter-Finley Stadium and it seats 56,919. The Wolfpack is coached by Dave Doeren. They open at home against East Carolina on August 28th.

11.Boston College Eagles – After finishing 7-6 overall in 2024, head coach Bill O’Brien is facing a decision. He can go with returnee Grayson James at quarterback or use Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan. He hasn’t made up his mind publicly. Another nice problem is Jordan McDonald and Turbo Richard can be solid. Lewis Bond had 67 receptions in 2024 and returns along with Reed Harris. Both are outstanding. The BC Eagles are likely a step or two better than 12th on the ACC. Additionally, they play at Alumni Stadium which seats 44,500 fans and open their schedule at home versus Fordham on August 30th.

12. Virginia Cavaliers – Head coach Tony Elliot returns for his fourth season at the helm in Virginia. Chandler Morris will be his quarterback. This team struggled in 2024 and this is a make or bust season for the coaching staff. Jamal Endrine comes in as a receive from Purdue along with Jayden Thomas from Notre Dame. Both are improvements. running backs include Trell Harris and Xavier Brown.  This team should be a bowl team but if it isn’t they will make a coaching change. Additional information finds they play at Scott Stadium with 51,500 seats. They open at home with Coastal Carolina on August 30th.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies– Head coach Brent Pry ought in a new offensive coordinator to shake up the squad in Phillip Montgomery. He will have  senior Kyron Drones behind center Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart is massive running back along with Auden Green. Several other transfers could revolutionize this offense. which is much need. The Hokies play at Lane Stadium which seats 65,532 fans. They open at home against South Carolina on August 31st.

 14. CAL Golden Bears – A bit of a quandry in Berkeley as head coach Justin Wilcox can’t figure out his quarterback. It boils down between freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Ohio State transfer Devin Brown. Several of the top running backs, including Jaydn Ott have left via the portal and now they have very little experience left. Ron Rivera was hired to be the general manager of the program.  The Golden Bears open on the road August 30th at Oregon State. Home field for Cal is Memorial Stadium which seats 63,000 fans.

15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – This team is a wildcard. It has many layers to it and a new coach in Jake Dickert. However, 1,000 yard runner Demond Claiborne returns but coach Reichert likes to use the spread option, Look for the Wake team to finish better than the previous two seasons(which was 4-8). The Deacons play at Federal Credit Union Stadium in front of 31,500 fans. Their season opener is home against Kennesaw State.

16. Stanford Cardinals – The head coach was fired after last season and NFL veteran Frank Reich was hired, he has good things to  watch with the Cardinals as their team of running backs are outstanding. Three sophomores, Cole Tab, Chris Davis, Jr, and impact runner Elijah Brown along with wide a bevy of players through the portal. The kicking game is in good hands with Emmet Kenney. The Cardinals play at Cardinals Stadium which holds 50,242. They open the season on the road against Hawaii.

17. Syracuse Orange- . This squad was 10-3 last year but things have taken a nose dive for second year head coach Fran Brown. He lost his outstanding quarterback Kyle McCord. He led the nation in passing yards. He also lost his top running back and two top receivers. That leaves one offensive skills player with any yardage, What he does have his promise as two transfers are in to battle for quarterback with LSU transfer Rickie Collins, Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli.  The defense needs lots of replacements. With all of the unsure starters and skills. I have them last in the conference.They play at the JMA Wireless Dome with 42, 784 seats. The Orage opening game is August 30th with Tennessee.

 

ACC doesn’t have a lot of intrigue going into ot he 2025 season. The top team  is much better than the rest. The battle is in the middle of the pack.

1.Clemson Tigers- Quarterback Cade Klubnik had an outstanding jumior season and looks to do better in 2025. In fact, he is a top candidate fo the Heisman Trophy. Several wide receivers such as fist team ACC is Antonio Williams. Look for sophomores TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco, Jr, return after a successful freshman season. Head coach Dabo Swinney may become a national title winning coach.They open on August 30th at home vs a tough LSU Tigers team. Additional info: Games are played at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC and will seat 81,500 fans.

2. Miami Hurricanes– Head Coach Mario Cristobal looks to take his team closer to a national title. In 2024, they had the best offense in the nation and now in 2025, they add an impact quarterback in Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia. The  weakest part is the receivers but Keelan Marion, a transfer from BYU and sophomore returnee Joshisa Trader are capable of handling the duties. The Hurricanes open on August 31st at home against Notre Dame. Additional information finds they play at Hard Rock Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida that seats 64,767 fans

3. Louisville Cardinals– Head coach Jeff Brohm will look to his receivers to carry the offense, He will have running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson returning from a successful campaign in 2024, Former USC quarterback Miller Moss will be the starter. Wide receivers include veterans Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy. The offense is taken care of. Second place is attainable for Louisville. They open on Aigust 30th at home against Eastern Kentucky, Additional information includes their  stadium is L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, KY and it seats 60,800 fans.

4. Florida State Seminoles– Head coach Mike Norvell had a lethargic offense in 2024. He took the off-season to completely revamp his offense and his coaching staff. Transfers Duce Robinson from USC and Squirrel White from Tennessee become the wide receiver corps along with freshman running back Ousmane Kromah will provide scoring. Quarterback situation was given to Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos. He previously played for offensive coordinator Gus Makzahn at UCF. They kicking team will need to be replaced. Florida State opens at home on August 30th against Alabama. Additional information finds FSU plays at Doak Campbell stadium in Tallahassee, Florida with seating for  70,000 fans.

5. SMU Mustangs – Head coach Rhett Lashlee was 11-3 overall in 2024 but has lost a on of production. However, Kevin Jennings return to the QB spot. He got turnover prone late in the year and that is a concern. RB Brashard Smith is gone and unproven  and four transfer options are available but unproven. The receiving corps will get the bulk of work as wide receivers Romello Brinson and Jordan Hudson may be the answer, Tight ends Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland  will need to learn on he job.  Additional information includes that SMU opens on August 30th at home against East Texas State in Gerald L.Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX.

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Look for a no drop-off in 2025 on the offense. Haynes King returns as quarterback . The rusher return in Jamal Haynes and Malik Richardson. The area of concern comes at the offensive line  through graduation and transfers. Ethan Mackenney is back from his first year where he was named Freshman All- American in 2023. Additional information is that the Yellow Jackets play at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta GA. Opening day is August 29th on the road against Colorado.

7.Duke  Blue Devils- This team is an offensive squad that averaged 26.3 points per game. That will likely be duplicated as Tulane transfer Darian Mensah is the new quarterback for head coach Manny Diaz. Jacquez Moore will hand le the rushing concerns along with a revamped defense tha is superior. Secondary defense is good with Chandler Rivers and Jaiden Deanci\ois from Utah State on board.  Duke opens at home on August 30th  against Elon. Additional information find they play at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC and the attendance max is 35,018.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels – Be assured this team will be in the news plenty with Bill Bellichick at the helm. In 2024, they finished 6-7 on the season. Plenty of makeovers have happened and some assistant coaches come from the NFL. At Q is Gio Lopez from South Alabama Jordan Shipp and Kobe Paysour will  be the primary receivers. The defensive is under the direction of coaches son Steve Bellichick. This team is a wild card and can go either direction but with the experience they will win more games than they lose. They open up on September 1st at home versus TCU. Additional information for UNC, the Tar Heels will play at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC and can seat 50,500 fans.

9. Pitt Panthers – In 2024, they finished 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the ACC. Head coach Pat Narduzzi will stick with quarterback Eli Holstein  will begin his sophomore season with tailback Desmond Reid is a likely Top Twenty player in his position. Kenny Johnson is a very good receivier that fits in well. This team averaged 32.9 points per game. They open at home against Duquesne. Additionally, they play Acrisyre stadium that fits 68,400 fans.

10. NC Wolfpack- Last season, they averaged 28.5 points per game and in 2025,the quarterback coach takes over as offensive coordinator.  in Kurt Roper. He will have his offensive ready made with sophomore CJ Bailey at quarterback, sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers sophomore wide receiver Noah Rogers and junior tight end Justin Joly.. The defensive line is set and ready to go le by nose tackle Brandon Cleveland. This is a team that in two years could be atop the ACC. Additional information is this team plays at Carter-Finley Stadium and it seats 56,919. The Wolfpack is coached by Dave Doeren.

11.Boston College Eagles – After finishing 7-6 overall in 2024, head coach Bill O’Brien is facing a decision. He can go with returnee Grayson James at quarterback or use Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan. He hasn’t made up his mind publicly. Another nice problem is Jordan McDonald and Turbo Richard can be solid. Lewis Bond had 67 receptions in 2024 and returns along with Reed Harris. Both are outstanding. The BC Eagles are likely a step or two better than 12th on the ACC. Additionally, they play at Alumni Stadium which seats 44,500 fans.

12. Virginia Cavaliers – Head coach Tony Elliot returns for his fourth season at the helm in Virginia. Chandler Morris will be his quarterback. This team struggled in 2024 and this is a make or bust season fo the coaching staff. Jamal Endrine comes in as a receive from Purdue along with Jayden Thomas from Notre Dame. Both are improvements. running backs include Trell Harris and Xavier Brown.  This team should be a bowl team but if it isn’t they will make a coaching change. Additional information finds they play at Scott Stadium with 51,500 seats. They open at home with Coastal Carolina on August 30th.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies– Head coach Brent Pry ought in a new offensive coordinator to shake up the squad in Phillip Montgomery. He will have  senior Kyron Drones behind center Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart is massive running back along with Auden Green. Several other transfers could revolutionize this offense. which is much need. The Hokies play at Lane Stadium which seats 65, 532 fans. They open at home against South Carolina on August 31st.

14. CAL Golden Bears – A bit of a quandry in Berkeley as head coach Justin Wilcox can’t figure out his quarterback. It boils down between freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Ohio State transfer Devin Brown. Several of the top running backs, including Jaydn Ott have left via the portal and now they have very little experience left. Ron Rivera was hired to be the general manager of the program.  The Golden Bears open on the road August 30th at Oregon State. Home field for Cal is Memorial Stadium which seats 63,000 fans.

15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – This team is a wildcard. It has many layers to it and a new coach in Jake Dickert. However, 1000 yard runner Demond Claiborne returns bur coach Reichert likes to use the spread option, Look for the Wake team to finish better than the previous two seasons(which was 4-8). The Deacons play at Federal Credit Union Stadium in front of 31,500 fans. Their season opener is home against Kennesaw State.

16. Stanford Cardinals – The head coach was fired after last season and NFL veteran Frank Reich was hired, he has good things to  watch with the Cardinals is their team of running backs are outstanding. Three sophomores, Cole Tab, Chris Davis, Jr, and impact runner Elijah Brown along with wide a bevy of players through the portal. The kicking game is in good hands with Emmet Kenney. The Cardinals play at Cardinals Stadium which holds 50,242. They open the season on the road against Hawaii.

17. Syracuse Orange- . This squad was 10-3 last year but things have taken a nose dive for second year head coach Fran Brown. He lost his outstanding quarterback Kyle McCord. He led the nation in passing yards. He also lost his top running back and two top receivers. That leave one offensive skills player with any yardage, What he does have his promise as two transfers are in to battle for quarterback with LSU transfer Rickie Collins, Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli.  The defense needs lots of replacements. With all of the unsure starters and skills. I have them last in the conference.They play at the JMA Wireless Dome with 42, 784 seats. The Orage opening game is August 30th with Tennessee.

 

 

ACC will plenty games on Friday nights:

August 29 – Kennesaw State at Wake Forest
September 5 – James Madison at Louisville
September 12 – Colgate at Syracuse
September 26 – Florida State at Virginia
October 17 – Louisville at Miami
October 17 – North Carolina at California
October 24 – California at Virginia Tech
October 31 – North Carolina at Syracuse
November 14 – Clemson at Louisville
November 21 – Florida State at NC State
November 28 – Georgia at Georgia Tech (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)