College Football Conference Previews 2025: ACC
- Om Brown
- Aug 26
- 9 min read
August is slowly turning into September, fall camp is ending, and school is about to start. This can only mean one thing; football is back. While my work at the House mainly focuses on the NFL, this season, I'm diving back into the chaotic realm of college football. As talks of an expanded College Football Playoff pushes the sport further into uncharted waters, allow me to navigate you through the 2025 season.
As we begin our journey to the 2026 National Championship Game, let’s break down what's in store for the ACC in 2025.
Cover Photo: Bob Donnan / Imagn Images
17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2024 Record: 4-8, 2-6 ACC)
The Demon Deacs enter a transitional period, having hired Jake Dickert as their new head man. He brought in 35 transfers this offseason to completely overhaul the roster. They have a potentially dynamic duo out of the backfield in likely QB1 Robby Ashford and RB Demond Claiborne. Ashford, a transfer from South Carolina who also saw playing time at Auburn, should have a reliable backfield target in Claiborne. Last season, Claiborne caught 23 passes for 254 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 1,049 yards on the ground. In Dickert’s spread offense, those two could make some noise.
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
Toughest Opponents: vs Georgia Tech (9/27), vs #14 SMU (10/25), at Duke (11/29)
16. Stanford Cardinal (2024 Record: 3-9, 2-6 ACC)
Former NFL and Cardinal star QB, Andrew Luck, enters his second season as the program's General Manager. Earlier this year, Luck fired head coach Troy Taylor after two investigations into Taylor's conduct towards female staffers, replacing him with former Colts HC Frank Reich. However, Reich will only serve as interim HC for the season while a larger search for a permanent coach continues. With instability at the top, and top WR Elic Ayomanor off to the NFL, a long rebuild is likely ahead for Stanford.
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
15. Florida State Seminoles (2024 Record: 2-10, 1-7 ACC)
They can’t be that bad again, right? Right?
FSU had a disastrous campaign in 2024. After finishing 13-1 in ‘23, they crumbled and lost ten games for the first time since 1974. On top of that, coach Mike Norvell lost many top recruits across several future recruiting cycles. However, he did bring in UCF head coach Gus Malzahn to be the offensive coordinator. He reunites with a former UCF QB in Boston College’s starter from a season ago, Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos threw for 1,366 yards last season, including 106 and 2 TDs in a 28-13 win at Florida State. The goal in Tallahassee for 2025 is to be better than last year.
2025 Record Projection: 4-8
14. Virginia Cavaliers (2024 Record: 5-7, 3-5 ACC)
The Cavs lost their starting signal-caller, Anthony Colandrea, to UNLV after he showed signs of stardom in a disappointing 2024. Grad transfer Chandler Morris will take over. Morris is quite experienced, having played at Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas. Last year with the Mean Green, Morris lit up opposing defenses with 3,774 yards in the air with 12 TDs. Most importantly, Morris also brings much-needed on-field leadership to Tony Elliott's squad.
2025 Record Projection: 4-8
Toughest Opponents: at #18 Louisville (10/4), vs Wash. State (10/18), at Duke (11/15)
13. Cal Golden Bears (2024 Record: 6-7, 2-6 ACC)
Former Buckeye backup Devin Brown replaces Fernando Mendoza behind center this year, injecting some Big Ten experience into HC Justin Wilcox's offense. Brown's decision to play an extra year behind Will Howard in a run to the National Championship shows a lot of loyalty and leadership, something that the Golden Bears will lean on in 2025 and going forward in the ACC.
2025 Record Projection: 5-7
12. Boston College Eagles (2024 Record: 7-6, 4-4 ACC)
BC had an up-and-down season in 2024. Second year head coach Bill O’Brien looks to have more consistency in 2025. To do this he, brought in QB Dylan Lonergan, a former recruit of his at Alabama. Lonergan sports a big arm from his days as a baseball pitcher in high school with a 90 mph fastball, but also has the ability to make plays in different ways. Former QB Thomas Castellanos was erratic as the starter. Can Lonergan provide stability for Billy O in ‘25? A tough schedule will be the deciding factor.
2025 Record Projection: 5-7
11. Virginia Tech Hokies (2024 Record: 6-7, 4-4 ACC)
Tech went into last year with high expectations, but struggled mightily, and ultimately failed to reach them. QB Kyron Drones looks to return to his 2023 form when he was an elite threat on the ground while staying solid through the air. Their path to success is simple: if Drones plays up to his ability, the Hokies will do well. If not, then they won’t.
2025 Record Projection: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
10. Pitt Panthers (2024 Record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC)
The Panthers will lean on their veteran-led offense and dynamic impact players to turn last year’s brief promise into sustained success. QB Eli Holstein returns after a solid debut season, and will be the centerpiece of an offense seeking rhythm and consistency. Sophomore RB Desmond Reid, a first-team All-ACC pick, brings explosiveness and versatility every time he touches the ball. The Panthers also benefit from continuity across the roster, with six starters back on offense and six on defense, giving coach Pat Narduzzi a seasoned foundation to build on. Defensively, LB Kyle Louis anchors the unit with his leadership and playmaking. Pitt’s schedule will test whether their experience can translate into wins and a return to relevance in the ACC.
2025 Record Projection: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
9. NC State Wolfpack (2024 Record: 6-7, 3-5 ACC)
NC State went into 2024 with high hopes, but QB Greyson McCall suffered a concussion early in the year that forced him to retire. They do, however, return WR Noah Rogers and TE Justin Joly to an offense that did see some growth at the end of the season. Coach Dave Doeren will lean on sophomore QB CJ Bailey, who was thrust into the starting role last season. Will the Wolfpack use their continuity from last year for success?
2025 Record Projection: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
8. Syracuse Orange (2024 Record: 10-3, 5-3 ACC)
The Orange quietly rattled off 10 wins off the back of QB Kyle McCord, who led the nation in passing yards in 2024. McCord is now in the NFL, leaving coach Fran Brown with a QB battle this summer. The contestants are former Notre Dame signal-caller Steve Angeli, who came over via the portal in the spring, and Rickie Collins, a former LSU Tiger. Whoever wins the job will be tasked to lead an offense that requires the man under center to make good decisions and throw the ball often to win games. With a new field general, it may be hard to replicate the success from 2024.
2025 Projected Record: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (2024 Record: 6-7, 3-5 ACC)
The story of the offseason was UNC nabbing legendary Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick, to be their head man. While expectations are, of course, much higher than last year, the Tar Heels still are a relatively young and raw team. Belichick overhauled the roster, bringing in 40 new transfers and 17 high school recruits. This year will be one of growth, but Bill should be able to coach the team to a better record than in 2024. A nice thing to note is that QB Max Johnson will return after a devastating leg injury that he suffered 3 quarters into his ‘24 campaign. His comeback is one of the most inspiring ones I’ve ever read.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Win)
Toughest Opponents: vs TCU (9/1), vs #8 Clemson (10/4), vs Duke (11/22)
6. Duke Blue Devils (2024 Record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC)
QB Maalik Murphy set the school’s all-time single-season passing yards record last year, with 2,933 yards through the air. Then, he was replaced by one of the best transfers in the portal, Tulane’s Darian Mensah. Murphy is now off to Oregon State, and Mensah is coach Manny Diaz’s new field general. Mensah has elite playmaking ability, and seems to just be showing the tip of the iceberg in terms of his talent. A season ago, he threw 22 TDs with just 6 picks. Given that last year was his first year as a starter, Diaz and his staff can and should expect more from Mensah. How the Blue Devils’ season goes will be up to the dynamic QB.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Loss)
5. #18 Louisville Cardinals (2024 Record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC)
Over the last two seasons, coach Jeff Brohm has gotten good seasons out of veteran quarterbacks in Jack Plummer and Tyler Shough. Next in line is USC transfer Miller Moss. Moss had a nice start to 2024, but was benched midseason. He has NFL ability, but needs to put it all together in a full campaign. Sophomore RB Isaac Brown returns his dynamic play out of the backfield, looking to build on a great frosh season in which he rushed for 11 scores. Brohm’s squads are always near the top of the conference… is this the season where he finally leads them to the crown? I don’t know, but if the Cardinals want to do so, Moss needs to have a big year.
2025 Record Projection: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2024 Record: 7-6, 5-3 ACC)
I am higher on the Yellow Jackets than most, and that is due to the leap that I think QB Hanyes King will take. The 6th-year senior had 25 total touchdowns (11 of them via the ground), while throwing just 2 INTs to go along with a 72.9% completion percentage. In 2023 he had just a 61.6% competition rate. His growth under coach Brent Key has been a big reason for their ability to stay close in games. Key and his squad will lean on King’s ability to keep the ball safe while also making backbreaking plays to put the team ahead. I’m excited for Georgia Tech this season.
2025 Projected Record: 9-4 (Bowl Win)
3. #14 SMU Mustangs (2024 Record: 11-3, 8-0 ACC, ACC Runner-Up)
SMU joined the conference last year after winning the AAC in 2023. QB Preston Stone was benched after a slow start for him, and was replaced by the dynamic Kevin Jennings. While he is raw as a passer, Jennings piloted the high-powered Mustangs offense all the way to the conference title game and the CFP. While he did struggle in both the ACC Championship and in the First Round, Jennings looks to rebound in 2025. He is the main cog in coach Rhett Lashlee’s team. If Jennings improves this year, SMU will have a good chance to take the ACC crown.
2025 Projected Record: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
2. #21 Miami Hurricanes (2024 Record: 10-3, 6-2 ACC)
Miami lost the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Cam Ward, to the Titans. To replace him, they grabbed Georgia’s field general and former Heisman-favorite, Carson Beck. Beck had a disappointing season with the Dawgs, marred with inconsistencies and having it end in elbow surgery on his throwing arm. The Canes struggled to hold leads down the stretch of 2024, which was their downfall. If Beck can return to his 2023 self, and if coach Mario Cristobal can lead his team correctly, the Hurricanes will have a shot to make some noise in the Playoff.
2025 Projected Record: 10-4 (10-2 Regular Season, ACC Runner-Up, First Round Loss)
1. #8 Clemson Tigers (2024 Record: 10-4, 7-1 ACC, ACC Champions)
Clemson’s season is all about star QB Cade Klubnik. He had a monster year a season ago, putting up 43 total TDs in a season where the Tigers got back to the top of the ACC. Coach Dabo Swinney returns a pair of top receivers in Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. The run game might struggle early on, but I am all in on Klubnik and co. in 2025.
2025 Projected Record: 13-3 (10-2 Regular Season, ACC Champions, Semifinals Loss)
Final Thoughts:
The ACC has an interesting mix of teams who are talented, but likely have just a trio of true contenders in Clemson, Miami, and SMU. Other schools like Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Duke are intriguing, but aren’t as good as the top tier of squads. I am a firm believer in Clemson. Klubnik showed exceptional growth last season, as did the rest of the offense, especially down the stretch. Any time a great QB’s team learns at the end of the year and sticks together over an offseason, it is hard to pick against them.
Stay on the lookout for my previews for the remaining 2 conferences, as well as a full prediction for what will happen this winter in the Playoff!
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