Preseason ACC Power Rankings

Yes, I’m calling these “Preseason” rankings even though Miami already played. Pitt hasn’t played yet, so the name still applies from a certain point of view. I still accounted for that one game when coming up with these rankings because it’s literally the only real data point we have, so I’m gonna grab onto it like it’s the last burger at Saturday’s tailgate. Before we get started, you’ll notice below that I’ve separated the teams into Tiers. Basically, I feel that the teams within the tiers can be placed in any order for the most part as they’re pretty close to each other. Where a new tier starts is where I feel there’s a bigger drop-down in team quality. Without further ado, the inaugural Dream Backfield ACC Power Rankings!

Tier A: It’s Just Clemson

1. Clemson (0-0)

Could it have been anyone else? Clemson is the undisputed juggernaut of the conference. They are the defending National Champions and have won the conference each of the past 4 seasons. They return Heisman hopeful Trevor Lawrence at Quarterback, Travis Etienne at Running Back, and their Top 3 receivers from last year. Overall, they had nearly half of the Preseason All-ACC team (13/27), which should not happen in a 14-team league. Right now, it’s Clemson’s World and we’re all playing for 2nd Place.

Tier B: Playing for 2nd Place

2. Miami (0-1)

Despite losing to Florida, Miami made it a much closer game than most expected. They have legitimate concerns at Offensive Line, but they may have found a Quarterback in Jarren Williams. Going into this season, this was the position with the biggest question mark and despite getting zero protection against the Gators, Williams acquitted himself pretty well. Miami still played an incredibly sloppy game with missed tackles, awful penalties, and other mental mistakes. However, they get the 2nd slot overall until we get more evidence that one of these other teams can actually play any better.

3. Syracuse

The Orange are everyone’s darling this year, but I’m not buying the hype. In fact, it almost physically pained me to put them this high. However, this has more to do with the sorry state of the conference as a whole than me thinking that Syracuse is going to legitimately challenge Clemson in the Atlantic. Despite Pitt doing what they could to expose them for the frauds they were, they still finished with a nice 10-3 season. Though they lost Quarterback Eric Dungey, replacement Tommy Devito was a highly rated prospect. While they seem to be due for some regression this year, I have to put them here until someone proves they’re better.

4. Virginia (0-0)

Pitt’s first opponent goes in this slot. Despite being the preseason pick to win the Coastal, I’m putting them behind Miami. Perkins is probably the second-best Quarterback in the league, but he’s their entire offense. That fact keeps them below the Canes and the Orange. Their defense, while also very good is also a notch below Miami’s as well.

5. Pitt (0-0)

Here are your Pitt Panthers! They are right behind Virginia which shows how close of a game I think this is going to be. With a new Offensive Coordinator, we don’t really have much of an idea of what to expect out of Kenny Pickett and the rest of the Panthers offense. Defense should be shut-down and on par with Virginia’s in effectiveness if not in style. Honestly the loss of Rashad Weaver for the season was enough for me to put the Panthers below Virginia in these initial rankings.

6. NC State (0-0)

Dave Doeren has the Wolfpack always solid in a tough Atlantic Division. However, this year they lose Quarterback Ryan Finley and many other pieces on offense. They’re going to have to rely on a more experienced defense to win them games this year while they’re breaking in new players on Offense.

Tier C: Don’t Buy the Hype

7. Florida State (0-0)

Most of the media seem to desperately want Florida State to be good again that it feels like they’re trying to will it into existence. Many publications seem to be calling for them to return to their rightful place in the upper echelons of the ACC (or at least closer to Clemson). This is a team that went 5-7 just last season and looked downright bad at times and they seem to forget this. While I do expect them to be better in Year 2 under Willie Taggert, they are coming from such a low place that this spot counts as better. However, they are still Florida State and as a result have a ridiculous amount of talent, so I could be dead wrong about them.

8. Virginia Tech (0-0)

Like Florida State, many are seemingly calling for Virginia Tech to return to prominence after a down season. However, this is also a team that has bled transfers and had players talk about trying to lose their last game so they wouldn’t have to go to a bowl game. I’ve never seen a Power 5 defense as inept at tackling as I did Virginia Tech’s (and not just against Pitt). Though they had a young defense that should be improved with experience, they’re still the same players and I wouldn’t expect them all to turn into superstars overnight. With Head Coach Justin Fuente in seemingly a make or break year, I wouldn’t be shocked if he loses his team and his job in the process.

Tier D: Just Playing for a Bowl

9.Boston College (0-0)

The Eagles are the A.J. Dillon show right now. He’s basically their entire offense and keeping him healthy is a must if Boston College is going to have success this season. Steve Addazzio consistently has this team right at 7 wins (4 of past 5 seasons) and he’ll probably have them around there again.

10. Duke (0-0)

Duke has the unenviable task of replacing a 1st round draft pick at Quarterback. While it’s laughable that Daniel Jones was taken where he was, he was still a very talented signal caller that the Blue Devils will miss. This year they will need to adjust to a more mobile Quarterback in Quentin Harris. However, there isn’t too much to get excited about with this team.

11. Wake Forest (0-0)

The Demon Deacons lost Wide Receiver Greg Dortch, but look to be healthier at Quarterback after turmoil at the position last season. They return a fairly experienced team that made a bowl last season, but there isn’t a very high ceiling for this team.

Tier E: Rebuilding Under New Coaches

12. North Carolina (0-0)

The Tar Heels look to move on from the disastrous end to the Larry Fedora era by going back in time. New Old Coach Mack Brown is now in Chapel Hill for his second go-around. He’s built some recruiting momentum for North Carolina and they could be back to competing for division titles in a few years. However, for now they’re likely in for another rough season. However, they’ll still probably beat Pitt.

13. Louisville (0-0)

Scott Satterfield takes over following the end of professional terrible person and terrible coach Bobby Petrino’s second go-around with the Cardinals. Satterfield is a well-respected coach who did great things at Appalachian State. I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns things around in Louisville. It’ll likely still be a trying year though in the always tough Atlantic Division.

14. Georgia Tech (0-0)

Unlike the other two teams in this tier, the new coach isn’t replacing a disappointment. Geoff Collins has a steep task in front of him of transitioning Georgia Tech away from Paul Johnson’s infamous Triple Option offense into a more conventional attack. Though Johnson had decent success with the Yellow Jackets, it was time to retire after several years of declining results. Georgia Tech is likely in for a rough year as they attempt to run a more traditional offense with players specifically recruited for the Option.

 

Disagree with these rankings, let us know in the comments below, on the message board or by tweeting to us @TheJeemTeam or @IntoPitt