Countdown to the ’25 season has begun, and here are my thoughts about the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Coming off a strong 2024 season in which the ACC sent two teams to the College Football Playoff (CFP), the conference is poised to make even more noise in 2025. This year’s top contenders for the ACC title include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, and SMU. Clemson and SMU reached the CFP last season and return their starting quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh bring back two defensive standouts, Kyle Efford (GT) and Kyle Louis (Pitt).
The ACC also gained major talent through the transfer portal. Notable additions include Miami’s new quarterback Carson Beck, Florida State’s versatile weapon Duce Robinson, and UNC’s defensive leader Khmori House. These players and several others are expected to impact their new teams immediately.
First Team All-ACC Predictions
| OFFENSE | DEFENSE | SPECIAL TEAMS |
| QB: Cade Klubnik, Clemson | DE: T.J. Parker, Clemson | K: Collin Rogers, SMU |
| RB: Isaac Brown, Louisville | DE: James Williams, FSU | P: Jack Stonehouse, Syr |
| RB: Desmond Reid, Pitt | DT: J. van den Berg, GT | RS: Desmond Reid, Pitt |
| WR: Antonio Williams, Clem | LB: Kyle Louis, Pitt | |
| WR: Eric Rivers, GT | DT: David Blay Jr., Miami | PICKS BY TEAM |
| TE: RJ Maryland, SMU | LB: Khmori House, UNC | 4: Clemson, GT, SMU |
| OT: Brian Parker, Duke | LB: Kyle Efford, GT | 3: Miami, Pitt |
| OT: Francis Mauigoa, Miami | CB: Chandler Rivers, Duke | 2: Duke, Louisville |
| OG: Joshua Bates, SMU | CB: Avieon Terrell, Clemson | 1: FSU, UNC, Syr |
| OG: Keylan Rutledge, GT | S: Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU | 0: BC, Cal, NC St, |
| C: Pete Nygra, Louisville | S: Zechariah Poyser, Miami | 0: Stan, UVA, V Tech, WFU |
Quarterback Rankings
1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson; 2. Carson Beck, Miami; 3. Thomas Castellanos, Florida State; 4. Haynes King, Georgia Tech; 5. Kevin Jennings, SMU; 6. Darien Mensah, Duke; 7. Gio Lopez, UNC; 8. Miller Moss, Louisville; 9. Chandler Morris, Virginia; 10. Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech; 11. Eli Holstein, Pitt; 12. Robby Ashford, Wake Forest; 13. Steve Angeli, Syracuse; 14. Devin Brown, Cal; 15. Elijah Brown, Stanford; 16. CJ Bailey, NC State; 17. Grayson James, Boston College
Projected Final Standings
Georgia Tech: 12–0, Pittsburgh: 10–2, SMU: 10–2, Clemson: 9–3, Duke: 9–3, Miami: 9–3
Louisville: 8–4, Florida State: 7–5, North Carolina: 7–5
NC State: 5–7, Virginia: 5–7
Syracuse: 4–8, Virginia Tech: 4–8, Wake Forest: 4–8
Boston College: 3–9, Cal: 3–9, Stanford: 3–9.
Final Thoughts
Georgia Tech returns a strong core of players, including quarterback Haynes King. Adding Eric Rivers from FIU gives the Yellow Jackets a dangerous receiving threat. After coming painfully close to upsetting in-state rival Georgia last year, Georgia Tech is ready to finish the job this season.
Pittsburgh and SMU also return their starting quarterbacks and have the potential to make postseason runs. If either team can separate itself in the standings, a CFP berth is well within reach.
Clemson may be the biggest surprise, potentially falling short of a double-digit win season. The Tigers face a brutal non-conference schedule, allowing them to prove doubters wrong. Cade Klubnik is an elite quarterback, and Clemson’s defensive line is arguably the best in the country. The Tigers could finish as a top-5 team or barely crack the Top 25.
ACC Championship Prediction
Georgia Tech 27, Pittsburgh 13
