2026 NCAAF: Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

For the first time in the 2020s, the ACC joined the national championship party thanks to the unexpected run from its best team (but not conference title winner) in the CFP. The 2010s had the fingerprints of another ACC team, Clemson, all over it but the ambiguity and changing landscape caused by the transfer portal, NIL and private investment has left the Tigers seeking answers more than providing them.

Enter Miami. Last a powerhouse when it wasn’t even a part of the conference, the Hurricanes have been led almost all the way back to the promised land by one of their own sons. Mario Cristobal played on the offensive line for Miami teams that won national titles in 1989 and 1991, and understands as well as anyone what kind of culture should be instilled at the program to win. Cristobal has done an excellent job tailoring the program as necessary for today’s game while staying true to its core identity established decades ago.

While there has clearly been a change of hands at the top, the question remains – who is coming with? Miami appears poised for success yet again this season, but that almost as much to do with the status of the rest of the conference as it does the Hurricanes’ roster.

The league itself understands it needs to promote its best and is actively taking steps to achieve that. After last season’s conference title game was determined by an unusual and seemingly illogical tiebreaker process, the ACC revised the policy and is also adding a ninth game to the conference schedule beginning this year.

Progress takes time, however, While nine conference games for the entire league is the ultimate goal, only 12 of the 17 teams will operate under that schedule this season. We’ll see where else progress is apparent throughout the league in 2026.

Teams I Like

Miami (FL)

The time has come to cease doubting Mario Cristobal’s ability to make good on the promises he made when he first stepped foot back on campus in Coral Cables over five years ago. Cristobal’s 2025 team, which was built on the sturdy backs of both lines, nearly won the first national title for the school in over 20 years and cemented the program as officially being “back”. Despite sending more players this April than all but Ohio State, Alabama and Texas A&M to the NFL via the Draft, the Hurricanes have reloaded at the right spots and will once again be a national title contender this season.

Miami does leave the state of Florida as many times in the first six weeks of the season as it did the entirety of the 2025 regular season, but still figures to hold the clear upper hand in all but perhaps a couple of matchups. With Darian Mensah at quarterback the offense may look more like the 2024 version with Cam Ward than last season’s calculated approach with Carson Beck, nudging the Hurricanes even closer to the subjective title of “most complete team in the country”. Amazingly, Miami didn’t even play for a conference title last season thanks to unusual tiebreaker rules in the ACC, but finally winning one this season appears to be one of many goals that Cristobal’s group seems primed to achieve.

SMU

The Mustangs have unassumingly become one of the most consistent contenders in the ACC since joining the conference prior to the 2024-2025 season. Not as heralded as some of the other usual suspects, SMU nearly earned back-to-back trips to the ACC title game over the past two seasons and appears to have a great chance to get back after narrowly missing out in 2025. Last year teams were able to take advantage of quarterback Kevin Jennings not being 100 percent healthy, which affected his ability to freeze and stretch the defense with his legs. Now that he’s back to full strength and the Mustangs have added a clear lead back in Kendrick Raphael, expect more consistency from Rhett Lashlee’s group on the offensive side.

The schedule starts with some difficulty (trips to Florida State out of the gate and Louisville two weeks later) but if the Mustangs can weather the early storm, things clear up significantly for the rest of the season. There isn’t a conference opponent following those two that should be favored against SMU the rest of the way, as the Mustangs avoid Miami, Clemson and Pittsburgh entirely. Forfeiture of a conference’s shared television revenue for nearly a decade would be an incredibly tough pill for most programs to swallow, but thus far it appears the football (ACC?) gods are looking down fondly upon SMU.

North Carolina State

Your feeling on the Wolfpack coming into the year is likely determined by which you value more – roster continuity or schedule strength. North Carolina State must replace the majority of its skill position players on offense and more than half of its offensive line, as well as an array of defensive contributors from last season’s squad. Its schedule is rated as the easiest in the ACC, however, as the Wolfpack avoid nearly all of the expected title contenders and do not leave Raleigh to play a conference game between September 12 and November 20.

North Carolina State could be accused of simply “existing” in the ACC for quite some time, having not won double-digit games in a single season since 2002 (Philip Rivers era). Dave Doeren has been the head coach for 14 years now, so you wouldn’t be crazy for suggesting that the fan base has come to accept it. That has the potential to change this year, though. While the defense could be expected to take some time to gel, the reality is that it is looking to build upon a unit that wasn’t very good last season. Anything even marginally better on that side of the ball gives the Wolfpack a chance to reach at least 10 wins and consequently be in the ACC title hunt as well.

Not High On

Virginia

The untrained eye may have assumed the Cavaliers came out of nowhere in 2025, but those following the program understood that it was more a function of what Tony Elliot has been building since arriving at Virginia five seasons ago. The Cavaliers were one of the most experienced teams in FBS, reflected most notably at the quarterback position, and finally got some relief with a schedule that was manageable. Narrowly missing out on an ACC title and Playoff bid was unexpected, but the year over year improvement was consistent with Elliot’s time at the helm.

These facts are part of why it feels wrong to bet against Virginia this season. Similarly, the team is one of the most experienced in the bowl subdivision and replaces outgoing quarterback Chandler Morris with two options via the transfer portal that come with plenty of experience in their own right. My concern does reside partly with those pieces (Beau Pribula’s health and Eli Holstein’s consistency), but also the relative good fortune that Virginia experienced in 2025. Three overtime victories and seven games decided by eight points or fewer can easily flip the other direction on you. The schedule is also tougher this year, all of which adds up to conditions that don’t seem to support another magical season in Charlottesville.

Players To Watch

Mark Fletcher, Miami (FL) running back

Learning of Fletcher’s personal story, as many did last season during the Hurricanes’ lead up to the national title game appearance, is enough on its own to fall in love with the star running back. But his on-the-field play is pretty likeable, too. Following two seasona where he showed flashes of what he would become, Fletcher broke out during the 2025-2026 campaign and became the most difficult player to stop on the Miami offense during the CFP. At 6’2” 225 pounds, Fletcher exhibits a violent running style and dares defenders to try to initiate contact.

With so many weapons on Miami’s offense this season, it would be reasonable to wonder whether his productivity will take a hit as the coaching staff seeks to keep players fresh and spread the wealth of opportunities. However, given Mario Cristobal and Shannon Dawson’s philosophies, Fletcher figures to remain a focal point of the offense. He’s also one of the team leaders and will be a calming presence in the huddle, especially early on in the year as the group gels. Additionally, Fletcher never takes a play off and makes every carry worth watching, even if the sheer number of them happens to take a dip.

Malachi Toney, Miami (FL) wide receiver

If Mark Fletcher represents thunder on the Miami offense, then Toney is certainly lightning. A wide receiver by categorization but far more versatile than that, Toney burst onto the scene as a true freshman last year and quickly became a guy that gave every opposing defensive coordinator nightmares. He led the team with 1,211 yards receiving and set the school record for receptions in a season, but was equally as valuable in terms of what he can affect before the snap in terms of manipulating defensive looks.

With Toney being as exciting as he was in an offense that was somewhat methodical being led by Carson Beck, the sky is seemingly the limit in a system that will be operated by Darian Mensah this season. Toney set a high bar for himself and the rest of the team in his first collegiate season, but looks like a player that is poised for first-team All-American honors if his upward trajectory continues.

CJ Bailey, North Carolina State quarterback

The junior has quietly ascended as one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC and will be entering his third full year as a starter for the Wolfpack. That experience has been vital to his development as a leader of the team and should go a long way in continuing to become better known on a national level. In his sophomore season, he improved upon his yards thrown, touchdowns thrown, interceptions thrown and completion percentage. In fact, he was the third most accurate quarterback in the ACC last season behind Carson Beck and Haynes King.

His accuracy combined with physical measurement (6’6”, 213 pounds) makes him an intriguing case to keep an eye on in terms of someone that could rise up the Draft rankings with another solid season. His size is very similar to another college quarterback that has received a bit more fanfare: Nico Iamaleava. Similarly, both are dual threats and have been incredibly important to teams that don’t have as much around them, forcing good decision making. If the Wolfpack have the type of season I think they’re capable of, there’s no doubt that Bailey will receive the attention he deserves.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California quarterback

There may not be a ton of reasons to watch Cal football this season, but JKS is certainly one of them. The now sophomore was an instant star during his inaugural collegiate campaign, tossing three touchdowns in a season opening win over Oregon State. He became the only true freshman Cal quarterback outside of Jared Goff to start a season opener. Sagapolutele was leaned upon heavily for the rest of the season, as Cal had the worst rushing attack in the offense. His 37.8 passing attempts per game led the ACC, making his 64 percent completion rate all the more respectable.

With so many transfers and young players on this year’s Cal roster, JKS will likely be called upon for plenty of magic again this season. A one-time Oregon recruit, it would not be surprising at all to see his name surface as a potential name for one of the elite programs that looks to restock its cupboards as the season draws to a close. The lessons he will learn while with the Golden Bears, however, will be invaluable to him as he builds toward what is likely a shot at the next level.

Games to Watch (Conference)

North Carolina State at Virginia (August 29)

One of the games in the abbreviated first weekend of the season features a team that I have high expectations for and one that I am not high on. Something has got to give. Originally this game was supposed to be played in Brazil but was moved to Charlottesville, giving the Cavaliers a somewhat unexpected advantage.

SMU at Louisville (September 19)

The Cardinals will be in the midst of a difficult five game stretch to begin the season and have never beaten the Mustangs before. It is certainly a matchup circled on SMU’s calendar as well, as it is the last time that the team leaves Dallas before Halloween.

Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech (October 2)

A battle of former Big East foes will rage under Friday night lights, setting the stage for a national audience. The coaching battle between Pat Narduzzi and James Franklin also resumes for the first time in seven seasons, which in itself will be an interesting chess battle to monitor. It will be the first time this season that the Panthers will take to the road.

Miami (FL) at Clemson (October 3)

Death Valley hasn’t been quite the fortress over the past two seasons that it was for many before that, but it’s still a tough environment to go into as a guest. This should be especially true for the Hurricanes, which will have a target on their backs as one of the top teams in the country. This feels like the second toughest matchup of the season for Miami and perhaps the only thing standing in its way for a trip to the ACC title game.

Games to Watch (Non-Conference)

Clemson at LSU (September 5)

Death Valley is again the site of this colossal clash, only this year Clemson will be in enemy territory. Questions remain about how equipped/motivated Dabo Swinney really is for this current era of college football, and will be coaching against the guy perhaps best equipped to handle it. Still, there is a ton of pressure for Lane Kiffin to deliver a victory in this one.

UCLA at California (September 5)

This is an excellent opportunity to watch two of the best quarterbacks in the country trade punches, at a time when team records won’t cloud the opinions about watching the game in the first place. While not much is expected of either team this season, the quarterback play from both should be elite.

Miami (FL) at Notre Dame (November 7)

One of the best clashes of last season gets a rematch, and it flips from being an early season tilt to one nearer the business end of the year. What that means in terms of the true implications of the outcome is unclear, but the hype train related to it should keep chugging along all season. Could a round three follow in the not so distant future?

SMU at Notre Dame (November 21)

The narrative that Notre Dame doesn’t play quality competition during the regular season take a real hit this season, with the Fighting Irish scheduled to play at least four teams with legitimate league title aspirations. This is the latest of those scheduled matchups, the second in three weeks against one of the ACC’s presumed best.

Aw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)

*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!

Miami (FL) Wins National Championship (+1000)

The Hurricanes almost reached the promised land last season, but with a quarterback that will act less like a game manager and a ton of personnel to help ensure the offense is one of the most potent in the country, Miami has the ability to finish the job this time around.

North Carolina State Reaches ACC Championship Game (+600)

Since we’re unsure who else may step up, why not the Wolfpack? North Carolina State has never reached the ACC title game but avoids many of the other likely contenders during the regular season and features one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Malachi Toney Wins Biletnikoff Award (+600)

Fans in Columbus were upset to learn that Jeremiah Smith missed out on this award last season to Makai Lemon, yet beat out Lemon for the Big Ten’s receiver of the year award. One can imagine the anger from the same fan base if Toney were to win the Biletnikoff this year, effectively preventing one of the best college receivers of all-time from ever taking it home.

Predictions

1. Miami (FL) (11-1, [9-0])
2. North Carolina State (10-2, [8-1])
3. SMU (9-3, [7-2])
4. Clemson (9-3, [6-2])
5. Virginia Tech (9-3, [6-3])
6. Georgia Tech (8-4, [6-2])
7. Louisville (8-4, [6-3])
8. Florida State (8-4, [5-3])
9. Virginia (6-6, [4-5])
10. Pittsburgh (7-5, [4-5])
11. Duke (6-6, [4-5])
12. Wake Forest (6-6, [3-6])
13. California (3-9, [2-7])
14. North Carolina (3-9, [1-7])
15. Boston College (2-10, [1-7])
16. Syracuse (3-9, [1-8])
17. Stanford (2-10, [0-9])

Conference Title Game

Miami (FL) vs. North Carolina State (game in Charlotte, NC)

Champion: Miami (FL)