Does Miami REALLY rule and Florida State drool? (ACC preview thread 2026)

[ThomasTomasz]

California

Preview segment: The California Golden Bears

Last season: A 7-6 campaign that saw a fair bit of good and bad. On the one hand, Cal went bowling in Hawaii and watched their new QB become a star. But on the other hand, they fired their coach Justin Wilcox after 9 inconsistent years. Oh, and they watched their former QB Fernando Mendoza win a national title with Indiana. Oh, and Stanford now has the "Stanford Ax" trophy again.
Enter ace recruiter Tosh Lupoi for his first head coaching job. And he's got a tall order: Keep Cal going in the mismatched ACC.

Good news: That star QB is back in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (say that 3 times fast). And Tosh flexed his transfer muscles right away in Berkeley, finding Jaron some proud WR's and a massive O-line. Combine that with Nick Rolovich as the new offensive coordinator, and Cal's passing attack could be awesome.

Bad news: The portal giveth, the portal taketh away; Cal doesn't have that much depth on the defense. Of note, the linebacker spot looks a little sore. And it wouldn't hurt for Cal to get their running game going (it ranked 133rd overall last year).

Key games:
9/5 vs. UCLA (UCLA is actually in the same boat as Cal: They're in a mismatched conference, they have a new coach, but they DO have a QB that can light up the scoreboards.)
9/25 vs. Clemson (This is only the 2nd time that Cal and Clemson will face off all-time, and the first time in the regular season.)
10/24 @ SMU (So Cal stopped SMU's run to the ACC title last year. Good for them! ...But how will SMU treat them in this trip to Dallas?)
10/31 @ NC State (Ooo! Here's a chance for Tosh Lupoi to show his coaching muscles! If he's really good, he'll get Cal to win in Raleigh after their trip to Dallas.)
11/21 vs. Stanford (Well, time for Cal to try to get back that "Stanford Ax" from the Cardinal.)

Bottom line: So how will Tosh do as an FBS head coach? Things look good on paper; a great transfer haul should help Jaron-Keawe rack up the yardage. But how will Tosh respond when things don't go his way? That will determine if the Golden Bears escape the middle of the ACC standings in 2026 or not.

Tosh is way above their punching weight as a program head coach right now, but I think he’s going to turn it around. This is also a great fit for Ron Rivera as the GM- he’s a good talker and can help recruit, and he can help separate donors from their money.

Cal is going to be one of my biggest surprise programs over the next two years.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Louisville

Preview segment: The Louisville Cardinals

Last season: Under Jeff Brohm's leadership, Louisville has created a number of habits. One of them is winning; 2025 was the 3rd straight year that Louisville has won 9 games or more. Oh, and Louisville won at Miami when the Hurricanes was #2 in the polls!
But another habit they formed is a bad one: Not having the strength to finish a season as well as they start it. 2023 ended with a 3-game skid. 2024 died thanks to a late loss by Stanford. And in 2025, a 3-game skid ended Louisville's hopes of making the ACC title game.

Good news: RB Isaac Brown is back! And if he gets hurt again, the RB room has quality depth this time. The defense has the chance to be awesome; the secondary looks nasty, and Clev Lubin will anchor the D-line.

Bad news: That defense does have a lot of new pieces, so we'll have to see how those pieces mesh together. The O-line has 4 new starters, and the WR room is unproven; transfers will have to step up there.

2026 X-factor: New QB Lincoln Kienholz (This former Ohio State player has been tapped as the starter, but his stats as a backup are quite modest. Can he lift up the passing game, especially when it's November and grandiose plans are on the line for the Cardinals?)

Key games:
9/6 vs. Ole Miss [From Atlanta] (The Cardinals can strike a major blow for the ACC if they upset the Rebels here. I'd love to see how Louisville's defense can stop Trinidad and his offense.)
9/19 vs. SMU (The good news is, Louisville will host this game. The bad news is, Louisville has never beaten SMU in their entire history. Can Kienholz stand toe-to-toe with Jennings?)
11/6 @ Georgia Tech (GT may have a new quarterback, but they'll still be dangerous. Can Louisville win this late game?)
11/28 @ Kentucky (I don't care if your in-state rival is in rebuilding mode. Anytime you visit them for a game, you have to circle it.)

Bottom line: Some people have the Cardinals as a dark-horse contender for a CFP berth in 2026. And to be fair to those guys, they DO have a nice conference schedule [No Miami or Clemson, and Georgia Tech is their toughest road game] and a tough defense. But I'm not one of those people; they need to do better in the 2nd half of the season, plus much will ride on the shoulders of their new QB.
Still, if they survive a tough September, maybe they WILL face Miami in the ACC title game.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Georgia Tech

Preview segment: The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Last season: Oh, Georgia Tech had us going for quite a while! Haynes King was being a heck of a QB, the defense bent but didn't break, and the Yellow Jackets started the 2025 season 8-0. But then something happened. I don't know what it was, but I think the defense bent WAY more than the team can handle.
And so, Georgia Tech finished 2025 at 9-4 despite their 8-0 start. Too bad.

Bad news: The offseason saw a LOT of changes in Atlanta. QB Haynes King is gone. And both coordinators from 2025 also left. In particular, offensive head Buster Faulker went to Florida, and I think Georgia Tech will really miss him. The O-line only returns 2 starters.

Good news: The coaching staff hit the portal HARD to fill in vacancies, as Justice Haynes comes in from Michigan to head up a scary run game. The defense also reloaded well, and linebackers like Kyle Efford are also back. GT also has one of the best kickers in the country in Aidan Birr.

2026 X-factor: New QB Alberto Mendoza (With expected starter Aaron Philo joining Buster Paulker in Florida, it falls on Indiana's backup QB to lead the Yellow Jackets. Much ado will be made about him, all because of his last name and what his brother did. But as usual, it's up to him to make his own legacy.)

Key games:
9/3 vs. Colorado (One strike against Georgia Tech in 2026 is a hard non-conference schedule. Dealing with Colorado and Deion again shouldn't be too hard.)
9/12 vs. Tennessee (Dealing with a hopeful Tennessee, though, THAT could be very tricky. I wonder how Alberto is gonna handle an SEC defense.)
10/17 @ Virginia Tech (Here is Georgia Tech's first major road test; Va-Tech could be rolling by the time this game takes place.)
10/31 @ Pittsburgh (The Jackets had the chance to go to the ACC title game last year... until Pittsburgh ruined everything in Atlanta.)
11/28 @ Georgia (Don't give us hope in this rivalry game, Jackets! Remember, you only lost by 1 score last year.)

Bottom line: Coach Brent Key is fired up about 2026, but I have my doubts. We have new schemes on both sides of the ball, and a young QB with his brother's legacy now dogging him. Not to mention that schedule; GT also has games against Clemson and Louisville. Still, I hope that the Yellow Jackets can stay in the ACC hunt this season.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Pittsburgh

The last preview segment for the ACC: The Pittsburgh Panthers

Last season: For the most part, 2025 was a success for Pitt football. Even as a freshmen, Mason Heintschel burst onto the scene as a baller QB. And Pittsburgh was in the ACC race for nearly all of the season... until stiffer competition (Notre Dame and Miami) stopped that dream. Growing pains, am I right?
Well, anyway, Pitt has some good optimism entering this season.

Good news: If he cuts back on his INT's, Mason should be an even better QB as a sophomore. And he's got a LOT of help; an O-line that returns 4 starters, wide-receivers with big-play talent, and a RB that should get Pitt's rushing numbers up (Ja'Kyrian Turner).

Bad news: The defense needs to be more consistent this year, straight up. That won't be easy to do, though, as the secondary is being rebuilt and top linebackers like Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles have left (one to the NFL, the other to Texas).

Key games:
9/12 vs. UCF (Aw. There's no "Backyard Brawl" for us this season? Oh well, Pitt can take out their anger on the Golden Knights.)
10/2 @ Virginia Tech (Playing on Friday night against a team that may be 4-0... and with obnoxious fans singing "Enter Sandman". Man, good luck Panthers.)
10/24 @ Miami (The Panthers could have gone to the ACC title game last year with a home win against Miami. They failed. Now they must go to a place they've rarely won at to get revenge on the 'Canes.)
10/31 vs. Georgia Tech (This is the opposite of the previous game; Pitt killed Georgia Tech's chances at the ACC title game last year, and Pitt must fight off an angry team.)
11/21 @ Louisville (Here is another big challenge for Pitt and their defense. The series between these two is now about even.)

Bottom line: Despite a tough road slate, I'm going to buy stock in the Pitt Panthers this season. Their offense should be killer, with a star QB who will be better than he was last year. If the defense gets more consistent, Miami and Louisville may wanna be wary of Pittsburgh in the ACC race.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

ACC Predictions

Okay, on to my predictions for the ACC in 2026:

1. Miami (Conference champs, Playoff)
2. Louisville (Maybe playoff)
3. Pittsburgh
4. SMU
5. Clemson
6. Virginia Tech
7. Georgia Tech
8. California
9. Virginia
10. NC State
11. Florida State
12. Duke
13. Syracuse
14. Wake Forest
15. Stanford
16. North Carolina
17. Boston College

Oh! Let me take care of one more thing before I start my thread on the Big 10...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Notre Dame

Preview segment: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last season: Somewhere on this forum site, or in another sports forum site, or on a CFB podcast somewhere... people are debating the Notre Dame playoff snub. And of course, how Notre Dame handled the whole thing. Someone is like "We were ahead of Miami the whole 2nd half of the season, and they STILL got in over us?" and the other guy is like "You guys lost to the only real teams on your schedule in Miami and Texas A&M, shut up!". On another forum, someone is like "I don't blame the Irish for opting out of a bowl; they were robbed!" and another guy is telling them "Please! Your Irish were acting like a spoiled child! Stop whining!"... and yet another guy is like "Well, bowl games are kinda losing their luster anyway, who cares?"

While all of that is going down, Notre Dame is preparing for a revenge tour in 2026... knowing damn well they're under the gun to perform.

Good news: CJ Carr actually did well as a freshmen QB, and he's back to lead a loaded Irish offense. A loaded O-line and some proud WR's (like Mylan Graham from Ohio State) will get the Irish passing game going. The defense looks totally set; Tae Johnson leads a rugged secondary, and last year's D-line returns virtually intact.

Bad news: Oh, the Irish DO have some worries on that offense. It wouldn't hurt them to find a productive tight-end, and somebody has to fill the shoes of Jeremiyah Love at the running game... or at least try to. And on the off chance that CJ Carr gets hurt, his backups at QB has virtually NO game experience.

Key games:
9/6 vs. Wisconsin [from Green Bay] (Cool! Notre Dame against a Big 10 school at Lambeau Field! ...But I think Notre Dame lost the last time they did something like this.)
9/19 vs. Michigan State (This used to be a hotly-contested rivalry. Why is this the first meeting between these 2 in 9 years. Why?!)
10/17 @ BYU (Everyone is pointing at 2 games for the Irish to prove their playoff chops in 2026. Here's the first one, where Notre Dame travels to Provo to face Bear Bachmeier and the mighty Cougars. Man, I hope Notre Dame wins this one; they postponed their rivalry with USC for this.)
11/7 vs. Miami (Oh yeah. Yep. The huge revenge game for the Irish. Yep, here we go, time to crush the Hurricanes.)
11/21 vs. SMU (Hey, Irish! Don't forget about the Mustangs! You know darn well the massive run that SMU has been on over the last few years, do you?)

Bottom line: Things are gonna be very zoo-like in South Bend in 2026. Notre Dame will miss Jeremiyah Love and his buddy Jadarian Price, but they're set everywhere else. Plus, they know DAMN well they can't leave any doubt this time; ; they want to beat BYU and Miami and then crush everyone else. So will the Irish compete for the national title in 2026?
Notre Dame fans: "THEY F---ING BETTER!!"

 

[ericd7633]

My top 10 ACC OOC games:

#1. Miami at ND
#2. Clemson at LSU
#3. SMU at ND
#4. Louisville vs. Ole Miss (Nashville, TN)
#5. Florida State at Alabama
#6. NC State at Vanderbilt
#7. Tennessee at Georgia Tech
#8. UVA vs. WVU (Charlotte, NC)
#9. Virginia Tech at Maryland
#10. Georgia Tech at Georgia

Just missed the list: South Carolina at Clemson, Florida at Florida State, Notre Dame at UNC, Colorado at Georgia Tech, UNC vs. TCU (Dublin, IR)

How many games does the ACC win?

 

[Duckboy33]

Most Expensive "Get In" Ticket by week:

Week 0/1:
1. Clemson at LSU - $199
2. Colorado at Georgia Tech - $89
3. UCLA at California - $77
3. Louisville vs. Ole Miss - $77

Week 2:
1. Tennessee at Georgia Tech - $160
2. Old Dominion at Virginia Tech - $53
3. Richmond at NC State - $47

Week 3:
1. West Virginia vs. Virginia - $114
2. North Carolina at Clemson - $87
3. NC State at Vanderbilt - $74

Week 4:
1. Appalachian State at NC State - $122
2. Clemson at California - $64
3. Central Arkansas at Florida State - $42

Week 5:
1. Notre Dame at North Carolina - $212
2. Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech - $125
3. Miami FL at Clemson - $96
3. Louisville at NC State - $96

Week 6:
1. Stanford at Notre Dame - $128
2. Wake Forest at NC State - $67
3. North Carolina at Pittsburgh - $62

Week 7:
1. Florida State at Miami FL - $226
2. Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech - $99
3. North Carolina at Duke - $57

Week 8:
1. Virginia Tech at Clemson - $92
2. Syracuse at North Carolina - $61
3. Duke at Virginia - $46

Week 9:
1. Clemson at Florida State - $79
2. Miami FL at North Carolina - $73
3. Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh - $61

Week 10:
1. Miami FL at Notre Dame - $509
2. Duke at NC State - $74
3. Louisville at Georgia Tech - $40

Week 11:
1. Boston College at Notre Dame - $75
2. Georgia Tech at Clemson - $67
3. Stanford at Virginia Tech - $56

Week 12:
1. SMU at Notre Dame - $80
1. Stanford at California - $80
3. Clemson at Duke - $71

Week 13:
1. Georgia Tech at Georgia - $158
2. Florida at Florida State - $141
3. South Carolina at Clemson - $125

 

[Category5]

And I don't ask that out of spite. It's a legit question; is Miami all the way back? Kinda hard to do when you didn't even make the ACC title game. And what about Florida State? We all know what kind of pressure their head coach is under; can he claw his way back to job safety?

These questions (and a lot more) will hopefully get answered on this ACC preview thread...

The correct answer to your question is, Yes.

FSU will be more competitive this season, but not good enough to save Novel's job at the end of the season.

 

[Deathroll]

The correct answer to your question is, Yes.

FSU will be more competitive this season, but not good enough to save Novel's job at the end of the season.

What makes you think they'll be more competitive? I could easily see them posting fewer than 5 wins.

 

[Xeliou66]

What makes you think they'll be more competitive? I could easily see them posting fewer than 5 wins.

Yeah I don’t think FSU will have a winning record. They don’t look much better than they did last year, and their schedule is really hard - out of conference games against Bama and Florida plus they face Miami, Louisville and Pitt on the road in conference and host SMU, Clemson, NCST and Virginia. One of the ACCs hardest schedules and I just don’t see that much talent on FSU’s roster and their QB is another subpar guy they got out of the portal who’s never done much.

 

[Category5]

What makes you think they'll be more competitive? I could easily see them posting fewer than 5 wins.

I think they get 5-6 wins this year. I’d like to see them with a 2-10 record though.

Maybe they re-hire Willie Taggart as Norvel’s replacement in the off season.

 

[Deathroll]

I think they get 5-6 wins this year. I’d like to see them with a 2-10 record though.

Maybe they re-hire Willie Taggart as Norvel’s replacement in the off season.

Here's how I see it:

New Mexico State = win (creampuff) 1-0
SMU = Loss (good team that returns its QB. They blew fsu out last year) 1-1
Bama = loss (in Tuscaloosa and they'll be looking for revenge - and they have way more talent) 1-2
Central Arkansas = win (creampuff) 2-2
Virginia = loss (they went 11-3 last year and are picked ahead of fsu in the ACC this year) 2-3
Louisville = loss (better team, much better coach) 2-4
miami = loss 2-5
Clemson = loss 2-6.....does the team just quit at this point? They have in the past
Boston College = win (lousy team) 3-6
Pitt = loss (beat fsu last year and returns star freshman QB and OC. At Pitt) 3-7
NC State = loss (went 7-5 last year but losses were to good teams. Return their QB, picked ahead of fsu) 3-8
Florida = loss (more talented team that bullied them last year) 3-9

I could be talked into 4 wins for them but I don't think I'm far off in my prediction.

 

[tallynole89]

I think they get 5-6 wins this year. I’d like to see them with a 2-10 record though.

Maybe they re-hire Willie Taggart as Norvel’s replacement in the off season.

Image hidden. Log in or register to see images.

I do agree on a new hire.

 

[Duckboy33]

Here's how I see it:

New Mexico State = win (creampuff) 1-0
SMU = Loss (good team that returns its QB. They blew fsu out last year) 1-1
Bama = loss (in Tuscaloosa and they'll be looking for revenge - and they have way more talent) 1-2
Central Arkansas = win (creampuff) 2-2
Virginia = loss (they went 11-3 last year and are picked ahead of fsu in the ACC this year) 2-3
Louisville = loss (better team, much better coach) 2-4
miami = loss 2-5
Clemson = loss 2-6.....does the team just quit at this point? They have in the past
Boston College = win (lousy team) 3-6
Pitt = loss (beat fsu last year and returns star freshman QB and OC. At Pitt) 3-7
NC State = loss (went 7-5 last year but losses were to good teams. Return their QB, picked ahead of fsu) 3-8
Florida = loss (more talented team that bullied them last year) 3-9

I could be talked into 4 wins for them but I don't think I'm far off in my prediction.

I think we're looking at 5 or 6 wins

 

[Deathroll]

I think we're looking at 5 or 6 wins

Aside from the 2 cupcakes and a terrible Boston College team, who do you think they'll beat?

 

[Duckboy33]

Aside from the 2 cupcakes and a terrible Boston College team, who do you think they'll beat?

Those are the 3 wins they should get for sure. They'll have chances vs. SMU, Virginia, Clemson, Pitt, NC State, and Florida. They should win 2 or 3 games in that group.

 

[Deathroll]

Those are the 3 wins they should get for sure. They'll have chances vs. SMU, Virginia, Clemson, Pitt, NC State, and Florida. They should win 2 or 3 games in that group.

I could see 1 from that group. I'd be surprised if they got 2. Part of the reason is I expect them to lose early and throw in the towel. Everybody will know the coaching staff is toast. So they'll stop listening. They've done this the last couple years even without knowing the coaching staff was doomed.

 

[Duckboy33]

I could see 1 from that group. I'd be surprised if they got 2. Part of the reason is I expect them to lose early and throw in the towel. Everybody will know the coaching staff is toast. So they'll stop listening. They've done this the last couple years even without knowing the coaching staff was doomed.

If someone offered me 4.5 win total for FSU, I'd take the over

 

[tallynole89]

If someone offered me 4.5 win total for FSU, I'd take the over

6 O/U?