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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — SMU has secured a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game. Miami is currently in control of its own destiny; however, if they falter this week, Clemson will once again have a chance to vie for the league title.
As the season unfolds, it appears that the ACC could potentially send two or possibly all three of these teams to the newly revamped College Football Playoff, depending on how the final games play out.
The ACC season has had its fair share of surprises: Florida State’s tumble from first to last place, uncertainties surrounding Mack Brown’s future at North Carolina, and SMU’s unexpected rise to the championship game despite not receiving any first-place votes among the 170 cast in the preseason poll. Notably, nine of the league’s 17 teams have been ranked in the AP Top 25 at some point this season, with Clemson and Miami maintaining their presence every week thus far.
As we look ahead to 2024 in the ACC, there are several standout performers to note. Miami’s quarterback Cam Ward is anticipated to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this December, alongside numerous other ACC talents who might be recognized during the awards season.
Omarion Hampton from North Carolina is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation’s best running back, though Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is expected to be the clear favorite. Ward is also in contention for the Davey O’Brien Award, while Florida State’s punter Alex Mastromanno and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald are being considered for national accolades as well.
In terms of bowl eligibility, multiple teams including SMU, Miami, Clemson, Syracuse, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Pitt, North Carolina, California, and Boston College have reached the crucial six-win mark. The outcome of the Virginia Tech-Virginia matchup will determine if either team can finish their season at 6-6, adding extra excitement to this rivalry contest. N.C. State has a chance to join bowl eligibility if they can overcome North Carolina in their game. However, Wake Forest, Stanford, and Florida State are set to finish the regular season below the six-win threshold.
The coaching landscape is also seeing its changes. Mack Brown and North Carolina have decided to part ways, while he will lead the team in their final game against N.C. State. Meanwhile, Mike Norvell, who led Florida State to an ACC title in 2023, has faced criticism after a last-place finish in this 17-team league for 2024, although the substantial buyout he would require offers him some job security. The impending Virginia-Virginia Tech matchup is bound to evoke some dissatisfaction on one side, as only one coach will finish with a 6-6 record while the other ends up at 5-7, highlighting a significant contrast in their seasons.
On a brighter note, this year has seen a host of first-year coaches in the ACC achieving bowl eligibility, such as Manny Diaz at Duke and Fran Brown at Syracuse, both standing with eight wins. Bill O’Brien has also steered Boston College to a respectable 6-5 record in his inaugural year.
The influx of fresh talent has made a noticeable impact this season:
— Eli Holstein, QB for Pitt, has impressively won his first seven starts, a feat reminiscent of legendary quarterback Dan Marino.
— O.J. Frederique, CB from Miami, emerged significantly as the team’s depth at cornerback was tested.
— Isaac Brown, RB for Louisville, is currently just 104 yards away from breaking the 1,000-yard mark this season.
— N.C. State’s CJ Bailey completed at least 64% of his passes over a seven-game period, showcasing his potential.
— Florida State’s Luke Kromenhoek has demonstrated big-play capability during a challenging season for the team.
— Jordan Lyle, RB for Miami, served as a game closer, displaying notable speed and generating numerous highlight plays.
— Sammy Brown, LB for Clemson, may not be one of the top contributors in terms of snaps but ranks fourth in tackles on the team, proving productive in a key role.
As for recruiting prospects, current rankings indicate that Miami, Clemson, Georgia Tech, SMU, and Duke are in favorable positions leading up to signing day. Though Florida State’s rankings might appear low, they have a strong pool of commits, with over half of them holding four-star ratings.
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