Mack Brown really proud of ACC's performance in 2023

The ACC is turning heads this season. On Monday, UNC head coach Mack Brown broke down the conference’s hot start in 2023.

“I’m really proud of our league. We’ve got a lot of good teams,” Brown said. “With all the realignment talk, it distracts from these teams who are playing well and they’re well coached. Syracuse going to Purdue and winning is huge, man.

“Duke has been unbelievable. I watch some of those games every Sunday night when I get in and I get to watch highlights. I watch everybody that we play and everybody I think is good nationally. And I look at us compared to them and see what we’ve got to do to get where they are in different cases.”

Brown has had no shortage of entertainment during his Sunday sessions lately. On Saturday, Syracuse marched on Purdue, stunning the Boilermakers in a 35-20 upset. In the win, Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader exploded for 195 rushing yards on 25 carries to increase Syracuse’s record to 3-0.

It’s the first time Syracuse has boasted a 3-0 start in back-to-back seasons since 1959-60. The Orange aren’t the only one representing the ACC well. As Brown mentioned, Duke burst out of the starting gates, taking down No. 9 Clemson.

The Blue Devils didn’t stop there. After handily defeating Northwestern on Saturday, Duke boasts an average win margin of 26.7 points. In a sea of sharks, the ACC is proving dangerous.

“Florida State dominates LSU and they come down to having to hold on to beat Boston College,” Brown continues. “You better play every week. You better go in, man. Don’t get comfortable.”

While Syracuse and Duke sent ripples through other conferences, Florida State hand-delivered a tidal wave. On Sept. 3, FSU dominated LSU in a 45-24 victory. With both teams vying for the top spot in their conference, the Seminoles sent a message.

Just two weeks after tearing up the No. 5 team in the country, Florida State nearly escaped Boston College with a 31-29 win. Nobody is safe and Brown won’t be caught by surprise. The 72-year-old head coach’s intensity has served him well this season.

In Week 1, North Carolina picked up a convincing 31-17 triumph over South Carolina. With a win against the SEC, UNC turned its eyes toward the Big Ten in Week 3. Once again, the Tar Heels ended up on top, defeating Minnesota 31-13.

As of now, the ACC only has four teams in the AP Top 25. Nonetheless, if the conference’s momentum carries on, don’t be surprised to see a few fellow members join the ranks.