ACC Order of Finish Prediction: Phil Steele projects conference standings for 2024 college football

The ACC will kick off the entire college football season this year when Florida State and Georgia Tech square off in a Week 0 matchup across the pond in Dublin, Ireland. Marking the beginning to a highly anticipated college football season and a banner year for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Three new teams joined the ACC this year following a round of conference realignment that changed the geographical dynamics of nearly every league. And given the roster changes across the ACC, the conference seems as wide open and up for grabs as ever this upcoming season.

One of college football’s most highly respected prognosticators Phil Steele has forecasted how he believes the ACC will shake out this season, with several teams neck and neck in poll position in his projections. Check out Steele’s projected finishing order for the ACC in the 2024 season below.

T-1. Clemson

Steele ranks Tigers atop the ACC projections following what was a down year for Clemson compared to their usual standards. Finishing last season 9-4, which was their lowest win total for a season since 2010 following 12 consecutive double-digit win seasons.

Clemson returns starting quarterback Cade Klubnik who could be poised to take a jump entering his second full season as a starter. But with head coach Dabo Swinney‘s lack of transfer portal use this offseason, all eyes will be on the Tigers to see how they perform.

T-1. Florida State

Florida State trails right behind Clemson after winning last year’s ACC title to snap a dry spell that lasted nearly a decade. Now tasked with rebuilding a talented roster that had 10 selections in the most recent NFL Draft.

Former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei headlines the Seminoles’ transfer portal additions this offseason. A dual-threat weapon coming off of his best season to date who will represent the first quarterback not named Jordan Travis of the Mike Norvell era.

T-1. Miami

Miami rounds out Steele’s top tier of teams in the ACC following an impressive offseason of recruiting in the transfer portal. As head coach Mario Cristobal enters the 2024 season with his most talented roster to date during his tenure with the Hurricanes.

Expectations are as high as they’ve been in quite some time in Coral Gables. As all eyes will be on Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward to take Miami over the hump with the best quarterback play they’ve had in years with a high-potential squad.

T-4. SMU

SMU leads the second tier of teams in Steele’s rankings as a new addition to the ACC following a decade in the American Conference. Where they won last season’s conference title after an undefeated season in the American and a 11–3 overall finish.

The Mustangs return their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and leading receiver from their conference championship team. And after leading the American in points allowed, yards allowed, and total sacks, they could be a threat in the ACC right out of the gate.

T-4. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is poised to take a leap this upcoming season following 7-6 finish last year. Especially after head coach Brent Pry did an excellent job of retaining the team’s top talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback Kyron Drones improved week after week last season as a dual-threat weapon for the Hokies. And after returning all of his top targets from last season, he and the VT offense could be one of the most dangerous units in the conference.

T-4. Louisville

Louisville shocked the conference last season after finishing the regular season 10-2 with just one loss in conference play. Making it all the way to the ACC Championship game in their very first season under head coach Jeff Brohm.

The Cardinals lost a lot of their production from last year’s squad, particularly on offense with their top passer, rusher, and receiver moving on to the NFL. But after bringing in yet another robust transfer portal class this offseason, Louisville could shock the league once again.

T-4. NC State

Many believe that this year could be the season where NC State breaks out and jumps from good to great. With head coach Dave Doeren entering his 12th season at the helm for the Wolfpack following four straight eight or nine win seasons.

The Wolfpack have had three straight seasons as one of the top three scoring defenses in the ACC, and two years as a top two unit. But the addition of former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall could be the difference for NC State after throwing for 10,005 yards in his college career with three Sun Belt Player of the Year Awards to his name.

8. North Carolina

North Carolina’s success during Mack Brown‘s return to the program has been predicated by elite play at the quarterback position. With Sam Howell and Drake Maye helping elevate the program in a major way before making the jump to the NFL level.

Former Texas A&M and LSU quarterback Max Johnson will likely be this year’s starter under center, and will get help from one of the nation’s top running backs Omarion Hampton. But with the Tar Heels having their third defensive coordinator since 2019, better play on that side of the ball could dictate their success.

9. California

Cal joins the ACC following a back-and-forth final season in the Pac-12. Not winning a single game in October with four straight losses before winning their final three games of the regular season to make a bowl game.

Running back Jaydn Ott was the tip of the spear for the Golden Bears last season and established himself as one of the best rushers in college football. Running for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns last season as a major part of Cal’s success, rushing for over 150 yards in four of the team’s six wins.

T-10. Georgia Tech

The Yellowjackets round out Steele’s top 10 after having their best season since 2018. Finishing the year 7-6 in their first full season under head coach Brent Key.

Georgia Tech was one of the most improved offenses in the country last season and return quarterback Haynes King and Freshman All-American wideout Eric Singleton Jr. But there’s no question that they have room to grow on the defensive side of the ball after allowing the most yards per game in the ACC last season.

T-10. Pitt

Pittsburgh was tied for the worst record in the ACC last season, but Steele sees the Panthers improving in 2024. As they’ll look to return to their form from their 2021 season where they won the ACC title.

The Panthers return 13 starters from last season and will look for more production at the quarterback position following two straight seasons of disappointing transfer quarterbacks. But Steele believes that Pitt will return to a bowl game in 2024 despite road games against SMU, Louisville, and North Carolina.

T-12. Syracuse

The 2024 season marks a new era for Syracuse football as Fran Brown takes over the reins of the program. The former Georgia assistant who will look to establish a similar championship culture as he returns to the Northeast.

Brown was highly regarded as one of the best assistants in college football and his work in the transfer portal this offseason could make the ceiling quite high for the Orange. Securing commitments from former Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord along with four former Bulldogs.

T-12. Wake Forest

Wake Forrest finished dead last in the ACC last year with just one conference win on the season. Posting their worst record since 2015 after starting the season 3-0 and ending it 4-8.

The Demon Deacons return 15 starters from last season which should set them up better for success in 2024. With Steele forecasting that head coach Dave Clawson will exceed expectations like he has many times and crack six wins and a bowl appearance.

T-12. Boston College

Bill O’Brien was named Boston College’s new head coach in February following the departure of Jeff Hafley. Brining with him a stacked resume of NFL and college head coaching and offensive coordinator experience.

The Eagles improved on both sides of the ball and quarterback Thomas Castellanos threw for 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 yards. As he returns to the Eagles along with 16 other starters and avoids Clemson, Florida, and Miami on their schedule in what could be a breakout year for BC.

15. Virginia

Virginia had their second straight three-win season under Tony Elliot last year with just three total conference wins since he became the program’s head coach ahead of the 2022 season. Still looking to build up the foundation and culture of Cavaliers program.

This season Elliot will have his best roster to date for Virginia with 16 returning starters. But having the 11th hardest schedule in the country doesn’t do them any favors as the seek improvement.

16. Stanford

Stanford struggled last season in their final year in the Pac-12. Finishing the year 3-9 with all three of their victories decided by just three points apiece.

Troy Taylor enters his second season as the head coach for the Cardinal following the David Shaw era. As he’ll look to improve a team that could use improvement in every area after giving up a Pac-12-worst 37.7 points per game and finished second in their conference in scoring with 20.8 points per game.

17. Duke

Duke finishes last in Steele’s ACC projections following an offseason of massive roster and coaching turnover. With Mike Elko departing for Texas A&M and Manny Diaz returning to the ACC as a head coach for the first time since his three-year tenure at Miami.

The Blue Devils’ roster was depleted by transfer portal exits and graduates, even struggling in their spring game with just five offensive linemen on their roster. But the addition of physically imposing quarterback Maalik Murphy and several other pieces upfront, Duke could surprise some teams in a season where expectations are not very high.

There’s no question that the ACC is loaded with several fascinating contenders this season that could not only compete for a conference title, but potentially punch their ticket to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.