ACC Predictions: Projecting conference championship finalists, winner in 2024

The ACC will be one of the most fascinating conference title races to watch this upcoming college football season. Loaded with proven programs, new additions, and plenty of new impact players who joined the league through the transfer portal this offseason that will be the difference in many conference games.

On3’s JD PicKell made his prediction on how he believes the ACC will shake out in the 2024 college football season. First separating the top contenders from the rest of the pack for the conference.

“I think that when you look at the overall landscape of this conference there is three big dogs, from a roster talent level, from Florida State, to Clemson, to Miami. And then you also have a bunch of sneaky teams that could totally just killer whale-style breach and find a way to end up winning this conference,” PicKell said.

PicKell listed NC State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, and SMU as teams that could be frisky in the ACC and potentially make their way to the conference championship with some signature wins. But ruled them out of his conference title game prediction along with Clemson. Who brings a ton of defensive strength to the table but was not as convincing on offense last season.

“Offensively, I don’t know if I can trust Cade Klubnik and this operation just yet,” PicKell said about Clemson’s signal caller. “Not telling you I don’t think Cade Klubnik is really freaking talented, not telling you that it would wildly surprise me if they found a way to make the ACC title game. But from what we’ve seen from him so far, last year 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions, not all that is on Cade Klubnik. Some of that is also on the lack of explosivity they don’t have in that wide receiver room.”

“Probably have more of it this year, is it enough to get over the hump? To me I would have a difficult time predicting them to make the ACC title game because of what I haven’t seen on offense just yet.”

That leaves Florida State and Miami in PicKell’s projected ACC title game. Breaking down why last year’s ACC Champions and the Vegas favorites to repeat are primed to return to the conference championship game yet again.

“I think that Florida State feels like they got something to prove. I think they are very, very okay with everyone talking about what they lost and DJU (DJ Uiagalelei) maybe not being the guy based on his lack of success at Clemson and all that,” PicKell explained. “I think they’re more than fine taking on like that underdog, chip on the shoulder role. I promise you now, those folks Tallahassee, the guys in that building, they remember vividly not making the College Football Playoff last year. That has stuck with them, I think that motivates them, I think that benefits them to get to the ACC title game.”

PicKell may have the Seminoles back in Charlotte for the conference championship, but he has the Hurricanes winning their first ACC title since joining the league in 2004. Believing that the Hurricanes will beat the Seminoles both in the regular season and the conference title game thanks to a loaded new look roster.

“I think the versatility of this roster, what they have up front, what they have in that backfield with Damien Martinez from Oregon State. What they have on the perimeter now with Sam Brown, with Xavier Restrepo, and JoJo Trader, Jacolby George, they just have so many different ways they can beat you,” PicKell explained. “I think that it could look different from game to game from when they play in the regular season to when they meet up in the conference title game. But I think Miami finds a way to go 2-0 against Florida State and win the ACC.”

There’s no question that there would be a party in Coral Gables if Miami returned to championship glory this season, as the countdown ACC football and college football as a whole seems closer than before now with the month of August now underway.