2026-27 ACC Football Preview: Can Canes Get Back to the National Title?
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sat Jul 25, 2026, 4:25 pm ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
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We are just five weeks away from NCAA Football blessing our screens with Week 0 action, so let's take a look at our final Power Four conference. Sure, some are going to argue that the rebirth of the Pac-12 is a power conference, but I'll tackle that argument in my conference preview next week. For now, let's go to the ACC, where we have the largest favorite to win any league in college football this season. Can the Hurricanes do it and get back to the College Football Playoff?
Read our other NCAA Football Conference Previews
Check out the best odds on the market and tons of picks for the NCAA Football Season.
ACC Football History
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers did not live up to expectations last year. Will they turn it around in 2026?
Past 10 ACC Conference Champions
- 2025: Duke Blue Devils over Virginia Cavaliers
- 2024: Clemson Tigers over SMU Mustangs
- 2023: Florida State Seminoles over Louisville Cardinals
- 2022: Clemson Tigers over North Carolina Tar Heels
- 2021: Pittsburgh Panthers over Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- 2020: Clemson Tigers over Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- 2019: Clemson Tigers over Virginia Cavaliers
- 2018: Clemson Tigers over Pittsburgh Panthers
- 2017: Clemson Tigers over Miami Hurricanes
- 2016: Clemson Tigers over Virginia Tech Hokies
Will This Year's ACC Champion Make the CFP?
After Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers had a stranglehold on this league for quite some time, we have now had six different conference championship participants in the last three contests, and have seen nine different teams represented in the past five ACC Championship games. This was the only Power Four conference that did not send it's champion to the College Football Playoff last season, after Miami snuck in instead (still don't understand how that happened).
This year the oddsmakers think we have a clear top team, much like in the Big 12.
After failing to make the ACC Championship, Miami went all the way to the National Championship. Will Darian Mensah lead them back to the promised land?
Odds to Win the ACC Championship
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- Miami Hurricanes -140
- SMU Mustangs +700
- Louisville Cardinals +1000
- Clemson Tigers +1600
- Pittsburgh Panthers +1700
- Virginia Cavaliers +1800
- NC State Wolfpack +2200
- Virginia Tech Hokies +2200
- California Golden Bears +3500
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +3500
- Florida State Seminoles +4000
- Duke Blue Devils +6500
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons +7500
- North Carolina Tar Heels +10000
- Syracuse Orange +12500
- Stanford Cardinal +25000
- Boston College Golden Eagles +30000
The Miami Hurricanes are the biggest favorite to win their conference in NCAA Football this season, across all 10 leagues. The books think they are a shoe-in for the ACC Championship in Charlotte. They also believe it is a toss up for the second best team in this conference, between SMU and Louisville. After that, it's all up for grabs.
ACC Football Preview: Team Tiers
Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal might have saved his job last season
Tier 1 – Mensah Moves to Miami
Just like Texas Tech in the Big 12, the Hurricanes are in a league of their own in the ACC. They should steamroll through everyone possible and get back to the ACC Championship, and possibly the CFP as well. Darian Mensah heads over from Miami to lead the Canes, but he has big shoes to fill. He also hasn't really lived up to the hype at Tulane or Duke. Sure, the Blue Devils won the ACC last season, but they were able to avoid Miami in the regular season, and due to odd tiebreakers, they beat Virginia in the championship for their only ranked win of the season.
The point is, Mensah will have an easier conference schedule just being in the ACC, and avoiding SMU and Louisville. But they will travel to South Bend to take on a likely undefeated Irish team in early November, and I'm not sure Mensah will perform against those big schools. The Canes should make the CFP assuming they win the ACC, but I see them getting bounced in the first round.
Tier 2 – Can Compete with Canes
SMU, Louisville, Virginia, Clemson (maybe), Pittsburgh (I guess) and honestly I'd even throw California into this mix, simply because I love their QB. The Ponies are led by Kevin Jennings who returns as a starter, but until the defense improves, they'll be stuck getting into shootouts. Louisville has a fantastic running game, and our guy PJ Glaser broke down why he thinks they can win this conference and sneak into the CFP, so check it out here. We'll know right away how good they are, as they open the season hosting Ole Miss, before avoiding Miami and getting some of their toughest ACC games at home.
Clemson will need a big turn around, but Dabo finally hit the portal, maybe it will make a difference. They open the year in Baton Rouge against Lane Kiffin's LSU Tigers. Pittsburgh returns plenty of production, so we will see how Mason Herintschel steps up as the full time QB.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for over 3,450 yards as a true freshman last year
California is led by Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele who was incredible as a true freshman last year, throwing for nearly 3,500 yards. The Golden Bears have an easy non conference schedule, they avoid Miami and Louisville, and get Clemson and Pittsburgh at home. They will have to go to SMU, but they hit the portal hard and surrounded their stud QB with plenty of new skill players who can help produce even more offense. For plus money, I'll take a stab at their over 6.5 wins this season.
Virginia had a great year last season, unfortunately missing out on the CFP after losing to Duke in the conference championship. But they return the entire offensive line, most of the defensive unit, and snagged Beau Pribula to step in as QB. The Cavaliers should once again be near the top of the ACC.
James Franklin takes over as the Head Coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies
Tier 3 – James Franklin and Others
Yes, James Franklin will be on the sidelines again taking over for the Hokies. I don't expect much, as I'm not sure Ethan Grunkemeyer can be the guy for a Power Four football program. CJ Bailey has some new targets at NC State, but losing a running back like Hollywood Smothers might put some extra pressure on the QB.
Georgia Tech had a great year as well and should take a step back. But bringing in Alberto Mendoza (yes, that Mendoza) and running back Justice Haynes should keep the rushing attack exciting. Ashton Daniels is in his third school at Florida State, teaming up with Quintrevion Wisner, who will be running behind a brand new offensive line for the Seminoles.
I don't expect any of these schools to make too much noise in the conference.
Tier 4 – How's the Weather Down There?
North Carolina, Syracuse, Boston College, Stanford, and even Wake Forest. I can already hear the fans… "Just wait till basketball season!!"
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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