Conference Breakdown: ACC

Clemson has won 7 0f the past 8 ACC titles, which includes this past year. Lets look at the conference for 2023.

Before Pitt in 2021, a Coastal Division team had not won the conference since 2010. That is essentially moot now, as the conference has done away from the division format and added the 3-5-5 model. Teams have 3 permanent rivals to play every year, with the other 10 teams being played every other year. This means that the schedule will play a huge part in who makes the championship game, which is between the two best overall teams. The full schedule will be at the bottom.

Clemson

We once again must look at Clemson to win the ACC crown. They have a 5 star QB who is starting for the full year and they are certainly the most talented team in the conference. They also have a fairly workable schedule, but I could see a few chances to slip up. They start on the road at Duke, which isn't exactly a cakewalk like in years prior. However, the Tigers do maintain the talent edge. They also get Florida State and North Carolina at home, which certainly helps. Road games include back-to-back trips to Miami and NC State, and a trip to Syracuse. My early prediction is that Clemson finishes with a 7-1 conference record and appears in the title game once again.

Duke

The Blue Devils had a great year last year. Mike Elko led them to a 9-4 record with a bowl victory in only his first year. The issue is that the schedule this year is brutal. Duke hosts Clemson to start the year, and that is something that could either springboard the team or ruin their confidence. Playing a good team week one can prove that you are capable of winning the big game or that you are a pure pretender. They do get Pitt and NC State at home, but that is balanced by getting back-to-back road games to Florida State & Louisville and North Carolina & Virginia. Even if the Blue Devils do pull of the upset week 1, they will have to survive a war of attrition. I would say that they compete in these games, but eventually the schedule catches up with them.

Florida State

The number one team team in returning production in all of college football is the Florida State Seminoles. Mike Norvell popped last year and Jordan Travis certainly helped in that. The star QB returns to see if the Seminoles can push even further into the post-season. However, they certainly have their work cut out for them. They start conference play by going to Boston College and then going to Clemson. They also play Duke, at Pitt and Miami late in the year. I think the schedule is hard, but FSU looks to be improving. My prediction: The winner of FSU and Miami makes the championship against Clemson.

Miami

Speaking of Miami, the Hurricanes finished 5-7 and missed a bowl last year, but that may have been to Mario Cristobal's benefit, as the Canes brought in the best recruiting class in conference. They still trail Clemson in talent, but the clock is ticking on Dabo Sweeney's talent edge. In terms of schedule, 3 of the 4 toughest games may be on the road; at UNC, NC State and Florida State. The Hurricanes do draw Clemson at home, but they do still have to play them. I maintain that the winner of FSU and Miami will play Clemson in the title game, but look for Boston College to play spoiler when they host Miami in the last week of the season.

North Carolina

Mack Brown and Drake Maye look to piece everything together for 2023. The Tar Heels started hot in 2022, going 9-1 before dropping 4 straight games. Losing to Oregon in the bowl game or Clemson in the conference title is one thing, but the last two regular season games were winnable and left a sour taste in the mouths of UNC fans everywhere. This year, the schedule will prompt the same response from the Tar Heels and it is on them to change the script. UNC starts with a trip to Pitt before getting 'Cuse, Miami and UVA at home. Look for the middle two of that stretch to be a telling point in the season. After that, Georgia Tech and Duke can be beaten, but ending with Clemson and NC State is huge for North Carolina. If Mack Brown wants to reach a higher level with his squad, the effort must last for all 12 games, and they may be a fair bet for an ACC title appearance.