2023 ACC Power Rankings: Preseason

Where does every team land in the preseason ACC power rankings?

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Aug 13, 2023 1:46 PM EDT

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In less than two weeks, the 2023 college football season will begin and the race for the ACC championship will be underway. The first conference game of the year will be between Louisville and Georgia Tech in Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sept. 1st.

There are plenty of headlines in the conference this season. It appears that Florida State and Clemson are the class of the conference, but can any other team challenge them? Will Miami have a bounce-back season in year two under Mario Cristobal? Could a surprise team emerge from the projected back half of the conference?

Here is how I see the conference heading into the 2023 season.

14. Virginia (2022 record: 3-7)

It could be a tough season in Charlottesville. Tony Elliott's team struggled on the offensive side of the ball and things don't appear to have gotten much better. The transfer portal was not kind to the Cavs either. The bright spot on this team might be the front season, which has studs like Chico Bennett leading the way. A schedule that included games against Tennessee, Maryland, NC State, Miami, North Carolina, and Louisville does not make things easier. The good news is they don't play Clemson or Florida State. A bowl game does not appear likely in 2023.

13. Virginia Tech (2022 record: 3-8)

Brent Pry is hoping to put a bad debut season behind him and his program in 2023 and try to reach a bowl. The Hokies' season could depend on what they get out of the quarterback position. Last season's starter Grant Wells is battling Baylor transfer Kyron Drones for the starting job, a battle that has yet to be resolved. Virginia Tech does have good playmakers at the wide receiver position and the defense could be better. It is hard to place Virginia Tech much higher due to the uncertainty at the QB position and the schedule is tricky.

12. Boston College (2022 record: 3-9)

Could a bounce-back season be on the way for Jeff Hafley and the Eagles? Now that the offense line is healthy, it is possible. The wide receiver room still has playmakers despite the loss of Zay Flowers to the NFL and the schedule has enough winnable games that the Eagles could be back in the postseason.

11. Syracuse (2022 record: 7-6)

Syracuse started the season 6-0 but stumbled to a 1-6 finish. The Orange are going to have to replace running back Sean Tucker and several playmakers on defense and that will make getting back to a bowl game tough. The good news is that quarterback Garrett Shrader is back, along with tight end/wide receiver Oronde Gadsden. Syracuse has games against Florida State, Clemson, and North Carolina consecutively at the start of the season and how they do in that stretch and afterward will define how their season goes.

10. Georgia Tech (2022 record: 5-7)

Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron — Where will Georgia Tech finish in 2023?
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech started the season 1-3 but finished strong under Brent Key and that earned him the head coaching position. Key defeated Duke, Pitt, and Noth Carolina last season, teams that won nine games each last season. Key has a quarterback battle to figure out and defensive playmakers to replace, but I think the Yellow Jackets could surprise and get to a bowl game. Games against South Carolina State, Wake Forest, Bowling Green, Boston College, Syracuse, and Virginia are all winnable and if GT improves on offense, a postseason birth is possible.

9. Wake Forest (2022 record: 8-5)

Dave Clawson has built a strong program at Wake Forest and that is why despite the Demon Deacons losing their best quarterback in school history, Wake could remain a strong team. However, replacing Sam Hartman and A.T. Perry won't be easy and the defense still is not a strong unit. This team should still be able to score points, but the defense could be what determines if this team goes bowling again.

8. Duke (2022 record: 9-4)

The Blue Devils were the surprise team of the ACC in 2022. Mike Elko won nine games in his first season and with quarterback Riley Leonard and several starters back, the Blue Devils should be a tough team to beat. However, I think Duke is going a little overrated heading into this season. A schedule that includes Florida State, Clemson, and Notre Dame on it will be tough, and the Blue Devils could have a tough time replicating the success that they had last season.

7. Pitt (2022 record: 9-4)

The Panthers had a solid follow-up to their 2021 ACC Championship season and Pitt will look to once again surprise. The defense lost some key players, but Pat Narduzzi always has a solid defense and the wide receivers are an underrated unit. If quarterback Phil Jurkovec can bring stability to the offense, Pitt could be a surprise team in the conference.

6. Louisville (2022 record: 8-5)

The Cardinals are one of two teams in the ACC that has a new head coach, but he is familiar to Louisville fans. Former Cardinals quarterback Jeff Brohm is back at his alma mater and he has a good foundation to have a solid first season. Transfer quarterback Jack Plummer played for Brohm at Purdue before transferring to Cal and his familiarity with the system should help the offense. Louisville did well in the transfer portal at receiver and on defense and the schedule does not include FSU, Clemson, or North Carolina on it. Don't be surprised if Louisville is near the top of the standings at season's end.

5. Miami (2022 record: 5-7)

Tyler Van Dyke gets set to throw during a game vs Duke — Will Miami have a bounce-back season in 2023?
Tyler Van Dyke. Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

There probably is not a team in the conference with a higher ceiling and a lower floor than Miami. The Hurricanes were awful in Mario Cristobal's first season, but he remade the coaching staff and roster, and the Hurricanes don't appear to have gotten worse at any position. The offensive line could be one of the ACC's best and if quarterback Tyler Van Dyke can rediscover his 2021 form, Miami could bounce back in a big way. Or they could go 6-6.

4. NC State (2022 record: 8-5)

NC State was a disappointing team last season, but they should be better in 2023 and that is largely due to new offensive coordinator Robert Anae and transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong. Armstrong was fantastic in 2021 under Anae at Virginia and if those two can rediscover that, the Wolfpack could make a run to the ACC Championship game. The defense has playmakers at linebacker and cornerback as well. The week two game against Notre Dame could show how could this team could be.

3. North Carolina (2022 record: 9-5)

The Tar Heels are fresh off of an ACC Championship appearance and return the ACC player of the year and future top draft pick Drake Maye. However, there are questions about this UNC team. The defense has been dreadful the past few seasons, offensive coordinator Phil Longo is at Wisconsin now, and transfer wide receiver Tez Walker had his waiver denied and won't be able to play this season. Because of Maye, this team could be back in the conference championship, but there are enough questions to wonder how good this team could actually be. The week one game against South Carolina could be very telling.

2. Clemson (2022 record: 11-3)

The reigning ACC champs are the preseason favorite to repeat. New offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is hopeful to turn this offense around and talented quarterback Cade Klubnik is ready to make a big leap. The defensive line is losing stars Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee, but Tyler Davis and Xavier Thomas return and the Tigers have the nation's top linebacker duo in Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter. The secondary should be good as well and Clemson could be primed to return to the playoff for the first time since 2020.

1. Florida State (2022 record: 10-3)

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis vs Georgia Tech — Can Florida State win the ACC for the first time since 2014?
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State enters the 2023 season as one of the most hyped teams in the country and it is hard not to see why. The offense should be fantastic with Jordan Travis back at quarterback and he has a loaded group of playmakers to throw to. Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson form a great wide receiver duo and the defense has future NFL stars in Jared Verse and Fentrell Cypress. Florida State has a tough opening schedule with LSU and Clemson in the first four weeks alone and the Seminoles need to spilt those games at a minimum to keep their playoff hopes alive. This team is talented enough to make a playoff run.

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