ACC Power Rankings and Season Preview
Chaos Edition
Let’s get weird. The ACC is a blender of new coaches, returning legends, and enough quarterback drama to rival a daytime soap opera. Here’s your preseason top 10 power rankings followed by a breakdown of the champs, the boys who are back, and the shiny new hires trying to survive the madness.
________________________________________
Power Rankings
1. Clemson
2. Boston College
3. Duke
4. Miami
5. Florida State
6. Louisville
7. Pitt
8. SMU
9. Virginia Tech
10. Georgia Tech
________________________________________
The Champ: Clemson (ElJefe)
Coach ElJefe has turned the ACC into his personal playground, going undefeated in regular season play and stacking ACC Championships like Pokémon cards. He’s had a few nail-biters, but for the most part, he cruises like he's playing on freshman difficulty.
At his high school senior photos, ElJefe was overheard saying:
“I want all the smoke this year. I want Jiggy, Bucknut, and anyone else who wants it from the SEC. They ain’t shit to a Clemson Tiger.”
Unfortunately, his mom overheard him, grounded him for inappropriate language, and took away his iPad for the week. But that hasn’t slowed ElJefe’s ruthless preparation—because the question isn’t will he win the ACC, the question is:
Will he lose a single game?
________________________________________
The Boys Are Back
Boston College (Rohk) – Rank #2
Coach Rohk is coming off a heater, leading BC to the ACCCG. Now back with his favorite team, he’s correcting past discrepancies and cooking up another run. The savvy vet looks ready for another title push.
Florida State (Sammy) – Rank #5
One of the most entertaining coaches in the league, Coach Sammy is walking with a pep in his step this season.
With DJ Uiagalelei now out of the picture—and reportedly working at Chrysler Dodge—a new QB takes the helm in Thomas Castellanos, a humble transfer with something to prove.
This is truly addition by subtraction. ACCCG bound?
Louisville (Strzt) – Rank #6
After a down year (by his own lofty standards), Strzt is back and looking for vengeance. His final year at TCU ended in a CFP berth with elite QB play, and now he's trying to bring that same energy to the ‘Ville.
SMU (Block) – Rank #8
Block is back with one of the most entertaining squads in the NDL. Kevin Jennings is QB1 and can hurt you in the air or on the ground. Expect fireworks, but with more balance this season.
Virginia Tech (VTRunNGun) – Rank #9
Coach VTRunNGun is never afraid of anyone, anywhere, anytime. Even after a disappointing year, this is still one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Just don't catch them on the wrong side of momentum.
Georgia Tech (UF) – Rank #10
Coach UF had GT playing over their heads last year. They won more games than expected and now return with Haynes King and a few new wrinkles. If the running backs stop fumbling, “Joke by Coke” could turn into “Hope by Coke.”
NC State (Holmey) – Unranked
NC State was red-hot last year, opening 8–0 before fading late. Holmey is ready to avenge that collapse and ride his team deep again. Expect another strong start, but can they finish?
Syracuse (MBerokoff) – Unranked
Even if they wanted to, Syracuse couldn’t fire Coach MBerokoff. He’s built such deep roots in the culture that removing him would start a fan revolt. Is he coaching? Is he hustling BBB episodes? Maybe both.
________________________________________
The New Guys
Duke (Jumper) – Rank #3
Jumper enters with a loaded squad and instant expectations. This is one of the best new coaches in the league, and with a ramped-up Blue Devils team, they’re a legit threat for the ACC title and maybe more.
Miami (Cnasty) – Rank #4
After doing work at Baylor, Coach Cnasty has landed in South Beach—and he's been spotted spending extra time with QB Carson Beck. Is this the duo to bring "The U" back? Or will it implode faster than the Beck-Cavinder TikTok romance?
Pitt (Devon) – Rank #7
Devon gets the job with Pitt and immediately inherits an explosive offense. There will be fireworks. The run game can grind. If QB play cooperates, they’ll be a real problem.
North Carolina (Taruncheel) – Unranked
With his favorite team in the NDL for the first time in over 20 seasons, this is a feel-good story. Taruncheel has been making improvements throughout the offseason, and this will be a team to watch out for.
Wake Forest (SGTLingus) – Unranked
Pay attention when Demond Claiborne has the rock. He’s one of the best running backs in the game and can score from anywhere on the field. Robbie Ashford is at QB and can run. Let’s see if Wake can compete.
Stanford (Doovid) – Unranked
Newcomer to the ACC, and he’ll have his hands full from the start. He avoids Clemson but faces BC, Miami, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame. Sending T’s & P’s.
Virginia (Justgiveer) – Unranked
A longtime league vet, Coach Justgiveer will look to get back on track after a subpar year at Illinois. Quietly dangerous.
California (Quest4Gold) – Unranked
Another longtime vet, Coach Quest4Gold is happy to escape Ohio and head to sunny California. The season starts with a test vs Arkansas and a Week 4 showdown with Colorado.
________________________________________
Final Thought
The ACC is as unpredictable as ever. You’ve got title contenders, revenge tours, and coaches who may or may not have working iPads. Whether you're chasing rings or rebuilding a legacy, one thing’s for sure:
Chaos is coming.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
and 7 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
678 Coaches Newest Member: ZakTasty
HOME
Discord