Each fanbase is questioning what number of video games their staff will win this upcoming season, however any win complete projection comes with a variety of outcomes. In order we start to stay up for 2025, we’re specializing in simply how good — or unhealthy — issues might go for each staff.
It was definitely tempting to element how every staff’s best-case state of affairs, technically, is 12-0 — and the worst case is 0-12 — our hope is to determine a considerably extra lifelike vary of potentialities. We’re too near the beginning of the season for that model of fan fiction, with media days and skilled picks set to hit excessive gear in simply a few weeks.
The ACC options a few groups with Faculty Soccer Playoff aspirations, but additionally loads of squads that may very well be straddling the road for bowl eligibility. With a pair new coaches — together with Invoice Belichick — and loads of packages beneath strain, this train explores the extremes for our expectations within the fall.
Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Odds to win convention: +7000
Finest case 7-5: The Eagles faucet into some upset magic by taking down no less than considered one of their high-profile guests, as Clemson, Notre Dame and SMU all make the journey to Chestnut Hill within the closing two months of the season. The staff nonetheless takes some lumps, however Invoice O’Brien reveals his capability to maximise strengths and win video games on the margins for the second yr in a row.
Worst case 3-9: The quarterback place by no means will get settled, the bottom recreation cannot substitute final yr’s manufacturing and the staff takes a step again defensively on account of dropping a number of all-conference gamers on the road — together with ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr Donovan Ezeiruaku. The staff wins when it ought to, however comes up brief in too many coin-flip video games to make a bowl.
Cal
Odds to win convention: +13000
Finest case 8-4: Cal turns into a switch portal success story, as greater than three dozen new additions introduced in to exchange a mass exodus of expertise gel collectively in a make-or-break season for Justin Wilcox. Early success within the nonconference schedule helps the group construct confidence for an ACC slate that features some tough cross-country journey in the course of the season.
Worst case 4-8: The Bears lose a few video games they’re favored to win early within the season and with some more durable assessments looming, we see coach sizzling seat drama turn into a main storyline. As a result of this staff is well-coached, they rally for some key wins, however a four-win season might result in a change in Berkley.
Clemson
Odds to win convention: +120
Finest case 12-0: A gap win in opposition to LSU units the tone for an absolute warfare machine yr, as Dabo Swinney’s Tigers have fun the tenth anniversary of their first CFP look with their eighth playoff march. Early projections that time to a handful of first-round NFL Draft picks for the Tigers are confirmed right as Cade Klubnik stars with a stellar group of receivers (a few whom aren’t draft eligible till 2027) and the protection shines beneath the management of latest defensive coordinator Tom Allen.
Worst case 9-3: Offseason hype falls flat. Clemson wins quite a lot of video games, however will get tripped up sufficient to restrict any probability of constructing the CFP as an at-large staff. The Tigers are adequate to get off the bus, tie their sneakers and win a lot of the video games on their schedule however the season ends with little satisfaction because the they arrive up brief within the greatest video games of the yr.
Odds to win convention: +2600
Finest case 9-3: Darian Mensah proves to be one of many high quarterbacks within the ACC and the protection that spent a lot of final season dragging opponents into the sewer offers the Blue Devils an opportunity in almost each recreation. This requires Duke to be a staff of street warriors with a difficult journey schedule, however Manny Diaz has constructed this program’s id as one which wins with particulars as evidenced by final yr’s 6-1 displaying in one-score video games.
Worst case 5-7: The regression monster hits. Not solely is profitable that many one-score video games not sustainable, however the offense struggles after the lack of so many priceless veterans on the ability positions. The protection is strong sufficient to provide Duke an opportunity to make a bowl recreation deep into the season, however logging these closing wins in opposition to groups like UConn, Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest is more durable if the Blue Devils do not have a threatening offense.
Odds to win convention: +2900
Finest case 9-3: The Seminoles bounce again from some of the embarrassing seasons in program historical past with a robust displaying to regular the ship. With a schedule that features Clemson, Alabama, Florida and Miami, working the desk appears unlikely. However a win in no less than a type of video games gives encouragement for the longer term. Mike Norvell’s coordinator modifications repay with huge enhancements on each side of the ball, and in contrast to final yr, the portal additions are a distinction maker within the constructive sense — particularly at quarterback.
Worst case 5-7: Portal evaluations fall wanting expectations for a second straight yr, and whereas the staff seems good in opposition to East Texas A&M and Kent State early within the season, some warts are uncovered within the ACC schedule. Failing to make a bowl brings about speak of a training change. That strain would definitely weigh on the staff heading into tightly-contested video games in opposition to Virginia Tech and at NC State.
Odds to win convention: +1400
Finest case 9-3: The Yellow Jackets play a giant position within the ACC Championship race with a powerful stack of convention wins. Whether or not Georgia Tech’s 9-3 shall be adequate for at-large competition within the CFP comes right down to its video games in opposition to Clemson (in September) and Georgia (in November), however even flirting with 9 wins requires one other sturdy yr from the quarterback place and extra clutch performances in shut video games.
Worst case 5-7: Georgia Tech faces a six-game stretch — from Virginia Tech on Oct. 11 to Pitt on Nov. 22 — the place every matchup may very well be a one-score recreation primarily based on present projections. If the Yellow Jackets go 2-4 throughout that run, they might enter the ultimate week of the season needing a win simply to succeed in bowl eligibility, slightly than making an attempt to solidify a playoff case.
Odds to win convention: +750
Finest case 10-2: Jeff Brohm’s switch portal evaluations hit once more and the Cardinals are one of many league’s high groups for the third yr in a row. The schedule is hard with video games in opposition to all the opposite high groups (Clemson, Miami, SMU) however Louisville wins sufficient to have a strong probability on the CFP both as an ACC Champion and even as an at-large contender.
Worst case 7-5: Miller Moss by no means settles in because the plug-and-play quarterback many count on, and a staff stitched along with a number of portal-heavy courses struggles in street environments in opposition to high quality groups. Louisville solely performs 4 true street video games however they’re at Pitt, Miami, Virginia Tech and SMU. If Louisville goes to contend for the ACC, it might want to get it accomplished away from Cardinals Stadium.
Miami
Odds to win convention: +370
Finest case 11-1: Carson Beck returns to full well being and assumes the NFL-ready type he displayed earlier than the harm in a quarterback-friendly offense that helped propel Cam Ward to the No. 1 choose within the NFL Draft. New coordinator Corey Heatherman helps Miami’s protection restrict explosive performs and the Hurricanes make their first-ever look within the CFP.
Worst case 8-4: The Hurricanes not solely fail to capitalize on the massive moments in opposition to Notre Dame and SMU, however drop a pair extra video games to go away Miami feeling wholly unhappy given the extent of expertise on this roster. It speaks to the recruiting efforts of this workers that 8-4 is a flooring projection, however for a program that has not hit its ceiling shortly Miami is rather more centered on maximizing what it is bought in home.
North Carolina
Odds to win convention: +4200
Finest case 9-3: Invoice Belichick stares down some of the manageable schedules within the convention and takes benefit, bringing collectively a roster of almost 70-plus new additions (switch portal and recruiting class) and getting them on the identical web page to play profitable soccer. The Tar Heels’ plan to construct the roster from the traces of scrimmage out ends in a ball management fashion the place physicality leads the best way, giving them a bonus over almost each non-Clemson staff on the convention schedule.
Worst case 5-7: An unsure quarterback state of affairs bleeds into the season and the shortcoming to threaten opponents with offensive explosiveness places North Carolina in manner too many one-score video games. Inexperience on the faculty degree causes some communication points between the teaching workers and the staff, and when adversity hits, a locker room full of latest faces doesn’t reply positively.
NC State
Odds to win convention: +4200
Finest case 9-3: Quarterback CJ Bailey takes the following step in his growth and guides an offense with loads of returning expertise into the highest tier of the ACC. The Wolfpack aren’t in a position to pull off gorgeous upsets on the street in opposition to Notre Dame and Miami, however profit from dwelling cooking with key coin-flip video games like Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Florida State and North Carolina all being in Carter-Finley Stadium.
Worst case: 4-8: A protection that took a giant step again in 2024 — giving up 30.2 factors per recreation after permitting lower than 21 in three straight seasons — doesn’t return to type. In actual fact, it turns into a legal responsibility. Mid- and late-season coin-flip video games maintain breaking the opposite manner and it brings some deep frustration to the forefront for a fan base that noticed three dwelling losses final yr and a bowl defeat to in-state foe ECU.
Pitt
Odds to win convention: +4100
Finest case 8-4: Yr 2 for Kade Bell ends in an offense that’s sooner and extra prolific, aided partly by higher harm luck alongside the offensive line. Desmond Reid emerges as one of many high working backs within the nation and the schedule units up for extra midseason pleasure with a lot of the winnable video games in September and October.
Worst case: 4-8: The harm bug bites once more, and the unhealthy vibes from final season’s 0-6 end linger as Pitt sees issues slip away by a six-game midseason grind the place almost each recreation may very well be a one-score level unfold at kickoff. The shortcoming to stack wins previous to late November paints a bleak scene and upset makes an attempt in opposition to Notre Dame and Miami fall brief.
SMU
Odds to win convention: +850
Finest case 11-1: The Mustangs show that they’re greater than a one-year story and again up final season’s success with one other Faculty Soccer Playoff run. Kevin Jennings shakes off the Penn State recreation with a quick begin in nonconference play in opposition to Baylor and TCU, using that momentum into the meat of the schedule to emerge as one of many high quarterbacks within the nation.
Worst case 7-5: The Mustangs are in a position to overwhelm the lesser opponents with tempo and offensive prowess, however fail to get the higher of the very best groups. With Clemson, Miami and Louisville all on the ACC slate and nonconference battles in opposition to a pair of formidable Huge 12 groups, SMU is healthier than its document, however will not contend for a significant bowl recreation.
Odds to win convention: +6000
Finest case 7-5: The portal ins and outs repay for Fran Brown as beefing up the traces of scrimmage permits Syracuse to endure an enormous lack of expertise from final yr’s 10-win staff. Quarterback Steve Angeli hits the bottom working after a spring portal transfer from Notre Dame and the offense as soon as once more stresses opponents with the passing assault. A troublesome schedule means extra losses than 2024, however the brand new additions assist energy one other bowl look.
Worst case 4-8: One yr after having fun with some of the manageable schedules within the ACC, the Orange are devoured up by one of many hardest slates within the convention. Not solely does Syracuse play the trio of Clemson, SMU and Miami all on the street however in addition they face Notre Dame in South Bend and Tennessee in a impartial web site. The grind wears down the staff, and among the coin-flip dwelling video games in opposition to Pitt, North Carolina and Boston Faculty break the opposite manner.
Odds to win convention: +30000
Finest case 6-6: Frank Reich pulls off an absolute miracle, uniting the locker room for a one-year run and the Cardinal play for pleasure all the best way to bowl eligibility. The trail requires benefiting from different groups journey issues, profitable dwelling video games in opposition to the likes of Boston Faculty, Florida State and Pitt. Nevertheless it additionally most likely requires a surprising upset as Stanford has 5 potential preseason top-25 groups on the schedule.
Worst case: 2-10: The entire surrounding points — like coaches with an unsure future and gamers contemplating whether or not they wish to stick with this system — pile up, resulting in a collapse within the second half of the season. Motivation shouldn’t be a problem early with some winnable video games in September but when there may be any wavering by way of focus there won’t be a win after Oct. 1.
Virginia
Odds to win convention: +11000
Finest case 7-5: A breakthrough season for Tony Elliott rejuvenates confidence in his tenure because the Wahoos attain bowl eligibility for the primary time since 2021. Virginia hit the portal laborious to usher in gamers with some expertise — sixth-year quarterback Chandler Morris being the poster baby for this — that may assist set the tone for a profitable season. It additionally helps that the staff will not face Clemson, Miami or SMU in convention play and will get 5 of the primary seven video games at dwelling as the brand new additions get settled in.
Worst case 4-8: The brand new expertise would not gel, Virginia drops a pair video games they should not early within the season and all of a sudden questions on the way forward for this system begin to be a distraction because the staff. The expertise degree is simply too excessive to see Virginia getting out-classed by this ACC schedule, however there is not any assured wins, both. Typically these robust, shut losses can harm a staff’s psyche simply as a lot a blowout.
Virginia Tech
Odds to win convention: +4500
Finest case 9-3: Kyron Drones places collectively his greatest season but, and the rent of latest offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery unlocks that additional step the Hokies offense wanted to recover from the hump. Virginia Tech’s 0-5 document in one-score video games final season regresses again to the common and the absence of Clemson and SMU on the ACC schedule permits the Hokies to be a participant within the convention title race.
Worst case 5-7: The staff goes 0-2 in opposition to the SEC within the first two weeks of the season and picks up one other convention loss or two by mid-October, setting the stage for a pressure-packed second half of the season in opposition to a schedule that features Louisville, Miami and a visit to Florida State. The expertise on the roster retains the group aggressive all through, however the yr finishes with that acquainted feeling that Hokies ought to have been a pair wins higher given their expertise.
Wake Forest
Odds to win convention: +30000
Finest case 6-6: Jake Dickert will get dynamic playmaking on the quarterback place from both Deshawn Purdie or Robby Ashford, and Demond Claiborne proves to be some of the dependable working backs within the ACC. Early season wins assist pad the win complete and construct confidence earlier than the meat of the schedule takes over. Then, a house win in opposition to Delaware in November gives the brand new head coach his second to have fun main this system again into the postseason for the primary time since 2022.
Worst case 3-9: The Demon Deacons win the video games they need to (Kennesaw State, Western Carolina, Delaware) however fall brief, to various levels, in opposition to the remainder of its schedule. Roster turnover brings some depth points to gentle later within the yr, and what seemed to be a battle between two sturdy choices turns right into a quarterback-by-committee season that sparks inconsistency.
