As the ACC looks toward the 2025 season, major questions loom for the league. Clemson is an eternal favorite, but given Dabo Swinney’s slow rolling in the portal, can that continue? Miami is loaded up with portal additions, SMU is off an undefeated first ACC regular season league campaign, and Bill Belichick… well, there’s certainly something going on at UNC. Here’s a rundown on what to watch in the ACC.
Top 5 ACC storylines heading into 2025 season
Is Carson Beck ready to lift Miami over the top in the ACC?
The Georgia QB who had a phenomenal 2023 season had a so-so 2024 season and finds himself resettling at Miami, where Mario Cristobal seemingly had the Hurricanes on a collision course with the College Football Playoff. A disappointing end to the season doomed Miami, but Beck, if he can be patient with a retooling wide receiver room, could be enough to get Miami over that hump.
Beck has to be more productive and have fewer turnovers than he had at Georgia. If Cristobal can get him back to 2023 form, all will be well. If not, there’s plenty of other ACC schools ready to pounce.
How will the Belichick circus go at UNC?
After all is said and done, one of the greatest coaches in the history of football is making his major college head coaching debut this fall. UNC isn’t in great shape. The Tar Heels haven’t posted double-digit wins since 2015. Bill Belichick inherited a 6-7 team and has to replace a substantial amount of defensive production. UNC could be significantly better and still struggle to reach eight wins in Belichick’s first season.
What’s the ceiling and floor for Clemson?
Clemson remains the justifiable favorite in the league. But it’s worth noting that Clemson’s loss totals have gone zero, one, two, three, three, four, four in the last seven seasons. Cade Klubnik justified Dabo Swinney’s patience in him a season ago. The running back spot is wide open and replacing Phil Mafah’s 1,115 yards could be key. Do well there and Clemson could make the CFP. Do poorly there and a fifth loss is plausible in 2025.
Is there reason to hope again at Florida State?
The good news for Florida State is that Mike Norvell’s team really can’t get worse. That miserable 2-10 campaign leaves nowhere to go but up. Thomas Castellanos will be an upgrade at QB and this defense looks much more like the 2023 group that allowed 19.3 points per game than the 2024 group that gave up 28.0 points per game. Yes, Alabama as an opener could be brutal, but there’s room for seven or eight wins here.
Should SMU be getting more hype?
Yes, SMU continues to get no respect, even after an 8-0 conference mark in its first ACC regular season. Kevin Jennings returns at quarterback and so does a bevy of talent all over the field. An excellent pair of safeties, Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia, lead a vastly underrated defense. SMU is perfectly capable of being in the midst of the CFP picture again at the end of the regular season.
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