2026 ACC Football Kickoff: One Burning Question For Each Team

The 2026 ACC Football Kickoff commences on July 15, 2026, and it could be a monumental one for the conference. With chaos in the transfer portal, the arms race between the SEC and Big Ten, and the new ironed-out rules involving eligibility, there will be a lot of eyes on this ACC Football Kickoff.

That will go for the individual teams as well. There are several teams with new head coaches (Cal, Stanford, Virginia Tech), some with coaches who’ve underachieved recently (Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Syracuse), and the Miami Hurricanes, fresh off a year where they didn’t make the ACC Championship, but made the College Football Playoff all the way to the national championship. They also took the quarterback (Darian Mensah) of the team that won the ACC Championship (Duke).

2026 ACC Football Kickoff: One Burning Question For Each Team

Here is one burning question surrounding each team in the ACC before the Football Kickoff.

Boston College Eagles

Boston College is on a downward trajectory. After finishing 7-5 in Bill O’Brien’s first season, the Eagles fell all the way down to a 2-10 record, the worst record in the ACC. Their 1-7 record was tied for the worst behind Syracuse, and aside from a few early standout games by Dylan Lonergan and a near-upset of Georgia Tech, they were boring and underwhelming the entire way.

Lonergan’s off to Rutgers, and the Eagles brought in redshirt junior Mason McKenzie, a transfer from Division II Saginaw Valley State. McKenzie is expected to start, but Arkansas redshirt freshman transfer Grayson Wilson is waiting in the wings too. Outside of that, the offense was super one-dimensional, with a solid passing game bailing out a bottom-tier rushing attack (Eagles ranked No. 120 in the nation, with 104.5 rushing yards/game).

The passing game lost its two top pass-catchers in Lewis Bond (drafted) and Reed Harris (transferred to Arizona State), along with Turbo Richard (transferred to Indiana), its top rusher from last season. They invested heavily in the offensive line, bringing in guard Kristian Phillips (Michigan State) and tackles Reggie Jackson (Jacksonville State) and Trevon Humphrey (North Carolina Central) to avoid allowing as many sacks as last season (defenses averaged 3.1 sacks per game against BC, which ranked 122nd).

The defense, which was terrible last season, got a facelift in the front seven. Their secondary is almost entirely identical from last season, led by a two-time ACC Media Days invitee, KP Price. However, they invested a ton into the linebacker room, with Bodie Kahoun (Notre Dame), Justin Medlock (SMU), and Anthony Palano (Washington State) hopefully making tackles the secondary had to make too often.

A better running game and improved play by the linebackers will be key to Boston College climbing out of the bottom of the ACC. They can’t linger in that territory again under Bill O’Brien.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How does Boston College rejuvenate the running game?

Cal Golden Bears

The California Golden Bears are intriguing for the first time in a while. With freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele emerging as an eye-test darling and a fun starter, Cal overachieved with a 7-6 record. Unfortunately, they fell short in a couple of games down the stretch, prompting them to fire head coach Justin Wilcox.

Now, Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is running the show, and he’s already brought an interesting blend of recruits and transfers. They brought in two star receivers (Ohio’s Chris Matthews and Rutgers Ian Strong) for Sagapolutele to throw to, and sophomore Cooper Perry (Oregon) oozes potential. The running game lost leading rusher Kendrick Raphael, but Adam Mohammed from Washington looked incredible down the stretch, especially against Lupoi’s old team, where Mohammed ran for 105 yards on 14 carries, a career-high 7.5 yards per attempt.

The defense loses some massive players, especially in the linebacker core (Cade Uulave transferred to BYU). However, Lupoi and his crew earned some great secondary depth. Georgia transfer Daniel Harris and Ole Miss corner Ricky Fletcher can be difference-makers for a group that was good, but not great. QBs averaged a 126.0 passer rating against them, ranking 43rd in the nation.

Both lines of scrimmage bring major question marks, however. The offensive line was shotty, especially in the run, where the Golden Bears only gained 2.8 yards per carry. The interior is set, but the two tackles are transfers, with Jacob Arob (South Dakota) and Jimothy Lewis Jr. (Mississippi State) brought in to stabilize the offensive line.

On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven needs to generate more pressure. They had just a 4.48% sack percentage last season, which was No. 114 in the nation. The defensive lineman earned some bulk with Ducks nose tackle Jericho Johnson, but they didn’t make any notable moves in the edge room, and while the linebackers they earned are good (they earned Tristan Jernigan and Solomon Williams from Texas A&M and AJ Tuitele from USC), they may not be as good as the ones they lost.

The biggest question comes from Sagapolutele. He had solid numbers: 3,454 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, but does he take the next step? If Sagapolutele shows even more development, maybe towards being a dark-horse Heisman contender, Cal could aim for the ACC championship. Sagapolutele has a different offensive coordinator, but Nick Rolovich is still there, and the two star wide receivers should insulate him well. Does he have a monster sophomore season?

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How does Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele take the next step?

Clemson Tigers

Last season was everything short of a success for Clemson. A team projected to be the front-runner for the ACC and earn a College Football PLayoff spot stumbled all the way to a 7-6 record. They went 4-4 in the ACC, and if it weren’t for late-season wins against Florida State and Louisville, they may not have even been bowl-eligible.

Swinney is still beloved at Clemson, but time is running out after a few seasons of disappointment. He gave offensive coordinator Garrett Riley the axe, and for his replacement, old friend Chad Morris was brought back. Morris was Clemson’s OC/QB coach from 2011-14.

The good news for Morris is the offense should be much more balanced from last season. Gideon Davidson should lead the way, and they earned Chris Johnson Jr., SMU’s second-leading rusher, from the transfer portal. The offensive line lost Blake Miller, but they have the homegrown depth and talent to become a force next season. Senior Harris Sewell should be a centerpiece of that.

The wide receiver room should skip a beat, even with Antonio Williams heading to the NFL. Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore are already great, and Naeem Burroughs could be a freshman All-American. All the pieces are there, but does quarterback Christopher Vizzina complete the puzzle?

Defensively, the Tigers should be much better on the front seven, and they were already solid last season. Linebacker Sammy Brown should be a contender for an All-American team this season, and Jeremiah Alexander should be another stat-sheet stuffer next to him. In the pass rush, Will Heldt was solid, and the Tigers should get plus contributions from London Merritt (Colorado) and CJ Wesley (Howard).

The secondary is almost entirely new, and that’s a good thing, considering they were one of the worst in the nation last season. They brought in Elliot Washington II from Penn State to line up alongside returning starter Ashton Hampton, and safeties Corey Myrick (Southern Miss) and Jerome Carter III (Old Dominion) are two proven contenders, albeit in a non-Power-4 setting.

The biggest question comes from their red-zone offense. Clemson ranked No. 89 in the nation in red-zone scoring percentage (81.08-percent), and with the talent they possessed last season, that’s not an ideal outcome. Hopefully, moving to Morris makes them more efficient in the red zone.  The hope is that, despite the loss of talent, Clemson looks a shade like the championship contenders we expected from them last season.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Does the offensive coordinator change lead to better results in the red zone?

Duke Blue Devils

The Duke Blue Devils were a team that did a lot of wrong, but enough right last season. With Manny Diaz coaching one of the top defenses in 2024 and Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah joining the fray, Duke was a sneaky candidate for the ACC crown. Unfortunately, the defense sputtered, but with one of the strongest passing offenses in the league, the Blue Devils finished with a 7-5 record.

However, due to tiebreaking procedures, they made the ACC championship game and won against Virginia in overtime. Unfortunately, they were shunned from the CFP, with the committee deciding to put in two Group of 5 champions over them. Still, everyone thought they’d still be in good shape with Mensah returning.

Well, on the day of the national championship, Mensah entered the transfer portal, and a week later, he committed to the Miami Hurricanes. Duke was wise to pick up San Jose State QB Walker Eget from the portal, but they’ll have to once again prove everyone wrong.

The running game will still be strong, with second-team All-ACC member Nate Sheppard returning and the offensive line full of veteran transfers and returning contributors. However, the receiving core took a big hit when Cooper Bartake transferred with Mensah to Miami.

Once again, though, the defense should be a strong group. The linebackers in Diaz’s 4-2-5 are strong again, with Luke Mergott and Kendall Johnson returning. They should still be able to generate takeaways at a high rate, like they always do.

However, their pass defense wasn’t on par with their usual efforts under Diaz. They were No. 114 in average passer rating allowed, and that was with All-ACC defensive back Chandler Rivers. Mensah had to bail the team out of certain defeat in some games, and they’ll need to rebound. The defensive front four will also lose Wesley Williams, Vincent Anthony, and Josiah Green.

The biggest question will be how the Blue Devils will get the same offensive production it did last season. There are a ton of replacements on the defensive side, which is concerning, but losing both of the top offensive weapons (Mensah, Bartake) is the biggest question.

One of Jared Richardson, Javion Solomon, or Javen Nicholas will have to be an instant hit, because they relied on the passing game a ton last season. Eget has plenty of experience as a starter, but he has 30 touchdowns to 19 interceptions the past two seasons, so the hope is that he can take the next step. A top wide receiver target developing will go a long way.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How do the receivers gel together to match last season’s passing attack?

Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles had a roller coaster season. Many had them left for dead in the ACC after finishing 2024 with a 2-10 record, and many laughed when quarterback Tommy Castellanos claimed that the Seminoles would beat Alabama in their first game of the season.

Well, he became a prophet, as the Seminoles not only beat Alabama, but they also became a top-10 team, starting the season 3-0. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn gave the Seminoles a new look on offense, while the secondary made plays all over the field. Unfortunately, that’s just about as good as it got for them. Head coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles lost a lot of close games, going 5-7 overall. It was a season of diminishing returns, especially against ACC play, where the Seminoles went 2-6.

Now, it’s a do-or-die season for Norvell, and he’ll be doing it without Malzahn leading the offense this time. Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels would’ve fit seamlessly into the Malzahn offense, but he showed passing upside with the Tigers in spurts. He’ll be guided by a running game that should be one of the best in the nation again. Having Texas transfer Tre Wisner and emerging sophomore Ousmane Kromah in the same backfield is unfair, and Samuel Singleton should earn carries, too.

The receiving core should be explosive yet again. Duce Robinson, who could’ve been a top 100 pick in the NFL draft last season, chose to stay for his senior season. Micahi Danzy is back too, and getting tight end Desirrio Riles from Eastern Carolina was huge.

Unfortunately, the offensive line is almost entirely new, and they’re going to have to be as good in the run (and better in pass protection). Xavier Chaplin from Auburn should slide in as the left tackle, but they’ll need the other four to gel. Andre Otto needs to work as a returner.

Defensively, the Seminoles look almost unrecognizable from last season. They lost a ton of their key contributors from last season (Darrell Jackson, Justin Cryer, Earl Little), but getting Mikai Gbayor and Chris Jones for the linebacker core should work out. Still, the defensive backs have too much responsibility in Tony White’s system, and they struggled to generate takeaways all season.

Still, the key for them is to get their swagger back. Florida State’s brand was built on intimidation and energy in the past. They seemed to reclaim it at times against Alabama, with the secondary flying around the field and the pass rush taking it to the freakish offensive line.

They weren’t able to reclaim that the rest of the season, and the fans have turned on Mike Norvell as a result, since he’s more easy-going. How does he help the Seminoles gain their swagger back? With explosive plays, a better pass rush, or just living up to the potential of their talent?

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: What is Florida State’s identity next season?

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets should’ve had a magic season last year. With Haynes King entering his senior season, Jamal Haynes and Malik Rutherford emerging, and head coach Brent Key improving the program every season, this was the season where everything was supposed to come together, and Georgia Tech would make the ACC championship.

Through the first eight games, everything was going according to plan. Then, they lost to NC State, barely won against Boston College, suffered a blowout against Pitt, and lost another close game against Georgia, their eighth loss in a row against the Bulldogs. To add insult to injury, they lost in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against BYU.

Now King is gone, replaced by Alberto Mendoza, the brother of Heisman-trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. If nepotism won championships, Georgia Tech won the jackpot, but Alberto Mendoza is a relatively unknown commodity. Same with the offensive coordinator. The Florida Gators poached Buster Faulkner, so Georgia Tech brought back George Godsey, who played QB for the Yellow Jackets from 1998-2001.

At least Mendoza has a good ground game to aid him, with another Haynes (Justice Haynes, Michigan) and Malachi Hosley bringing about a great 1-2 punch. The offensive line, even without Keylan Rutledge, is still strong enough to hold the fort. They picked up center Joseph Ionata from Alabama, and the twins Courtlin and Courtney Heard should be intriguing pieces to that offensive line.

The defense will be led by the linebackers, especially Kye Efford, who’s a great return for the team. EJ Lightsley is also back. The transfers from the front seven should be key contributors too, especially Noah Carter from Alabama and Jordan Walker from Rutgers. Add in a big nose tackle in Tawfiq Thomas from Colorado, and the front seven should be cooking with gas. New DC Jason Semore has a lot to work with.

However, the receiving core around Mendoza is a tad spotty. Isaiah Furhmann, an over-900-yard receiver at Elon, is expected to be the top guy, but there’s a ton of uncertainty beyond him. It’s nice to have the running game be so solid, but the downfield passing attack will need to come along with it.

The defensive back room is also unproven. The Yellow Jackets didn’t do much in the portal to address the secondary. Just two starters are back, and USF’s Jonas Duclona is the only add.

The biggest thing that’s going to define Georgia Tech’s season is what they get from Alberto Mendoza. Not only will he be compared to his brother Fernando, but he’ll be compared to Haynes King a ton too. King was able to control the tempo well, running if he had to. Will Mendoza be able to bail Georgia Tech out of perilous third downs like King, or have the downfield passing range like his brother?

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: What do the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets get from Alberto Mendoza?

Louisville Cardinals

Last season was a step back for Jeff Brohm and Louisville. The Cardinals have won 28 games the last three seasons, but there’s always been something preventing them from winning the ACC championship or even making it.

This past season was a three-game skid that sunk their chances. Three weeks after defeating Miami, they dropped three in a row to Cal, Clemson, and SMU. That Clemson loss was tragic, as their kicker missed two potentially game-winning field goals in the fourth quarter down 20-19.

Still, last season didn’t feel as strong as it should’ve been for Brohm, and that was because of the offense. They were fourth in the ACC in total offense in 2023 and 2024, but they slipped to 11th in 2025.

Brohm’s hoping that a transition from Miller Moss to Lincoln Kienholz as a starter will work out. Kienholz is very mobile, and he was a four-star recruit for Ohio State. He’ll at least have a good running game to support him. Isaac Brown averaged an insane 8.8 yards per carry with a team-high 884 yards, and Keyjuan Brown averaged 7.3. In the receiving group, Tre Richardson (Virginia) and LaWayne McCoy (Florida State) should help Kienholz out a lot.

The interior offensive line for Louisville is in good shape too. They made a sneakily good bid on Boston College guard Eryx Daugherty, who should be All-ACC caliber next season. However, the tackle spots need a bit of work. Anwar O’neal had to sit out the spring game with a long-term injury, and Louisville’s offensive line took a step back from 2024. They allowed 25 sacks in 2025 vs. 14 in 2024.

Defensively, the pass rush is a strong suit. Senior Clev Lubin and redshirt junior AJ Green is an edge rusher duo that could be among the top in the ACC. The Cardinals also might have had the best pass defense in the ACC last season, with their 116.0 passer rating ranking No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC behind Miami. The linebacker group should bounce back, with Stanquan Clark hopefully staying healthy this season.

The biggest question will come with Kienholz. He is unlike any of the past Jeff Brohm quarterbacks; retreads that Brohm fine-tunes to become quality starters. Kienholz has just 36 passes in college football under his belt. It’s extremely boom-or-bust, but if Kienholz booms in this offense, Louisville should go back to becoming an ACC contender.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: What do the Louisville Cardinals get from Lincoln Kienholz?

Miami Hurricanes

There is very little that needs to be said about the Miami Hurricanes. They were so dominant that not even the constraints of the ACC championship could prevent them from getting a playoff spot. That ended up being an excellent gamble by the voters for the CFP, as Miami made it all the way to the championship, winning against the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes on the way there.

It was a great run for Hurricanes fans, but the Hurricanes aren’t content with being considered a good story. They want to be a juggernaut. They want to become the ACC’s team, and if that involves being one of the villains of the nation, that’s alright too. Plucking Darian Mensah from the ACC champion Blue Devils was merely an appetizer. Mensah is a gunslinger with legitimate Heisman buzz, throwing for an ACC-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Mensah is complemented by Mark Fletcher Jr. in the backfield, coming off of a sensational College Football Playoff run. Malachi Toney is only going to get better (maybe All-American) his sophomore season, and Bartake, Mensah’s favorite target from Duke, came along to Miami.

The Hurricanes bring out nearly an entirely new offensive line. Freshman Jackson Cantwell is already slated to start at left tackle, but Matthew McCoy brings starting experience. Tight end Elija Lofton should help in that front as well.

The defensive line loses a lot with Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, but Damon Wilson II is a home-run transfer. Ahmad Moten Sr. coming back is huge; so is Mohaumed Toure and Marquise Lightfoot. In the secondary, Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr. (seven pass breakups) and Xavier Lucas (45 tackles, INT) were key contributors last season, and Bryce Fitzgerald and Zechariah Poyser could be candidates for All-ACC teams. They poached another ACC rival for their nickel back, with Omar Thornton coming from Boston College.

The biggest concern will come from that offensive line featuring four new starters. Cantwell is a freshman; Rodriguez hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and McCoy is the only returning starter. Regardless, Miami’s set up nicely to be the ACC frontrunner with their explosive offense and unfair defensive scheme.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Does the offensive line hold up last season’s success with four new starters?

North Carolina Tar Heels

The first season under Bill Belichick couldn’t have gone any worse for North Carolina. Belichick, perhaps the greatest coach in pro football history, led the Tar Heels to a disastrous 4-8 season in his first full campaign. Outside of the first touchdown drive against the TCU Horned Frogs on Monday Night, there weren’t many great moments.

Belichick deemed the offense the biggest culprit, so he brought in Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator. Petrino’s time as the OC in Arkansas went pretty well. The hope is that his scheme can make the Tar Heels’ offense exciting for the first time since Drake Maye donned the blue and white.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the QB situation was a dumpster fire last season. Gio Lopez couldn’t make anything work last season, and he transferred to Wake Forest. In comes Billy Edwards Jr. from Wisconsin, but Miles O’Neil from Texas A&M and freshman prospect Travis Burgess should compete for the starting job too.

The pass-catching group is largely the same from last season. Jordan Shipp should get All-ACC buzz this season, and Trech Kekahuna has chemistry with Edwards from Wisconsin. Leading Tar Heel rusher Demon June and second-leading rusher Benjamin Hall are back, although they combined for less than 800 yards last season.

Contrary to popular belief, the defense actually worked last season. They gave up 294 points all season, the lowest since 2009. Unfortunately, they lost a good bit of talent in the transfer portal, including linebackers Khmori House (Arkansas) and Mikai Gbayor (Florida State). Pass rusher Andrew Simpson ran out of eligibility as well.

However, they replenished the linebacker group nicely. Richmond’s Peyton Seelman tackled everything last season, and Syracuse’s Derek McDonald has a ton of experience, although he was injured for most of 2025.

The secondary returns every starter except Thaddeus Dixon, but the Tar Heels didn’t get the takeaways you’d expect from a Belichick defense. They only garnered six interceptions and 10 forced fumbles.

The biggest concern, among everything, is scoring. With Bobby Petrino calling plays, the offense has to be at least passable now. Edwards Jr. needs to keep the offense at least functional, even with a solid defense. The relationship between Petrino and Edwards Jr., or whoever the starter is, will be very important.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How does Bobby Petrino get the offense off the floor?

N.C. State Wolfpack

N.C. State was the Honda Civic of college football last season. They were dependable, going 8-5 last season. Yet, they didn’t wow anyone and even disappointed a few. They still can be a dark-horse candidate for the ACC title, but is this their ceiling?

The Wolfpack at least have an exciting gunslinger. C.J. Bailey is back; he threw for 3,105 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hollywood Smothers is a big loss in the backfield, but Duke Scott ran for 581 yards on a solid 5.5 yards per carry.

Unfortunately, the pass-catching group is almost entirely gone. Terrell Anderson (USC), Justin Joly (NFL), Noah Rogers (Alabama) and Wesley Grimes (NFL) are all gone. Combined with Smothers, that’s all of their top five in receptions out the door. Does Keenan Jackson have what it takes to become a legitimate receiving option? What about Miami transfer JoJo Trader or Buffalo transfer Victor Snow?

The offensive line should be in decent shape. Teague Anderson is back at right tackle, and Spike Sowells should be promising. Jimarion McCrimon from ECU needs to fill into the left tackle spot seamlessly, but I think he can.

The defense was quietly not good last season, finishing No. 111 in total defense last season, but the Wolfpack didn’t just rest on their laurels. The linebacker core brings in Harvey Dyson, a hybrid who earned seven sacks this past year, Popo Aguirre, a thumper down the middle, and DaKaari Nelson. In the corner room, Georgia transfer Ondre Evans has pedigree, and Penn State transfer King Mack put up 58 tackles last season.

The biggest question comes from their pass rush. They generated just 20 sacks and ranked No. 120 in sack percentage last season. Harvey Dyson is a good get to help, but the Wolfpack didn’t do much in the transfer portal outside of him.

The offense should once again be in good shape with C.J. Bailey leading the show, but the pass rush will help the defense finish better than they did.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Who steps up in the pass rushing unit?

Pitt Panthers

The Pitt Panthers looked doomed during the first month of the season. They went 2-2, with an embarrassing loss against West Virginia. As a result, head coach Pat Narduzzi swapped out dependable starter Eli Holstein for freshman Mason Heintschel.

What followed was an insane run of momentum. The Panthers won five in a row and six of their last eight. They scored over 30 points in all of their wins, and they had a shot at the ACC championship if they won against Miami. Unfortunately, they didn’t, and they lost the Military Bowl against East Carolina too to fall to 8-5.

Regardless, the momentum Pitt had in the middle of the season should give them expectations, especially for Heintschel, who threw for 2,354 yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Those expectations also go for Ja’Kyrian Turner, who broke through as a true freshman, running for a team-leading 754 yards last season.

Unfortunately, Pitt lost their two top pass catchers in Poppi Williams and Deuce Spann, and they didn’t do a ton to replace those players either. ECU transfer Malik Knight is great, but can Cataurus Hicks and Bryce Yates elevate their game? Pitt will have to rely on that.

They’ll also have to rely on their offensive line producing stronger results than last year. Pitt allowed a 9.17 sack percentage against them, ranking No. 122, and lost two starters in Lyndon Cooper and Jeff Persi. Netinho Olivieri was a top tackle in the Ivy League, and Keylen Davis was a great MAC tackle, but can either of them turn into a reliable Power 4 starter? At least Ryan Baer is coming back.

At the very least, Pitt should be as good on the defensive line. They get back Nick James and Sean FitzSimmons, even though Francis Brewu and Jahsear Whittington are gone on the line. The biggest loss is at linebacker, with Rasheem Biles transferring to Texas and Kyle Louis getting drafted to the NFL. Alex Sanford Jr. and Braylan Lovelace could be solid, even if they aren’t a one-for-one replacement for Biles and Louis.

The secondary lost Kavir Bains-Marquez, who led the secondary in tackling and the team in interceptions. Cruce Brookins and Shadarian Harrison are back, and Shawn Lee Jr. made some great plays as a freshman. They were mediocre last season, giving up the No. 83 passer rating (120.7) and No. 99 passing yards per game (240.7)

The biggest question will come from Pitt’s choir around Heintschel. For being incredibly streaky last season, Pitt didn’t do much to surround Heintschel with good weapons or offensive line support. Pat Narduzzi has done well at getting the most out of Pitt, so it’s more about who steps up rather if anyone steps up.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How does the talent surrounding Mason Heintschel aid him?

SMU Mustangs

The SMU Mustangs are already one of the ACC’s better teams through just two seasons. They made it to the College Football Playoff and ACC Championship in their first season in 2024, and in 2025, they came very close to making the championship again.

Unfortunately, some close losses doomed them, including a loss to Cal at the end of the regular season, where the kicker missed a game-tying field goal with an ACC championship berth on the line. Still, they finished the season 9-4, and this season should see them compete for the ACC crown again.

Kevin Jennings should compete for All-ACC honors again. He’s one of the more dependable quarterbacks in the ACC, with 3,641 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season. SMU lost T.J. Harden last season, but getting Cal’s Kendrick Raphael was a smart pickup. He rushed for 943 yards on 232 carries last season.

Receiver-wise, they lost Romello Brinson and Jordan Hudson, the two top receivers from last season. Does Yamir Knight, who earned 637 yards last season, have another gear? What about ECU transfer Yannick Smith, who had 583 yards and five touchdowns on 44 receptions? Randy Pittman Jr. from Florida State is an intriguing passing option at tight end.

Their offensive line is another thing going for them in the ACC title chase. The group was sturdy, allowing opponents just a 3.80 sack percentage, which was No. 14 in the league. They lost guard Logan Parr (medical retirement) and tackle Savion Byrd (out of eligibility), but other than that, everything is intact. Guard Andrew Chamblee logged over 300 snaps last season, so the hope is that freshman Dramodd Odoms integrates well.

The front four is entirely new and full of projects. Marques White at least had five sacks for the UMass Minutemen last season, but Ira Singleton and David Chukwuema are unproven, especially at the Power 4 level. SMU’s run defense ranked No. 18 in the nation, with 112.4 rushing yards allowed per game, so does SMU’s defensive line prove sturdy in stopping the run again this season? Bringing back Jakhai Lang helps.

The linebacker core should be solid again this season. Alex Kilgore consistently gets tackles for loss (13.5 in three seasons), while Brandon Booker made some great plays last season. The secondary lost some huge game-changers in Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia. They were the top two tacklers for the Mustangs, but UTSA’s Jimmy Wyrick also had 62 tackles last season. Can Tyren Polley Jr. show some development this season? I liked what I saw from him at the tail end of last season.

In the corner room, USF’s Jarvis Lee and Texas A&M’s Jayvon Thomas should take two spots, with Marcellus Barnes Jr. taking a boundary role. Barnes Jr. made some great plays for SMU, but does Thomas live up to his pedigree? Does Lee’s talent translate to the Power 4 level?

Still, the biggest question from SMU will come from the secondary. The defense relied heavily on Nwokobia and Moses making plays for them last season, so the secondary transfers sticking are important for SMU being as strong defensively as last season.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Does the secondary step up similar to last season? 

Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal effectively punted last season, with interim head coach Frank Reich assuring that he would only coach the team during the 2025 season. Even with Reich’s offensive knowledge, Stanford didn’t show much on offense. They were penalized a lot, they didn’t gain any yards, and there weren’t any bright spots outside of Micah Ford.

They still had some upset wins against Florida State and Cal, but they went 4-8, with most losses largely uncompetitive. Now with key Washington Commanders staffer Tavita Pritchard as head coach, Stanford has a long road back towards relevance.

The Cardinal will bring in Davis Warren to start for them, and he hasn’t been good at the Power 4 level yet. He threw seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024 and suffered a knee injury in 2025.

It might not matter that much, since Micah Ford is probably going to be the sole reason Stanford succeeds on offense at all. He had 643 yards and four touchdowns on 145 attempts, and when he got the ball more, the team’s offense was better. They went 3-1 when giving Ford the ball 37 times or more.

The offensive line should be OK in front of Warren and Ford anyway. Niki Prongos at left tackle and Fisher Anderson at center are back, and that’s enough experience to hold the line together. It hurts to lose Sam Roush in the passing game, but Nico Brown was a star for Yale, and Carter Shaw from UCLA shows potential.

The defense was rough last season, allowing 408.2 yards per game, which ranked No. 92 in the nation. They at least return linebackers Matt Rose and Jahsiah Galvan. Rose led the team with 106 tackles and three sacks.

Braden Marceau-Olayinka’s development will be key too. The nose tackle had 15 tackles last season. He’ll be key to stopping the run, as Stanford went 4-1 when allowing fewer than 3.8 yards per carry.

Unfortunately, the pass rush and pass defense need some work. They gave up 289 yards per game, so everyone, minus Florida State, feasted on them. They, as a team, racked up three interceptions. The pass rush was good in spurts, but they earned nine of their 23 sacks in three games. Tevarua Tafiti will be a big player to watch.

Overall, this is a rebuilding Stanford team trying to see what they can get from some individual players. They need to find a quarterback who can consistently complete forward passes to show some hope.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Can the passing game be at least passable?

Syracuse Orange

The Orange came and went with transfer QB Steve Angeli last season. While I wouldn’t confuse him for a Heisman finalist, Angeli commanded the offense to a respectable level when he was healthy. They went 3-1, with a win against the Clemson Tigers, when he was the starter.

Unfortunately, midway through the Clemson game, he suffered a torn Achilles, ending his season and the Orange’s season with it. They finished 1-7 the rest of the way, earning a.

The good news is that Angelli is still here. If he suffers another freak injury, the Orange now have Kennesaw State transfer Amari Odom backing him up. Odom is a big-time thrower who can run.

They’re also loaded at receiver. Calvin Russell might be a freshman All-American, Elijah Moore is a good target from Florida State, and Cole Weaver from Miami can contribute right away.

The running game will take some time, but they have the ceiling. Yasin Willis transferred to Kansas State, and in his stead, the Orange brought in Ahmad Miller. He ran for over 1,000 yards at Jackson State.

The offensive line is a question mark. Angelli and the rest of the quarterback room were sacked 3.2 times a game, and Syracuse averaged 3.3 yards per attempt on the ground. There’s plenty of continuity in the room, even with just one starter from last season (Trevion Mack), but they need to be better next season.

The defense was rough last season, and the new defensive coordinator might be the perfect antidote. DC Vince Kehres led a Toledo defense that finished third in the nation in total yards allowed (273.9) behind Ohio State and Texas. It says something that all seven draft picks (including Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Alexander) from Toledo from 2022-26 are all defensive players.

They did well in rebuilding through the trenches. Tunmise Adeleye (UNLV transfer) and Dillan Fontus (Maryland) can contribute off the bat. Hybrid Keyshawn Johnson (UT Martin) is an interesting edge rusher. In the linebacker core, Gary Bryant III and Antoine Deslauriers are back, and they combined for 120 stops. Chris D’Appolonia from Toledo should have chemistry with DC Kehres.

Unfortunately, there’s still a lot the defense needs to improve upon even to be passable, and that comes from the secondary. In Kehres’ defensive scheme, he makes his corners do a lot. Chris Peal II has a lot of promise, but he allowed a 98.0 passer rating, according to PFF (subscription needed). Overall, Syracuse allowed 248.5 yards per game.

It’s looking like another season where Syracuse participates in high-scoring games, similar to 2024. However, with Kehres in the fold, it’ll be interesting to see how they can improve defensively.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How much can defensive coordinator Vince Kehres change in year 1?

Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers had an unprecedented season last season. A franchise known more often for being the carpet of the ACC, it looked like Tony Elliott was going to be fired and become another losing coach in a long line of losing coaches.

Then, all of a sudden, they became one of the most exciting ACC teams. They won so many cardiac wins, with overtime victories against No. 8 FSU, Louisville, and North Carolina. They lost just two ACC games the entire regular season, if you count the bizarre Week 2 non-conference game against N.C. State.

Sure, they lost to Duke in the ACC championship and ultimately failed to make the CFP because of it, but they won against an SEC team in a strong bowl game. Their 11-3 record was the best in school history. Let that sink in.

Now, Virginia needs to finish the job. Their quarterback acquisitions could set them up for another deep run in the ACC. Eli Holstein was never an unplayable option at Pitt. Meanwhile, Beau Pribula, before a mid-season injury against Vanderbilt, looked good with the Missouri Tigers.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers don’t have any of their key contributors coming back. Running back J’Mari Taylor, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wide receivers Trell Harris (Oklahoma) and Jahmal Edrine (out of eligibility) are also gone.

The Cavaliers made smart moves on the transfer portal to revitalize the pass-catchers. Rico Flores Jr. (UCLA), Da’Shawn Martin (Kent State), and Jacquon Gibson (UMass) were all play-makers at their respective schools, and they should work just fine under offensive coordinator Desmond Kitchings.

The running game has to start from scratch, with Taylor and Harrison Waylee both departing. Jekail Middlebrook had over 700 yards last season at Middle Tennessee, and Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis can play too.

What helps is how sturdy their offensive line should be. Monroe Mills was supposed to be a big piece of it last year, but injuries held him back. Now, he’s healthy again, and Drake Metcalf, Noah Josey, and McKale Boley are all starters from last year too.

Both trenches are rock solid. The defensive tackle duo of Jason Hammond and Anthony Britton is brilliant, and Baylor transfer Matthew Fobbs-White should work well with Fisher Carmac.

The linebacker core is also back, and it was fantastic last season. Maddox Marcellus and Kam Robinson were solid as starters last season, and Landon Danley should grow into a good starter as well.

All the returning talent in the front seven should make Virginia one of the best run defenses in the ACC yet again. They gave up 118.9 yards per game on the ground, ranking No. 23 in the nation.

While the passing defense was even better (194.9 YPG, No. 24) last season, there are a lot of new parts. The only returners from last season’s secondary are Ethan Minter and Donovan Platt, who were good last season as well. Brandyn Hillman (Michigan) was good in the Big Ten too, but can he become one of the team’s top tacklers this season? Can Jacobie Henderson (Rutgers), Christian Ellis (Virginia Tech) and Jaylen Jones (Georgia State) boom off the bat?

Most importantly, the Cavaliers need to pick the right quarterback to replace Chandler Morris. No one would’ve confused him for an All-ACC player last season, but he helped engineer the Cavalier offense to relevance. Whoever they choose to start needs to pan out.

Burning Question: Which signal-caller do the Virginia Cavaliers trust to lead the offense?

Virginia Tech Hokies

Talk about a complete 180 of an outlook. Virginia Tech had been on a gradual downturn the entire 2020s, and Brent Pry was just another casualty as a coach. He was clearly one of those defensive minds that didn’t quite work as a head coach, and 2025 showed his limitations.

Pry was fired after a Week 3 blowout loss to Old Dominion, and Philip Montgomery led the team to a 3-6 record the rest of the way. They were one of the worst teams in the ACC due to coaching, so they needed to land a home run on their next coach. They found the perfect man: Penn State head coach James Franklin.

Say what you will about Franklin’s propensity for falling in big games or upset losses, but he rebuilt the Nittany Lions into a championship contender after the Joe Paterno scandal. Many current NFL players can attest to his coaching skills, and for a team in desperate need of a jolt, the Hokies struck gold with this hire.

Franklin raided nearly the entire staff from Penn State. Ty Howle came back to run the offense, and he even brought back Brent Pry to coach the defense, which should be a much better role for him.

It wasn’t just coaches. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who started at Penn State after Drew Allar went down for the season, was dependable last season, and he’s only a redshirt sophomore. Bryce Baker from UNC has pedigree too.

Starting running back Marcellous Hawkins is back, and that’s huge for the running game. Last season, he earned 749 yards on 118 carries, an insane 6.3 yards per carry. Virginia Tech paired him with Bill Davis, another big back who totaled over 1,500 yards in two seasons with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

The wide receiver group is in decent shape too with the moves the Hokies made in the portal. Aiden Greene is back after leading the team in receiving yards (516) last season. Now, he’s complemented by Marlion Jackson Jr., who made plays at Louisiana Tech, and Que’Sean Brown, who was one of Duke’s top wideouts last season. Brown had 846 yards and five touchdowns.

The offensive line is full of continuity, with four of the five starters returning from last season. However, they were not great in pass protection last season. Opponents averaged 2.5 sacks a game against them, and their quarterback was sacked on 8.92-percent of plays, ranking No. 121 in the nation.

Defense is an interesting situation. Brent Pry was in charge of that last season as head coach, but it should be better now that he’s specifically paying attention to defense.

It certainly helps that Virginia Tech broke the bank to help their edge rusher room. Mylachi Williams, Daniel Jennings, and Cortez Harris have a lot of potential from Penn State, while Missouri’s Javion Hilson, West Virginia’s Curtis Jones, and Colorado’s Samuel Okunlola should all carve out roles in due time.

The linebacker room is quietly one of the best in the ACC, even with losing Michael Short to TCU and Caleb Woodson to Alabama. Penn State’s Keon Wylie is another great get from Franklin’s former team, and Kaleb Spencer still led the team with tackles (67) and tackles for loss (9.5) last season.

The secondary doesn’t see a ton of addition outside of Cam Chadwick Jr., who had four interceptions at UConn. That doesn’t sound good on the surface, with the Hokies allowing 232.4 yards (No. 83) and an average passer rating of 151.4 (No. 121) per game.

However, James Franklin’s defenses are always good. Last season was a disaster, and the Nittany Lions allowed just 21.8 points per game (No. 38). It will be interesting how much Franklin raises the talent level of not just the defense, but the entire team.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: How much does James Franklin raise the talent level in year 1?

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Is it time to stop overlooking the Demon Deacons? Last year, they burst onto the scene. After everyone left them for dead, head coach Jake Dickert and company rattled off a 9-4 record, winning against ACC contenders like SMU and Virginia. Sure, there were moments they looked like a bottom-three team in the ACC, but at least they didn’t go 2-10 or 3-9 like many outlets had them pegged for.

Under offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, the offense was efficient, but pretty boring. Robby Ashford couldn’t throw the ball forward at times, but he could run well, and combined with Demond Claiborne, the Demon Deacons relied on the run a lot. With Claiborne not there anymore, Ty Clark, plus a chorus of transfers (Sawyer Seidl (North Dakota) and KD Daniels (Florida)), will have to pick up the slack.

Ashford is also gone. Gio Lopez, who flopped at UNC, will take over the starting role. He was a star at South Alabama before transferring to UNC, so Wake Forest will need to exume that version of him. At the very least, Lopez won’t turn over the ball as much as Ashford.

Receiver-wise, Carlos Hernandez will look to lead the team in receiving once again. Antonio Meeks (Louisville) and Kam Shanks (Arkansas) will need to develop alongside him.

The offensive line is full of transfers as well. Guard Clinton Richard and tackle George Steih are back, but Melvin Siani (transfer to Texas) is a big loss. Can Ethan Calloway (LSU) live up to his potential? Do Ryan Berger (Oregon State) and John Ohnegian (Bucknell) work in the Power 4 level?

The best attribute of the Demon Deacons last season was their pass rush. They were great at getting in the backfield for TFLs and sacks. Langston Hardy and his seven sacks from last season are returning, and so are Gabe Kirshke and Dallas Afalava. Their front four should be the strongest unit again this season, and it could win them games like it did last season.

Linebackers Frank Cusano and Aiden Hall are back, combining for 118 tackles last season. The transfer duo of Buom Jock and Tylan McNichols (UAB) should shore up the depth.

Their safeties are excellent too. Davaughn Patterson, who earned 80 tackles last season, is back at the nickel slot. and Braylon Johnson had five pass breakups last season as well. The only question is with corners in the group. Deuce Blades (FIU) broke up  17 passes over the last three seasons, and Bernard Causey (Georgia State) should grow into that second corner slot, but both of them have a combined three interceptions.

The biggest question will come with Gio Lopez. This season will be telling in whether North Carolina let him down last season or if his talent doesn’t translate at the Power 4 level. His success will determine how well Wake Forest does next season.

Burning Question for the 2026 ACC Kickoff: Does Gio Lopez make the most of his second chance in the ACC?