The ACC gained some momentum into the 2026 season as the Miami Hurricanes went from not playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game to a run through the College Football Playoff before losing in the CFP championship game to the Big Ten’s Indiana Hoosiers. The Hurricanes are the favorite to win the ACC football 2026 title and return to the College Football Playoff. Our ACC football 2026 preview includes top teams profiles, odds, unit rankings, season wins and additional information you can bet on.
That includes a look at the Top 25, which includes three ACC teams with Miami at No. 7 in the Coaches Poll that was released on Aug. 4. Southern Methodist (SMU) is ranked No. 20 to start the season and Clemson No. 23. In the Top 25 AP Poll released Aug. 17, Miami was also No. 7, SMU No. 19 and Louisville came in at No. 24 with Clemson just missing out at No. 26.
I’ve added Notre Dame to the ACC football 2026 preview, as the No. 4 Fighting Irish play a schedule that includes six ACC teams with their top-ranked matchup Nov. 7 at home in South Bend, IN against Miami. Notre Dame competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference for all of its varsity sports except football (independent) and ice hockey (Big Ten).
Two ACC teams made Phil Steele’s Most Improved list this season (top 12) with Virginia Tech (3) and Florida State (8). The Surprise Teams list includes the SMU Mustangs (6), Clemson Tigers (7) and Louisville Cardinals (8).
Along with ACC football 2026 preview, check out the SEC football preview along with the Big Ten and Big 12 college football coverage as I provide Top 25, major conference and big game betting coverage throughout the season with information you can bet on.
ACC Football 2026 Teams, Odds, Season Wins and Position/Unit Rankings
Here are the ACC football 2026 teams with regular season O/U wins, odds to win the conference and national championship plus position and unit rankings for each team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Note that only Miami has competitive national title odds with all other ACC teams at least 100/1 to win the national championship. That includes perennial power Clemson (125/1), who was the 2025 ACC favorite and 10/1 to win the national title, which they last won in 2019. But the Tigers missed out on the CFP last season going a disappointing 7-6. Note too that previous power Florida State has fallen off sharply, and are incredibly 500/1 to win the national championship this season. Check back for more added stats and notes. This is the first season since 2011 that neither Clemson nor Florida State is favored to win the ACC.
College football odds from Betonline and leading online U.S. sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live/in-game betting.
Notre Dame ACC Preview
Head coach: Marcus Freeman (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 10.5 (Over -160)
Last 3 years: 10-2, 14-2, 10-3
National Title: +725
ACC Unit rankings: None, but the Irish rank No. 1 in DB’s, LB and No. 5 DL in Phil Steele’s national rankings as an elite-rated defense. The Irish’s offensive line is also ranked No. 1 with sophomore QB C.J. Carr leading Notre Dame to a No. 6 QB ranking with a pair of highly-rated freshman QB’s behind him. 
Notes: Bye Week 8 (Oct. 24). Notre Dame hasn’t won a national championship since 1988 when the late, great coach Lou Holtz led the Irish to an undefeated season (12-0) and national title. The Fighting Irish are preseason co-favorites with Ohio State to win the national title this season after missing out on the CFP last season in a controversial vote the the CFP Selection Committee. A favorable schedule includes three lower-tier Big Ten teams, at Big 12 BYU, neutral vs. Navy and their toughest game Nov. 7 at home vs. Miami, who the Irish lost to on the road 27-24 in their season opener last year. A home game vs. SMU Nov. 21 is their other quality ACC opponent, but Notre Dame plays four bottom-tier ACC team as multiple-TD favorites at North Carolina and Syracuse, and home vs. Boston College and Stanford.
Miami 2026 betting insights
Head coach: Mario Cristobal (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 9.5 (over -160)
Last 3 years: 13-3, 10-3, 7-6
National Title: +1200
ACC Title: -175
ACC Unit rankings: QB (1), RB (1), REC (1), OL (6), DL (1), LB (1), DB (2), ST (13), Coach (1)
Notes: Bye Week 6 (Oct. 10). The Hurricanes return top-rated skill position players and a dominant defense that led them to the national championship game last season. Surprisingly, Miami has not won the ACC title since joining the conference in 2004, but the Hurricanes are the prohibitive favorite this season. Junior QB Darian Mensah transferred in from Duke after passing for nearly 4,000 yards and 35 TD’s while leading all Power 4 quarterbacks in most downfield pass attempts. The Hurricanes have an All-ACC RB in senior Mark Fletcher and the ACC’s most explosive player in soph WR Malachi Toney, who was an All-American as a freshman and leads an elite WR group with Duke senior WR Cooper Barkate (1,100 yards) also transferring to Miami. The ‘Canes outgained ACC opponents by +119 yards per game last season, and the Miami defense ranks best in the ACC after allowing just 14.8 points per game and less than 300 yards per game last season. They lost some key defenders, but Miami is loaded in the trenches with four 5* players in the two-deep joining an All-ACC defensive tackle and a number of other highly-rated lineman. Add in the top-rated offensive lineman in the transfer cycle and the ‘U’ is the new ACC dynasty program in Miami. Road games at Clemson (Oct.3) and Notre Dame (Nov. 7) are toughest, but Miami is 18-3 at home the last three years and has five home games from mid-Oct. forward vs. FSU, PIT, DUKE, VT and BC. Bet Over 9.5 season wins.
Clemson
Head coach: Dabo Swinney (19th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (Over -145)
Last 3 years: 7-6, 10-4, 9-4
National Title: +125000
ACC Title: +1400
ACC Unit rankings: QB (7), RB (5), REC (1), OL (8), DL (2), LB (1), DB (1), ST (3), Coach (1)
Notes: Bye Week 6 (Oct. 10). Clemson suffered through a frustrating 7-6 season after being the ACC favorite. This season shows a dropoff in ratings at QB and OL, and coach Swinney and the Tigers signed the ACC’s second-fewest transfers and zero quarterback’s or offensive lineman. But Clemson has a roster packed with 4* recuits to fill the gaps of players lost, and the Tigers rank highly in ACC football 2026 defense along with Miami. The Week 1 game at LSU is one of the top non-conference games in the early season. Clemson hosts Miami Oct. 3 in Death Valley, and draw Georgia Tech at home and SEC state rival South Carolina to close the season. Road games at Florida State and Duke are their toughest in the ACC, but Clemson looks like a bounce back team in 2026. Play Over season wins.
SMU
Head coach: Rhett Lashlee (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 8.5 (Over -140)
Last 2 years: 9-4, 11-3
National Title: +10000
ACC Title: +650
ACC Unit rankings: QB (1), RB (7), REC (4), OL (1), DL (8), LB (1), DB (5), ST (9), Coach (3)
Notes: Bye Week 6 (Oct. 10). The Mustangs rate stronger at linebacker this ACC football 2026 season on a defense that has allowed 20.5 and 22.1 points per game the last two seasons. The SMU pass defense was poor last season allowing 283 ypg and a 394 ypg overall. The Mustangs lost three games by a field goal last season including two shootouts. Senior QB Kevin Jennings passed for 3,641 yards and 26 TD’s last season and has a top-rated offensive line in front of him this season. He completed 73% of his passes at home, and 59% on the road, and now the Mustangs must replace 80% of its rushing yards and 68% of their receiving yards from last season after averaging 32.2 points and 417 yards per game – solid and efficient but the Mustangs lowest points and yards per game in the last seven seasons. SMU is 22-2 in conference play the last three seasons (2 in ACC), and have won 20 games against Power 4 teams the past two seasons. The Mustangs draw the best ACC schedule avoiding Miami, Clemson and Pittsburgh. The Week 1 game at Florida State is challenging as a FG favorite, and their toughest games are at Louisville in Week 3 and at Notre Dame in late November. Still, the Mustangs have a number of players to replace with new starters along the defensive line and secondary. They lost 12 All-ACC stars and both coaching coordinators, and despite top QB Jennings and a very favorable conference schedule, I only advise under season wins. No bets.
Louisville
Head coach: Jeff Brohm (4th year)
Season Wins: O/U 8.5 (Under -135)
Last 3 years: 9-4, 9-4, 10-4
National Title: +15000
ACC Title: +850
ACC Unit rankings: QB (10), RB (1), REC (4), OL (8), DL (4), LB (4), DB (3), ST (3), Coach (3)
Notes: Bye Week 8 (Oct. 24). Louisville continues to get less coverage and accolades despite coach Jeff Brohm leading the Cardinals to 10, 9 and 9 wins his first three years. Recall Brohm led Purdue to the Big Ten title game in 2022, and the Boilermakers have been at the bottom since he left. Louisville has a much more manageable schedule this season including five ACC football 2026 home games including SMU in the conference opener along with Wake Forest, Florida State, Stanford and Pittsburgh. The Cardinal are capable of pulling off the upset vs. Ole Miss in Week 1 in Nashville (neutral), and could be favored in all 5 road games. Nine wins is in the Cards again, and the defense looks solid after significant improvement last season to 21 ppg and 303 yards per game allowed. Both top edge rushers return along with a top linebacker core. The transfer portal has produced some key additions, and the position units rank top 3-4 in the ACC across the board with only questions at quarterback and an offensive line that lost three multi-year starters. This is the fourth-straight year Louisville will have a transfer QB starting, and junior Lincoln Kienholz has been a backup at Ohio State with mininal game experience but an athletic skillset with a strong arm and mobility. Jeff Brohm’s brother Brian is the Cardinals offensive coordinator, and he’s confident Kienholz is ready to lead Louisville to more success. I agree, Over season wins and if you want to wait until after the Mississippi game in Week 1, you can bet the better adjusted number, if you think they will lose to Ole Miss.
Pittsburgh
Head coach: Pat Narduzzi (12th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (Over -145)
Last 3 years: 8-5, 6-7, 3-9
National Title: +30000
ACC Title: +2000
ACC Unit rankings: QB (3), RB (7), REC (12), OL (6), DL (2), LB (5), DB (11), ST (6), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 10 (Nov. 7). Head coach Pat Narduzzi starts his 12th season at Pittsburgh, and the Panthers recovered to 8 wins last season following a pair of down years but suffered a pair of blown double-digit leads in defeats to Louisville and West Virginia (OT) in the Backyard Brawl. Pittsburgh lost their three toughest games at home, and now play two of them on the road at Miami and Louisville while avoiding Notre Dame after the Irish blew out the Panthers last season. Still, Pittsburgh avoids Clemson, Virginia and Duke, and the Panthers will be favored in six of their first seven games and a tight line at Virginia Tech. Pittsburh found their QB during the 2025 season when freshman Mason Heintschel stepped in to start their 5th game and produced more than 2,300 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns (2 rushing) including 323 yards and 4 TD’s in his debut vs. Boston College. Heintschel led the Panthers to six straight wins with four 300+ passing games before faltering against two top opponents in Notre Dame and Miami. The offensive line was a sore spot and allowed the third most sacks (44) in FBS with bottom tier pass protection. Now Pitt has a new collection of receivers, and more experience along the offensive line, but the offense will need to sustain its 32 points per game production as the dominant run defense, linebacker core and secondary took personnel hits and transfer losses and failed to add any 4* players in the portal – joining Boston College as the only two Power 4 preograms with zero 4* transfers. No bets, but not as optimistic the Panthers can reach 8 wins again with personnel losses and having to replace their longtime top defensive coordinator.
Virginia
Head coach: Tony Elliott (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (Over -135)
Last 3 years: 11-3, 5-7, 3-9
National Title: +30000
ACC Title: +2000
ACC Unit rankings: QB (7), RB (7), REC (8), OL (1), DL (4), LB (5), DB (3), ST (1), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 10 (Nov. 7). What a season for Virginia last year following conference wins of 3, 2 and 1 the previous seasons. Picked to finish among the bottom teams in the ACC last season, the Cavs and coach Tony Elliott won 11 games and went 7-1 in the ACC to make it to the ACC Championship Game before falling in overtime to another surprise entrant, Duke. That cost Virginia a spot in the College Football Playoff, and it will be difficult to sustain the same stats profile this season after Virginia improved by 8 points per game to 30.8 ppg offense, and 9 points per game on defense to 19.6 ppg from the previous season when they won just 5 games. Still, Virginia rates stronger along the offensive and defensive line this season, but lose a veteran QB, four WR’s and a 1,000 yard running back.
NC State
Head coach: Dave Doeren (14th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (Under -140)
Last 4 years: 8-5, 6-7, 9-4
National Title: +75000
ACC Title: +2200
ACC Unit rankings: QB (3), RB (7), REC (8), OL (8), DL (13), LB (13), DB (8), ST (15), Coach (3)
Notes: Bye Week 1 (Sept. 5). NC State and Virginia meet in a key Week 0 game on Sept. 29 during ACC ‘Showcase Week.’ The Wolfpack do not have a bye the rest of the season. North Carolina State does not play Miami, Clemson or SMU this season, and I rate them a darkhorse conference contender under coach Doeren as the Wolfpack also avoid Pitt and Virginia on the schedule. Virginia is their toughest road game, along with Florida State in late November followed by the season finale rivalry game at North Carolina. The 120th edition of the ACC’s longest continuous rivalry is Wake Forest at NC State in Raleigh Oct. 10. That game follows the Wolfpack’s ACC home opener against Louisville. NC State has not won an ACC title in 45 years, but the schedule sets up well and a contending ACC team if they can knock off Virginia in the opening game. No bets.
Virginia Tech
Head coach: James Franklin (1st year)
Season Wins: O/U 6.5 (Over -175)
Last 3 years: 3-9, 6-7, 7-6
National Title: +50000
ACC Title: +2500
ACC Unit rankings: QB (10), RB (12), REC (4), OL (3), DL (10), LB (10), DB (11), ST (6), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 9 (Oct. 31). The Hokies fell off to their lowest level last season with 3 wins, and Virginia Tech made a big change at head coach with James Franklin coming in from Penn State. He brought 12 Nittany Lions players with him including starting soph QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, and 11 others who flipped their commitment to join the Virginia Tech program. The Hokies recent 4-year head coach Brent Pry is now the VT defensive coordinator, as he has ties as well to Franklin while working as the DC at Penn State. But looking at the defensive position rankings and you see questions across the board for the Hokies. Still, Va Tech did add four 4* transfers along the defensive line, and improvement is expected after the Hokies defense allowed 30.2 points per game last season including 45 points in a shocking early season loss to Old Dominion and then 27 points or more in their last seven contests. The offensive line is a rebuilding project after the Hokies struggled to move the ball, protect the quarterback or score last season (21.4 ppg). The Hokies O/U 6.5 season wins is a big bump from 3 wins last season, and I’m not as optimistic they can reach it with tough road games at Clemson, SMU and Miami and challenging but more competitive home contests against Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech and Virginia. The Hokies hype has more bettors buying in, but I’m not yet. No bets.
Georgia Tech
Head coach: Brent Key (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 6.5 (Under -140)
Last 3 years: 9-4, 7-6, 7-6
National Title: +25000
ACC Title: +3500
ACC Unit rankings: QB (15), RB (3), REC (12), OL (3), DL (10), LB (7), DB (16), ST (3), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 5 (Oct. 3). Georgia Tech won 9 games last season after starting 8-0. That included ACC two wins in games where they were 3-4 point underdogs vs. Clemson and at Duke. The road schedule after Stanford is more difficult this season as the Yellow Jackets tackle Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Clemson in hostile enviroments along with their season-ending state-rivalry game at South Carolina. A pair of Power 4 opponents to start the season at home against Colorado and Tennessee, and Louisville will be a challenge, but Georgia Tech does not play Miami or SMU for the second-straight season. The loss of QB Haynes King to the NFL is significant, and sophomore Alberto Mendoza transfers in from Indiana with no starting experience as the Jackets projected QB transferred to Florida with the GT offensive coordinator taking the OC position with the Gators. Mendoza ranks near the bottom of the ACC until he shows proven production. The Yellow Jackets lost eight of their top 11 tacklers on a defense that allowed 25 points and 400 yards per game last season. The offense and QB King covered the defensive deficiencies, but the GT offense won’t be nearly as efficient as last year’s 32 ppg and 461 ypg offense. King passed for nearly 3,000 yards and led all Power 4 QB’s in rushing with nearly 1,000 yards. The Jackets signature power run game will have its moments with a top-5 OL in the ACC. But fewer wins than last year is clearly projected, and I only recommend playing under season wins if you wager on Georgia Tech.
Florida State
Head coach: Mike Norvell (7th year)
Season Wins: O/U 6.5 (Under -180)
Last 3 years: 5-7, 2-10, 13-1
National Title: +50000
ACC Title: +4400
ACC Unit rankings: QB (10), RB (3), REC (3), OL (3), DL (4), LB (10), DB (7), ST (13), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 2 (Sept. 12). Mike Norvell returns as head coach, but the Seminoles have fallen off sharply since going 13-1 in 2023. Florida State is surpisingly on losing runs of 3-13 vs. ACC opponents and 4-17 against Power 4 foes. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan is gone after leading the nation’s No. 1 most improved offense from 2024-2025 with FSU averaging 33 points and 472 yards per game last season but still only winning 5 games. 
Now all five offensive line starters are gone, and senior transfer QB Ashton Daniels takes over. As you review the Seminoles schedule, note that FSU has lost 11 straight games against the spread (ATS) outside of Tallahassee. Following a Monday Night home game against SMU to open their ACC schedule on Sept. 7, Florida State has a bye to prepare for their road game at Alabama. A tough 4-game stretch starting Oct. 3 features home vs. Virginia, road games at Louisville and Miami, and home Oct. 31 vs. Clemson. Homecoming is not until Nov. 21 vs. NC State in their last home game, and the annual state rivaly game vs. Florida from the SEC to conclude the regular season. The Seminoles appear downgraded at almost every position group for the ACC football 2026 season, and playing Alabama and Florida from the SEC and seven of the ACC’s top nine teams makes it a tall task to return to the winning side of the ledger. No bets, but preference to the Under if you decide to lay big juice.
Duke
Head coach: Manny Diaz (3rd year)
Season Wins: O/U 5.5 (Over -150)
Last 3 years: 9-5, 9-4, 8-5
National Title: +30000
ACC Title: +8000
ACC Unit rankings: QB (10), RB (5), REC (8), OL (12), DL (13), LB (130), DB (13), ST (1), Coach (6)
Notes: Bye Week 5 (Oct. 3). Duke has won 9 games each of the past two seasons under 3rd year coach Manny Diaz, who was the Miami Hurricanes head coach (3 years) and defensive coordintor (3 years) previoulsy. The Blue Devils were 25/1 to win the ACC last season but emerged from the middle of the pack prediction to beat Virginia in overtime of the ACC Championship Game. 
Another wild win over Clemson on the road 46-45 highlighted a season that saw the Blue Devils offense improve by 8 points per game to 34.6 ppg. Despite a deficient defense that allowed 29.4 ppg and 424 yards per game, Duke was able to win two other closely lined contests in shootouts, 45-33 vs. NC State and 49-32 vs. Wake Forest one week after another rivalry win at North Carolina, 32-25. This season looks like regression, and the Blue Devils 80/1 longshot odds to win the ACC support a likely falloff along with a season over/under win total of 5.5 just a bit too low for me to bet.
Other ACC Teams
Teams projected in the bottom tier of the ACC football 2026 season by many preseason publications and media with season win totals include:
– California (6.5, Under -150)
– Wake Forest (5.5, Over -135)
– North Carolina (4.5, Over -115)
– Syracuse (4.5, Under -125)
– Stanford (3.5, Over -125)
– Boston College (3.5, Under -120)
Most Watched and Wagered ACC Football 2026 Games
The ACC football 2026 season features some key games among the top-rated teams, and Miami headlines the top games including a rematch and showdown with Notre Dame. Here are some of the most anticipated watch and wager games in the ACC with preseason select GOY betting lines.
– Aug. 29: NC State at Virginia (-6, O/U 53)
– Sept. 5: Clemson at LSU, Non-conf
– Sept. 5: Louisville vs. Ole Miss, in Nashville,Non-conf
– Sept. 7: SMU at Florida State
– Sept. 12: Tennessee at Georgia Tech, Non-conf
– Sept. 19: SMU at Louisville
– Sept. 19: Florida State at Alabama, Non-conf
– Sept. 19: Virginia vs. West Virginia, in Charlotte, Non-conf
– Sept. 25: Clemson at Cal
– Oct. 2: Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
– Oct. 3: Miami at Clemson
– Oct. 3: Louisville at NC State
– Oct. 3: Virginia at Florida State
– Oct. 3: Notre Dame at North Carolina
– Oct. 9: Florida State at Louisville
– Oct. 10: Duke at Georgia Tech
– Oct. 17: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
– Oct. 17: Florida State at Miami
– Oct. 17: Virginia at SMU
– Oct. 24: Pittsburgh at Miami
– Oct. 24: Duke at Virginia
– Oct. 24: Virginia Tech at Clemson
– Oct. 24: Cal at SMU
– Oct. 31: Clemson at Florida State
– Oct. 31: Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh
– Nov. 7: Miami at Notre Dame
– Nov. 7: Virginia Tech at SMU
– Nov. 7: Duke at NC State
– Nov. 13: Florida State at Pittsburgh
– Nov. 14: Georgia Tech at Clemson
– Nov. 14: Duke at Miami
– Nov. 14: Louisville at North Carolina
– Nov. 20: Virginia Tech at Miami
– Nov. 21: SMU at Notre Dame
– Nov. 21: Clemson at Duke
– Nov. 21: NC State at Florida State
– Nov. 21: Pittsburgh at Louisville
– Nov. 21: North Carolina at Virginia
– Nov. 21: Stanford at Cal
– Nov. 27: Florida at Florida State, Non-conf
– Nov. 28: Virginia at Virginia Tech
– Nov. 28: NC State at North Carolina
– Nov. 28: Duke at Wake Forest
– Nov. 28: Notre Dame at Syracuse
– Nov. 28: Georgia Tech at Georgia, Non-conf
The ACC Championship Game is Sat., Dec. 5 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is on Monday, January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in the Las Vegas. See you there.
You can bet on it.
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