1. Virginia. The defending back-to-back national champs are going to continue to be the division and conference favorites until proven otherwise. The Cavaliers only lost one game last season and blew the doors off of pretty much everyone else, including a 52-26 ACC title game win in which they made up for that one loss. Offensively, Virginia will be sporting a new backfield with QB Jason Smith and RB Russ Davis. However, don't expect the offense to take too much of a step back, given the talent at other positions, such as WR Sam Green and TE Joe Miller, who may be the best TE in the country. On the other side of the ball, the Cavaliers fielded one of the better defenses in the conference and look to do the same this season, returning 5 starters, including stars DE Dustin Byrd and FS Eugene Poole. If there are any weaknesses to be found in Virginia, it will be their worse than usual offensive line or a linebacking corps that must replace all its starters.
Key Game: at #2 Cincinnati (10/14). This will be the Cavaliers' first true road test of the season and may be the first game they're the underdog, as the Bearcats are one of the few teams able to match UVA in the talent department.
2. Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons finished right behind UVA in the final poll last season, fielding a complete team that put up promising numbers on both sides of the ball. This season's schedule, as well as the team itself, gives Wake Forest a solid chance at capturing the division this year. Star QB Donta McDonald will lead the offense again after a season in which he had over 4,000 yards of total offense and 39 TDs. The return of 1,400 yard rusher RB Zach Leach means the offense should improve an already good unit from last season, though Wake Forest will need to find some receiving options as leading returning receiver WR John Harrison had only 10 catches for 145 yards last year. Defensively, a good unit should remain good, as starters like DE Bryan Thomas and CB Derrick Leach return and talented players like SS Darrell Reese should be able to prevent any significant drop off. As good as their defense was last season, however, the Demon Deacons will look to improve a secondary that gave up over 250 YPG last season.
Key Game: #5 UNC (10/10). Like every season, Wake Forest will need to beat at least one of UVA and UNC to capture the division. The Demon Deacons dropped both games last year, but get both teams at home this season.
3. North Carolina. Unlike the ACC Atlantic, the gap between 1-3 in the Coastal should expect to be very small. UNC finished 11-2 last season, with both losses coming to Virginia, including a rematch in the national title game. The Tar Heels are as talented as anyone, but a brutal schedule will probably prevent them from claiming the division this season. QB Cedric Fields, the ACC's leading passer last season and one of the best QBs in the country, returns to lead the offense, alongside RB Robert Wood, who ran for 1,150 yards and 19 TDs last season. The Tar Heels' pressing concern will be finding someone for Fields to throw the ball to, as the 3 1,000 yard receivers they fielded last season are all gone and the returning receiver is Wood, who had 234 yards. Defensively, UNC fields perhaps the best front seven in the country, but their corners are some of the weaker bunch in the conference. However, the talented safety duo of Greg Alvarez and A.J. Anthony should help a defense that gave up 31.1 PPG last year.
Key Game: at #2 Cincinnati (10/3). The trip to Cincinnati will be the first of the Tar Heels' astounding 3 road games against top 3 opponents this season (and second of 5 road games against top 10 teams).
4. Oklahoma. The Sooners will be encountering new territory on multiple levels this season, as 2026-27 will be their first in the ACC and their first with coach Trent Knight, who comes from Washington. Oklahoma is one of the most talented teams in the country, but should expect a rough year as they are also joining the most talented division in the country. However, drawing top ACC opponents Cincinnati, UVA, UNC, and Wake Forest all at home will allow the Sooners to potentially make a run for the division. Offensively, the Sooners will have new faces in the backfield, as QB Jeff Poole takes the reigns, and RB Dustin Jacobs, who ran for 538 yards and 2 TDs last season, takes over as the full time back. The Sooners will also count on talented WR Mike Jones, who looks to improve upon his 763 yard/8 TD season. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma sports one of most dominant front fours in the country, especially inside with DTs Chad Wilson and Rich Anderson. However, linebacker looks to be a liability this season for the Sooners, especially against the talent they will be facing in the ACC.
Key Game: at #13 Nebraska. This rivalry game will conclude a 3 game road stretch to start the season and, as their second ACC game, will show where the Sooners stand in their new home.
5. Florida State. While the top of the ACC Coastal consists of some of the most successful teams in the country, the bottom is the opposite. FSU and Miami, two former powers, were nowhere near their division counterparts last season, and while FSU upset Virginia Tech while their coach missed the game with an illness, the Seminoles were outclassed by just about everybody else in the conference. Offensively, FSU must replace their backfield and will count on leading returning receiver TE Bobby Taylor to pick up any slack. Defensively, the Seminoles must improve a poor defense in order to go bowling this season, but the lack of talent on that side of the ball, especially on the interior defensive line, indicates the Seminoles will be sitting at home again this bowl season.
Key Game: at Miami 10/10). The Seminoles must win on the road against their rival if they want any shot at a bowl game in a season in which they play 5 top 10 opponents.
6. Miami. Like their rival, FSU, Miami missed a bowl game last season, but did so in much more embarrassing fashion, going 2-10 and being blown out by nearly everyone along the way. The Hurricanes will also be fielding a new backfield, but unlike FSU, are lacking any offensive weapons from last season that will prevent a significant drop off. Defensively, Miami was one of the worst defenses in the country last year, giving up 34.4 PPG and 466.5 YPG. While there is NFL talent at spots, such as DT Clint Pollock and CB Randy Johnson, the Hurricanes will likely be just as bad at keeping opponents out of the end zone this season.
Key Game: Florida State (10/10). Given they have virtually no shot at a bowl game, the Hurricanes should at least attempt to gain bragging rights over their rival.
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