At the end of each conference run-through, I take a look at how I perceive the conference’s balance of power heading into the season. This is in no way based on schedules, so they are not predictions. This is just how I would rank the teams after writing thousands of words about each of them. When I finished all of the Group of Five conferences, I compiled a full mid-major power rankings list. Now let’s talk power conferences.
ACC POWER RANKINGS: Can anyone challenge Clemson and FSU in 2016?
If anyone can, it’s probably Louisville.
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 1
For a long time, the ACC has been a middle-heavy conference, with almost no bad teams but few elite ones. Clemson’s recent rise has given the league two heavyweights.
In theory, Lamar Jackson and Louisville have at least a slight chance of making it three teams. But no. Probably still two. With a massive midsection once more.
Tier 2
I’m trying as hard as I can to keep my expectations for Jackson tamped down. He’s got work to do when it comes to avoiding mistakes as a passer -- too many sacks and picks -- but man oh man is he gorgeous with the ball in his hands. Almost the entire offense returns, along with a good portion of a good defense. To me, the Cardinals might be a step behind the big two, but they’re ahead of everybody else.
Tier 3
4. Pittsburgh
5. North Carolina
6. Miami
7. Virginia Tech
8. Georgia Tech
9. NC State
10. Syracuse
11. Duke
I assume a couple of these teams will play at a top-25 level, and while Pitt and UNC are the most likely in my eyes (with Miami and Virginia Tech very close behind), none would be particularly surprising. It’s really hard to separate these eight teams.
By the way, six of the Coastal’s seven teams are in this tier. As you see below, four are projected to win between 4.3 and 4.5 conference games. This division probably won’t produce a national title contender, but it’s going to be one hell of a race.
Tier 4
I think Wake is probably a year away from making a serious run at six wins, but while it wouldn’t be surprising if any of the Tier 3 teams hit a top-25 level, it wouldn’t be surprising if one from Tier 4 hit top-50.
Confused? Check out the advanced-stats glossary here.
ACC Atlantic
| Team | 2015 Record (Conf.) | 2015 S&P+ Rk | Proj. 2016 S&P+ Rk | Proj. 2016 Wins (Conf.) | 5-Yr Rec. Rk | Ret. Experience (Off. / Def.) |
| Clemson | 14-1 (8-0) | 2 | 3 | 10.0 (6.5) | 14 | 70% (90% / 50%) |
| FSU | 10-3 (6-2) | 7 | 5 | 8.5 (5.6) | 3 | 63% (77% / 49%) |
| Louisville | 8-5 (5-3) | 28 | 20 | 8.2 (5.0) | 39 | 87% (98% / 77%) |
| NC State | 7-6 (3-5) | 36 | 40 | 6.2 (3.4) | 47 | 60% (50% / 70%) |
| Syracuse | 4-8 (2-6) | 71 | 44 | 5.5 (3.1) | 63 | 90% (100% / 80%) |
| BC | 3-9 (0-8) | 67 | 50 | 6.4 (2.9) | 66 | 81% (92% / 71%) |
| Wake | 3-9 (1-7) | 92 | 74 | 5.5 (2.5) | 62 | 84% (89% / 79%) |
ACC Coastal
| Team | 2015 Record (Conf.) | 2015 S&P+ Rk | Proj. 2016 S&P+ Rk | Proj. 2016 Wins (Conf.) | 5-Yr Rec. Rk | Ret. Experience (Off. / Def.) |
| Pitt | 8-5 (6-2) | 40 | 29 | 7.0 (4.3) | 37 | 72% (72% / 72%) |
| UNC | 11-3 (8-0) | 29 | 27 | 7.5 (4.5) | 23 | 64% (50% / 78%) |
| Miami | 8-5 (5-3) | 51 | 30 | 7.0 (4.3) | 17 | 70% (78% / 62%) |
| Va. Tech | 7-6 (4-4) | 59 | 32 | 6.8 (4.5) | 25 | 74% (66% / 82%) |
| Ga. Tech | 3-9 (1-7) | 68 | 54 | 5.6 (3.2) | 45 | 70% (97% / 42%) |
| Duke | 8-5 (4-4) | 75 | 51 | 5.9 (3.5) | 52 | 76% (80% / 73%) |
| Virginia | 4-8 (3-5) | 73 | 68 | 5.1 (2.9) | 48 | 72% (80% / 64%) |
See More:
