ACC's New Favorite
Miami Dominates ACC 2026 Preseason Poll, Ending Clemson's Long Reign
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Key Points
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Clemson is not preseason No. 1 or 2 for the first time since 2007, as Miami captures the top spot with 165 of 188 first-place votes (3,159 total points); other first-place vote tallies include SMU (6), Louisville (4), Georgia Tech (2), and Stanford (1).
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Duke drops to 10th in the poll after star quarterback Darian Mensah left for Miami, illustrating how last season’s conference champion has shifted in expectations amid roster changes.
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The ACC is transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule this season, increasing the weight of non-conference results and tiebreakers; Miami’s non-conference test includes a road date at Notre Dame on November 7.
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Beyond Miami, the poll places Virginia (6th), NC State (7th), Virginia Tech (8th), Pitt (9th) and Duke (10th) in the top 10, with Florida State 11th and North Carolina 15th, highlighting a crowded and unsettled mid-to-upper tier of the league.
Miami is the overwhelming preseason favorite to win the 2026 ACC football title, capturing 165 of 188 first-place votes and 3,159 total points in the ACC media poll, according to The Score. The Hurricanes, riding momentum from last season's run to the College Football Playoff title game, leave the rest of the conference well behind.
The result marks a historic shift. Clemson is not the preseason No. 1 or No. 2 for the first time since 2007, according to Dallas Morning News. SMU finished second, Louisville third, and Clemson fourth in the voting.
Mensah Transfer Fuels Miami's Title-Game Expectations
Miami's top ranking is built on more than last year's success. The Hurricanes added quarterback Darian Mensah via transfer, a move that reshuffled power across the ACC. Head coach Mario Cristobal has downplayed the hype, stressing the team will not get caught up in preseason rankings, according to AOL News.
Mensah's departure hit Duke hard. The Blue Devils were last season's ACC champions but dropped to 10th in the poll after losing their star quarterback. It is a stark example of how quickly roster changes can flip expectations in college football.
SMU and Louisville Earn First-Place Votes Behind Miami
Miami did not take all 188 first-place votes. SMU earned 6, Louisville grabbed 4, Georgia Tech received 2, and Stanford got 1, according to The Score. That spread shows some media members still see a path for rivals, even if the consensus strongly favors the Hurricanes.
The rest of the top 10 includes Virginia (6th), NC State (7th), Virginia Tech (8th), Pitt (9th), and Duke (10th). Florida State sits 11th. North Carolina lands 15th in Bill Belichick's second season as head coach, reflecting ongoing roster and coaching adjustments, according to ABC11.
Nine-Game Schedule Raises the Stakes All Season
The ACC is switching to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. That means one extra league game for every team. More conference games sharpen tiebreaker math and make every result count more, according to Tri-City Herald.
Non-conference games also carry more weight now. Miami's schedule includes a road game at Notre Dame on November 7, a high-profile test that could shape playoff seeding. The ACC champion earns an automatic playoff berth and will play in the conference title game in Charlotte on December 5.
Miami Chasing a Title That Has Eluded Them Since 2004
Miami joined the ACC in 2004 but has never won the conference title. This year marks only the second time the Hurricanes have been voted preseason favorite, according to ABC11. That gap between expectation and result adds pressure to a program that has waited two decades for a conference crown.
The Hurricanes have the talent, the momentum, and near-unanimous media support. But the nine-game schedule, a loaded mid-tier conference, and a road trip to Notre Dame ensure nothing is guaranteed. The ACC race in 2026 could be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
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