The defending ACC champion Clemson will be looking to take care of unfinished business this season after they fell just short of capturing a national championship. First they will have to repeat as conference champions with some tough competition at the top. The Tigers will have to fend off another potential national title contender in Florida State and if the Amway Coaches Poll is any indication these teams could be two of the best in the entire country. Here is a look at our projections for the preseason top-25 teams from the ACC
#2 Clemson
Projected Record: 11-1
Heisman trophy finalist Deshaun Watson returns as one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the entire country and all eyes will be on the star dual-threat passer to see what he has in store for an encore. Watson became the first player in FBS history to throw for at least 4,000 passing yards and run for at least 1,000 rushing yards in the same season in 2015 and he will be looking to top those numbers in 2016 with an even better supporting cast on offense. The Tigers’ schedule has some early trap games including matchups with Auburn and Louisville but the biggest game will be their October showdown with Florida State in late October. That trip could determine which side comes out on top in the ACC and while it is too early to predict the outcome for that contest in particular we will predict one loss for Clemson with a very real chance they go undefeated this season.
#4 Florida State
Projected Record: 11-1
Florida State could beat Clemson in October and still finish at 11-1. Either way, we fully expect them to be right there with the Tigers at the top of the ACC with one win potentially being the difference. The Seminoles are absolutely loaded with talent on both sides of the football with star running back Dalvin Cook leading the way on offense while Derwin James, DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat leading the way on defense. Either Sean Maguire or freshman Deondre Francois will need to emerge as a legitimate starting quarterback in order to put them over the top and if that happens there is no doubt that Florida State has the skill and depth to be a major player on the national stage in 2016.
#20 North Carolina
Projected Record: 9-3
The Tar Heels nearly crashed the College Football Playoff when they fell just short against Clemson in the ACC Championship game a year ago and they should be one of the top teams in their conference once again in 2016. A lot of what happens for North Carolina will depend on the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who is in an excellent situation with star running back Elijah Hood and a strong cast of receivers surrounding him on offense. We know that the offense will be top notch, but can the defense step up and be respectable? If not, this team won’t get much higher than this in the Top 25.
The Tar Heels might not be on the same level as Clemson or Florida State but they are a top-25 team that will turn some heads with their impressive play in the ACC this season.
#23 Louisville
Projected Record: 9-3
Louisville would be talked about as a dark horse to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff if they didn’t play in the same division as Clemson and Florida State. We still expect them to be a contending team in 2016. The Cardinals are tied with LSU, Kent State and Wyoming for the most returning starters in the FBS and that includes one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the entire country in Lamar Jackson. The dual-threat passer is expected to take a major step forward after flashing his incredible skill set in 2015 and he will have some dangerous weapons around him in a loaded Louisville offense. Meanwhile, the defense should be strong as well with one of the best linebacker units in the ACC. The Cardinals are in a tough spot playing in the same division as the Tigers and Seminoles but they are still an intriguing sleeper pick to make some noise in the ACC as a potential top-10 team based on talent alone this season.
