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The ACC will look a bit different when the season kicks off in 2024 with three new members. The SMU Mustangs will be joined by the California Golden Bears and Stanford Cardinal, formerly of the defunct Pac-12. Nothing says Atlantic Coastal Conference football like a pair of teams on the West Coast.
Regardless if they fit the geographical naming convention of the conference, they will get an opportunity to play for the championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the end of the season. But will either get there? What about the other new team, SMU? They are moving up from the Group of Five and will have plenty of hurdles to make some noise in the new-look ACC.
When it comes to the teams who were already in the ACC, the Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles are the class of the conference. If you want to play for a title, getting through them will be the biggest hurdle of all. FSU was able to knock Clemson off their throne and wants to make it back-to-back. These two teams will face off during Week 5 in Tallahassee, will this be the only time they meet in 2024?
Once again Patrick Conn and Tyler Netunno break down their picks, predictions, and superlatives for the ACC in 2024:
ACC Offensive Player of the Year
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler: Cameron Ward, Miami Hurricanes
Patrick: Preston Stone, SMU Mustangs
We have a difference of opinion on who could win the award but we both agree on the position. Ward opted to join Miami over heading to the NFL while Stone is looking to duplicate last season’s on-filed success against better competition.
ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler: Patrick Payton, Florida State Seminoles
Patrick: Barrett Carter, Clemson Tigers
Either way you slice it, both of these players are looking to make an impact in 2024. Payton has to try and fill the void of losing edge rusher Jared Verse, who led the team in sacks over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Carter is expected to be the leader on defense. He is expected to guide this unit that lost some major impact players in the offseason.
Newcomer of the Year
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler: Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Patrick: Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
Once again the choices are different but the position is the same. Patrick goes with Cam Ward, who Tyler chose as the ACC OPOTY. Grayson McCall is a great choice to join an NC State team that usually makes some noise as a contender or spoiler it seems. Last year was a disappointment for the Wolfpack and hopefully, they get better results from McCall, who had an injury-riddled season in 2023.
Head Coach of the Year
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler: Dave Doeren, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Patrick: Rhett Lashlee, SMU Mustangs
Speaking of NC State, Tyler sticks with the team and projects Dave Doeren as the ACC Head Coach of the Year candidate. Doeren is an interesting character to say the least and it is a great selection. Patrick’s selection of Rhett Lashlee is one that would require the SMU Mustangs to make some noise in year 1. Lashlee is well-traveled as a playcaller and now head coach, but this will be his biggest challenge yet.
Surprise Team
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler: SMU Mustangs
Patrick: Miami Hurricanes
Who could be a surprise team in 2024, the guys have two different candidates. The SMU Mustangs joined the ACC after conference expansion. The Miami Hurricanes have plenty of their own questions as they head into the season. If Preston Stone and Cam Ward are candidates for the Offensive Player of the Year, you should expect these two teams will be a pleasant surprise in 2024.
ACC Title Game Matchup
Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
Clemson vs Florida State
When it comes to the class of the ACC it is the Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles. These two teams have the talent to win the conference title but only one will stand tall after the 2024 campaign and punch their ticket to the CFP after multi-season absences.
ACC Champions
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State
The guys are projecting that the Seminoles go back-to-back due to the major questions surrounding Clemson’s offense. FSU lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball but their acquisitions should be enough to weather the storm and secure another ACC title.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/college-football-acc-2024-season-preview/