ESPN FPI ranks ACC, predicts final record for every team in 2023 college football season
The perception nationally is that Florida State has surpassed Clemson as the team to beat in the ACC.
The Seminoles have a higher win total than Clemson and are the favorite to win the league, according to DraftKings.
However, ESPN FPI still has the Clemson Tigers as the team to beat in the ACC. Clemson has a projected win total of 10.3, while Florida State is at 8.7.
Overall, Clemson is No. 8 in the ESPN FPI, while Florida State ranks No. 14. North Carolina is the only other team in the top 25 from the conference at No. 25.
As for the College Football Playoff, FPI gives Clemson a 24.4 percent chance to make the CFP. FSU is well behind the Tigers at 4.4 percent, while everyone else in the league has a less than 1 percent chance to reach the playoff.
Below are the ACC teams ranked by the ESPN Football Power Index, followed by the projected win-loss records for 2023.
ESPN FPI ranks ACC football teams in 2023
1. Clemson — FPI: 19.4, Record: 10.3-2.3
2. Florida State — FPI: 15, Record: 8.7-3.5
3. North Carolina — FPI: 10.2, Record: 8.2-4.2
4. Miami — FPI: 9.1, Record: 7.8-4.5
5. Syracuse — FPI: 7.6, Record: 7.5-4.6
6. Pittsburgh — FPI: 7.5, Record: 7.1-5.2
7. NC State — FPI: 7.3, Record: 7.4-4.7
8. Louisville — FPI: 5.1, Record: 6.9-5.2
9. Wake Forest — FPI: 5.0, Record: 6.4-5.7
10. Duke — FPI: 2.9, Record: 5.4-6.6
11. Virginia Tech — FPI: -0.3, Record: 4.9-7.1
12. Georgia Tech — FPI: -0.6, Record: 4.5-7.5
13. Virginia — FPI: -2.8, Record: 4.5-7.5
14. Boston College — FPI: -2.9, Record: 5.5-6.5
Clemson has won the ACC seven of the past eight years, including last season win the Tigers beat North Carolina 39-10 in the ACC Championship game.
Before Clemson, it was Florida State that was dominating the league. The Seminoles won the ACC three straight years from 2012-14.
Combined, FSU and Clemson have won the ACC 12 of the past 13 years.
For the first time, the Tigers and Seminoles could meet in the ACC title game this fall. The league is doing away with divisions and instead the top two teams will play in the league championship game.
Florida State and Clemson were both previously in the Atlantic division.
Other contenders to potentially reach the ACC title game are North Carolina and Miami, according to the FPI.
UNC is coming off of a 9-5 season and returns star quarterback Drake Maye, who is expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Miami finished 5-7 last season but is expected to make a big jump in Year 2 under Mario Cristobal.