College Football Rankings: CBS Sports ranks every ACC team for 2025

It’s that time of the year. On Friday, CBS Sports released its preseason ACC team rankings for the 2025 campaign.

Last season was a wild one in the ACC. In its inaugural campaign in the conference, SMU finished the regular season with a stunning 8-0 record. Alas, perennial powerhouse Clemson reminded ACC fans where it sits on the conference totem pole with a 34-31 win over the Mustangs.

Both programs represented the ACC in the first 12-team College Football Playoff. Miami barely missed out on its first CFP appearance after suffering a loss against Syracuse in its regular-season finale. When the dust settled, only three ACC teams finished in Top 25 in the final AP Poll of the year.

Now, the ACC is looking to re-establish itself on the national stage this season. With so many teams to cover, let’s look at who CBS Sports believes has the best chance of bringing glory to the historic conference in 2025.

1. Clemson Tigers

Clemson took home the conference crown last season but it has its eyes set on greater heights this year. And frankly, it should. The Tigers are returning loads of talent, highlighted by senior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who tallied 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last season, compared to just six interceptions.

2. Miami Hurricanes

Miami relived its glory days last season but ultimately fell short of its goals. With transfer QB Carson Beck leading the way, the Hurricanes don’t plan on suffering disappointment again. Beck is only one piece of Miami’s monstrous incoming transfer class, which ranked No. 5 in On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

3. SMU Mustangs

The Mustangs are determined to prove they aren’t one-trick ponies in the upcoming season. Many fans claimed that SMU’s success last year was due to a weak conference schedule. With matchups against Clemson and Miami scheduled in 2025, SMU will have plenty of chances to silence its critics.

4. Louisville Cardinals

While Louisville isn’t often viewed as a national title contender, head coach Jeff Brohm quietly builds one of the top teams in the country every season. CBS Sports doesn’t expect the 2025 campaign to be any different. With USC transfer QB Miller Moss in the driver’s seat, Louisville should have a high-powered offense next season.

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech put the nation on notice last season with its Week 0 win over Florida State. This year, the Yellow Jackets are hoping to garner the same level of attention all season long. QB1 Haynes King is back for his sixth and final season after recording over 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards last season.

6. Duke Blue Devils

Head coach Manny Diaz is entering Year 2 at the helm of the Blue Devils, and CBS Sports expects big things. Tulane transfer Darian Mensah will start behind center in the upcoming season, following former QB1 Maalik Murphy‘s unexpected departure this offseason.

7. Florida State Seminoles

Florida State is looking to start fresh after a disastrous 2024 campaign. Head coach Mike Norvell aggressively pursued this clean slate by hiring offensive Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White in December. With a new staff by his side, Norvell is looking to lead his Seminoles to a bounce-back season.

8. Virginia Tech Hokies

Florida State isn’t the only team that will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball in the upcoming season. Virginia Tech hired OC Philip Montgomery and DC Sam Siefkes this offseason. The Hokies are hopeful the two fresh faces will help the program adjust to its mass exodus of players this offseason.

9. North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina is a mystery heading into the 2025 campaign, but new head coach Bill Belichick‘s track record is not. Belichick is considered one of the best NFL coaches of all time. Although more media attention has been on his relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend than the football team this offseason, Belichick has been hard at work, reeling in 41 transfers thus far.

10. NC State Wolfpack

In the past, defense has been NC State’s trademark under head coach Dave Doeren. Alas, the Wolfpack could be equally dangerous on offense in the upcoming season. The team is returning QB CJ Bailey for his sophomore season. Additionally, Doeren promoted QBs coach Kurt Roper to offensive coordinator this offseason. Nobody will know how to utilize Bailey better than Roper.

11. Pittsburgh Panthers

After kicking off last season with a 7-0 start, Pittsburgh finished the year on a six-game losing streak. The Panthers will need offensive coordinator Kade Bell to build a more consistent offense in his second year with the program. He should have plenty of weapons at his disposal, including standout running back Desmond Reid.

12. Syracuse Orange

Fran Brown’s first year as Syracuse’s head coach was a soaring success. Alas, CBS Sports isn’t convinced that Brown will replicate that success in his sophomore effort. After all, the Orange lost starting QB Kyle McCord to the NFL this offseason, along with other pivotal pieces during the spring transfer portal window. Brown will have his work cut out for him in 2025.

13. Boston College Eagles

Boston College also began a new era last season, with Bill O’Brien as its headman. The Eagles had promising flashes throughout the year, picking up wins over teams like Michigan State and Syracuse. However, they could never slay any giants. Despite suffering 19 losses in the transfer portal, Boston College will aim to take another step forward in the upcoming season.

14. California Golden Bears

California’s offense will be nearly unrecognizable in 2025. The team lost its starting quarterback and five running backs to the transfer portal this offseason. In fairness, Cal brought in 33 transfers as well. Nonetheless, Bryan Harsin is facing a tall task on the West Coast this year.

15. Virginia Cavaliers

Tony Elliot is under pressure to win after posting another losing record in his third season as Virginia’s head coach. Elliot hasn’t wasted any time trying to improve his roster this offseason, folding in 30 transfers, including star QB Chandler Morris.

16. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest is starting from scratch after naming Jake Dickert its next head coach in December. Nonetheless, there’s hope for the Demon Deacons. Dickert was the head coach at Washington State from 2021-24, and led the program to an 8-4 record last season. Now, he’ll look to find similar success at Wake Forest.

17. Stanford Cardinal

Wake Forest has a new head coach. Stanford doesn’t even have one. General manager and former star QB Andrew Luck shook things up at Stanford this offseason when he fired Troy Taylor in March. Frank Reich is currently serving as the interim coach while Luck searches for the Cardinal’s next leader.