ACC Football Focus: 4 College Football Playoff Championship Contenders - SCACCHoops.com

ACC Football Focus: 4 College Football Playoff Championship Contenders

by Joe Messineo

Posted: 7/21/2016 7:30:56 AM


The ACC has already fared well in the first few College Championship era seasons. They are poised to have a few teams make a decent run at finally winning the elusive championship. Yes indeed, the ACC has emerged as a powerhouse conference, and there are four teams worthy of discussion as they compete on a national scale in 2016. 

  1. FSU – The team from Tallahassee had quite a remarkable season in 2015, given that it was definitely a rebuilding year. Even after suffering through a loss in the College Championship game in 2014, and the associated hangover effect from that, Jimbo Fisher and his team were able to put together 10 victories. They are picked by nearly every analyst to be right back in the BCS hunt this season, so look for them to edge out Clemson for the ACC Atlantic Division title, and claim the conference crown as well. They will be lead by running back Dalvin Cook. As a sophomore, this tailback set a new school record for the Florida State Seminoles, by gaining the most rushing yards last season with 1,691. This amounted to over 7 yards per carry and 141 yards total per game. He knows how to put up points, and the offense at Florida State will be among the tops in the country. 
  2. Clemson – This ACC team was a few tough breaks away from taking home the national championship last season. While they arguably benefitted from what some perceive as a weaker conference overall, the talent was definitely there. That same talent, lead by a stifling defense and stellar offense, will be back in 2016. They will have some tough competition at the conference level, but they should still be able to compete for the title. In fact, preseason predictions have them in the top four nationally. The Tigers averaged nearly 39 points per game last season, and this year they will have eight starters back, including their quarterback Deshaun Watson, who Nick Saban recently had some incredible comments about. Last year he passed for 4,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 more. If he can keep that up, another title run is almost definitely in the cards. 
  3. Louisville – In most seasons, it seems that there is a deep decline in talent in the ACC after the first two teams. That is all changing, however, and that begins with the Louisville Cardinals. Yes, the school is now known for more than its basketball program. In fact, they enter training camp at number 18 nationally, which is rather respectable. They do get the bad end of the stick playing in the ultra competitive Atlantic Division, but look for them to finish a solid third there. Winning six of their final seven games in 2015, they have proven that they can compete on a national scale. They return 16 starters combined, and this includes their sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson. With a solid year under his belt, look for him to lead the offense to deeper heights this season.
  4. North Carolina – Yet another perennial ACC basketball power has finally arrived on the national football scene. Also ranked nationally in the top 25 by most, the Tar Heels should take home the Coastal Division crown, barring any injuries. They might lack the depth of Clemson or Florida State, but they make up for it in grit and determination. Admittedly, they have lost their fair share of starters from last season on both sides of the ball, and they will be starting a new quarterback in Mitch Trubisky, but they appear to be ready in other areas. Elijah Hood is one of the most prolific running backs in the country, and the receivers are deep and experienced. 


Recent Articles from Joe Messineo


Recommended Articles



SCACC Hoops has no affiliation to the NCAA or the ACC
Team logos are trademarks of their respective organizations (more/credits)

Privacy Policy