2026 ACC win totals, odds, picks: Predictions for every team as Miami eyes College Football Playoff return
Why it matters: The ACC aims to reclaim national prominence, with Miami leading the charge for a College Football Playoff return.
- Miami is eyeing a College Football Playoff return, having made it as the last team in the field in a previous season, and is seen as a key driver of the ACC's resurgence.
- ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips is optimistic about the league's standing after Miami's CFP run, which included wins over SEC teams and Ohio State.
- Clemson, despite past national championships, faces a fresh outlook with coaching staff changes but isn't yet considered a playoff contender for 2026.
- Boston College is projected to go 'under' 3.5 wins due to a challenging schedule and a tumultuous 2-10 record last season under Bill O'Brien.
- California is also predicted to go 'under' 6.5 wins, with coach Tosh Lupoi focused on culture change and quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele needing a stronger supporting cast.
The ACC enters the 2026 college football season with renewed optimism, particularly after Miami's recent College Football Playoff run, despite falling short in the championship. While commissioner Jim Phillips sees the league 'back in the mix,' the ACC still aims to unseat the Big Ten at the top of the sport, with predictions for individual team win totals offering a glimpse into their potential paths.
