The newest episode of This Week in the ACC delivers a wide-ranging look at the Atlantic Coast Conference as the season ramps up. Joined by longtime college football writer and editor Matt Zemek, Jeff and Matthew dove into hot-seat coaches, surprise contenders, and who might hoist the trophy in Charlotte.
Early ACC Storylines
The show opened with excitement for Clemson’s matchup with LSU. Matt explained that quarterback Cade Klubnik has the chance to lead the Tigers back to the playoff. If Garrett Riley’s offense hits its stride, Clemson could be a true national contender again. On the other end, Virginia’s Tony Elliott and Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry face mounting pressure in the Commonwealth Cup.
Georgia Tech on the Rise
Perhaps the biggest surprise for the ACC was Zemek’s prediction that Georgia Tech could win 10 games this year. He argued the Yellow Jackets perform best in big matchups but must avoid costly stumbles against lesser opponents. Syracuse also earned high marks. New head coach Fran Brown has sparked fresh optimism with strong recruiting and savvy use of the transfer portal.
Playoff Predictions and Beyond
When looking at the expanded College Football Playoff, Zemeck stopped short of naming a national champion. He emphasized the importance of waiting for the bracket before making predictions. Still, Clemson looks positioned to represent the ACC, with Notre Dame and multiple SEC and Big Ten powers also in the mix. His takeaway was clear: the new playoff format shifts importance away from conference championships and places more weight on late-season health and depth.
As the podcast wrapped, one theme stood out. Clemson remains the favorite, but Georgia Tech and Syracuse could change the conversation in 2025.
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Listen to “This Week In The ACC: Tigers, Jackets, And The Road Ahead” on Spreaker.
