The Big Ten and SEC feel like a lock to continue conference realignment, with the ACC being a part of it feeling more and more like a real possibility.
We recently discussed the topic, naming the best fit for every ACC football team in conference realignment. The ACC isn’t filled with teams that the Big Ten or SEC are clamoring for, but there are some top-heavy top-tier programs and a few more that you may be surprised by. It’s a solid conference, not elite, but not nearly as poor as many make it out to be. There is a lot of potential across the conference, and realistically, a move to either conference is more likely to benefit than not.
That said, we moved on to assessing the value of each team in the ACC, ranking them based on what we believe to be their overall value in conference realignment as a football program. Other sports aren’t taken into consideration heavily here; the priority is football program value on a scale from 1 to 10. Here’s where we landed.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 10
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Honestly, it was a toss-up between Clemson and Florida State here. If you were to tell me you have Florida State No. 1, I wouldn’t blame you. This comes down to Dabo Swinney for me. While he isn’t necessarily wooing everyone right now, what he’s done with the program speaks for itself. Clemson is a top-tier asset.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 10
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Florida State has a quality program that is among the best in the country. With Mike Norvell at the helm, excellent recruiting, and a great history, the Seminoles are the full package. They’re a no-brainer 10.
For more Florida State, check out FSU Wire
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 9
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Miami has many outstanding qualities; they just haven’t had outstanding on-field success for a while. Regardless, this program has been at the top before and has ridiculous potential.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 7
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Virginia Tech has had some rough years of late, but the program itself still remains a great one. While they have been on a downward slope, this program feels like it’s a strong head coach away from being back into the Top 25. I’m not saying Brent Pry can’t be that guy, and if starting quarterback Kyron Drones looks as good as he did last season, they’ll be sneaky good this year.
Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Value: 7
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Louisville recruits well and looks to be on the rise with Jeff Brohm as their head coach. They made a solid run to the ACC Championship last season and look to finish the job in 2024 and earn that bid to the College Football Playoff to elevate the program.
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 7
Why they’re ranked where they are:
The Tar Heels are a huge name in general, even if it’s not entirely because of football. It’s still a solid program that with Mack Brown, recruits well. I could see them being more of a draw than some expect.
For more UNC, check out Tar Heels Wire
Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 6
Why they’re ranked where they are:
NC State is a tough assessment for me. Definitely, a solid program that has an excellent coach in Dave Doeren. The big difference between NC State and the two next teams is their long-term recruiting juice.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 6
Why they’re ranked where they are:
History is a huge part of this value ranking. Pitt has had solid years over the past decade, but they’re clearly not the program they once were.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 6
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Georgia Tech is an interesting case, for history purposes like others. They have a historic program but haven’t been near what they once were. You could make the case for lower here, but the Yellow Jackets have the history to make them a draw.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 6
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Virginia has a better program than the record over the past decade has shown. There’s value here, especially if they were to join a conference like the Big Ten or SEC.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 6
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Boston College will improve with Bill O’Brien as head coach from recruiting alone. Don’t expect much this year, but expectations should be higher down the line. They are going to be on the rise.
Rodd Baxley/The Fayetteville Observer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Value: 5
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Duke is a program that I see on the rise. If they expand their stadium and put some money into the program, they could be a surprise in the Big Ten, the conference I’d see them landing in.
For more Duke, check out Duke Wire
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 5
Why they’re ranked where they are:
History is a big part of the draw for many programs, with Syracuse being one with a tremendous history. While it’s been years since they’ve been relevant, the program could turn things around with the right coach.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 4
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Stanford has money and some recruiting juice. They aren’t a huge draw, but we’ve seen them be great and produce some excellent talent.
Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Value: 3
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Cal has an incredible stadium. That’s the best I can say about the program right now.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 3
Why they’re ranked where they are:
If they never got the infamous ‘death penalty’, this program would surely be higher. Joining the ACC was a huge break for the Mustangs.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Value: 1
Why they’re ranked where they are:
Having a great head coach like Dave Lawson can only get you so far. The Demon Deacons program is going to be in trouble if the ACC breaks up.
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