For over a decade, the Atlantic Coast Conference has had one simple rule: beat Clemson or get out of the way. The Tigers have won eight of the last 10 ACC titles, and even in their so-called "down years," they've remained the team to beat. Last season, they reasserted their dominance through what was seen as one of the easier schedules in that 10-year run and snagged the final spot in the first 12-team College Football Playoff, leapfrogging Alabama in the process. Now, with more returning production than any other Power 4 team, Clemson enters 2025 as a clear favorite (-110 atBetMGM) to make it nine conference titles in 11 years. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns for what could be his breakout season, the defense retools under new coordinator Tom Allen and head coach Dabo Swinney — after years of portal resistance — has finally embraced modern roster-building. But if Clemson slips, the door is wide open. Miami believes it's finally back. SMU nearly won the league in its ACC debut. Louisville is reloading. Duke has one of the most veteran rosters in the conference. And Florida State? After entering last year ranked No. 10 and finishing 2–10, the Seminoles are a walking drama series. Oh, and Bill Belichick is the head coach at North Carolina. It's a geographically chaotic league, but one thing's for sure: The ACC isn't lacking storylines. Here are a few futures worth circling as we head toward kickoff. Miami's offseason hasn't been quiet. The Hurricanes lost starting QB Cam Ward to the NFL, but quickly turned the page: enter Carson Beck. The former Georgia starter is calm under pressure, efficient against zone coverage and walks into a much friendlier schedule than anything he faced in the SEC. With elite protection, above-average perimeter talent and a coaching staff that finally seems aligned, Beck could be the spark Miami's been chasing for two decades. If he plays to his potential, this is the ACC's best shot at dethroning Clemson. Want chaos? Here it is. Last year's 2-10 implosion was a masterclass in mismanagement and locker-room dysfunction, but there's still raw talent in Tallahassee. Former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos brings a dual-threat spark — his decision-making is a roller coaster, but the upside is there. The early schedule isn't forgiving: Alabama, Miami and a tricky trip to UVA all land before October. But if things somehow click? Florida State could go from embarrassment to ACC dark horse in the blink of an eye. Projected wins: 5.71 I usually subscribe to the "market knows everything" philosophy when a number is this far off, but in this case, I just don't agree with the betting market. Wake Forest brings in a quality coaching staff and pairs it with a roster that has the right pieces in place. The team added talented linemen through the transfer portal to complement an athletic quarterback in Robby Ashford, big-bodied receivers and a solid running-back room. The depth chart is loaded with transfers, but if they jell, this team has the pieces to win games. Projected wins: 5.97 Virginia is feisty. But seven wins? That's asking a lot. The Cavaliers have made some noise in the portal, and the NIL momentum is real, ranking 14th in the nation in money spent (using $12.7 million to build this year's team). Still, reports out of camp suggest some chemistry issues, and the schedule is unforgiving late: three road games in the final four, including a trip out to Cal. Even with a few early wins, this looks like a 5-6 win team that's more competitive than consistent. Projected Wins: 4.99 The Eagles could start hot — there's a world where they hit the bye week at 3-0. But that Week 4 break comes early, and the back half of the season is a gauntlet: Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame and SMU. Former FIU QB Grayson James is back after starting five games for Boston College last season. With more film on him, I'm not sure James has the skillset to help this team win six games. After making the case for Wake Forest's over on season wins, this conference wins future immediately jumps out as a target. Only two teams in the ACC have their conference win totals set at 1.5: Stanford and Wake Forest. Wake brings in a new coaching staff and a talented roster but faces a brutal schedule that will likely make them underdogs in every ACC matchup. Still, I project them as less than a touchdown underdog against NC State, Oregon State, Virginia and North Carolina. Stanford, on the other hand, is starting over with a new staff but inherits a roster with little winning upside. I project them as less than a touchdown 'dog in just two games: Boston College and Cal. With dead heat rules applying here, Stanford is the clear value play in this market. There's a quiet buzz out of Coral Gables. Beck has reportedly mastered the offense quickly and is drawing rave reviews from coaches and teammates alike. After spending three years grinding through SEC defenses, he now gets the 18th-easiest strength of schedule in the nation — and more time to work through progressions behind a solid offensive line. If Miami wins 10-plus games, Beck will have the numbers — and spotlight — to get to New York. The ACC may not have the top-to-bottom depth of the SEC or Big Ten, but it more than makes up for it with volatility. Clemson is the chalk, but Miami has life, FSU is unpredictable and there's always a surprise team lurking. If you're looking for drama, upsets and long-shot futures with life, this is your conference. Team My Projected Wins BetMGM Win Total Clemson 9.48 9.5 (over -235/under +190) Miami 8.73 9.5 (+130/-155) SMU 8.51 8.5 (-110/-110) Louisville 8.09 8.5 (-160/+135) Florida State 6.96 7.5 (+200/-250) Georgia Tech 6.83 7.5 (-155/+130) Virginia Tech 6.79 6.5 (+115/-140) North Carolina 6.7 7.5 (+140/-165) Duke 6.62 6.5 (-185/+155) Pittsburgh 6.61 6.5 (+130/-155) Virginia 5.97 6.5 (+110/-135) NC State 5.97 6.5 (+110/-130) California 5.82 5.5 (+125/-150) Wake Forest 5.71 4.5 (+105/-125) Boston College 4.99 5.5 (+110/-135) Syracuse 4.78 5.5 (+155/-185) Stanford 3.27 3.5 (+145/-175)