Five ACC teams included in initial College Football Playoff rankings

The College Football Playoff selection committee released its first rankings of the year on Tuesday with five ACC teams in the top 25.

The College Football Playoff selection committee released its first rankings of the 2024 season on Tuesday night, and the Miami Hurricanes predictably led the five ACC teams included in the top 25.

The undefeated Hurricanes, who scored five second-half touchdowns to beat the Blue Devils 53-31 on Saturday, start the playoff cycle in fourth behind the Oregon Ducks, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Georgia Bulldogs.

While the Clemson Tigers spent much of the season in position for an at-large berth in the 12-team field, Louisville beat them in their own stadium last weekend to knock Dabo Swinney’s team all the way down to 23rd. Without a strong run to the conference title, Clemson is likely out of contention.

The SMU Mustangs, on the other hand, are very much not out of contention. SMU beat Duke in overtime just two weeks ago after blocking a 30-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, but a dominant 48-25 victory over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh moved them up to 13th.

While the Hurricanes would be the only team from the conference in the projected playoff bracket as of Tuesday, another upset or two could bump SMU into an at-large spot.

Pittsburgh starts the playoff cycle at 18th while Louisville moved itself up to 22nd after its big win.