Clemson vs. Appalachian State – Page 2

Clemson’s Offensive X-Factor against Appalachian State

Clemson needs to be capable of throwing the ball.

Was there any other choice for this one?

You could have easily made the case for Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik being the Tigers’ X-Factor against Georgia in Week 1. I opted to go with Phil Mafah, which I would say was a good choice, as Clemson’s lack of being able to establish the run had serious repercussions on the rest of the game. Things are different this week; however, I can tell you now that Mafah will have his way against App State. That’s not to discredit the Mountaineers, that’s just one of the best running backs in college football bouncing back.

The thing I don’t know, is how Klubnik will play. We’re at the point where there are no guarantees with Clemson’s passing attack. Even with the talent they have at wide receiver, which many still don’t believe the Tigers have, there’s few opponents in college football right now where I’d say this passing attack is going to carve up. It’s believe it when we see it at this point.

So, Klubnik is our X-Factor ad for good reason. If App State commits to stopping the run, which is what any sane defensive coordinator would do against Clemson, the offensive production may fall on Klubnik’s shoulders. Today is a day he needs to prove why he’s a starting quarterback at a program as strong as Clemson.

CBS Sports analysts Patterson, Palm, pick App State to upset Clemson

Two CBS Sports analysts have classic Week 1 overreactions.

A lot of times, you’ll hear people say don’t overreact to one week of football. More often than not, this is a saying that reigns true as in college football, there are going to be some overreactions to what happened in Week 1.

It seems two of the people who are getting caught up in these Week 1 overreactions are CBS Sports analysts Chip Patterson and Jerry Palm. Don’t get me wrong, I respect those who are willing to go against the grain and ride with something they believe, but there’s also reality.

In our reality, can App State take down Clemson? Absolutely. Is it an incredibly difficult task, especially considering the Tigers are home at Death Valley in Clemson Memorial Stadium for this matchup? Are we forgetting that Clemson is one of the most difficult environments to play in? Especially during the Dabo Swinney era of college football?

This is a program that not too long ago, won 40 home games in a row. This is a program that has was 59-2 heading into last season at home since 2014 when the College Football Playoff first started. So what you’re telling me, is that this Clemson football team, led by a future hall-of-fame head coach, is going to lose to Appalachian State because they struggled with the No. 1 ranked team in the country in Georgia? I’m not buying it.

Again, I respect taking the shot, but this isn’t the time. Maybe this was the fun pick for the two, but the Clemson disrespect here is a bit outlandish.

Appalachian State has Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s ‘full attention’ heading into Saturday

Swinney discusses Clemson’s upcoming matchup with App State.

Clemson aims to bounce back after a tough 34-3 loss to Georgia last week, and head coach Dabo Swinney is focusing on the upcoming game against Appalachian State.

“This week is the most important game. Nothing else matters,” Swinney said, emphasizing the need to move forward.

The Tigers struggled mightily against Georgia, with their offense managing just 188 total yards and the defense allowing four touchdowns early in the second half. Harping on the past won’t do anything for a team however, with Swinney focused on the Tigers taking the next step.

“I’m focused on App State and nothing else,” Swinney stated, brushing aside any talk of extra pressure following the loss.

Appalachian State (1-0) comes into this matchup after a 38-10 win over East Tennessee State, with quarterback Joey Aguilar throwing for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Aguilar is one of the top non-Power Four quarterbacks in the country.

“They’re a solid team,” Swinney said, noting App State’s history of big upsets.

When it comes down to it, this is a must-win for the Tigers. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but a win is essential for this program to remain among the top tier and remain in the College Football Playoff hunt.

Yes, I said CFP hunt; Clemson is very much still in the picture. Swinney and the Tigers have the talent but need to recover in Week 2 before it’s too late.

Cade Klubnik previews App State, stresses not overlooking Clemson’s next opponent

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik knows the Tigers’ next opponent isn’t one the team can afford to overlook.

After falling 34-3 to No. 1 Georgia in its season opener in Atlanta, No. 22 Clemson won’t have much of a soft landing spot in Week 2 when Appalachian State visits Death Valley Saturday night.

The Mountaineers (1-0) are one of the better Group of Five programs in college football, having been to two Sun Belt Conference Championship Games in the past three seasons and winning four straight conference championships from 2016-19.

Since 2019, Appalachian State has beaten three Power Four teams: Texas A&M (2022), North Carolina and South Carolina (both in 2019). A season ago, they took the Tar Heels to double overtime before falling, 40-34.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik knows the Tigers’ opponent isn’t one the team can afford to take lightly.

“I think Coach Swinney said they’ve beaten a ranked team the last three years in a row,” Klubnik said Wednesday. “To have a team come in like that, you can’t ever overlook a team like that.”

Clemson is listed as a 17-point favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook, but Klubnik said he expects the Mountaineers to give the Tigers their best shot for all four quarters.

“They’re a very well-coached, very well-disciplined team,” said Klubnik. “They’re not the biggest guys in the world but they’re very physical and they’re very active up front, playing that 3-down front. They’re going to play the whole game with everything they have and we know that. They’re going to come in here with everything they have and they’re going to give everything they’ve got.”

Appalachian State won its season opener, 38-10, over East Tennessee State, an FCS team from the Southern Conference. Since joining the FBS ranks in 2014, the Mountaineers haven’t finished with a losing record once and have posted eight seasons of 9 wins or more.

CBS Sports has Appalachian State at No. 43 in its ranking of all 134 FBS teams after Week 1. The Mountaineers received three votes for Top 25 consideration in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

“They are just guys that are going to fight their butt off the whole game. They’re not scared of anyone,” Klubnik acknowledged. “That’s a team where you’ve got to go give it your all because you don’t want to end up like one of those teams the last three years. You’ve got to go give it your all and just keep fighting until the very, very last play because you know they’re going to be.

“They’ve got some great players on the other side and some great players on offense. Their offense is explosive and they’ve got a great quarterback (Joey Aguilar).”

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Clemson Memorial Stadium. The game can be seen on ACC Network.

Here’s everything else Klubnik said Wednesday.

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TV broadcast crew announced for Clemson vs. Appalachian State

Wes Durham (play by play) and Tom Luginbill (analyst) will have the call for Clemson vs. Appalachian State Saturday night on ACC Network.

ACC Network’s No. 1 broadcast crew will be on the call Saturday night in Death Valley when No. 22 Clemson opens up the home portion of its schedule against Appalachian State.

ESPN made its Week 2 college football commentator pairings official this week. For the Tigers-Mountaineers game, ACC Network’s prime time broadcast crew of Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst) and Dana Boyle (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.

Luginbill, a longtime ESPN college football analyst, is in his first season with ACC Network’s prime time broadcast crew. Durham has been with ACC Network since its launch in 2019.

The Mountaineers defeated East Tennessee State, an FCS opponent from the Southern Conference, 38-10, in their season opener last Saturday. Clemson fell, 34-3, to No. 1 Georgia.

AROUND THE TUBE

ESPN’s No. 1 broadcast team will be in Charlotte when No. 23 NC State meets No. 12 Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Rece Davis will fill in for Chris Fowler, who’s away on ESPN’s coverage of the US Open, and team with Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe for NC State-Tennessee.

The network’s No. 2 team of Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath will be in Lexington for the weekly “SEC on ABC” game featuring South Carolina vs. Kentucky (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Clemson-Appalachian State is one of three games that will be shown on ACC Network Saturday. Before the Tigers and Mountaineers kick off, Georgia Tech visits Syracuse at noon ET, followed by Charlotte vs. North Carolina in Chapel Hill at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

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Everything Dabo Swinney said Tuesday at his weekly press conference

Here’s everything Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said at his weekly press conference Tuesday previewing the Tigers’ upcoming game against Appalachian State, more of his thoughts on the loss to Georgia, and more.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had plenty of things to say at his weekly press conference ahead of the Tigers’ upcoming home opener Saturday.

Swinney provided an injury update on his team — most notably that the Tigers had no major concerns after Week 1. That includes left guard Marcus Tate, who left Saturday’s game against top-ranked Georgia with an injury but is believed to be OK after getting “rolled up.”

“(W)e went into it very healthy and we’re coming out of it healthy,” Swinney said. “We’re in a good spot as a team, so I’m excited about that aspect of it.”

Swinney spoke of cleaning up some of the fundamental mistakes from his team’s 34-3 loss to Georgia but offered that the opponent was a big factor in some of the mistakes made.

“I think part of it is you’re playing Georgia. Playing Georgia! Pretty good!” Swinney said with emphasis. “Things get magnified, but that was elite talent on both sides. Elite talent. Not good talent, elite talent.

“When you have talent-on-talent, especially in an opener, things can get exposed and I think that’s why I was excited about that game. Because some things you can’t teach. Some things you have to experience, and our team will really grow from that experience.”

Clemson, which fell eight spots to No. 22 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll, will have to grow in a hurry. The Tigers face Appalachian State in the their home opener Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET in Death Valley. The game can be seen on ACC Network.

Appalachian State posted 9 wins a season ago, two years after a 10-win season in 2021, and have become one of the better Group of Five schools in college football under fifth-year coach Shawn Clark.

“They’re a good football team,” Swinney said of Appalachian State. “Defensively, they’re active up front. They move everywhere. They’re not as big as the guys we just played so they’re going to be all over the place and that presents a different challenge. You’ve got to catch a lot of movement, which will be great for us because we’ll see some other teams along the way that really do a lot of what they do.”

Added Swinney: “We’re excited to have a new week and to get back at it this week, and we’re super excited to be playing right here at home. A night game in The Valley is special and we truly get seven of these days a year and this is one of them. We work all year to have these opportunities. We had a great start to the week (Monday) with our guys and it’s eyes forward on a really tough App State team.”

Here’s everything Swinney said at his weekly press conference.

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ACC Network tabs this veteran ESPN commentator for top 2024 college football broadcasts

ACC Network will have a new broadcast team for its weekly primetime kickoff game.

As the dog days of summer drag on, more news is (slowly) being released about broadcast teams and commentator pairings ahead of the 2024 college football season.

For Clemson and other ACC schools, that includes a significant change in the top ACC Network broadcast booth this fall. ESPN announced last week that a familiar face would be shifting over from the mothership to call the ACC Network’s premier primetime matchup every week: Tom Luginbill.

In addition to his featured work on ESPN.com, Luginbill has been in an ESPN/ABC broadcast booth for several years and worked last season with the duo of Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek. At ACC Network, he’ll replace former analyst Tim Hasselbeck, who accepted a high school coaching job in Nashville.

Wes Durham will remain the play-by-play voice of ACC Network’s top broadcast team while a new face debuts on the sidelines in former Virginia lacrosse player Dana Boyle. Boyle joined ESPN/ACC Network in 2020 and has been a reporter across various ESPN platforms. She will replace Taylor Tannebaum as sideline reporter.

With Clemson facing Appalachian State in Week 2 in primetime on ACC Network, it’s a safe bet that Durham, Luginbill and Boyle will be the broadcast team for the Tigers’ Sept. 7 home opener (8 p.m. ET).

In other broadcast news, The CW announced last week that veteran play-by-play voice Thom Brennaman would be that network’s new voice of ACC football in 2024. Brennaman will team with Max Browne in the booth with Treavor Scales working the sidelines.

More news about broadcast teams and commentator pairings will be finalized over the coming weeks.

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ACC early season football game times and networks announced

The ACC announced kickoff times and the full television schedule for the first three weeks of the 2024 season Thursday, including Clemson’s September 7 home opener against Appalachian State.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Thursday, the ACC and its television partners formally announced kickoff times for the first three weeks of the 2024 football season.

As previously announced, Clemson’s season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Aug. 31 is slated for a noon ET kickoff. That Aflac Kickoff Game contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be broadcast on ABC.

The ACC announced Thursday that Clemson will play its home opener in prime time on Saturday, Sept. 7, as the Tigers will welcome the Appalachian State Mountaineers for an 8 p.m. kickoff on ACC Network. Clemson will then have one of two scheduled open dates on Saturday, Sept. 14, before returning to action against NC State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff time for that contest remains TBA.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Per the ACC’s full press release Thursday:

The ACC and its television partners announced the kickoff times and networks for the majority of ACC football games during the first three weeks of the 2024 football season. The announcement also includes the times and networks for the league’s Thursday and Friday night matchups throughout the 2024 campaign. ACC teams will play 22 games on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2 from the games covered by this announcement.

“The 2024 ACC football season will make history with the addition of three new schools – Cal, SMU, and Stanford. Excitement is at an all-time high due to having the collection of the best quarterbacks in the country, our new conference schedule and the most challenging non-conference schedule in the nation,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “We eagerly anticipate our teams being prominently featured on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, furthering our partnership with Disney/ESPN following the ACC’s record-breaking viewership in the CFP era last year. We greatly appreciate our partners at Disney, ESPN, and ACC Network and look forward to what’s ahead.”

Of the games announced to date, ABC will broadcast four games out of the 22 ACC national broadcasts scheduled, including three contests in the first two weeks of the season and “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” between Georgia Tech and Georgia on Friday, Nov. 29, a primetime selection for “Black Friday.” On Aug. 31, ABC will air an ACC doubleheader featuring the Clemson Tigers versus the Georgia Bulldogs in the Aflac Kickoff Game at noon ET, followed by a Miami versus Florida in-state matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET. On September 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC’s “Saturday Night Football” will feature the NC State Wolfpack versus the Tennessee Volunteers in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Week Zero will showcase three ACC teams in two games, highlighted by a Florida State versus Georgia Tech conference matchup in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 24 at noon ET on ESPN. Additionally, SMU will make its debut as an ACC member at Nevada on Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.

ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will broadcast live from Dublin, Ireland, for the Week Zero ACC matchup between Florida State and Georgia Tech to kick off the 2024 season. This marks the first time that the show will broadcast from outside the United States.

The ACC will be featured throughout the Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 29 through Sept. 2, with 16 games over five days.

The Labor Day weekend opens on Thursday, Aug. 29, as NC State hosts Western Carolina at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network and Wake Forest welcomes North Carolina A&T at 7 p.m. ET on ACCNX. On the same day, North Carolina will play at Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

On the first Friday night of the 2024 season, Duke will start the Manny Diaz era with a home game against Elon at 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network, while new ACC member Stanford will face TCU in a home game at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The first Saturday slate of the 2024 season features 10 games, highlighted by California’s first contest as an ACC member and Syracuse head coach Fran Brown’s first game leading the Orange. The Saturday schedule includes the aforementioned Clemson versus Georgia (noon ET, ABC), Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt (noon ET, ESPN), Kent State at Pitt (noon ET, ESPNU), Austin Peay at Louisville (noon ET, ACCN), Miami at Florida (3:30 p.m., ABC), Ohio at Syracuse (3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN), UC Davis at California (5 p.m. ET, ACCNX), Richmond at Virginia (6 p.m. ET, ACCNX), Georgia State at Georgia Tech (8 p.m. ET, ACCN) and Houston Christian at SMU (8 p.m. ET, ACCNX).

The opening weekend concludes on Labor Day (Sept. 2), with Boston College and new head coach Bill O’Brien taking on 2023 ACC Coach of the Year Mike Norvell and his Florida State Seminoles at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Week Two features six nationally televised broadcasts starting on Friday, Sept. 6, as SMU hosts BYU at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and Duke travels to Northwestern for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on FS1. On Saturday, Sept. 7, Pitt will travel to Cincinnati at noon ET on ESPN or ESPN2, California will take on Auburn at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Wake Forest will host Virginia at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and NC State will play Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

ACC Network will showcase a triple-header on Sept. 7, beginning at noon ET with a conference matchup between Georgia Tech and Syracuse and continuing with Charlotte at North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET and Appalachian State at Clemson at 8 p.m. ET, while Marshall and Virginia Tech will kick off from Blacksburg, Virginia, at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW.

The other four contests on Sept. 7 include Duquesne at Boston College (3:30 p.m. ET, ACCNX), Jacksonville State at Louisville (3:30 p.m. ET, ACCNX), Florida A&M at Miami (6 p.m. ET, ACCNX) and Cal Poly at Stanford (7 p.m. ET, ACCNX).

Week Three consists of 12 matchups on Saturday, Sept. 14, including three national broadcasts on the ESPN family of networks, with Memphis at Florida State at noon ET on ESPN, West Virginia at Pitt at 3:30 p.m. ET on either ESPN or ESPN2 and San Diego State at California at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

ACC Network will also feature three ACC home contests on Sept. 14, as NC State will host Louisiana Tech at noon ET, Miami will welcome Ball State at 3:30 p.m. ET, and Virginia will take on Maryland at 8 p.m. ET. Wake Forest will host Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m. ET on The CW.

Boston College will hit the road to take on Missouri on Sept. 14 at 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network, while Georgia Tech will host VMI at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACCNX. Virginia Tech at Old Dominion (ESPN+), UConn at Duke (ACCNX) and North Carolina Central versus North Carolina (ACCNX) will all kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 14.

The ACC and ESPN also announced information for 11 additional games, including a combined nine Thursday and Friday games and two Saturday non-conference games later in the season. Listed in the schedule below are the games that have been selected for television as of May 30.

The ACC’s non-conference schedule continues to be the most challenging in the country. In addition to 27 games against Power 4 opponents, including Notre Dame, the ACC will play nine non-conference games against teams ranked in the final 2023 Associated Press Top 25 Poll and 10 non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2024 Way-Too-Early Top 25, all the most of any conference.

Eleven schools – Boston College, California, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Virginia and Virginia Tech – are scheduled to play two Power 4 conference opponents (including Notre Dame) this season.

All 17 ACC teams are scheduled to play at least six games versus bowl teams from last season, highlighted by Georgia Tech slated to play 11 games against a team that played in a bowl game last season.

Game Times and TV Designations announced on May 30

Saturday, August 24

Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (Dublin, Ireland) – Noon ET / ESPN (previously announced)

SMU at Nevada – 8 p.m. ET / CBS Sports Network

Thursday, August 29

Western Carolina at NC State – 7 p.m. ET / ACC Network

North Carolina A&T at Wake Forest – 7 p.m. ET / ACCNX

North Carolina at Minnesota – 8 p.m. ET / FOX

Friday, August 30

Elon at Duke – 7:30 p.m. ET / ACC Network

TCU at Stanford – 10:30 p.m. ET / ESPN (previously announced)

Saturday, August 31

Clemson vs. Georgia (Aflac Kickoff Game) – Noon ET / ABC (previously announced)

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt – Noon ET / ESPN

Kent State at Pitt – Noon ET / ESPNU

Austin Peay at Louisville – Noon ET / ACC Network

Miami at Florida – 3:30 p.m. ET / ABC (previously announced)

Ohio at Syracuse – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACC Network

UC Davis at California – 5 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Richmond at Virginia – 6 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Georgia State at Georgia Tech – 8 p.m. ET / ACC Network

Houston Christian at SMU – 8 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Monday, September 2

Boston College at Florida State – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN (previously announced)

Friday, September 6

BYU at SMU – 7 p.m. ET / ESPN2

Duke at Northwestern – 9 p.m. ET / FS1

Saturday, September 7

Pitt at Cincinnati – Noon ET / ESPN or ESPN2

Georgia Tech at Syracuse – Noon ET / ACC Network

California at Auburn – 3:30 p.m. ET / ESPN2

Charlotte at North Carolina – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACC Network

Duquesne at Boston College – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Jacksonville State at Louisville – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Marshall at Virginia Tech – 4:30 p.m. ET / The CW

Florida A&M at Miami – 6 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Virginia at Wake Forest – 7 p.m. ET / ESPN2

Cal Poly at Stanford – 7 p.m. ET / ACCNX

NC State vs. Tennessee (Duke’s Mayo Classic) – 7:30 p.m. / ABC (previously announced)

Appalachian State at Clemson – 8 p.m. ET / ACC Network

Saturday, September 14

Memphis at Florida State – Noon ET / ESPN

Louisiana Tech at NC State – Noon ET / ACC Network

Boston College at Missouri – 12:45 p.m. ET / SEC Network

West Virginia at Pitt – 3:30 p.m. ET / ESPN or ESPN2

Ball State at Miami – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACC Network

VMI at Georgia Tech – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACCNX

North Carolina Central at North Carolina – 6 p.m. ET / ACCNX

UConn at Duke – 6 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Virginia Tech at Old Dominion – 6 p.m. ET / ESPN+

Ole Miss at Wake Forest – 6:30 p.m. ET / The CW

Maryland at Virginia – 8 p.m. ET / ACC Network

San Diego State at California – 10:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Friday, September 20

Stanford at Syracuse – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Saturday, September 21

Youngstown State at Pitt – 3:30 p.m. ET / ACCNX

Friday, September 27

Virginia Tech at Miami – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Saturday, September 28

Holy Cross at Syracuse – Noon ET / ACCNX

Thursday, October 17

Boston College at Virginia Tech – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Friday, October 18

Florida State at Duke – 7 p.m. ET / ESPN2

Thursday, October 24

Syracuse at Pitt – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Friday, October 25

Louisville at Boston College – 7:30 p.m. / ESPN2

Friday, November 8

California at Wake Forest – 8 p.m. ET / ACC Network

Thursday, November 21

NC State at Georgia Tech – 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN

Friday, November 29

Georgia Tech at Georgia – 7:30 p.m. ET / ABC

ACC Notes

The ACC is the Conference of Quarterbacks, with the return of full-time starters Thomas Castellanos at Boston College, Cade Klubnik at Clemson, Haynes King at Georgia Tech, Preston Stone at SMU, and Kyron Drones at Virginia Tech, and transfers Maalik Murphy at Duke, DJ Uiagalelei at Florida State, Tyler Shough at Louisville, Cam Ward at Miami, Grayson McCall at NC State, and Kyle McCord at Syracuse among others.
The ACC’s non-conference schedule continues to be the most challenging in the country.
- 27 games against Power 4 opponents, including Notre Dame, the most of any conference.
- Nine non-conference games against teams ranked in the final 2023 Associated Press Top 25 Poll, the most of any conference.
- 10 non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2024 Way-Too-Early Top 25, the most of any conference.
In ESPN’s updated 2024 Way Too Early College Football Top 25 rankings, the ACC has five teams ranked.
Last season, four ACC teams finished in the top 25 of both the Associated Press (AP) and AFCA Coaches Polls.
- In the AP poll, Florida State finished tied for No. 6, while Louisville was No. 19, Clemson was No. 20, and NC State was ranked No. 21.
- In the AFCA Coaches poll, Florida State was No. 6, Louisville was No. 18, and Clemson and NC State were No. 20 and No. 21, respectively.
Four teams were ranked in last year’s final College Football Playoff (CFP) Top 25 rankings.
- The four ACC teams were tied for the second-most among all FBS conferences.
- Florida State (No. 5), Louisville (No. 15), NC State (No. 18), and Clemson (No. 22).
Over two-thirds of the ACC was bowl-eligible last year, as 11 of the 14 conference teams made a bowl game.
- The 11 ACC bowl-eligible teams were the most among all Power 5 conferences.
- The 11 teams also matched a conference-high from 2018.
Not including the pandemic-affected 2020 season, the ACC has sent at least nine teams to a bowl every year since 2016. Since 2013, the ACC ranks second among all conferences with 111 postseason appearances.
Six different ACC teams started the 2023 season a year ago at 4-0, which tied the SEC in 2012 for the most teams in a Power 5 conference to start 4-0 in a single season in the AP Poll Era (since 1936).
The ACC finished with 10 teams posting a winning record, only the second time in the playoff era (11 – 2016) that the conference has achieved that feat.
ACC teams totaled a combined 43 wins over teams with a record over .500 last season, the most among all FBS conferences.
The ACC again posted a solid record in non-conference play last season, going 44-23 (.657) overall. The ACC’s 44 non-conference wins were the second-most among all FBS conferences.
In 2023, the ACC was a combined 7-5 versus the SEC, which marked the ACC’s third winning season versus the SEC and its second-most wins versus the SEC in the past 20 years (5-3 – 2014; 10-4 – 2016; 7-5 – 2023).

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