GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Earlier this week, ESPN released its preseason FPI rankings for the 2020 college football season. To the surprise of many, the LSU Tigers aren’t even inside the top five after winning this year’s national championship in convincing fashion.
Let’s take a look at the ACC. As usual, the Clemson Tigers remain the top program in the conference. Dabo Swinney has a star-studded cast that includes a plethora of five-star recruits but also a great veteran trio in Justyn Ross, Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence.
Clemson should be highly motivated after losing to LSU in the championship game. Following the reigning ACC champions on the list is North Carolina. Mack Brown led the Tar Heels to a 7-6 record in 2019, and quarterback Sam Howell has NFL potential.
Despite yet another coaching change at Florida State, the preseason FPI has the Seminoles ranked inside the top 25. After spending the past four seasons at Memphis, head coach Mike Norvell will have the chance to show what he can do in Tallahassee.
Here’s the list of all 14 ACC teams on the list:
1. Clemson
18. North Carolina
23. Florida State
25. Virginia Tech
35. Louisville
37. Miami
43. Pittsburgh
47. Virginia
55. Georgia Tech
59. NC State
64. Duke
69. Wake Forest
72. Syracuse
78. Boston College
The preseason FPI rankings are predicting a minor drop in production for Virginia. Last season, the Cavaliers went to the ACC Championship Game in large part because of Bryce Perkins.
If these FPI rankings end up being true, Clemson and North Carolina would meet in the conference championship.
How would you rank each team in the ACC heading into the 2020 season?
