ACC Coaches Reveal Confidential Insights on Conference Rivals for 2025
Securing genuine comments from college football coaches about another coach, player, or team isn’t simple. Coaches generally avoid providing ammunition for their opponents, leading to a prevalence of generic jargon or well-worn expressions throughout the season.
To obtain a precise evaluation of the teams leading up to 2025, Athlon sought out anonymous comments from ACC coaches regarding their competitors.
These scouting reports originate directly from the coaching staffs and may not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Athlon's editorial team.
This article comes from the 2025 College Football Preview issue of Athlon Sports Magazine. Place your order online now. , or purchase one from retail stores and newsstands across the country.]
ACC Coaches Speak Anonymously About Conference Rivals for 2025
Boston College
It might be a complicated second season for this team.
Prior to encountering the portal, they were quite fit, and currently, they still appear as a highly efficient rushing attack. Last year, they excelled at moving forward effectively. This must continue, particularly due to the quarterback switch.
They require Dylan Lonergan to adapt swiftly within their current framework, along with developing a stronger defensive strategy. Although they excelled at capitalizing on mistakes and generated numerous takeaways, they lack depth and standout talent across any specific section.
They resemble Syracuse in that they surpassed initial year rebuilding expectations, yet they're facing increased losses currently. It appears this might turn into a season with reduced victories as they focus on establishing a more stable long-term future.
California
This program is facing significant challenges. Last year, they excelled defensively and had strong offensive players, but they've lost their key linebackers and running backs through transfers.
They completely mismatched for the league in all aspects, and they're attempting to introduce a new offensive coaching team without any NIL deals since the supporters insist on having GM Ron Rivera take control of the program rather than letting the head coach do so. Honestly, I can’t recall witnessing such circumstances before, and we haven't even started considering their future challenges of traveling coast-to-coast for several more years.
It's total chaos, and [Justin] Wilcox should simply move to DC.
Clemson
This is the year we'll see if Dabo [Swinney] and his approach can thrive in football’s modern landscape. A couple of years back, when we reviewed the footage, it seemed as though their peak moments were history due to changes in players and the stance on NIL. Right from the start, particularly with positions such as wide receiver where they once excelled, things looked different. However, now they're improving; you're noticing an increase in talent compared to recent seasons.
“How good is Cade [Klubnik], really? His ceiling defines their limit as a program. You should see a big jump as [Garrett] Riley’s playbook expands with him.”
On the defensive side, they've gotten better with the addition of [Tom] Allen, as he understands how to coach top-tier players and create disruptions.
They're competing in the NIL arena now, but they require a significant performance from their quarterback to revert to the former Clemson team that dominates throughout the conference.
Related: Top 25 College Football Teams for 2025
Duke
North Carolina has been getting all the attention, but this will be an intriguing program to follow in the future.
They're fully committed to Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities, and investing heavily in QB Darian Mensah. Should he perform as well as he did at Tulane, they have strong chances of contending for a championship since their defense is top-notch. Nearly every player from last season will return, marking one of Manny Diaz’s finest years in coaching.
They're attracting top high school talent like never before observed as well. Alongside their Name, Image, and Likeness deals, it's a sure thing they'll manage to retain these players.
This is a program that fully commits to football like nothing we've ever witnessed before.
Florida State
There's a notable gap between the talent at this program on paper and in the rankings compared to what their competitors perceive. While they appear successful statistically, many opponents believe they're not attracting top-tier recruits, and those they do secure aren't progressing as expected.
It disintegrated more quickly than anything I've witnessed before. They jumped on the portal bandwagon very early, and the '23 squad was incredibly tough to strategize against. You had a mix of local talents from Florida high schools along with transfer players. After that period, they began struggling in those areas.
Gus Malzahn plans to start with a focus on fundamental play and emphasizing the running game. The decision to bring him aboard had much more to do with fostering team culture and bringing experienced leadership into the locker room rather than aligning with a specific tactical approach.
Georgia Tech
Brent Key has transformed this program through his own identity. It's a culture centered around offensive linemen, and they truly welcome physical play and contact.
They have depth at both quarterback and running back positions, and keeping these players could put their offense in solid condition, although they lack options on the perimeter.
They have two highly talented and promising coordinators who will undoubtedly become head coaches in the future. Buster Faulkner performed an impressive feat with Haynes King, and as the season progressed, they significantly improved their running game.
[Blake] Gideon is quite a significant addition for them. They're competent, likely strongest along the defensive line, so observing their adaptation to a new system will be crucial.
This is now Key's team, and they're tough and ruthless.
Louisville
Despite losing the quarterback-receiver duo, this team will still have an incredible offensive performance.
“Miller Moss stands to excel under [Jeff] Brohm. Acquiring him through the transfer portal was a massive coup for their team.”
Despite losing Ja'Corey Brooks, they will remain highly competitive at wide receiver thanks to the transfers they've acquired and the return of Caullin Lacy.
The biggest worry lies with the backup unit, and they also lost Ashton Gillotte from their defensive lineup. Their success going forward will depend on how well they reinforce the defense.
This squad should be regarded as a serious contender for the championship due to their potent offense when it matters most. Moss, with his extensive experience, has performed admirably across different playing styles. Expect them to accumulate many points.
Miami
Is [Carson] Beck worth all that investment? Nobody can say for sure at this point, yet that's the question we must consider.
They will hold their own defensively at the forefront, and they splurged on a costly new secondary.
They excel when playing offense along the line; that’s not something you’d be concerned about under Mario [Cristobal].
I believe the more significant issue revolves around their rationale for investing so much in specific players. This approach mirrors that of teams such as the Dodgers or Yankees, focusing heavily on acquiring star talent and transfers rather than fostering a team-oriented environment. Despite being based in Florida, where nurturing local high school prospects remains crucial, they've also prioritized leveraging Name, Image, and Likeness deals.
The new DC [Corey Hetherman] performed exceptionally well in Minnesota, and he will have access to more talented players compared to what Lance [Guidry] had.
Related: Top 25 College Football Teams for 2025
North Carolina
Frankly, nobody truly knows what to anticipate on the field as they begin this season.
“How Bill [Belichick] adjusts to the structure of the college game is gonna be crucial. It’s less time you get with the players, which means it’s less football intelligence.”
The really intriguing aspect we're keeping an eye on is how [GM Michael] Lombardi and the coaching staff handle the NIL component.
They have not held back when critiquing other programs regarding their spending habits and evaluation methods. Discussions suggest that they aim to evolve into a sophisticated, professional-grade scouting organization with improved implementation of NIL policies. Time will tell. We anticipate that this group will yield stronger recruitment outcomes for high school prospects compared to what we saw under Coach [Mack Brown]. This expectation stands unless the initial excitement fades or Coach Bill develops a negative image.
NC State
This is one of the most reliable teams in our league.
Dave [Doeren] has consistently excelled at reshaping and reconstructing the team’s lineup throughout his tenure. However, the main challenge lies in how NC State is viewed. They often experience highly successful seasons featuring standout players but frequently struggle to make that significant leap forward.
At present, their performance within the eight-win bracket can be more easily rationalized due to their deficiency in NIL. In this aspect, the gap between expectations and actual outcomes is quite significant.
Retaining the quarterback CJ Bailey was a significant move towards constructing a solid future. After the unsuccessful Grayson McCall experiment, having him proved to be quite beneficial for the team.
There's always talent on these rosters, but they're consistently one step below the premier teams in the league.
Pitt
During last season, the coaching staff faced an ideal challenge. They were eager to implement changes and hired a highly effective offensive coordinator who transformed their defensive strategy, making it appear much more contemporary compared to what we've observed under Pat Narduzzi. The team began strong but suffered numerous injuries later on, causing them to collapse dramatically towards the end of the season. This poor performance led some individuals to believe that the coach might lose his position.
If they manage to keep their offensive line and quarterback fit and healthy, they will be much nearer to matching the 7-0 record from last season.
You understand what you're up against with those defenders, so the true wildcard lies in how [OC] Kade Bell nurtures [Eli] Holstein and ensures his wellbeing. He had begun to flourish significantly before encountering injuries.
They could improve significantly this season if they stay healthier, essentially.
SMU
This initiative serves as an example of advancing within collegiate football. Initially, you commit resources, ensure your Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities are prepared, and explore the transfer market; additionally, it aids greatly if you're based in what might be considered the top state for high school recruitment.
[Quarterback] Kevin Jennings isn't getting sufficient recognition. As long as [Jennings] remains healthy, I doubt we'll see [Tyler] Van Dyke play this season.
This team has playoff-worthy offense; however, their true weakness remains their defense as they're slightly short of being fully competitive. This was particularly evident during the game against Penn State. They appeared unprepared for high-level competition primarily due to issues upfront, but they have since improved this unit through changes in player roster.
They pose a risk of returning to the championship game, and currently, it seems like they're among the elite teams in the conference for the foreseeable future.
Related: Top 25 College Football Teams for 2025
Stanford
Troy Taylor wasn't an inadequate coach, but he didn't quite suit the specific needs of such a distinctive institution. He had been performing well in terms of national recruitment efforts, and they were looking to adopt a gradual approach for team building prior to his dismissal.
“Nobody believes [Frank] Reich is the permanent solution, but it’s not out of the question. Reich is closely associated with Andrew Luck, so this remains Luck’s team now.”
They aim to recruit an exceptionally talented individual to attempt recreating the success and stability associated with Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw, yet in today’s transfer portal landscape, achieving this might be uncertain. However, this season offers them a do-over opportunity as they strive to prevent their team lineup from deteriorating.
Syracuse
The most significant cultural shift within a program in our league, without a doubt.
Fran [Brown] is emerging as a bright talent, tackling recruitment and the transfer market with strategies that his team hasn't experienced before. However, do not anticipate another season of ten wins just yet. At present, their lineup seems to have slightly diminished prowess as they shift towards maintaining a steadier method for scouting high-school prospects.
They aren’t a strong running team, and this will be particularly detrimental with an unseasoned quarterback.
The defense doesn't have many of the players who made an impact for them last season. Their secondary is quite unstable.
The positive aspect is their proactive approach to identifying talented players. Should they maintain their current level of scoring efficiency, they might make it back to a bowl game.
Virginia
These fellows are facing issues, and nearly everybody anticipates that there will be a staffing adjustment by the end of the season or sooner.
They have failed to meet the offensive standards Tony [Elliott] established during his time at Clemson. The team displays careless play on both offense and defense, and many skilled players who joined the roster ended up underachieving before moving on.
[Chandler] Morris represents significant progress as quarterback and might turn things around for the team if everything aligns perfectly. However, the issue lies in their shallow roster, particularly with only one running back remaining available. This limits the overall skill set that can support him.
This is a team you generally don’t fret over when scheduling games. They suffer from a lack of discipline and do not possess a clear identity. As equality within this league grows stronger, it will be quite challenging for this program to suddenly improve significantly.
Virginia Tech
The general opinion across the league is that things aren’t going as hoped in Blacksburg, and it’s more challenging than before. However, with the right person at the helm, success will follow. The key question is whether Brent Pry can fill this role, considering how closely aligned he is with Virginia Tech culture.
[Kyron] The performance of drones varies significantly from one match to another. When you review the footage, you notice an exceptionally high skill level coupled with notable inconsistency.
[Philip] Montgomery might aim to streamline options for Drones; we're interested in seeing if they stick with a running-focused approach or diversify their strategy.
They have quite impressive players, particularly in the skilled positions, compared to what Pry took over.
They are implementing numerous gradual enhancements.
Wake Forest
It's quite challenging to foresee what we'll witness during this initial season, as [ Jake ] Dickert is undertaking a rather significant reshuffling of the team.
“Many individuals like to draw parallels between this situation and what [Curt] Cignetti experienced when he joined Indiana, since they recruited around seven or eight players from Washington State. However, the circumstances differ somewhat for Wake Forest. Indiana invested significantly more resources upfront in Name, Image, and Likeness deals. Currently, Wake Forest doesn't have the same level of prominence. The positive aspect is that their squad isn't nearly as weak as that particular IU team was.”
They boast a few talented individuals, however, based on our understanding, every role is up for grabs with no clear front-runner.
Dickert was highly logical on paper since he thrived despite the pressures WSU experienced, and at Wake Forest, you must achieve more with fewer resources compared to the largerACC schools.
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