ACC Football News & Notes: A Strong Start, Big Tests Ahead

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As the weekend wraps up, the first month of the 2025 college football season will be in the books — and the Atlantic Coast Conference has plenty to be proud of. With three teams ranked in the national polls and an impressive slate of non-conference wins, the ACC has established early momentum heading into the heart of league play.

Poll Position: Miami Rising, Clemson Reeling

The AP Top 25 has Miami sitting at No. 2, the Hurricanes’ highest ranking since 2017. Florida State holds firm at No. 8, while Georgia Tech cracks the list at No. 16. The US LBM Coaches Poll tells a slightly different story, with Miami at No. 6, Florida State still at No. 8, and Georgia Tech at No. 17.

The big omission? Clemson. The Tigers’ 1-3 start has knocked them out of the polls for the first time since 2014, a sign of how quickly fortunes can shift in this league.

A Heavy Dose of Conference Play

This week, six of the seven games feature league matchups, with only Stanford vs. San Jose State standing as the lone non-conference contest. Here’s a closer look at the key games on the ACC slate:

Florida State at Virginia (Friday Night)

Records: FSU 3-0 (0-0), UVA 2-1 (1-0)
Series: Seminoles lead 14–4 (last meeting 2019, UVA win)
Storyline: Florida State has been dominant, outscoring opponents 174–30 through three games. Their +144 point differential is the second-best start by any ACC team this century. The Seminoles lead the nation in scoring (50.0 ppg) and total offense (628.7 ypg). Virginia, meanwhile, has quietly built a potent ground game, rushing for 200+ yards in three straight weeks.

Louisville at Pittsburgh

Records: Louisville 3-0 (0-0), Pitt 2-1 (0-0)
Series: Cardinals lead 11–10
Storyline: Two defenses headline this matchup. Pitt has yet to fumble this season, ranks third in the ACC against the run, and leads the nation in sacks (4.0 per game). Louisville counters with a defense that has allowed just 43 first downs (2nd in ACC) and boasts the league’s top pass defense (114.7 ypg).

Duke at Syracuse

Records: Duke 2-2 (1-0), Syracuse 3-1 (1-0)
Series Notes: Both teams enter with momentum after opening ACC wins.
Storyline: Duke has made a habit of comeback wins, led by RB Anderson Castle, who rushed for 92 yards and three scores last week. Syracuse, though, faces adversity with QB Steve Angeli lost for the season. Transfer QB Richie Collins steps in to guide an Orange passing attack that has averaged 250+ yards for 17 straight games — the longest active streak in the FBS.

Georgia Tech at Wake Forest

Records: GT 4-0 (0-0), Wake 2-1 (0-0)
Series: Jackets lead 24–8, but Wake has won the last four
Storyline: Georgia Tech is off to its best start since 2014, led by QB Haynes King, who has five rushing TDs and a streak of seven straight games with a rushing score. Wake WR Chris Barnes is a big-play threat, averaging 20.7 yards per reception and 42.8 per kick return.

California at Boston College

Records: Cal 3-1 (0-0), BC 1-2 (0-1)
Storyline: The Bears begin their first ACC season with five straight league games. Defenders Cade Uluave (34 tackles) and Luke Ferrelli (33) give Cal a tough edge. BC leads the nation in passing offense (393.7 ypg) and has scored 13 red-zone touchdowns, most in the FBS.

Virginia Tech at NC State

Records: VT 1-2 (0-0), NC State 3-1 (0-1)
Series: Hokies lead 28–20–4, but Wolfpack have won the last two
Storyline: Interim head coach Phillip Montgomery got his first win last week as the Hokies’ defense held Wofford to –1 rushing yard. NC State looks to rebound from a 45–33 loss to Duke, leaning on RB Hollywood Smothers, who has posted three straight 100-yard rushing games — the first Wolfpack back to do so since 2017.

The Month Ahead

The ACC enters October with a mix of heavyweights flexing their muscles and surprise contenders proving their worth. Miami and Florida State look like national title threats, Georgia Tech is off to a dream start, and the middle of the pack is full of dangerous teams capable of spoiling playoff hopes.

One month in, the ACC is setting itself up for a season filled with intrigue — and a race that feels wide open behind the early favorites.