2026 ACC Futures: Miami a Clear Favorite After National Championship Run

The ACC enters the 2026 college football season with a clear team to beat, but plenty of uncertainty behind it. Miami has the conference’s deepest roster, while SMU and Louisville have the offensive talent to reach Charlotte. Clemson is attempting to rebound from a disappointing year, and Virginia and Pittsburgh are looking to build on impressive 2025 campaigns.

Odds courtesy of TonyBet.

Atlantic Coast Conference - Outright Winner

The Miami Hurricanes are a heavy favorite to win the conference with -137 odds at football betting sites. SMU and Louisville are also considered contenders with +726 and +776 odds, respectively.

Miami

Miami reloaded at quarterback by landing former Duke standout Darian Mensah, who produced nearly 4,000 passing yards with 34 touchdowns and only six interceptions last season. He steps into an offense featuring dynamic receiver Malachi Toney, veteran running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and another powerful offensive line constructed by Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes must replace several pass rushers, but the overall defensive talent remains among the ACC’s best. Their conference schedule is another major advantage: Miami avoids SMU, Louisville and Virginia, with Clemson representing its most difficult ACC road assignment. Anything short of an appearance in Charlotte would be a significant disappointment.

SMU

SMU has the conference’s most proven quarterback in Kevin Jennings, who threw for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes in 2025. Jennings has now guided the Mustangs to an ACC Championship Game, a College Football Playoff berth and a Holiday Bowl victory during his two seasons as the starter. Rhett Lashlee’s offense should again play quickly and create explosive opportunities for receivers such as Yamir Knight. SMU also avoids Miami and Clemson in conference play. The Mustangs may not possess Miami’s overall depth, but their experience at quarterback and favorable schedule give them an excellent opportunity to win the ACC.

Louisville

Louisville has won at least nine games in each of Jeff Brohm’s first three seasons, but declining conference records have kept the Cardinals from returning to the ACC title game. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz takes over at quarterback after limited action last season. The primary concerns are Kienholz’s lack of starting experience and a demanding schedule containing 11 Power Four opponents, including Ole Miss and an early conference showdown with SMU. Louisville has championship-level talent, but the schedule isn’t easy.

Clemson

Clemson is attempting to recover from a 7-6 season that continued the program’s slide from the national elite. The Tigers must replace Cade Klubnik, with Christopher Vizzina entering training camp ahead of athletic freshman Tait Reynolds. Vizzina has made only one career start, although he threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns against SMU in that appearance. Clemson’s defense should remain competitive behind linebacker Sammy Brown, but games against LSU, Miami, Virginia Tech, and South Carolina create a difficult path.

Virginia

Virginia produced the best season in program history in 2025, finishing 11-3, reaching the ACC Championship Game, and defeating Missouri in the Gator Bowl. Repeating that success will be difficult after losing quarterback Chandler Morris, leading rusher J’Mari Taylor, and several other key contributors. Missouri transfer Beau Pribula will enter training camp atop Virginia’s quarterback depth chart after completing 67.4% of his passes and accounting for 17 touchdowns last season. Pribula adds a legitimate rushing dimension, while linebacker Kam Robinson leads an experienced group of returning defenders.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s championship hopes revolve around Mason Heintschel, who took over midway through his true freshman season and finished with 2,354 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Heintschel went 6-3 as the starter and surpassed 300 passing yards four times, providing the Panthers with a potential long-term answer at quarterback. Pitt must replace its two leading receivers, although Cataurus Hicks and Censere Lee return, while Western Carolina transfer Malik Knight adds another target. Pat Narduzzi should field his usual aggressive defense, led by linebacker Braylan Lovelace. With seven home games and a manageable opening stretch, Pitt is capable of staying in the ACC mix.

ACC Picks

The combination of Mensah, elite skill-position talent, strength in the trenches, and a favorable conference schedule makes Miami the most complete team. The Hurricanes should reach Charlotte even with potential road challenges against Clemson and UNC. 
SMU is the strongest alternative because Jennings offers stability at the conference’s most important position. The Mustangs also avoid Miami during the regular season, creating a realistic path to the ACC Championship Game and a potential opportunity to beat the Hurricanes.

Picks: Miami (-137), SMU (+726)/TonyBet