The ACC landscape is shifting dramatically as we head into the 2026 season. Once a battleground dominated by Clemson and Florida State, the conference now finds itself with one powerhouse struggling to maintain its footing. Florida State is in a tailspin, finishing last season with a disappointing 5-7 record, and the future doesn't look much brighter.
Mike Norvell’s Seminoles are grappling with an identity crisis, as highlighted by FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt. "Florida State was down bad last year, and there really isn’t any light at the end of that tunnel," Klatt observed on The Joel Klatt Show. The Seminoles' heavy reliance on the transfer portal, which once fueled a perfect 13-0 season, now seems to have backfired, leaving the roster thin and vulnerable.
One glaring issue is at the center position, where FSU is expected to turn to Ashton Daniels, a player whose journey from Stanford to Auburn saw him mostly on the sidelines. "Is that the answer you want?
I don’t know," Klatt remarked, pointing out the uncertainty surrounding the team's key positions. Adding to the turmoil, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's late retirement leaves a significant void in leadership.
The numbers paint a grim picture. Since losing quarterback Jordan Travis to injury, the Seminoles have been 7-17 overall and 3-13 in ACC play. Their road performance is particularly troubling, with nine consecutive losses away from Doak Campbell Stadium.
As Florida State falters, teams like Virginia Tech are seizing the opportunity to rise. Under Brent Pry, the Hokies are gaining momentum, bolstered by the addition of Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. This shift marks a significant change in the ACC's power dynamics, with Clemson fans witnessing a surprising turn of events.
Clemson, historically dominant against FSU with nine wins in the last ten meetings, is now just four victories away from evening their all-time series at 21-17. The once "Big Two" era of ACC supremacy feels like a relic of the past, as FSU's road woes continue with a 0-9 streak over the last two seasons.
As Dabo Swinney embarks on a youth movement to rejuvenate Clemson, he might find that Florida State's struggles serve as a cautionary tale about over-reliance on the transfer portal. The Tigers are poised to redefine their legacy in a conference that no longer revolves around just two teams.