ACC Football Power Rankings: Virginia’s Rise, Duke’s Surprise, and a Wild 2025 Season Comes to a Close
The 2025 ACC regular season is officially in the books-and wow, what a ride it was. From unexpected turnarounds to tiebreaker chaos, this year’s race to Charlotte had just about everything. The conference delivered drama from top to bottom, and when the dust settled, it was Virginia and Duke-yes, Duke-who emerged as the last two standing in the ACC Championship race.
Let’s break down where each team stands now that the regular season is wrapped, and what their seasons tell us about where things might be headed.
1. Virginia (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 15
What a turnaround. A year removed from missing a bowl game, Virginia is now one win away from an ACC title and a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Head coach Tony Elliott went from firmly on the hot seat to authoring one of the best redemption arcs in the country. The Cavaliers found their identity early and never let go, proving resilient, efficient, and opportunistic in big moments.
It’s been a season to remember in Charlottesville.
2. Miami (10-2, 6-2 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 2
Miami opened and closed the season with authority, but a few midseason slip-ups cost them dearly. The Hurricanes looked like a CFP contender at times, but inconsistency in conference play kept them out of Charlotte.
Still, a 10-win season is nothing to scoff at, and the foundation is clearly there. The question now is whether they can build on it-or if this was their best shot.
3. Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 5
Haynes King might be the most electrifying player in the conference, and Georgia Tech’s offense was must-watch all season long. But as fun as the Yellow Jackets were on one side of the ball, their defense just couldn’t keep up.
That imbalance ultimately kept them from making a serious title push. Still, this was a big step forward for the program.
4. SMU (8-4, 6-2 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 3
SMU came heartbreakingly close to running it back after last year’s ACC runner-up finish and College Football Playoff appearance. But a gut-wrenching loss in the regular season finale kept them out of the title game picture. Even so, the Mustangs showed they belong in the upper tier of the conference.
5. Pitt (8-4, 6-2 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 6
The Panthers stumbled late, losing two of their final three, but the switch to quarterback Mason Heintschel changed the trajectory of their season. Once he took over, Pitt looked more dynamic and balanced. They didn’t quite make the leap this year, but there’s a lot to like heading into 2026.
6. Duke (7-5, 6-2 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 8
Duke’s path to the ACC Championship Game was anything but conventional. They were inconsistent all year, especially in non-conference play, but when it mattered most, they found ways to win.
Thanks to the ACC’s tiebreaker system, the Blue Devils are heading to Charlotte despite a 1-3 non-conference record. Strange?
Absolutely. But credit where it’s due-they earned it in conference play.
7. Clemson (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 1
This wasn’t the Clemson we’re used to seeing. The Tigers looked lifeless through much of the first two months, but they managed to rally in November and salvage a .500 conference record. It’s not the standard Dabo Swinney built, but at least there’s some momentum heading into bowl season.
8. Louisville (8-4, 4-4 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 4
There was a point where Louisville looked like a legitimate contender for the ACC title and even a CFP spot. But after walking the tightrope all season, their offense finally ran out of steam. The Cardinals were competitive, but inconsistency on that side of the ball proved too much to overcome.
9. Wake Forest (8-4, 4-4 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 16
Jake Dickert deserves a ton of credit. In his first season at the helm, he matched Wake Forest’s win total from the previous two years combined. The Demon Deacons didn’t quite break through in the ACC standings, but the turnaround was real-and the future in Winston-Salem looks bright.
10. NC State (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 10
This was an NC State team that flipped the script. Known for defense under Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack leaned more on their offense this year-and it worked, at least at times.
But defensive lapses and week-to-week inconsistency kept them from climbing higher. Doeren’s likely back next year, but he’ll need to tighten things up.
11. Cal (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 14
Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele gave Cal fans something to cheer about, showing real promise on offense. But defensive struggles, including a rivalry game meltdown, ultimately led to a coaching change. Justin Wilcox is out, and now the Bears are looking for a new direction.
12. Stanford (4-8, 3-5 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 17
Stanford didn’t win much, but they showed more fight than expected. Playing under an interim head coach and with a depleted roster, the Cardinal still managed to stay competitive in several games. With Andrew Luck now in the front office, there’s cautious optimism in Palo Alto.
13. Florida State (5-7, 2-6 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 7
The Seminoles came out of the gate hot, even pulling off a massive upset over Alabama. But after a 3-0 start, they won just two of their final nine games.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a program that expected a rebound. Mike Norvell’s seat is definitely heating up.
14. Virginia Tech (3-9, 2-6 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 9
Brent Pry was out just three games into the season, but Virginia Tech made a splash by bringing in James Franklin. That move alone has Hokies fans buzzing. The rebuild is real, but with Franklin in charge, it might not take long for Tech to be a factor again.
15. North Carolina (4-8, 2-6 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 11
The Bill Belichick experiment in Chapel Hill got off to a rocky start. The Tar Heels were plagued by close losses and overall dysfunction, and while there were flashes of competitiveness, the team looked out of sync most of the year. Belichick has the résumé, but at 73, can he turn this thing around?
16. Boston College (2-10, 1-7 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 12
Boston College bookended the season with wins, but in between was a brutal 10-game losing streak. That stretch casts serious doubt on Bill O’Brien’s long-term future with the program. There’s talent in spots, but this team needs a reset.
17. Syracuse (3-9, 1-7 ACC)
Preseason Rank: No. 13
Everyone expected a bit of a rebuild for Fran Brown in Year 1, but the Orange struggled far more than anticipated. An eight-game losing streak to close the season tells the story. There’s work to be done in Syracuse, and it starts with finding stability on both sides of the ball.
Final Thoughts
The ACC in 2025 was unpredictable, chaotic, and wildly entertaining. Virginia’s rise and Duke’s improbable run to Charlotte were the headlines, but nearly every team had a story-whether it was a coaching change, a breakout star, or a season that just didn’t go as planned. As the conference championship looms, one thing’s for sure: the ACC is as competitive and unpredictable as it’s ever been.