Football might not be the first sport that comes to mind when the ACC is mentioned. But while the conference is perhaps more closely identified with basketball, most league members can point to some level of gridiron success over their lengthy histories. Florida State and Clemson combined for three national ******* les in the 2010s. Miami had major success before joining the league and made the College Football Playoff championship game last season.
Some have enjoyed more than others, of course, which is where we come in with this exercise. Any effort to rank programs will be somewhat arbitrary, depending upon which factors a particular pundit chooses to emphasize. As such, this list will almost certainly spark disagreement. But fans love debates almost as much as they like watching the games themselves.
So with all that out of the way, here's our attempt to rank the football programs of the ACC from 1 through 17.
To paraphrase a mantra from another league, football just means more at Clemson among the ACC's founders. The Tigers' return to national prominence in the 2010s with two national ******* les under Dabo Swinney is just a small part of the program's rich legacy that includes 24 conference ******* les and nearly 800 wins.
FSU does not have the century-plus history of other schools in the region, having a football program that only dates to 1954. But legendary coach Bobby Bowden built the program into a household name, and the Seminoles' invitation to join the ACC in 1992 proved mutually beneficial to both institution and conference, elevating the league's profile in the sport while keeping FSU competitive in the national conversation.
Some have enjoyed more than others, of course, which is where we come in with this exercise. Any effort to rank programs will be somewhat arbitrary, depending upon which factors a particular pundit chooses to emphasize. As such, this list will almost certainly spark disagreement. But fans love debates almost as much as they like watching the games themselves.
So with all that out of the way, here's our attempt to rank the football programs of the ACC from 1 through 17.
To paraphrase a mantra from another league, football just means more at Clemson among the ACC's founders. The Tigers' return to national prominence in the 2010s with two national ******* les under Dabo Swinney is just a small part of the program's rich legacy that includes 24 conference ******* les and nearly 800 wins.
FSU does not have the century-plus history of other schools in the region, having a football program that only dates to 1954. But legendary coach Bobby Bowden built the program into a household name, and the Seminoles' invitation to join the ACC in 1992 proved mutually beneficial to both institution and conference, elevating the league's profile in the sport while keeping FSU competitive in the national conversation.
4 months ago
