CLEMSON — For the first time since 2009, the ACC will be run by a new team.
In the last 17 seasons, either Clemson or Florida State won or played for the conference championship every year with the exception of 2021 and 2025. The league has been run by these two power programs.
Clemson has won nine ACC Championships and played in the title game 10 times. FSU has won four championships and played in the title game five times. Since 2011, the Tigers and Seminoles are a combined 13-0 in ACC Championship Games.
However, their run of dominance in the ACC has come to end. The funny thing is the team taking over has not even won an ACC Championship since they joined the conference 22 years ago.
The Miami Hurricanes are the league’s new Kingpin. Unfortunately for Clemson and FSU, Miami took over that mantle with last year’s run to the National Championship Game.
Why am I so high on Miami? How are the Hurricanes any different than Pitt and Duke? The two other programs to win an ACC Championship in the last 15 years not named Clemson or Florida State.
It is simple. Miami has staying power.
The Hurricanes are recruiting at a higher level than both Clemson and FSU. They are also hitting the transfer portal and bringing in the top players.
According to Athlon Sports’ 2026 Football Preview, Miami hauled in six of the top 10 recruits in the ACC this off-season. It also gobbled up the top 3 transfers, once again stacking its roster for this season and for the years to come.
In all likelihood, Miami will win its first ACC Championship this year. This year’s roster is loaded from top to bottom. And I know, Clemson was loaded last year, so that does not always gauge success, right?
True. However, Miami is coming of a heartbreaking loss in the national championship game. The players returning, as well as the coaching staff, know they are capable of playing for and winning a national championship.
This does a lot to the psyche of a team, including those players that are just coming or from other programs. It is easy to believe in teammates and coaches that have proven they can get on the doorstep of a major championship.
Plus, the Hurricanes have perhaps the best quarterback (Darien Mensah), offensive player (wide receiver Malachi Toney) and defensive player (defensive end Damon Wilson II) in the league.
Though Clemson has four preseason All-ACC candidates, according to Athlon, the Hurricanes have eight. Florida State has just one.
Athlon predicts Miami will finally win the ACC this season, followed by SMU, Louisville and then Clemson. They have the Seminoles finishing 11th.
The ACC has a new King, and they should officially take over the throne in December. Clemson and Florida State have some work to do in the hopes of dethroning them, but at the moment, it does not look like that is going to happen anytime soon.
