ACC media picked Clemson and Florida State to lead the way in the conference this season.
But the Tigers, predicted to win the championship for the eighth time in nine years, and the Seminoles, tabbed second, weren’t unanimous choices for the top overall spot.
North Carolina received five first-place votes, while NC State received one in a polling of media attending last week’s ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte. The Tar Heels and Wolfpack finished third and fourth, respectively, in the overall preseason balloting.
Clemson led the way with 2,370 points, followed by Florida State 2,304, North Carolina 1,981 and NC State 1,662. Only a handful of points separated the next three spots: Miami 1,553, Duke 1,511 and Pitt 1,511.
Louisville finished eighth with 1,344 points, with Wake Forest 1,181, Syracuse 826, Virginia Tech 678, Georgia Tech 633, Boston College 561 and Virginia 365 rounding out the 14 team league.
The ACC will move away from divisional play this season for the first time. The top two teams in the overall standings will meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for the title game on Dec. 2. Clemson posted an 11-3 record a year ago, beating North Carolina for the 2022 ACC Championship.
The ACC will release its preseason all-conference player list later this week.
Read More —> The teams vying to compete with Clemson, Florida State in the ACC
ACC History
NC State and Duke have the most ACC championships among North Carolina schools, with seven apiece.
The Wolfpack won titles in 1957, 1963 (shared with UNC), 1964, 1965 (shared with Clemson), 1968, 1973 and 1979. Duke’s championships came in 1953 (shared with Maryland), 1954, 1955 (shared with Maryland), 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1989.
North Carolina last won the ACC in 1980. The Heels also earned titles in 1963 (shared with NC State), 1971, 1972, 1977.
Wake Forest has the most recent ACC championship among schools from the Old North State, taking the 2006 crown. The Deacs also ruled the ACC in 1970.
Clemson (21) and Florida State (16) have the most ACC championships among all schools. Only Louisville, Miami, Boston College and Syracuse have not won titles among current league schools. Maryland captured nine titles before leaving the ACC after the 2013 season.
2023 ACC Preseason Poll
1. Clemson (103), 2370
2. Florida State (67), 2304
3. North Carolina (5), 1981
4. NC State (1), 1662
5. Miami, 1553
T6. Duke, 1511
T6. Pitt, 1511
8. Louisville, 1344
9. Wake Forest, 1181
10. Syracuse, 826
11. Virginia Tech, 678
12. Georgia Tech, 633
13. Boston College, 561
14. Virginia, 365
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