Miami crowned unanimous ACC favourite as CBS Sports experts map 2026 power rankings
The Hurricanes are projected to secure their first conference title, while SMU, Louisville and Clemson are identified as the primary challengers in a shifting landscape.
CBS Sports college football experts have unanimously selected the Miami Hurricanes as the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champions, marking a significant shift in the conference’s historical hierarchy. The projection positions Miami as the overwhelming favourite, a role previously dominated by Florida State and Clemson. This assessment follows a breakthrough season for the Hurricanes, which included a run to the national championship game and sustained top-10 rankings across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
The analysis highlights Miami’s financial and athletic dominance, noting that the program possesses the most expensive roster in the conference. The experts specifically cite the quarterback-receiver duo of Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney as the best in the league. Despite losing key personnel from their title game runner-up squad, particularly along the lines, the Hurricanes are viewed as possessing too much talent to be dethroned in the regular season.
While Miami is expected to lead, the report identifies SMU, Louisville and Clemson as the significant contenders who will test the conference’s depth. The projections for College Football Playoff (CFP) representation vary, with some experts predicting only Miami will make the field, while others suggest SMU and Louisville could secure additional berths. The consensus, however, remains that the Hurricanes are the only team guaranteed to compete at the highest level of the national picture.
The landscape for other traditional powers has shifted markedly. Clemson, described as a "powerhouse of the past" in the modern era of the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), has recorded a 26-14 win-loss record over the last three seasons. This performance suggests the Tigers have lost their place among the elite, with an 8-4 season now considered more likely than the double-digit win totals of previous decades.
Roster volatility has also impacted other programs. Duke faces a significant challenge after losing its starting quarterback to Miami in the transfer portal, forcing the Blue Devils to sign Walker Eget from San Jose State. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech is expected to hit the ground running under new coach James Franklin, aided by roster familiarity from numerous Penn State transfers.
The 2026 season is set to begin with eight FBS games, headlined by a rematch between North Carolina and TCU. As the conference navigates these changes, the Miami Hurricanes are poised to finally claim the conference title that has eluded them since joining the ACC in 2004.
