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2026-07-29 23:28 UTC → 2026-07-30 00:52 UTC ·
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The On July 28 2026 the Atlantic Coast Conference released its 2026 preseason projections on July 28. A projections. In the media poll ranked Miami (FL) as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference championship, gathering captured 165 of 188 first‑place votes and 3,159 points. points, making the Hurricanes the overwhelming favorite for the conference title—only the second time the program has topped the poll, the first being in 2006, and it has never won an ACC championship. SMU finished second with 2,794 points and Clemson was placed fourth with 2,520 points, while SMU, Louisville and Georgia Tech completed points. The poll coincides with the top five. UNC fell ACC’s shift to 15th, a nine‑game conference schedule and Boston College was slated 16th, just ahead of Stanford. Later the same day the ACC sets up a December 5 championship game. The league also announced its 2026 preseason all‑conference football All‑ACC team. Miami dominated with nine of the 27 spots, including quarterback Darian Mensah was Mensah, named preseason player of the year, joined by wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. On defense, Other notable selections were Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown and Brown, Louisville defensive end Will Heldt were highlighted. Heldt, and Virginia Tech’s Tech defensive tackle Kemari Copeland Copeland, who earned the Hokies’ sole defensive‑line spot for the Hokies, while several slot. Virginia players—including contributed linebacker Kam Robinson and punter Daniel Sparks—also made the roster. Specialists such as Sparks, while Georgia Tech Tech’s kicker Aidan Birr completed rounded out the selections, underscoring specialists. The roster underscores the depth of talent across the conference ACC heading into the upcoming 2026 season.