ESPN ranks every ACC football team based on 2026 offseason

ESPN has ranked every ACC football team based on its view of each program’s 2026 offseason progress. The list highlights teams it believes made the biggest roster moves and are positioned best heading into 2026, emphasizing that transfer portal activity, roster building and staff changes often decide outcomes in the months after the season. ESPN’s Eli Lederman, Max Olson and Adam Rittenberg place Miami Hurricanes first, citing a deep College Football Playoff run that ended in the national title game and a transfer class led by former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah. The SMU Mustangs follow for returning offensive production and portal-driven defensive additions, while California is ranked third under new head coach Tosh Lupoi after a 32-player transfer haul. Louisville, Virginia Tech and Virginia round out the top six, with further details continuing beyond the excerpt.