The preseason AP Top 25 poll just dropped today, and the ACC is already making some serious noise with three teams earning a spot: Miami at an intimidating #7, SMU clocking in at #19, and Louisville rounding out the group at #24. Here’s the wild part: all three of these ranked powerhouses are on Wake Forest’s schedule this season. Talk about a brutal gauntlet for the Deacs!
Miami Is Stacked and Ready to Run It Back
Let’s talk about the Hurricanes at #7. This isn’t just a good team, folks. Miami was the 2025 National Runner Up, and they are not messing around. They reload at quarterback with Duke transfer Darian Mensah, which is a massive upgrade right out of the gate. On top of that, they’re bringing back both of their running backs from last season, which means consistency and power in the backfield. But the real game-changer? They still have Malachi Toney, who is, without exaggeration, one of the most electric players in all of college football. This team is absolutely poised for another run at the National Championship. Wake Forest gets an early, high-stakes chance to play spoiler when Miami comes to town in Week 3, right in front of the home crowd. That’s gonna be a showdown!
Louisville and SMU Bring Serious Muscle to the Conference
Following that Miami clash, Wake Forest hits the road for a Week 4 matchup against #24 Louisville. Head Coach Jeff Brohm has built a consistent winner there, averaging a little over 9 wins per season in his three years at the helm. They’ve snagged former Ohio State backup Lincoln Kienholz to join an outstanding pair of running backs, Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. These guys were beasts last season, rushing for 8.8 and 7.3 yards per carry respectively. Those are insane numbers! If you’re a Wake Forest fan, though, you know Cardinal Stadium has been a nightmare. The Deacs are a dismal 1-4 on the road against Louisville since 2014, with an average margin of defeat of -14.4 points. Yikes.
Later in the season, on November 14th, Wake Forest travels to Dallas for the first time since 1972 to face #19 SMU. The Mustangs have been incredibly close in ACC play since joining the conference, losing just two regular season games by a combined 4 points, and both of those were on the road! Star quarterback Kevin Jennings is back for his fifth season, which is huge for leadership and experience. He’s joined by Cal transfer running back Kendrick Raphael, who piled up 943 yards and 13 touchdowns on 232 carries last season. Oh, and SMU also loaded up on transfers on the defensive side of the ball, so they’re not just an offensive threat. These guys should absolutely be in contention for the ACC Championship this season.
What’s Next for the ACC
Look, preseason rankings are fun, but we all know they don’t mean everything. We have no idea if these teams will still be ranked when Wake Forest actually plays them. With the ACC’s asymmetrical scheduling, it’s tough to perfectly predict who makes the ACC Championship game at the end of the season. But based on this poll, it’s a pretty safe bet that one or two of these teams will be right there in the mix. So, who’s your pick to win the ACC this season? It’s shaping up to be a wild one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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