College Football: 2020 ACC Power Rankings
Written by Will Woolever
Twitter: @willywooly1
While the Clemson Tigers have cemented themselves as one of college football’s premiere programs in recent years, that doesn’t mean Dabo Swinney’s team won’t face competition for the ACC crown in 2020. After Virginia beat in-state rival Virginia Tech for the right to play in the conference championship game in 2019, both the Coastal Division and the conference at large look poised to challenge Clemson in 2020 on the heels of several programs making improvements to their teams. Between Pitt’s strong play at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, UNC’s emergence under Mack Brown with Sam Howell at quarterback, and Virginia Tech’s stout defense, intrigue abounds for the conference in 2020. Following a hurry-up-and wait offseason in which teams have largely been barred from taking the field during the COVID-19 pandemic, RNG shares our early power rankings for the ACC in 2020.
No. 14 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
When Geoff Collins switched Georgia Tech’s offense to a pro-style attack from the flex-bone offense it had run for a decade under Paul Johnson, there were always bound to be some growing pains. Coming off a 3-9 season and a last-place finish in their division (2-6), the 2020 Yellow Jackets enter their second year under Collins hoping to improve on their record from a year ago.
Collins and offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude’s pro-style offense will again run through redshirt sophomore James Graham, who completed 87 of 193 passes for 1,164 yards over 11 games last year. While Graham’s numbers through the air were less than stellar in 2019, another year of Collins’ recruits filling out the roster should make the dual-threat better equipped in 2020.
On defense, defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker returns for a second year after his 2018 Temple Owls unit ranked first in the nation in defensive touchdowns and third in both turnovers forced and turnovers recovered. Thacker will lean on corner Tre Swilling to frustrate opposing quarterbacks after the line failed to get much push last year. Tech should improve as a team in 2020, but tough matchups against Notre Dame, Georgia, and Clemson put a hard ceiling on the Yellow Jackets’ record.
No. 13 Syracuse Orange
After earning a 10-3 record in 2018 and an AP Top 25 ranking to start the year, the Orange’s 2019 season didn’t quite go as planned. Beset by injuries on the offensive line and an alarming number of penalties throughout the year, Dino Babers’ team never seemed to find its footing ending up with a disappointing 5-7 record (ACC 2-6). Much of the blame fell on quarterback Tommy DeVito, who flashed a big arm and downfield accuracy but at times struggled to read through progressions while under duress; the Orange’s play calling did not help much either, often remaining static rather than mixing in more screens and short timing routes. Enter new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, who will be tasked with improving the quarterback’s decision-making and rapport with pass catchers like junior Nykeim Johnson, who was lost in the shuffle last season.
On defense, first-year defensive coordinator Tony White will try out a new-look unit returning only four starters from 2019. If Gilbert and White’s units can come out strong and DeVito can build on his talented arm, look for the Orange to turn last year’s record around, but for now the Orange remain at No. 13.
No. 12 Boston College Eagles
Although the 2020 Eagles will be Jeff Hafley’s first head-coaching job, the well-travelled defensive mind has some experience to draw from. Hafley joins Boston College fresh off of co-coordinating Ohio State’s ferocious 2019 defense, and while he did not assemble OSU’s insanely talented roster, he is credited with turning a mediocre 2018 unit into one of the nation’s best. Boston College’s defense was worlds away from OSU’s last year, ranking 125th in yards surrendered among FBS teams. This unit does retain the services of senior linebacker Max Richardson, who recorded 108 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season.
On offense, new OC Frank Cignetti Jr. will have a solid offensive line led by second-team All-ACC’ers Ben Petrula and Zion Johnson, although the team will miss running back A.J. Dillon after losing him to the second round of April’s NFL Draft. At quarterback, Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec is likely the best signal-caller on campus, but is still waiting on the NCAA to approve his waiver for immediate eligibility. If Jurkovec can’t go, look for Denis Grosel to retain the job after relieving an injured Anthony Brown last year (Brown applied for a transfer after the injury). The team’s ranking suffers a bit here due to the uncertainty regarding Jurkovec’s eligibility.
No. 11 Duke Blue Devils
Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff once said, “Until you find your quarterback, the search for him consumes you.” After a 2019 season (5-7, 3-5) marked by turnovers, a 125th-ranked yards per completion rate, and the departure of dual-threat quarterback Quentin Harris, head coach David Cutcliffe will try to get his usually efficient offense back in gear with Clemson transfer Chase Brice joining eight returning starters.
Brice’s main target will likely be standout tight end Noah Gray, who earned All-ACC second team honors and was the Blue Devils’ best player on offense a year ago. In the running game Duke will miss the dual-threat ability of Quentin Harris and will hope for a rebound year from Deon Jackson, who registered 847 yards in 2018 but fell victim to the team’s oft-stagnant offense last year. As all running backs are, Jackson will be tied at the hip to his offensive line, which was decent in pass protection but sometimes failed to clear space in the running game.
On the other side of the ball, Duke’s defense wasn’t terrible but lost steam during the latter half of the season, allowing 200 or more rushing yards in four straight games. If co-defensive coordinators Ben Albert and Matt Guerrieri can shore up the Blue Devils’ run defense, defensive ends Victor Dimukeje and Chris Rumph should record some sacks after posting 8.5 and 6.5 a year ago, respectively. If Chase Brice can come out swinging in 2020, David Cutcliffe’s squad looks poised to improve.
No. 10 N.C. State Wolfpack
After two consecutive 9-4 seasons and a 4-2 record to begin the year, Dave Doeren’s team crashed to earth hard in 2019, losing their final six games falling to 4-8 (1-7). Following the team’s late-season struggles, Doeren hired five new coaches to his staff this offseason in hopes that N.C. State can rebound quickly.
On defense, the Wolfpack had trouble stopping opposing offenses changing philosophies partway through the season from a run defense-based scheme to one geared more toward stopping spread passing attacks. Part of this change had to do with the Wolfpack’s plethora of injuries in the defensive backfield (the Wolfpack was down to its fifth and sixth corners at one point last year). With a full offseason to learn the new scheme and with better injury luck, N.C. State’s defense should improve in 2020.
On offense, last year’s third-string signal caller Devin Leary will try to give the Wolfpack some consistency at the position with freshman Ben Finley, younger brother of former Wolfpack star Ryan Finely, waiting in the wings. Both quarterbacks will hope the Wolfpack can find a true No. 1 receiver and regain the program’s winning ways. At running back, the Wolfpack retains a solid runner in Zonovan Knight, who recorded 745 yards on the ground last year. After a disappointing season and the rise of rival UNC behind the arm of Sam Howell, Doeren and his team will be under pressure to perform this year.
No. 9 Florida State Seminoles
After 41 straight winning seasons, a once-mighty program is at a crossroads. Under Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher, who coached the Noles for a combined 42 years, FSU football became synonymous with consistency, posting 10-win campaigns seemingly every year and adding three national titles to the school’s trophy case. Now the program is coming off two straight losing seasons with new head coach Mike Norvell tasked with righting the ship.
Chief among Norvell and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham’s challenges will be building an offensive line, which has been a problem for FSU in recent years. Behind the line, QB James Blackman has 28 appearances under his belt but tossed four interceptions in last season’s Sun Bowl loss to Arizona State and has not officially been named the 2020 starter. Whoever starts at quarterback will have a weapon in receiver Tamorrion Terry, Jr., who can box out defenders with his 6-foot 4-inch frame and can find holes in coverage with his 4.5 speed.
On defense, new DC Adam Fuller will try to build his 4-3 scheme around a trio of All-ACC’ers in first team defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, second team safety Hamsah Nasirildeen, and third team corner Asante Samuel Jr., son of former Super Bowl Champion Asante Samuel. If Norvell can bring the same type of energy as he brought to his teams at Memphis, FSU should get back to its winning ways after some inevitable growing pains this year.
No. 8 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Over the past six years, the Demon Deacon faithful have watched Dave Clawson mold their program from an also-ran to an ACC contender culminating in an 8-5 record in 2019 and a fourth consecutive winning season. While Wake Forest enjoyed a successful season in 2019, this offseason the program fell victim to college football’s newest and most fickle mistress: the transfer quarterback. After carrying the ACC’s second-ranked passing offense and leading the Demon Deacons to 15th FBS-wide in total yards, last year’s star signal caller Jamie Newman will play his 2020 season as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs. Luckily, redshirt sophomore Sam Hartman was one of five FBS true freshman quarterbacks to start on opening day in 2018 and will have one of college football’s finest receivers to throw to in Sage Surratt.
On defense nine starters return from last year with the notable exception of corner Essang Bassey. The unit will be led by junior safety Nasir Greer and first team All-ACC defensive end Carlos Basham, who posted 11 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss last year. While the loss of Jamie Newman to UGA undoubtedly hurts, Demon Deacon fans can have faith that Dave Clawson’s coaching will again keep them competitive in a tough ACC Atlantic.
No. 7 Miami Hurricanes
In losing five games by a touchdown or less including a four-point loss to 9th-ranked Florida, Miami’s 2019 Hurricanes seemed much better than their 6-7 record suggests. While losing so many one-score games was undoubtedly frustrating for the Canes’ faithful, an important change to the coaching staff and an excellent recruiting/transfer class may have Manny Diaz’s team in position to be an ACC contender in 2020.
On offense, new OC Rhett Lashlee brings his no-huddle spread offense to the Canes after helping the SMU Mustangs average 489 yards and 41 points per game last year, both in the Top 10 nationwide. Lashlee will try to run his offense through graduate transfer quarterback D’Eriq King, a threat both through the air and on the ground. A reminder, King broke Kyler Murray’s career passing touchdowns mark for Texas 6A high school ball in 2015.
On defense the Canes added last year’s AAC Defensive Player of the Year Quincy Roche, who accounted for 13 sacks for Temple in 2019. In addition, Miami made a very intriguing hire this offseason, bringing in former Hurricane and all-time great NFL safety Ed Reed as the program’s Chief of Staff. If Reed can pass down his legendary preparation skills and football IQ, the Canes should be competitive in the Coastal Division.
No. 6 Louisville Cardinals
After a disastrous 2018 season, Louisville’s brass hired Scott Satterfield to bring a different culture to their program, and the Cardinals’ coach did just that. In his first season at the helm, Satterfield’s Cardinals improved from 2-10 to 8-5, but the team still has some work to do before it competes with college football’s heavyweights.
Louisville struggled at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball last season, including an offensive line that allowed the most tackles for a loss among the FBS ranks despite tackle Mekhi Becton being chosen 11th overall in this spring’s NFL Draft. Luckily for Cardinals faithful, the team seemed to find its quarterback in Micale Cunningham, who accounted for 22 TDs despite playing much of the season under duress. Cunningham has an excellent group of skill players at his disposal with 1,500-yard back Javian Hawkins and pass catchers Tutu Atwell, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Marshon Ford.
On defense, the Cardinals must improve up front after ranking at the bottom of the ACC and 105th nationwide, but the team does have talent at the second level. Senior linebackers Dorian Etheridge, Rodjay Burns, and CJ Burns each racked up tackles behind the undersized line while safety Russ Yeast leads a sure-tackling secondary. If Satterfield and his staff can at least tread water on the line of scrimmage, the Cardinals’ high-powered offense should keep them in the thick of the division race.
No. 5 Virginia Cavaliers
When a successful 2019 ended with the program’s first-ever trip to the ACC Championship Game, head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s team validated many people’s belief that they would be the team to beat in the Coastal Division. While expectations are high in 2020, the Cavaliers will need to retool quickly to keep the rest of the division at bay.
At quarterback, redshirt sophomore Brennan Anderson and Mississippi State transfer Keytaon Thompson battle to replace departed signal caller Bryce Perkins, who accounted for an ACC-leading 4,307 total yards including 769 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns through the air, and 11 more on the ground. The Cavaliers also must replace 1,000-yard receivers Joe Reed and Hasise Dubois, though the team has three capable receivers in Terrell Jana, Dontayvion Wicks, and Billy Kemp IV. In the running game Virginia looks to improve behind a solid offensive line, where leading rusher Wayne Taulapapa recorded just 473 yards last year, although rising sophomore Mike Hollins looked serviceable in limited looks.
The strength of the Cavaliers in 2020 will likely be their defense, where the unit overcame a plethora of injuries to finish fourth in the ACC in total defense. Junior safety Joey Blount leads the secondary after a solid 2019 campaign while talented linebacker Rob Snyder returns after missing most of last season due to injury. Up front, pass rushers Noah Taylor and Charles Snowden return after combining for 24.5 TFLs. Overall, if Anderson or Thompson can produce quickly, the Cavaliers should be back in the mix for Coastal Division champion.
No. 4 North Carolina Tar Heels
After more than 20 years away from UNC, and helping Texas win a national championship, former Head Coach Mack Brown returned to his old job for the 2019 season and immediately led the Tar Heels to a memorable year. Between its upset of South Carolina, last minute come-from-behind victory over Miami, and near David vs. Goliath unseating of Clemson (21-20), UNC faithful felt their team was even better than its 7-6 record last season, and Brown’s team will hope to build on that success to be even better in 2020.
The biggest player to that end is 2019 ACC Rookie of the Year Sam Howell, who threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions for the Tar Heels. Howell is surrounded by an excellent offense which returns 10 starters from a year ago including 1,000-yard receivers Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown and 1,000-yard backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. Newsome in particular looks to be one of the country’s best receivers this fall.
The Tar Heels defense will not enjoy such continuity though, losing several key players such as linemen Aaron Crawford and Jason Strowbridge and safety Myles Dorn. Senior linebacker Chazz Surratt leads the unit after being named ACC DPOY runner-up in his first season after switching from quarterback.
No. 3 Pitt Panthers
In Pittsburgh’s five years under Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers’ calling card has been its ability to win games in multiple ways with multiple different types of teams. Case in point: Pitt’s 2018 team, which managed to overcome a sometime stagnant offense to go 8-5 on the coattails of a stellar defense. Lucky for the Pitt faithful, DC Randy Bates will have most of the same players that led the NCAA in sacks back for another year, led by defensive ends Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones and All-ACC first team defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman. On the back end, sure-tackling All-ACC first team safety Patrick Ford will try to clean up any opponents who make it past the line after leading the team in tackles and interceptions.
On offense, the Panthers have some work to do in the running game after falling from 3,191 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2018 to 1,544 and 11 a season ago. They do have pieces to build around on the O-line with All-ACC center Jimmy Morrissey and guard Bryce Hargrove. Last year’s increased focus on the passing game helped senior QB Kenny Pickett throw for more than 3,400 yards, over 1,400 yards more than he managed in 2018. If Pickett can continue his improvement from a season ago, Pitt could be a real contender for the Coastal Division crown. We struggled whether to rank Pitt or UNC at this spot but chose Pitt due to the Blue Devils’ attrition on defense.
No. 2 Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech could be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal this year after posting an 8-5 record but losing to in-state rival Virginia for the first time in 15 years, allowing the Cavaliers to represent the Coastal Division in the conference title game. Head coach Justin Fuentes’s team should begin 2020 hungry ready to prove they are the best team in the Old Dominion, and they have a strong case to make.
At quarterback Hendon Hooker returns after accounting for 18 TDs, including five on the ground, and only two INTs a season ago. Although the Hokies lost receiver Damon Hazelton to Missouri and tight end Dalton Keene to the NFL, leading receiver Tre Turner and promising sophomore Tayvion Robinson return. The Hokies lost several pass catchers to the transfer portal, but they gained two solid running backs in former Kansas back Khalil Herbert and former Rutgers speedster Raheem Blackshear. Blackshear was a jack-of-all-trades for Rutgers both taking handoffs and catching passes, but has not yet received 2020 eligibility from the NCAA.
On defense, three All-ACC first-teamers roam the second level in linebacker Rayshard Ashby and corners Caleb Farley and Jermaine Waller. Ashby especially was a wrecking ball last season, recording 120 total tackles, five sacks, 17 TFLs, and three forced fumbles at inside linebacker. Up front, nose tackle Jarrod Hewitt anchors an athletic line that can chase after ball carriers or track down quarterbacks. While Virginia should again field a strong team and UNC could be dangerous behind the arm of Sam Howell, ultimately the ACC Coastal looks like Virginia Tech’s to lose.
No. 1 Clemson Tigers
If the ACC is a family, Clemson is the favorite child that hit the big time in the city but still comes home for four months out of the year. Between nine straight double-digit win seasons, five consecutive College Football Playoff berths, and two National Championship trophies, Dabo Swinney’s team has simply dominated college football for the past several years. Although the Tigers lost some key players this offseason, it’s a safe bet they’ll be right back at the top this time next year.
On offense, the dynamic duo of Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, among the best players in the country at their positions, are back again to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Lawrence lost star receiver Tee Higgins to the NFL and Justyn Ross to a season-ending neck injury this spring, the rising junior hasn’t thrown a pick since midway through last season and has capable pass catchers in Amari Rodgers and physical tight end Braden Galloway. Up front the offensive line retains All-ACC third-teamer Jackson Carman at left tackle, but must replace four starters from a year ago on the fly.
On defense the Tigers lost three starting defensive backs and two starting linebackers including do-everything superstar Isaiah Simmons, but DC Brent Venables is nothing if not creative, having coached the Tigers into a Top10 unit each of the last six years. Up front, defensive tackle Tyler Davis returns after earning All-ACC second team honors as a freshman last season with former Class of 2020 five-star recruits Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee on either side. At linebacker, senior James Skalski leads the position group after a breakout season in life after Isaiah Simmons. On the backend, Clemson must replace two departed All-ACC first-teamers in Tanner Muse and A.J. Terrell, but retains a second-teamer in receiver-turned-corner Derion Kendrick. Overall, Clemson should again have one of the most talented teams in the country. With the coaching of Dabo Swinney and his staff, the Tigers should again cruise to an ACC title and be right back in the College Football Playoff.
Photo credit: hokiesports.com; No. 2 Hendon Hooker