Composite ACC rankings from the TSL guys
46 Replies
1w
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
V
vtox1
1w
Cal
Duke
GT
NCSU
Pitt
Uva
VT
and I might even throw WF into the above group - who has easier schedule and fewer injuries will sort this very even group out.
I agree with bottom five of UNC, FSU, Syracuse, BC, and Stanford. I'd give Cuse best chance of surprising to upside based on QB, coach & culture. FSU should have best shot to surprise up, but I don't believe!
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
V
VPI4Life
1w
I think people are under estimating how good Morris was last year for UVA. He was clutch in them winning most of those close games. That being said, they probably will still have a strong season again this year even with a lesser QB. They again get a free ride on the schedule. They play 7 of the bottom 10 preseason ranked ACC teams plus Norfolk State and Delaware. Of the top teams they only play SMU. We play Miami, Clemson and SMU on the road. Doesn’t seem fair
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
1w
They will be severely disappointed in the QB play. Morris was a gamer. They played a terribly weak schedule last season and needed some miracles against some really bad teams. I don't think they repeat the success. But, as you stated, they have a really weak schedule again, so who knows... its the ACC.
(In response to this post by VPI4Life)
1w
Other than indiscriminately looking at last year’s record and having a weak schedule again this year, I don’t see much to put UVa in the top half of the ACC.
They lost a bunch of experienced contributors, signed an okay - but not overwhelming - ‘26 transfer class, likely will have limited depth and contributions from underwhelming ‘25 & ‘26 HS classes, won several very close games they probably should have lost last year, and finally got exposed as a bit counterfeit in the last competitive game they played vs a not great opponent. To even finish close to last year’s W-L record, they will need to have a whole lot of things go right for a second year in a row.
** Edited by marcbvtgm at 7/22/2026, 7:17:38 PM
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
Pribula had 11 TD and 9 Int last year
That ratio isn't a recipe for success.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1w
Saw a lot of action.
(In response to this post by VaTechHokiesACC)
1w
think he will consistently good enough when he's forced to pass for 1st downs routinely. Their record almost assuredly takes a step back even though they still have an easy schedule.
(In response to this post by VaTechHokiesACC)
1w
According to Athlon, their projected O-line combined for 164 career starts, making them the most experienced in the nation. Add to that two solid QBs from the portal (Pribula and Holstein) and two solid transfer portal RBs (Peyton Lewis from Tennessee and Jekail Middlebrook from MTSU) and they're gonna be tough. The biggest question mark for the Hoos is at receiver, where they lost basically everyone with any experience: they lost 6 of their top 7 receptions leaders from last year.
On defense, they're a mixed bag and return 5 starters but have two really good LBs in Kam Robinson and Maddox Marcellus. Their D-line doesn't scare me and same with the DBs, but Tony Elliott and crew will probably get them coached up. They also bring back both starting kicker Will Bettridge and starting punter Daniel Sparks, both seniors. They're gonna be good and should win a bunch of games with that schedule, but I'm still unconvinced they can actually beat us in Lane Stadium.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1w
We have had talented recruits and transfers but the recruits are so young and don't have college ready bodies. UVA has proven transfers and a decent returning bunch. I want success asap but others are way more optimistic.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1w
VT had a better transfer class (#27) and returns almost twice as many starters (14). As much as VT has question marks, UVa actually has more.
(In response to this post by BigDaddyHokie)
V
VT One
1w
** Edited by VT One at 7/23/2026, 8:11:29 AM
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
R
Rpratt3
1w
I married into a UVA fam, so I know too much… I think their path to wins is simple: good defense, a solid rushing attack, and opportunistic passing.
They should have at least solid play all along their D. Should be a good group, and their O-Line is legit. Now, I do think they are too excited about a few positions, given more depth but less high-end talent. Mainly QB and RB. I believe they underestimate how much Morris did for them and Pribula, while a good runner is a poor passer. Last year stats were padded during their easy non-con schedule, and in the SEC he played only 3 schools that ended the season with a winning record. Likely as easy of an SEC schedule as you can find. Holstein isn’t any better, but depth! Sure. The running back room should be fine, and you like depth at a position like that, but they are replacing a 1,000-yard rusher. Those don’t grow on trees.
They have the makeup to win plenty of games against an easy schedule. Pribula won’t be as clutch as Morris, and they lose more 50/50 games this year. According to Athlon and SP+, most of their games are in this category. Should be interesting come November! Go Hokies!
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
R
Rpratt3
1w
But they added what seems like quality guys in the portal. The Louisville guy for one. I just don’t think the O line will be a point of weakness
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
R
Rpratt3
1w
The Louisville transfer was from two years ago
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
Solid defense and the players respond well to their coaches
They impressed me last year. Don’t discount what coaching and 💰can accomplish.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1w
And again, probably 3 of their wins were not so much what they did, but rather the opponent simply shooting themselves in the foot.
** Edited by marcbvtgm at 7/23/2026, 9:29:57 AM
(In response to this post by tallahasseehokie)
1w
I'm familiar with what Miami, SMU, and Clemson had last year, will have this year, and their schedules. Can you tell me anything about Louisville? Why the 3 spot?
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1w
They lost a ton of guys, though they do bring back All-ACC RB Isaac Brown. They're bringing in a transfer QB Lincoln Keinholz who is supposed to be talented but played sparingly at Ohio State, plus a bunch of O-line transfers. On defense, their front 7 looks pretty tough but overall I don't see them as the 3rd-best team in the ACC right now. Too many question marks and they have a tough opener vs Ole Miss in Nashville, though their ACC schedule is fairly easy: they don't face Miami, Clemson, UVA, or VT, and their two hardest league games (vs Pitt and vs SMU) are both at home.
(In response to this post by Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie)
1w
Granted, I have done zero research on any of them.
Is UVA really supposed to be that good again? Are they portaling super talent? Bellicheck seems to be claiming great back-ness. Top 4 no surprise.
What the heck w/ Stanford? I pre-merger thought they'd compete on this coast.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
1w
They've hired folks from that era with Andrew Luck as their GM and Tavita Pritchard as their coach, but I just don't think they can duplicate what Harbaugh does. On a side note....really glad we didn't follow their model with a GM that runs things and has more power than the HC. At one point, we were considering that.
(In response to this post by Riverguy)
1w
success if he had not moved on to the NFL in 1979. Too much time had passed when he came back in 1992 and I am not sure the coaching fire burned as bright for Walsh.
(In response to this post by TekkNerd)
1w
(In response to this post by TekkNerd)
1w
Stanford could turn on a dime if one of those Tech dudes gets a wild hair.
(In response to this post by Ultra Hokie)
Their schedule is easy.
VT plays three of the top four teams, and all three on the road. UVA only plays one of the top four.
Strong chance VT is better than UVa, but it might not show up in the standings because our schedule (on paper) is a lot more difficult.
(In response to this post by Riverguy)
1w
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
1w
Tell you what. What you just laid out, I did not know.
And it is insightful.
I'm on my way to log up a subscription.
:o)
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
That said...
I spent only about 5-10 minutes coming up with my list, and didn't put much thought into it. I just looked at the schedules of the teams that I think will be around VT in the standings.
In the end, we'll all be wrong, because we'll likely be in some weird 3-way tie for anywhere from 4th through 7th. Preseason predictions in the age of the portal and unbalanced scheduling are pointless.
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
1w
the podcast. It will likely be that kind of year for the ACC.
** Edited by VTHokie2000 at 7/23/2026, 10:46:40 AM
(In response to this post by Chris Coleman)
1w
They should have a solid run game.
They have questions on WR and QB.
I am very active on their board for decades and follow UVA football going back to the late seventies.
** Edited by VaTechie at 7/22/2026, 5:44:30 PM
(In response to this post by Riverguy)
1w
They are the only original ACC team that does not have an outright football championship.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
1w
(In response to this post by Riverguy)
1w
Even though NCS has a fairly weak ACC schedule
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
1w
...to see it. VT certainly has the budget and tools to get it done.
(In response to this post by Durham Hokie)
1w
(In response to this post by Durham Hokie)
1w
That would put us in the top half of the league standings with a patched-together roster and represent a huge improvement over last year. 2027 is the year we should be really tough, with all the young portal guys + recruits we're bringing in.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
H
HokieNL
1w
Who cares about opt out, non Playoff Bowls?
Build from there.
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
