There are 13 more weekdays until NC State kicks off against Tennessee in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 31. We’re counting down with 25 reasons to be excited about ACC football this year. This list features coaches, players, games, themes, position groups -- 25 things for you to look forward to.
The countdown to kickoff continues with …
No. 13: Florida State vs. Clemson: If there’s one game in the Atlantic Division you don’t want to miss, this is it. Florida State was picked by the media to finish first in the division this year, and the defending ACC champs were second. This Sept. 22 game in Tallahassee could determine the winner, but it will also reveal which program is a step closer to representing the league as a national title contender. Florida State has been dubbed the league’s best hope, but Clemson has also lured in back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes and has played for the ACC title twice since Dabo Swinney was hired. If the talent in those recruiting classes pans out and is developed, both programs should have a legitimate shot to win it all. The only problem is that they’re in each other’s way.
No. 14: North Carolina vs. NC State
No. 15: Unofficial state championships
No. 16: Talented true freshmen
No. 17: Unpredictability
No. 18: ACC vs. Notre Dame
No. 19: Clemson's offensive playmakers
No. 20: The ACC's record chasers
No. 21: Larry Fedora
No. 22: One of the nation's top rushing offenses
No. 23: The last season before expansion
No. 24: Brent Venables
No. 25: A fresh start at Maryland
