When the ACC released its annual football schedule, several games raised the interest of media and fan bases alike. Which games could ultimately decide the conference championship?
Ten Best Games of the 2026 ACC Football Slate
This season, the conference decided to split its newly implemented schedule. Half of the league will play nine conference games, while the others will play eight. With Duke winning the conference championship and Miami receiving the College Football Playoff. As a result, the conference could be grabbing attention to see if it can grab more than one invite.
10) Stanford at California, Nov. 21
Somehow, the oldest rivalry in the West is now an Atlantic Coast Conference game. Since 1892, these two rivals have played in “The Game.” Now, neither team will probably factor into the conference battles. Each team enters with a new coach with similarities.
Both Stanford’s Tavita Pritchard and Cal’s Tosh Lupoi played for the schools that just hired them. Moreover, this game provides a litmus test of where each program stands late in the season.
9) Wake Forest at Georgia Tech, Nov. 21
Last season, the Demon Deacons, under first-year head coach Jake Dickert, won nine games for the first time since 2021. With the success, Wake attacked the portal, landing a starting quarterback in Gio Lopez. Lopez, who battled injury and inconsistency at North Carolina, gets to play for an offensive coordinator, Rob Ezell, who wants to maximize the offense.
8) Virginia Tech at Miami, Nov. 20
James Franklin gets a marquee matchup against the team that most figures think will win the conference. Meanwhile, the close defeat in the title game will have the Hurricanes looking to make examples of every team they play. By late November, you will be able to accurately judge how far Franklin’s team has progressed.
7) Clemson at Florida State, Oct. 31
Last season, the Tigers held the No. 33 defense in the PFSN CFB Defense Impact Rankings. That looks to change this fall. Clemson loses arguably their three best defenders in defensive linemen Peter Woods and TJ Parker, along with cornerback Avieon Terrell, to the NFL Draft. Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels gives a different dynamic than Thomas Castellanos. While he can run, the senior can throw the ball down the field.
6) Miami at Clemson, Oct. 31
Miami travels to Death Valley, looking to solidify its grasp on the conference. For the last decade or so, Clemson held the conference in their grasp. Facing Dabo Swinney on his home turf promises to be a defining game in the Hurricanes’ season.
5) SMU at Syracuse, Oct. 30
On paper, the Mustangs walk into upstate New York and easily handle the Orange. However. The JMA Wireless Dome is unlike any place in the ACC. The turf makes each side of the ball play faster. Additionally, the lights lack the sky due to the roof. This could serve as the backdrop and eyeline for quarterback Kevin Jennings.
5) SMU at Florida State, Sept. 7
A year ago, the Seminoles upset Alabama 31-17. Yet they did not parlay the win into a successful season. SMU has designs on a smoother start to conference play. Linebacker Brandon Booker is the best defender the Mustangs have. Under those circumstances, he needs to get active in a hurry.
4) Pittsburgh at North Carolina, Oct. 10
The Tar Heels raked him over the coals a year ago. must start to stack wins. Head coach Bill Belichick has never had four consecutive losing seasons. If you factor in his last two with the New England Patriots and his first in Chapel Hill, the wrong type of four-peat could settle in. Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. commands an offensive scheme under new coordinator Bobby Petrino.
3) Louisville at NC State, Oct. 3
After sitting on the bench for three seasons, Kienholz heads to Louisville to face an offense that looks to continue the Cards’ recent run of successful ball movement. Last season, they held down the No. 13 spot of the PFSN CFB Offense Impact Rankings. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack continues to search not only for answers but also for an identity. NCSU hasn’t won at least ten games since 2002.
2) Virginia at Florida State, Oct. 3
UVA’s signature win occurred at the expense of FSU. A two-overtime thriller unspooled any remaining buzz from the Alabama upset, sending Mike Norvell’s team into a four-game spiral from which they never recovered. In contrast, after years of suffering and tragedy, UVA found itself one game from the College Football Playoff. Now, the two teams collide, with consequences awaiting the team that falls.
1) Duke at Miami, Nov. 14
This game means a great deal on several levels. First, after his contentious exit from the Blue Devils, Darian Mensah hosts his former team. All eyes will be on how Duke plays. The defending ACC champions will more than likely call on San Jose State transfer quarterback Walker Eget to take over for Mensah.
Eget is a dropback passer who wants to space the ball. Miami will not have Reuben Bain screaming off the edge, but it will have enough team speed to make up for his absence.
