adminClemson is the media’s pre-pick to win the ACC title, however the margin is shrinking.
Clemson has received the ACC title in seven of the previous eight seasons and the Tigers topped the preseason media ballot forward of the 2023 season with Florida State on their heels.
Clemson acquired 103 of 176 first-place votes and a couple of,370 whole factors within the ballot whereas FSU acquired 67 first-place votes and a couple of,304 factors to complete second.
Clemson has made six consecutive appearances within the School Soccer Playoff between 2015 and 2020 with two nationwide championships alongside the best way. Prior to now two seasons, Clemson hasn’t performed at this stage – particularly on offense. The Tigers went 10-3 in 2021 after which 11-3 final 12 months, prompting some modifications from head coach Dabo Sweeney.
Swinney has all the time been immune to hiring outdoors of his teaching tree, however he introduced in Garrett Riley from TCU to run Clemson’s offense. Will it make a lot distinction?
Florida State, in the meantime, overcame some powerful moments early in head coach Mike Norvell’s tenure and have a success season with 10 wins in 2022. With loads of expertise getting back from final 12 months’s workforce, plus an inflow of standouts out of the switch gate, The Seminoles have acquired a number of informal hype. Will FSU be capable to step previous Clemson and win the ACC title for the primary time since 2014?
The media ballot confirmed Clemson and Florida State as the 2 greatest groups within the convention. After these two, North Carolina and NC State had been the one different first-place votes. UNC, operating again star quarterback Drake Maye, got here in third within the ballot, receiving 5 first-place votes. NC State, the fourth-place finisher, took dwelling just one award.
Miami, which posted a disappointing 5-7 document in Mario Cristobal’s first season as head coach, was fifth within the ballot forward of Duke and Pitt (tied for sixth) and Louisville. Louisville is getting into its first season beneath new head coach Jeff Brohm however might be an ACC shock because of an advantageous schedule. UL solely has three actual highway video games and does not should play Clemson, Florida State, or North Carolina.
Additional down the record are Wake Forest in ninth and Syracuse in tenth. Wake Forest has performed in a soccer sport in seven consecutive seasons and has received at the least eight video games within the final three full seasons. Nevertheless, the Damon Deacons misplaced star quarterback Sam Hartman to Notre Dame, so many within the media expect Dave Clawson’s program to take a step again.
Syracuse began the 2022 season with six straight wins however ended up shedding six of seven alongside the best way to complete 7-6.
The ballot was rounded out by Virginia Tech at No. 11, Georgia Tech at No. 12, Boston School at No. 13, and Virginia in final place.
Full outcomes from the 2023 ACC Preseason Ballot
1. Clemson (103 first place votes), 2,370
2. Florida State (67), 2304
3. North Carolina (5), 1981
4. NC State (1), 1662
5. Miami, 1553
T6. Duke 1511
T6. Pete, 1511
8. Louisville, 1344
9. Wake Forest, 1181
10. Syracuse, 826
11. Virginia Tech, 678
12. Georgia Tech, 633
13. Boston School, 561
14. Virginia, 365
