Miami’s Record Vote
The latest ACC preseason poll, based on the views of 185 media members, forecasts a tough road ahead for the Blue Devils, projecting them to finish tenth among the conference’s 17 teams in the 2026 season.
Miami, meanwhile, has captured the imagination of the pollsters, earning 165 first‑place votes — the most ever given to a program that has yet to claim an ACC title, underscoring the Hurricanes’ perceived dominance.
Duke’s 2025 campaign ended with a dramatic overtime victory over Virginia that secured the program’s first conference championship since 1989, a milestone that added luster to a season that concluded with a 9‑5 record.
Despite that triumph, the poll reflects a consensus that the Blue Devils are unlikely to defend their crown, a narrative that has been building since the team’s last title in the early 1960s.
The upcoming head‑to‑head matchup is slated for November 14 in Coral Gables, Florida, where Duke will test its revamped roster against the Hurricanes in a game that could influence both teams’ postseason aspirations.
Coach Manny Diaz, who guided the squad through a transitional year that saw 17 starters depart while retaining ten key players, will be looking to blend fresh talent with the experience that helped capture the 2025 crown.
Other programs such as Clemson, SMU, Louisville, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Stanford also received first‑place votes, indicating a wide‑open race that could reshape the conference’s power structure.
The poll’s findings also highlight the shifting expectations for schools traditionally viewed as ACC powerhouses, as media members weigh recent performance against historical pedigree when shaping next season’s outlook.