The Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason poll released this week crowns the Miami Hurricanes as the overwhelming favorite to rule the league in 2026, amassing 165 of 188 first‑place votes.
By contrast, the Florida State Seminoles find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum, collecting only three first‑place votes and slipping to eleventh in the conference rankings after a 5‑7 campaign last year.
Central to Miami’s lofty projection is the arrival of transfer quarterback Darian Mensah, who brings a proven track record of 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions from his final season at Duke.
The Hurricanes’ talent pool reads like a who’s who of recent all‑conference selections, with standouts such as Mark Fletcher, Malachi Toney, Samson Okunlola, Ahmad Moten, Mohamed Toure and Bryce Fitzgerald all earning first‑team all‑conference honors.
Toney and Fitzgerald have also garnered repeated mentions on preseason All‑America lists, underscoring the breadth of Miami’s offensive firepower heading into the new season.
A Converging Crossroads
The schedule adds another layer of intrigue: Miami will open on September 4 against Stanford, while Florida State begins its campaign a week earlier on August 29 at New Mexico State.
A pivotal non‑conference test awaits the Seminoles on September 19 at Alabama before the two powerhouses collide on October 17 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, a venue that promises an electric atmosphere.
Adding to the narrative, Florida State’s quarterback situation remains unsettled, with Ashton Daniels slated to start after a recent transfer from Stanford to Auburn, while up to seven of the team’s 11 offensive starters and six defensive starters are expected to be transfers.
Coach Mike Norvell, now in his third year at the helm, is betting on continuity and chemistry, hoping that the influx of experienced transfers can translate into a swift rebound for the Seminoles.
Meanwhile, the ACC’s broader narrative reflects a conference in flux, where traditional powerhouses are reshaping rosters through the transfer portal, setting the stage for a season that could redefine expectations.