ACC Football: Ranking the Atlantic teams ahead of 2021 season

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons leads his team onto the field prior to their game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

6. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville was the best worst team in college football last season if that makes any sense. They finished 4-7, but still managed to show impressive play against foes like Florida State, Wake Forest, and even the playoff power Notre Dame.

However, the aforementioned record ultimately speaks for itself, so I will need to see a real turnaround before I hoist them up to anywhere special in these ranks.

5. Florida State Seminoles

I find myself interpreting the capabilities of Florida State the same way I did so for Louisville: they have the potential to make some noise, but it is yet to be proven on the field. Florida State gets the edge, though, due to them continuing to bring in high-profile recruits and transfers, such as former Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, head coach Mike Norvell will certainly see a better season performance in his second year with the program, especially when considering the chances of it not being so COVID-19-riddled like his first one.

4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Deacons head coach Dave Clawson has one of the most overlooked football IQs in the country, and his tenure with Wake so far illustrates just that. But the talents that grace Wake Forest can only keep up with those of FSU and Clemson for so long, and the school’s lack of great recruiting plays a big role in their inconsistencies on the gridiron.

The Deacs lost a couple of big names to the NFL recently, and their absences will surely be impactful in 2021. But Clawson has led his squad beyond the nation’s expectations of them before, so I do not see why this time around would be any different, especially with quarterback Sam Hartman returning for his senior year.

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