As the 2026 college football season approaches, preseason publications continue to provide a national snapshot of where conferences stand in the evolving landscape of the sport. One of the latest assessments came from Athlon Sports, which released its annual conference rankings ahead of the upcoming season. The publication evaluated all 10 FBS conferences and placed the ACC fourth overall, behind the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12.
The ranking reflects both the league’s strengths at the top and the challenges it faces in keeping pace with college football’s two traditional power conferences. For programs like the Florida State Seminoles, which are looking to reestablish themselves among the nation’s elite, the ACC’s standing remains an important measuring stick entering the 2026 campaign.
Athlon described the ACC as a “top-heavy” league heading into 2026, citing Miami as the conference favorite while noting a drop-off to the next tier of contenders. The publication also pointed to SMU and Louisville as key challengers and suggested the ACC’s overall ceiling remains competitive on the national stage.
Notably for Florida State fans, Athlon mentioned both the Clemson Tigers and Seminoles as programs that could help elevate the conference if they continue to regain their footing. The Seminoles are looking to rebound in 2026 under head coach Mike Norvell after an active offseason that included significant additions through the transfer portal.
While the ACC finished behind the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 in Athlon’s rankings, the conference still landed comfortably ahead of the Group of Five leagues and the rebuilt Pac-12. The ranking reflects the league’s continued ability to produce nationally relevant programs and remain part of the conversation among college football’s top conferences.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Where the ACC landed in Athlon Sports’ conference rankings
Reporting by Brandon Foster, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brandon Foster, FSU Wire | USA TODAY Network
