With the college football season less than a month away, it is time to make some projections. Every team has high expectations in July, but the reality of it will be much different for many. Here is a projection of which team will be the biggest surprise, and which will be the biggest disappointment in the ACC during the 2025 season.
Biggest Surprise
Georgia Tech
The skinny: There has been a bit of buzz surrounding Georgia Tech during the offseason, but not enough. Head coach Brent Key has the program headed in the right direction, and this very well could be season that he helps them the next step. That step will be helped by having sixth-year quarterback Haynes King back in Atlanta for his final season. One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, King will be greatly helped by having RB Jamal Haynes by his side. Haynes rushed for 2,003 yards and 16 touchdowns during the last two seasons and is poised to become one of the top backs in the ACC. Losing star wide receiver Eric Singleton to Auburn via the portal was a loss, but incoming transfer Eric Rivers (FIU) should be a very capable replacement.
On the defense, the key to the season may rely on the line. Overall, the unit didn’t create much of a pass rush last season, so with plenty of transfers arriving, can the newcomers improve on this? As for the schedule, the Yellow Jackets will be in the spotlight immediately with an opening test at Colorado. They then host Clemson two weeks later. Not many teams will have a realistic grasp of their season by the conclusion of September 13th, but Georgia Tech will be one of them. The rest of the conference schedule falls into place nicely, with the Yellow Jackets missing Louisville, Miami and SMU. As long as they can stay healthy, the potential is there for a big season in Atlanta.
Biggest Disappointment
North Carolina
The skinny: As expected, the expectations immediately went through the roof for the Tar Heels after they hired Bill Belichick. As with any new head coach, the roster turnover has been extreme, which tends to create more questions than answers. While the offense has the potential to be good, it is hard to imagine them clicking immediately. But no matter how long it takes the offense to click, it won’t be boring, as transfer quarterback Gio Lopez (South Alabama) has the potential to be a dynamic dual-threat at the P4 level. The defense is also introducing numerous transfers, which may not be a bad thing after a disappointing showing in 2024. However, while this may be an overall situation of addition by subtraction, losing the linebacker duo of Amare Campbell and Beau Atkinson was a blow.
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As for the schedule, the Tar Heels will get an immediate test from TCU in the opener, and an even bigger one during their conference opener when Clemson comes into town. As with Georgia Tech (see above) the Tar Heels also avoid Louisville, Miami and SMU, which is a huge advantage. While I don’t think this season will be a disaster, mainly because of the reasonable conference schedule, overall expectations need to be tempered. It will take this team time to become a cohesive unit and as odd as it may seem, it will likely take Coach Belichick some time to adjust to coaching college aged players. Success is coming to Chapel Hill, but it will take a little longer than many expect.
