1. Miami (FL)
No. 2 Miami being on this list surprises no one. The Hurricanes entered 2025 with the second-best odds to win the ACC, and they’ve looked the part through four games. Wins over a top-10 Notre Dame squad, a ranked USF team, and a dominant rivalry victory against Florida have vaulted them into the national title conversation.
Leading the charge is Carson Beck, a two-time national champion at Georgia who transferred south to Coral Gables. Beck brings both championship pedigree and big-game poise, and Miami’s roster around him has the balance to back up CFP aspirations. Even if the Canes stumble once, their résumé may already be strong enough for a playoff berth.
The schedule sets up two defining weeks: October 4th against No. 8 Florida State, followed by Louisville on October 17th. Should Miami sweep those games, they would not only seize control of the ACC but also essentially punch their playoff ticket. For Louisville, beating Miami is non-negotiable—both to take the head-to-head tiebreaker and to prevent the Canes from running away with the league.
Related: Louisville football's 2025 ACC game-by-game predictions: Can Cardinals win the ACC?
Louisville and Pitt will kick off this Saturday at noon local time from the Acrisure Stadium. For all the latest on Louisville football's 2025 season, stay tuned.