ACC Lags Big 12 in First CFP Rankings

**ACC Teams Face Uphill Battle as First CFP Rankings Underscore Conference’s Perceived Weakness**

**Irving, TX – October 31, 2023** – The initial College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the 2023 season, released this past Tuesday, cast a stark light on the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), signaling a challenging path for its teams, particularly regarding aspirations for multiple playoff bids. The selection committee’s overall assessment painted a picture of a conference struggling with perceived weakness and a lack of depth in its “résumé.”

Only four ACC teams managed to crack the Top 25, with undefeated Florida State (FSU) leading the charge at No. 4. Louisville followed at No. 13, North Carolina at No. 17, and Duke rounded out the conference’s presence at No. 24. This showing stands in sharp contrast to the Big 12, which impressed with six ranked teams, including two in the top 10: Texas at No. 7 and Oklahoma at No. 9. Oklahoma State (No. 15), Kansas (No. 21), Kansas State (No. 23), and Iowa State (No. 25) further solidified the Big 12’s strong debut.

The disparity in rankings highlights a critical issue for the ACC: its overall strength and the quality of its member teams are under intense scrutiny by the CFP committee. While FSU boasts a perfect 8-0 record, including notable early-season victories against LSU and Clemson, the committee’s placement of the Seminoles at No. 4 suggests a subtle but significant skepticism. Many analysts believe this stems from a perceived lack of consistent high-quality wins across FSU’s entire schedule and the diminishing national perception of some of their opponents as the season has progressed. LSU, while a good win, has since accumulated three losses, and Clemson’s struggles have further reduced the luster of that victory.

“The committee is looking at the entire body of work, not just the undefeated record,” noted ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit following the rankings release. “When you look at FSU, while they are undefeated, the strength of their conference schedule as a whole, and the performances of some of their fellow ACC teams, is clearly impacting their standing and the perception of their wins.”

For the ACC, this is more than just an optics problem; it directly impacts their ability to contend for playoff berths. In the current four-team playoff format, conference strength plays a crucial role in validating individual team résumés. An undefeated Power Five champion typically earns an automatic bid, but FSU’s No. 4 ranking puts them precariously close to the cut line, with undefeated Georgia (No. 1), Michigan (No. 2), and Ohio State (No. 3) positioned above them.

The committee’s implicit message appears to be that beyond FSU, the ACC simply hasn’t showcased enough elite performances or quality wins to warrant higher consideration for its other teams. This lack of depth severely hampers any chance for the ACC to secure multiple playoff berths this season, a feat that has become increasingly common for conferences like the SEC and Big Ten.

Looking ahead, FSU must maintain its flawless record and impress in its remaining schedule to solidify its playoff position. Key matchups, including rivalry games and a potential ACC Championship showdown, will be critical. For the rest of the ACC, the challenge is clearer: improve consistency, secure impactful victories, and elevate the conference’s collective standing to garner national respect, both in the current playoff format and as college football transitions to an expanded 12-team playoff in 2024. The path to the playoffs for the ACC remains firmly in FSU’s hands, with the rest of the conference needing to prove its mettle to avoid being marginalized in the national championship conversation.