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Virginia and Virginia Tech are separated by just two spots in the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll, underscoring what is expected to be one of the leagues most competitive races entering the 2026 season.
Virginia was picked to finish sixth with 1,981 points, narrowly ahead of NC State (1,964) and Virginia Tech (1,962).
Just 19 points separated the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-place teams in the annual preseason poll, which was voted on by more than 185 media members attending the ACC Football Kickoff.
Recommended Videos Miami was selected as the preseason favorite to win the ACC after receiving 3,159 points and 165 first-place votes.
SMU was picked second with 2,794 points, followed by Louisville (2,569), Clemson (2,520) and Georgia Tech (2,006).
Pitt (1,740) and Duke (1,452) rounded out the top 10, while Florida State was picked 11th despite receiving three first-place votes.
California, Wake Forest, Syracuse, North Carolina, Boston College and Stanford completed the preseason rankings.
In addition to Miamis 165 first-place votes, Clemson received seven, SMU six, Louisville four, Florida State three and Georgia Tech two.
Stanford also earned one first-place vote.
The ACC enters the 2026 season with a new nine-game conference schedule, with teams competing for a spot in the ACC Football Championship Game on Dec.
5 in Charlotte.