ACC football power rankings: Clemson opens as the favorite, NC State not far behind

The Atlantic Coast Conference has a lot to prove this year.

With looming questions about conference realignment and the future of the league looming throughout the offseason, the ACC enters the 2022 football season hoping to have at least one team return to the College Football Playoff and have others littered across the Top 25.

Clemson (10-3 in 2021) will be vying for a seventh ACC title in the last eight years while NC State looks to have its best shot at a championship in 42 years. Reigning champions Pitt and Miami are frontrunners to win the Coastal Division, but the USA TODAY Coaches Poll has five ACC teams in its preseason rankings.

Here are the USA TODAY Network's ACC preseason power rankings:

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HOT TAKE: Why former coach Chuck Amato thinks NC State football could win a national title

NEW OFFENSE: Does Clemson football have two-quarterback system since freshman Cade Klubnik is 'going to play'?

1. Clemson (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The No. 4 nationally ranked Tigers will open the season with a primetime conference game against Georgia Tech. Clemson may be the pick to win the ACC, but it enters 2022 with a herd of unanswered questions, including the debut of new offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter and co-defensive coordinators Wes Goodwin and Micky Conn. Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei’s sophomore slump was not all his fault, but he’s got to be dramatically better to keep his job.

Up next: at Georgia Tech, Monday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m., ESPN

2. NC State (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Wolfpack has a legitimate shot at winning its first league title since 1979, returning 17 starters, including 10 on defense as well as preseason ACC player of the year, quarterback Devin Leary from a nine-win team in 2021. No. 13 NC State has not beaten ECU on the road since 2007 but is an 11-point early favorite.

Up next: at East Carolina, Saturday, Sept 3 at noon, ESPN

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3. Miami (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Under first-year coach Mario Cristobal, the No. 17 Hurricanes are the favorites to win the ACC Coastal Division with the return of starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. The freshman threw for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns after taking over as the starter midway through 2021. Miami won five of its last six games to finish 7-5 last season.

Up next: vs. Bethune-Cookman, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m., ACCN

4. Pitt (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The reigning ACC champions have an intriguing Week 1 matchup against West Virginia that will debut a new quarterback for the No. 16 Panthers. Southern California transfer Kedon Slovis will replace Kenny Pickett, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and will quickly need to find some playmakers. Thirteen of Pitt’s 22 starters from their ACC championship victory over Wake Forest return, including seven on defense.

Up next: vs. West Virginia, Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., ESPN

5. Wake Forest (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Returning quarterback Sam Hartman is out indefinitely due to a non-football-related medical condition that has thrown the 2022 season into flux for the Demon Deacons. Coach Dave Clawson said he's "optimistic" about Hartman's return but until then, an offense that averaged 467.9 yards and 41 points in 2021, will be led by untested backup Mitch Griffis.

Up next: vs. VMI, Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m., ACCN

6. UNC (1-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Tar Heels were one of two ACC teams to take the field in college football's Week 0, and coach Mack Brown was more than pleased with the 31-point win over Florida A&M, particularly with the play of new quarterback Drake Maye. The redshirt freshman, who replaced Sam Howell, completed 29 of 37 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns. Brown called Maye's debut "one of the best first games I've ever seen.''

Last week: 56-25 win over Florida A&M

Up next: at Appalachian State, Saturday, Sept. 3 at noon, ESPNU

INJURY REPORT: UNC football could be without stars Josh Downs, Tony Grimes for Appalachian State game

BIG DEBUT: New UNC QB Drake Maye gets support from predecessor Sam Howell after 5-TD debut

7. Louisville (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Consecutive losing seasons following an 8-5 campaign in 2019 puts coach Scott Satterfield and Louisville football in an interesting position. They have one of the ACC's best quarterbacks in Malik Cunningham back for one more year and an impressive recruiting class in the works for 2023. The Cardinals lost four games by a touchdown or less last fall.

Up next: at Syracuse, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m., ACCN

CARDINALS INFO: Everything you need to know about Louisville football in 2022: Players, schedule, analysis

8. Florida State (1-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Seminoles rushed for over 400 yards and quarterback Jordan Travis completed 11 of 15 passes for 207 yards during FSU's season-opening rout of Duquesne. This week presents a much tougher challenge, traveling to Louisiana for a "neutral-site" contest against LSU at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Last week: 47-7 win over Duquesne

Up next: at LSU, Sunday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m., ABC

EARLY CHALLENGE: Florida State football preparing for anything before upcoming matchup vs. enigmatic LSU

9. Virginia (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

This will be the first game under new coach Tony Elliot, who comes to Virginia after several years as Clemson's offensive coordinator. The Cavs return star quarterback Brennan Armstrong, who threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns last year.

Up next: vs. Richmond, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m., RSN

ACC RANKINGS: In a deep year for quarterbacks, who's the best in the ACC?

10. Boston College (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

BC's offensive line will need to keep quarterback Phil Jurkovec healthy after he missed most of last season with a fracture on his throwing hand. Jurkovec is a true NFL prospect and wide receiver Zay Flowers is one of the most talented athletes in the ACC.

Up next: vs. Rutgers, Saturday, Sept. 3 at noon, ACCN

11. Virginia Tech (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Brent Pry era at Virginia Tech begins on the road against Old Dominion as the Hokies attempt to fight their way back into ACC relevance. Virginia Tech has some big questions to answer on the offensive and defensive line as does transfer starting quarterback Grant Wells.

Up next: at Old Dominion, Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m., ESPNU

12. Syracuse (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Orange can make a huge statement with a season-opening win over Louisville on Saturday. Syracuse will be led by All-ACC running back Sean Tucker, who rushed for 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall. The combination of Tucker and dual-threat quarterback Garrett Shrader could challenge the Cardinals.

Up next: vs. Louisville, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m., ACCN

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13. Georgia Tech (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Georgia Tech nearly shocked the world and came close to beating Clemson at home last season. The Yellow Jackets pushed the Tigers to the brink in a 14-8 loss in a five-hour battle in 2021. Can they do it again?

Up next: at No. 4 Clemson, Monday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m., ESPN

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14. Duke (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

The Blue Devils are 10-25 in the last three years and have lost 17 of its last 18 Atlantic Coast Conference games. First-year coach Mike Elko has his work cut out for him, but a win over Temple could set the tone for some much-needed improvement.

Up next: vs. Temple, Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m., ACCN

David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Clemson, NC State leads the way in Week 1 of ACC Power Rankings