WhatIfSports 2015 ACC Football Projected Standings

By foxsports
Published

How will the ACC shake out this college football season? WhatIfSports.com played every game of the 2015 season 101 times to generate game-by-game predictions for each ACC team, as well as projected conference standings.

All games were played using WhatIfSports’ college football simulation engine, which uses its highly sophisticated algorithms to simulate every play of the game. The conference standings table displays the most likely outcome for each team, whereas the team-by-team schedules display absolute records. 

According to the simulation, Florida State’s reign atop the ACC will come to an end. It’s a sentiment echoed by Bruce Feldman in his preview of the ACC:

“FSU has won 21 consecutive regular-season ACC games -- 24 if you throw in conference title games -- but I think the 'Noles’ dominance is going to end in 2015. Jimbo Fisher has to replace so many key pieces to his offense. Not only Jameis Winston, the star QB and team leader, but also four O-linemen, standout WR Rashad Greene and reliable TE Nick O’Leary. “

WhatIfSports predicts that both Clemson and Louisville will top the Seminoles in the Atlantic Division. Clemson looks to build upon a promising freshman campaign from Deshaun Watson, who made eight appearances and passed for 1,466 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Louisville, meanwhile, is coming off a 9-4 season. If Bobby Petrino’s second stint as the Cardinals’ head coach is as successful as the first (41-9 record from 2003-2006), an ACC crown could be in the near future for Louisville.

In the Coastal Division, Miami and Pittsburgh are each projected to finish the year with 6-2 records in conference play. Many experts prefer Georgia Tech as the team to beat, but the Yellow Jackets are pegged for a third-place finish. While the simulation foresees a .500 season for Virginia Tech, Bruce Feldman favors the Hokies: 

“Beamer will bounce back in a big way this fall, at the very least winning the bunched-up Coastal Division and possibly the league crown as well. Coordinator Bud Foster will field one of the best defenses of his already distinguished tenure, led by All-America candidates like CBs Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson and defensive linemen Dadi Nicolas and Luther Maddy. (Facyson and Maddy missed most of last season.) And for once, the Hokies will field a competent offense, thanks to the improvement of QB Michael Brewer and more production from a backfield decimated by injuries last year.”

To view a team's game-by-game predictions, select the school below: