SMU picked #1 in ACC

[Dukie]

In ΓÇ£Proximity to In-N-OutΓÇ¥:

https://x.com/FQACC/status/1818682449330606252

Oh, SMU also picked 7th (of 17) in the preseason media poll:

https://theacc.com/news/2024/7/31/flori ... -poll.aspx

2024 ACC Preseason Poll

Rank Team (First-Place Votes) Total Points
1. Florida State (81) 2708
2. Clemson (55) 2657
3. Miami (17) 2344
4. NC State (8) 2318
5. Louisville 1984
6. Virginia Tech (5) 1968
7. SMU 1798
8. North Carolina 1712
9. Georgia Tech (1) 1539
10. Cal (2) 1095
11. Duke 1056
12. Syracuse 1035
13. Pitt 1016
14. Boston College (1) 890
15. Wake Forest 784
16. Virginia 629
17. Stanford 477

170 media voters

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

ACC releases 2024 football preseason poll

CHARLOTTE (The ACC/SMU) – SMU Football was picked seventh in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Preseason Poll in a release by the conference on Wednesday.

The 2024 ACC Preseason Poll was conducted via a vote of a media panel, including those who were credentialed for last week's ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Defending champion Florida State was picked first in the poll with 2708 points, highlighted by 81 first-place votes. Clemson came in at second with 2657 points and 55 first-place votes and Miami third with 2344 points and 17 first-place votes.

SMU (seventh, 1798) was the highest of the three newcomers that included itself, Cal (10th, 1095) and Stanford (17th, 477).

The Mustangs finished 2023 with an 11-3 record and captured its 12th conference championship in program history, first since 1984. SMU also appeared in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, its fifth straight year being bowl eligible, the longest stretch in program history.

SMU was dominant all season long in 2023 on both sides of the ball, ranking in the top 25 in the FBS in numerous categories including: third down defense (fourth), defensive touchdowns (first), fewest penalties per game (18th), first down offense (sixth), passing offense (22nd), passing yards allowed (13th), passing yards per completion (12th), red zone defense (25th), red zone offense (eighth), sacks allowed (13th), scoring defense (11th), scoring offense (eighth), tackles for loss allowed (ninth), team passing efficiency defense (ninth), team sacks (third), team tackles for loss (16th), total defense (12th) and total offense (16th).

The Mustangs will take on Nevada in the season opener in Reno on Aug. 24, giving them a week 0 contest.

SMU begins its inaugural ACC eight-game schedule with a home contest on Family Weekend against Florida State on Sept. 28. The Mustangs hit the road for three straight with games at Louisville (Oct. 5), Stanford (Oct. 19) and Duke (Oct. 26) to wrap up the month of October.

November opens with home games against Pitt (Nov. 2, Homecoming) and Boston College (Nov. 16). The Mustangs head back on the road for its final away game at Virginia (Nov. 23) before the regular-season finale against Cal on Nov. 30.

2024 ACC Preseason Poll
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Florida State (81) 2708
2. Clemson (55) 2657
3. Miami (17) 2344
4. NC State (8) 2318
5. Louisville 1984
6. Virginia Tech (5) 1968
7. SMU 1798
8. North Carolina 1712
9. Georgia Tech (1) 1539
10. Cal (2) 1095
11. Duke 1056
12. Syracuse 1035
13. Pitt 1016
14. Boston College (1) 890
15. Wake Forest 784
16. Virginia 629
17. Stanford 477

First-place votes in parentheses
170 media voters

[crazy horse]

At the end of the day, we are still moving up from playing in the AAC to the ACC. I think we all believe this team is capable of doing much better, but this is a very respectable pick for a "Power" newbie. #7 should be bowl eligible, and would be a decent first year in a new league. Although I do believe this team has the talent to compete and win the ACC. Those two games against FSU and UL are going to be so critical.

[Kiper]

Totally agree. Sure, we all want to finish higher than that, but for the first go-round in a new conference, that would represent a good start.

[ponyte]

Upper end of middle of the pack is about right preseason. Winning the AAC isn't the competition of the ACC. Beat the teams we play ranked below us and get a win from one of the teams ranked above us will be pretty satisfying for a rookie season. Oh, and beat TCU and BYU for a change!

[Charleston Pony]

YES! Beating the Big XII teams on this year's schedule would make for a really nice welcome back to the big boys table. Finishing .500 in ACC play would be an accomplishment

[NavyCrimson]

Absolutely, Charleston.