Wake Forest had 10-win talent this year if it stayed healthy. It didn’t.
BC had 10-win talent last year, but there were holes, too, and it fell short.
NC State was very good in 2017 but not quite at Clemson level.
The problem is, outside of Clemson, it hasn't been repeatable.
ACC - 10
B12 - 7
B1G - 9
P12 - 7
SEC - 11
But here's the number who've done it more than twice since 2015:
ACC - 1
B12 - 2
B1G - 6
P12 - 5
SEC - 4
That’s reasonable. It’s nearly impossible for them to have the consistent depth to KEEP winning.
But the ACC desperately needs FSU, Miami (and to a slightly lesser degree VT, UNC & Lou) to be better -- not just for a year, but for the longterm.
Will FSU make the right hire?
Can Manny Diaz build a real foundation at Miami?
Do Lville & VT build on solid but unspectacular seasons?
The league simply cannot afford for them to fall further behind.
Those are small odds though.
The safest bet for the league’s future: Make FSU, VT & Miami Great Again.
Last 2 years, Clemson is 17-0 vs ACC w/avg margin of victory of 36 ppg & just 2 games w/in 14 pts.
Bama vs SEC: 15-2, 25 ppg
Ohio St vs B1G: 18-1, 24 ppg
Okla vs B12: 17-2, 14 ppg
Since 2001, FSU has 7 seasons of 10+ wins and 8 seasons of 5+ losses.
Since 2004, Miami has 6 seasons of 9+ wins and 8 seasons of 6+ losses.
Since 2006, VT has 4 seasons in which it cracked the AP top 10 & 6 seasons in which it finished unranked.