A Deep Dive into Five ACC Teams at a Crossroads in 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

BEST LINKS: Coaching Moves, Conference Settlements, and Spring Practice Urgency 

The college football landscape continues its dramatic evolution this week with significant developments that could reshape both individual programs and entire conferences. From Bowling Green's head coach leaping the NFL champion Eagles, to the ACC's landmark settlement with powerhouse programs Clemson and Florida State that introduces a revolutionary revenue model, to eight teams facing critical spring practice periods in the transfer portal era – the stories below capture the constant transformation defining today's college football. As playoff expansion creates new opportunities for ambitious programs and conference realignment discussions intensify, these developments offer a fascinating glimpse into both the immediate future and long-term trajectory of the sport we love. Dive into our curated selection of the week's most important stories below.

DEEP DIVE - ACC Team Previews 2025 ACC Programs at the Crossroads:

This week, we dive deep into five ACC programs facing pivotal 2025 seasons. From championship contenders to programs fighting for relevance, each team faces unique challenges that could define their trajectories for years.

Louisville Cardinals: Jeff Brohm's Cardinals look to build on consecutive 9+ win seasons with new quarterback Miller Moss (USC transfer) and star running back Isaac Brown leading a potent offense. With eight home games and a strategic transfer portal approach, Louisville aims for ACC title contention if they can rebuild their depleted secondary.

Miami Hurricanes: After a 9-0 start collapsed into a 10-3 finish last season, the Hurricanes bring in Georgia transfer QB Carson Beck and boast a dominant offensive line. But can Mario Cristobal finally solve his team's late-season fade pattern? With his $80 million contract comes championship expectations and significant pressure to deliver in 2025.

NC State Wolfpack: Dave Doeren enters his 13th season with rising questions about his 44-46 ACC record and program ceiling. After a staff overhaul and disappointing 6-7 campaign, 2025 represents a referendum on whether Doeren can elevate NC State beyond mediocrity despite his substantial $15.7 million buyout.

Pittsburgh Panthers: Pat Narduzzi's Panthers experienced the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde season in 2024—starting 7-0 before losing six straight. With stars Kyle Louis (LB) and Desmond Reid (RB) returning alongside a critical QB battle, Pitt must solve its fourth-quarter collapse issues and November mental toughness to determine if Narduzzi's decade-long tenure continues.

Stanford Cardinal: Four straight 3-9 seasons have forced Stanford to experiment, bringing in Andrew Luck as General Manager while Troy Taylor coaches from the hot seat. Sophomore QB Elijah Brown leads a program desperately seeking identity after ranking near the bottom nationally in defense. Can this unconventional approach finally break the Cardinal's curse?

BEST LINKS

Bowling Green football coach Loeffler is leaving for an NFL assistant job.

Scot Loeffler is leaving his position as Bowling Green State University's football coach to become the quarterbacks coach for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. During his six-year tenure at BGSU, Loeffler compiled a 27-41 overall record, with improved performance in recent years including consecutive 7-6 winning seasons in the last two years. Under his leadership, the Falcons reached bowl games in each of the past three seasons (though they lost all three by narrow margins), and achieved a 16-8 record in MAC conference play during that span. Loeffler also had a winning 3-3 record against rival Toledo and secured notable non-conference victories against Minnesota and Georgia Tech. BGSU officials, including Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe and President Rodney K. Rogers, praised Loeffler's impact on rebuilding the program and developing student-athletes as they begin searching for his replacement. Toledo Blade Reporter David Briggs breaks down what this means and what’s next for Bowling Green. LINK

ACC, Clemson, Florida State approve settlement to end legal fight, change revenue-distribution model

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Clemson, and Florida State have approved a settlement to end legal disputes and revise the conference's revenue distribution model. The new model will allocate 60% of the league's TV revenue based on viewership ratings over a five-year rolling period, while the remaining 40% will be distributed equally among members. This change could benefit top programs like Clemson and Florida State with up to $15 million more in revenue, while potentially reducing revenue for others by about $7 million. The settlement also clarifies exit fees for schools wanting to leave the conference, with costs starting at $165 million for the 2026 fiscal year and decreasing to approximately $75 million by the 2030-31 season. Additionally, schools paying the exit fee would retain their media rights despite previous grant-of-rights agreements. The agreement comes after ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips' efforts to increase revenue, including expanding the conference to include California, Stanford, and SMU, and implementing a "success initiative" allowing teams to keep money generated from their postseason performances. What are the immediate ramifications? LINK How this settlement could open the door for college football’s super league future. LINK

Eight college teams with the most work to do this spring

Spring football practices are critical for teams to build cohesion and adapt to roster changes in the transfer portal era. The expanded College Football Playoff has heightened expectations across college football, with more programs seeing realistic paths to national competition now that multiple teams from each conference can qualify. Last season demonstrated the importance of intense spring preparations, as teams like Arizona State reached the playoff, Indiana established a winning culture, and Miami successfully integrated transfer quarterback Cam Ward. Looking ahead to 2025, eight programs face particularly significant spring challenges, including a notable situation where former NFL coach Bill Belichick will be working at the collegiate level for the first time, creating urgency for these teams to maximize their early practice opportunities. LINK

DEEP DIVE

Louisville Cardinals 2025 Preview: The Ultimate Guide to Their Championship Pursuit

Despite losing key players including quarterback Tyler Shough and several defensive standouts, the Louisville Cardinals are positioned for continued success under coach Jeff Brohm. Louisville returns offensive stars like running backs Isaac Brown (1,173 yards, 11 TDs) and Duke Watson, while adding 21 transfers, most notably former USC quarterback Miller Moss, who previously torched Louisville for six touchdowns in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. With a favorable schedule featuring eight home games, the Cardinals are projected as a potential playoff contender by ESPN's SP+ (ranked 22nd nationally), though other analysts predict a more modest 7-5 record. The team's offensive firepower, particularly its running game that went 8-1 when rushing for 175+ yards last season, combined with Brohm's coaching and the strategic transfer portal additions, gives Louisville legitimate ACC title aspirations if they can successfully rebuild their depleted secondary. Check out our complete breakdown: LINK

Miami Hurricanes Football: Can 2025 Be The Year They Finally Return To Glory?

We break down the Miami Hurricanes' prospects for the 2025 football season after their impressive but incomplete 2024 campaign, where they started 9-0 before losing three of their final four games to finish 10-3. The piece identifies five reasons Miami could contend for a national title in 2025: the arrival of Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck to replace NFL-bound Cameron Ward, a dominant returning offensive line, the strategic hiring of defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman from Minnesota, a favorable home schedule with eight games at Hard Rock Stadium, and elite talent development evidenced by ten players invited to the NFL Combine. However, the article also highlights three critical weaknesses that could derail their season: an unproven receiving corps after losing their top six receivers, defensive inconsistency that was exposed late in 2024, and a troubling pattern of late-season collapses in all three years under head coach Mario Cristobal. With Cristobal's .579 winning percentage falling below Miami's standards despite his $80 million contract, the article suggests 2025 is a pivotal year that could determine his future with the program if he doesn't deliver at least 10 regular season wins and an ACC Championship appearance. LINK

Temperature is Rising – NC State Wolfpack 2025 Football Preview

NC State's football program faces a crucial 2025 season under Dave Doeren, whose 12-year tenure (87 wins) has yet to yield an ACC Championship game appearance. After a disappointing 6-7 record in 2024 despite preseason rankings, questions surround whether Doeren has reached his ceiling with the program. Despite his contract extension through 2029, his 44-46 ACC record and a substantial $15.7 million buyout place Athletic Director Boo Corrigan in a difficult position. Doeren has responded with a complete coaching staff overhaul, promoting Kurt Roper to offensive coordinator and hiring new defensive leadership. The team struggled statistically in 2024, ranking poorly in both offense (377.8 yards per game) and defense (390.8 yards allowed), while going just 3-5 in ACC play. Though recruitment remains solid (35th nationally, 7th in ACC for 2025), fundamental questions persist about the offensive line, quarterback consistency, running game explosiveness, and special teams performance. With another mediocre 6-6 season projected by 247Sports, 2025 represents a referendum on whether Doeren can elevate the program or if new leadership is needed, as patience wears thin among fans watching neighboring schools compete for championships. LINK

Pitt Panthers 2025 Preview: From Perfect Start to Painful Collapse (And What Happens Next)

The Pittsburgh Panthers face a pivotal 2025 football season following their perplexing 2024 campaign, when they started 7-0 before losing six straight games to finish 7-6, despite outperforming opponents statistically. Two returning stars provide a strong foundation: linebacker Kyle Louis (101 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 INTs) and versatile running back Desmond Reid (966 rushing yards, 579 receiving yards). The quarterback battle between sophomore Eli Holstein and 4-star freshman Mason Heintschel will be crucial to the team's success. While losing 20 players to the transfer portal, Coach Pat Narduzzi assembled an impressive group of transfers addressing specific needs, particularly on defense. After a decade at Pitt with a 72-56 record and 2021 ACC Championship, Narduzzi faces increasing pressure despite his contract running through 2030 with a reported $30 million buyout. Three factors will define Pitt's season: fourth-quarter performance (they led or were tied late in four of six losses), quarterback development, and November mental toughness (they went 0-5 in November/December). The 2025 season will determine whether Pitt belongs among the ACC elite or if the Narduzzi era is approaching its end. LINK

Stanford Football 2025: Can The Cardinal Finally Break The Curse?

We break down Stanford football's prospects for the 2025 season after four consecutive 3-9 campaigns that have left the program at a crossroads. Key developments include the unprecedented return of program legend Andrew Luck as General Manager, tasked with handling administrative duties and roster management. At the same time, head coach Troy Taylor (6-18 record) focuses on coaching amid mounting hot seat pressure. Sophomore quarterback Elijah Brown steps into the starting role after showing promise but limited action in 2024, with veterans transferring out and the offense now relying heavily on his development. Stanford has become more aggressive in the transfer portal, adding reinforcements at wide receiver, secondary, and offensive line positions to address weaknesses from a team that allowed 37.7 points and 461.7 yards per game (second-worst in FBS) last season. The Cardinal face a challenging ACC schedule with difficult matchups against Miami, Notre Dame, North Carolina (now coached by Bill Belichick), and Florida State. While analysts project a modest improvement to a 4-8 or 5-7 record, true progress would require competitiveness against mid-tier ACC teams, avoiding embarrassing blowouts, securing at least one signature upset, developing young talent, and establishing a clear football identity that has been missing in recent years. LINK

THAT’S A WRAP

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our ACC 2025 Journey

As we wrap up this week's deep dive into five pivotal ACC programs, we've explored teams facing championship aspirations, coaching hot seats, and identity crises. From Louisville's offensive firepower to Miami's quest for consistency, NC State's coaching referendum, Pitt's need to finish games strong, and Stanford's unconventional front office experiment, these programs showcase the diverse challenges facing teams in the expanded ACC.

Coming Next Week: Our comprehensive ACC preview continues with five more programs at fascinating crossroads.

We'll examine Virginia Tech's rebuilding efforts under Brent Pry, Virginia's quest for relevance, SMU's adaptation to Power Five competition in their inaugural ACC campaign, Syracuse's offensive evolution, and Wake Forest's strategy to return to bowl eligibility after a disappointing 2024. Each program faces unique challenges and opportunities in 2025, with coaching storylines, quarterback battles, and transfer portal impacts that will shape their seasons.

Join us next week as we complete our thorough analysis of the ACC landscape before turning our attention to the American conference, and later the Big Ten and SEC in subsequent issues.

As always, we appreciate your readership and welcome your feedback on our coverage ([email protected]). Here's to the excitement building toward what promises to be another transformative season in college football!