Clemson has helped spearhead ACC's rise to prominence

TAMPA, Fla. — Five or so years ago, the ACC’s shortage of success in football overall left the conference searching for a solution that would elevate its status among other, more successful Power Five conferences.

In 2016, the play of the ACC has made that problem seem like a distant memory.

Not too long ago, ACC schools as a whole struggled to win bowl games and win games in non-conference play, resulting in the fair perception that the league was one of college football’s weakest.

Now, the ACC is considered one of the strongest all-around conferences, having proved it on the football field this season to back its established elitism on the basketball court.

The ACC is the only league with a…