The Atlantic Coast Conference has always been a basketball conference — and frankly always will. But one could make a legitimate argument that the conference is becoming of greater relevance in football. Last season the ACC had more wins against Power Five teams than any other conference and Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson and Louisville all defeated their SEC in-state rivals for the first time in 14 years.
Moreover, the ACC has had more first-round draft picks (9) in this year’s NFL Draft than the SEC (7), a conference that has reigned as National Champions for eight of the past 11 seasons.