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Wednesday, Jim Phillips addressed the state of the ACC at ACC Football Media Days.

He said a lot of words, but nothing was of any true significance. The 247 Louisville site posted the transcript.

What I was looking for was something about revenue.

There were blurbs about academics, increased viewership, tie-breakers, the playoffs, football wins etc etc. Nothing addressed the elephant in the room, which is the revenue gap between the P2. Hey, even if the chances of closing the gap are virtually  non-existant you keep trying.

Yes it was nice that Phillips mentioned a 68% increase in viewership, but if it doesn’t come with added revenue, it means nothing.

Beyond our success in competition in the classroom, our strength is equally reflected in our business portfolio. The ACC is projected to produce more than $900 million in gross revenue in 2025/26. Our seventh consecutive record year.

Over the past five years, conference revenue has grown by more than 56%, and has doubled since 2019, even without a new television deal.

There lies the problem… Every league is generating revenue, but the media deal is where the gap resides. Without a renegotiation, which doesn’t appear to be coming, details on some sponsorship deals, or private equity or something, the ACC is still in the same place.

With realignment possibly not far off, this was Jim Phillip’s comment.

Here is what I would say very directly, and I’ve said this multiple times. I’ve always wanted this conference to be a place where schools want to be, not that they have to be. So I’ll leave it at that.

That was awful. You know Memphis and Tulane probably want to be in the ACC, while any school in the ACC would jump at a chance to be in the P2. You tell me which conference makeup is healthier. Phillips should be guiding the conference to be one that schools want to be in, not setting ultimatums.

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@AllSportsDACC and I (@TalkinACCSports ) are looking to get you ready for the football season. We were happy to have Cal Cangilla @calcangilla  join us, and talk Cal football.

In this order, these are the topics we covered on the podcast. It’s episode 593

@calcangilla tells us about himself

Cal men’s basketball thoughts

Major Strengths coming back for football team

Major Weaknesses coming back for football team

New recruits or transfers that have impressed

Will Cal be better than last year? 2 Most Important games

Pulse of Program for Cal  fans

Open Microphone

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Best / Worst Case Record for :

Louisville | Virginia | Duke | Georgia Tech | SMU | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Cal |  NC State | Clemson |  Syracuse | North Carolina | Stanford| Wake Forest

ACC 2026 Football Schedule

Miami

The Miami Hurricanes had a magical run in the playoffs on their way to the national title game last year, where they came within a play of beating Indiana. The Canes finished #2 in the country, went 3-0 against teams from the SEC, and knocked off Ohio State. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal just about got the Canes all the way back to the top of the mountain in a fantastic 13-3 season. Miami still lacks an ACC Title, and there were a couple of losses that left us scratching our heads, but the Canes proved they are national championship caliber. They are built for another run in 2026.

Will Go 12-0 (8-0) if:

The offense can be great, which I believe it will be. Darian Mensah is a better QB than Carson Beck. Beck was solid, but Mensah can be elite. Mensah led Duke to an ACC Title and a 9-win season last year. He’s special. The wide receivers Cooper Barkate and Malachi Toney plus running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and Mensah could make this offense dominant. The schedule sets up well too. Miami should cruise to a 5-0 start, before playing at Clemson, which, despite Clemson’s decline, should still be a test. Then there is the massive game at Notre Dame. The Canes have the potential to run the table, but they can just overwhelm most of their opponents with sheer talent.

Will Go 10-2 (7-1) if:

Miami again loses a game or two that they aren’t supposed to. There would be no shame if Notre Dame beats Miami. The Irish are playoff caliber, but the Hurricanes have had a tendency to lose to teams they shouldn’t be losing to. A game at Clemson or maybe a rivalry game with FSU could be a problem. The defense lost a pair of NFL Pass rushers, and if the defense takes a step back, it could also cost Miami a game. I’m having a hard time finding a 3rd loss. This team is just too good right now.

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Well before the season starts, where the ACC Football coaches

We go from the coldest to the hottest.

0 – Ice Cold

1 – Still cool

2 – There’s smoke

3 – Getting Warm

4 – On Fire

5 – Start working on the resume

Brent Key, Georgia Tech = 1

Brent Key has completely rebuilt the Georgia Tech program following the Geoff Collins era, but after 3 seasons, there are a couple of things to question. Key still hasn’t beaten Georgia, and what’s the signature out-of-conference win?

Dabo Swinney, Clemson – 1.25

The two-time national champion Dabo Swinney with rumblings of a hot seat? Clemson has definitely declined this decade, and last year’s 7-6 season was a major failure after starting the season in the top 5. Hey, Bobby Bowden eventually ended up on the hot seat, too. It can happen to Swinney.

Fran Brown, Syracuse = 1.5

Fran Brown bought himself a pass for last year’s 3-9 (1-7) year with his 10-win 2024, but 3-9 is still 3-9. Brown has another non-bowl season, and things will ramp up quickly,

Dave Doeren, NC State = 2.25

Dave Doeren is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the ACC, and he’s always a couple of bad losses from being on the hot seat. NC State won its final 3 games, including a bowl win, and that cooled things off… for now.

Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh = 2.5

Pat Narduzzi has a lot of years at Pitt with an ACC title in 2021, but the heat is ramping up. Narduzzi has 1 November win the last two years. That’s unacceptable.

Bill O’Brien, Boston College – 2.5

Bill O’Brien made a bowl game in his first year at Boston College, but last year the bottom fell out in an ugly 2-10 (1-7) season. Boston College is continually shuffling coaches in and out. O’Brien needs a bowl season, or he might be next.

Bill Belichick, UNC = 3.5

Bill Belichick’s first season at UNC, was a total train wreck, going 4-8 (2-6). The off-field stories have not helped either. Another bad season, and that could be it for Belichick.

Mike Norvell, Florida State = 4.5

Mike Norvell could very well have been fired last year. He wasn’t, but Florida State’s football program is in total shambles and has been the ACC’s worst over the last two years with a 3-13 ACC record. Yep, his seat is on fire.

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Best / Worst Case Record for :

Louisville | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | SMU | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Cal |  NC State | Clemson |  Syracuse | North Carolina | Stanford| Wake Forest

ACC 2026 Football Schedule

Virginia

Tony Elliot entered 2025 on the hot seat; he left 2025 coaching Virginia to one of their best football seasons in history. The Cavaliers had an 11-win season, won the Gator Bowl, and finished ranked 16th in the country. It was a truly magical season in Charlottesville that came within an eyelash of an ACC Title and a CFP Appearance.  It wasn’t a fluke either. Tony Elliot rebuilt the Hoos where it mattered at the line of scrimmage, which produced offenses and defenses ranked in the top 30. Virginia was the ACC’s second-best team last year. What does UVa do for an encore? Can they repeat the previous season’s success? I wouldn’t bet against it.

Will Go 10-2 (6-2) if:

They start the season 4-0. Virginia’s early season schedule is a challenge, but it’s not overly daunting. NC State and West Virginia are toss-up games, but Norfolk State and Delaware will be wins. After that, the only game I really don’t like Virginia in is a game at SMU. Games at FSU, and at Virginia Tech are 2nd half tossups, but I like Virginia in the rest of their games. The offensive line should be really good, and the Hoos should be able to control a lot of games with that unit. Outside of Miami, they could have arguably the best combined offensive and defensive lines in the ACC. If it plays out that way, Virginia could have another special season.

Will Go 5-7 (3-5) if:

Beau Pribula struggles at QB. The lines should be solid, but Virginia still needs a passing game to keep teams honest. The Missouri transfer will be expected to do that. Through mid-October, Virginia plays a bunch of 50/50 games – NC State, West Virginia, at Florida State. Virginia will be an underdog at SMU. Virginia starting the year 3-4 is not out of the question. Then a 2-3 finish with Duke, and a game at Wake Forest, Cal, and at Virginia Tech could be problematic. UNC is probably a win, but if things go a little sideways, Virginia could struggle. Virginia still doesn’t have overwhelming talent, and is at their best when they play solid fundamental football with strong line of scrimmage play. If the line play slips, then Virginia could have some issues.

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With ACC Kick next week, the ACC commissioner gets an opportunity to talk about the state of the Atlantic Coast Conference before getting into football. The past week, the Big 12’s Brett Yormark shared that the Big 12 had completed a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy, for about $1 Million annually per school.

That deal certainly won’t have the Big 10 and SEC looking over their shoulders. Some critics even said it was undervalued. That might be true, but it was a conference-driven attempt at raising revenues. Who knows, 1 deal turns into a few more over time, and you maybe you end up with 10 such deals, and suddenly you may be looking at $5-10 million more per school. Who cares in this climate if your jersey ends up looking like a race car.

At the very least, Yormark is trying, and it’s something tangible in regard to revenue.

Ok Jim Phillips, your turn. What’s your revenue plan for the ACC? Is there anything at all in the works? Bueller? Bueller?

We’ve been asking this question about Phillips’s plan since 2023.

Sure, the additions of SMU, Cal, and Stanford created a temporary influx of money that the ACC schools benefited from. Yes, there are athletic and viewing initiatives. The problem is that these solutions are just swapping money around. Where is something concrete? Nothing is catching the P2, but at least try something, anything.

Of course, there is the Media Deal that ESPN is not budging on, but what about increased sponsorship deals? What about private capital?

There is this nugget floating around.

And here’s the angle that changes everything long term

The Big 12 closed a private equity deal with RedBird Capital.

The ACC is pursuing $600 million in private capital.

Private equity firms do not invest in public universities.

They invest in corporate entities with clear…

— Dan Furman (@Dan_Furman) July 10, 2026

Whatever your thoughts on PE’s, it’s at least an attempt if there’s something to it.

Jim Phillips better not leave ACC Media Days without addressing in detail the revenues, and for goodness sakes, don’t keep saying the ACC is third in revenue. Nobody cares if the ACC is ahead of the Big 12. It doesn’t matter. Attempting to close the gap with the P2 is the only thing that does.

That’s #1 what he should talk about. #2 should be the ACC Football Success in 2025.  The ACC went 8-6 against the SEC, 9-5 in bowl games, and, of course, Miami made a historic run to the national title game and finished #2 in the country. Shout it loud and often, Jim Phillips. Don’t in any way present your league as a second-rate football conference trying to play catch-up. The results say the ACC is a highly competitive P4 league.

Let’s see what Phillips has for us next week.

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July 15-17, @accnetwork returns to Charlotte, N.C. for comprehensive coverage of #ACCKickoff

Interviews with all 17 head coaches & participating players
ACC Huddle: Kickoff Special (July 15, 7p ET, ESPN2)

Details: https://t.co/phEywwEr08 pic.twitter.com/VKy12zq8RL

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) July 10, 2026

From ESPN’s press Release, here’s the viewing schedule for next week’s ACC Football Kickoff.

Now it’s time to start really getting ready for the College Football season.

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ACCPerscription looks at how far Virginia Tech football can go. 

RubbingtheRock says Clemson could have a battle for QB1 

ChopChat tells us that FSU Offensive Lineman Jayden Todd was deservedly honored after saving a man’s life. Wow what a story!

Darian Mensah says he’s ready to lead Miami to a championship says CanesWarning. 

KeepingitHeel talks about the lowish off-season grade that basketball coach Michael Malone recieved by one publication.

BigRedLouie shares Louisville football’s ACC Title odds, and they are pretty good.

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Did you know the MLB draft is only 3 days away?

ESPN has its top 250 prospects.  There is a lot of ACC representation on this list.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐋𝐁 𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭: 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒.𝟎 https://t.co/IDwdBmPBW7 pic.twitter.com/LKe3Us6Tk0

— Perfect Game USA (@PerfectGameUSA) July 6, 2026

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TheACC.com is keeping a running list of Pre-Season All-Americans for the ACC, and a national award list.

Miami is dominating this list, if we needed any more evidence that Miami is the most talented team in the ACC.

Preseason All-America Teams
2026 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams (June 30)
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami – First-Team Offense
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson – First-Team Defense
Bryce Fitzgerald, DB, Miami – Second-Team Defense

Athlon Sports College Football 2026 All-America Teams (June 24)
Malachi Toney, AP, Miami – First-Team Offense
Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State – First-Team Offense
Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville – Second-Team Offense
Mark Fletcher Jr., RB, Miami – Third-Team Offense
Clev Lubin, DL, Louisville – Third-Team Defense
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson – Third-Team Defense
Aidan Birr, K, Georgia Tech – Third-Team Specialists
Malachi Toney, PR, Miami – Third-Team Specialists
Justice Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech – Fourth-Team Offense
Cooper Barkate, WR, Miami – Fourth-Team Offense
Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson – Fourth-Team Offense
PJ Williams, OL, SMU – Fourth-Team Offense
Ahmad Moten, DL, Miami – Fourth-Team Defense

Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason All-American Teams (June 11)
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami – First-Team Offense
Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State – First-Team Offense
PJ Williams, OT, SMU – Second-Team Offense
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson – Second-Team Defense
Kade Reynoldson, P, Duke – Second-Team Special Teams
Tre Richardson, KR, Louisville – Second-Team Special Teams
Mark Fletcher Jr., RB, Miami – Third-Team Offense
Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville – Third-Team Offense
Ahmad Moten, DT, Miami – Third-Team Defense
Aidan Birr, K, Georgia Tech – Third-Team Special Teams
Carlos Hernandez, PR, Wake Forest – Third-Team Special Teams
Morgan Tribbett, LS, SMU – Third-Team Special Teams
Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson – Fourth-Team Offense
McKale Boley, OT, Virginia – Fourth-Team Offense
Brayden Jacobs, OT, Clemson – Fourth-Team Offense
Melkart Abou Jaoude, DE, North Carolina – Fourth-Team Defense
Kam Robinson, LB, Virginia – Fourth-Team Defense
Chris Peal, CB, Syracuse – Fourth-Team Defense

Preseason National Awards Watch Lists
2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List (May 20)
Sammy Brown, Jr., LB, Clemson
Fisher Camac, Sr., DE, Virginia
Bryce Fitzgerald, So., DB, Miami
Clev Lubin, Sr., DL, Louisville
Luke Mergott, Jr., LB, Duke
Damon Wilson II, Sr., DL, Miami

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