CLOSING the Gap?

Much has been written and said about the ACC’s competitive standing in the Power Four. For years the popular opinion among the media has been the ACC and the Big-12 were inferior to the BigTen and SEC.

However, that narrative might be changing going forward. In 2025, the ACC beat the SEC 8-6 in direct matchups. Miami held a convincing record (4-1) over the SEC. The ACC also had a dominant record (9-5) in bowl games, while the SEC went 4-10. The ACC made the national championship game. The SEC did not make the final game.

Telling?

A major metric is also the recruiting trail. Just this week, the rankings of the recruiting classes going into the critical summer official visits has the ACC in trailing only the Big Ten.

Big Ten 10 teams in the Top 25

Miami:: 7 teams in the Top 25

SEC: 6 teams in the Top 25

Big -12: 1 team in the Top 25

BOTTOM LINE:

The narrative of ACC inferiority could be changing. The upcoming 2026 season will be the next indication of progress by the ACC.

GO CANES!