Forecasting which teams will rise to greatness in college football in any given season can prove challenging. However, a key indicator often lies in the roster’s returning players.
From seasoned fifth-year senior linebackers to up-and-coming junior quarterbacks, the presence of experienced athletes opting to continue with their respective programs can significantly bolster a team’s competitive advantage. This continuity becomes particularly crucial as other teams contend with talent depletion due to NFL draft selections, transfers, or eligibility regulations.
ESPN recently released a list of all 134 FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams, with each ACC team naturally being listed. Here is a look at each ACC team’s returning production on offense, defense, and total.
Updated 4/7
Virginia Tech Hokies
Offense: 95% (1)
Defense: 77% (12)
Total: 86% (1)
Virginia Cavaliers
Offense: 85% (5)
Defense: 68% (30)
Total: 76% (5)
Syracuse Orange
Offense: 81% (9)
Defense: 67% (34)
Total: 74% (10)
Cal Golden Bears
Offense: 79% (17)
Defense: 66% (36)
Total: 73% (14)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Offense: 61% (70)
Defense: 74% (15)
Total: 68% (36)
Stanford Cardinal
Offense: 69% (40)
Defense: 65% (44)
Total: 67% (37)
Boston College Eagles
Offense: 80% (11)
Defense: 53% (86)
Total: 67% (40)
Louisville Cardinals
Offense: 53% (92)
Defense: 79% (7)
Total: 66% (44)
Offense: 79% (18)
Defense: 53% (84)
Total: 66% (45)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Offense: 83% (7)
Defense: 49% (105)
Total: 66% (46)
Pittsburgh Panthers
Offense: 65% (50)
Defense: 62% (56)
Total: 64% (53)
Offense: 79% (20)
Defense: 49% (103)
Total: 64% (54)
SMU Mustangs
Offense: 64% (55)
Defense: 60% (64)
Total: 62% (66)
NC State Wolfpack
Offense: 65% (52)
Defense: 53% (88)
Total: 59% (80)
Florida State Seminoles
Offense: 56% (81)
Defense: 60% (62)
Total: 58% (83)
Duke Blue Devils
Offense: 53% (93)
Defense: 57% (73)
Total: 55% (88)
North Carolina Tar Heels
Offense: 37% (122)
Defense: 36% (122)
Total: 37% (127)
