Florida State was named the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference football championship by members of the media.
The Seminoles, who posted a 10-3 overall record last season and defeated Michigan in the Capital One Orange Bowl, received 118 first place votes. FSU was followed by Clemson with 35 votes. Louisville received seven votes, followed by Virginia Tech and Miami with three each and Duke with one.
While Florida State was chosen to win the Atlantic Division, Miami was tabbed as the Coastal Division winner. The Hurricanes amassed 1,065 total points. Defending division champion Virginia Tech followed with 932 points. Georgia Tech placed third with 708 points.
If this year’s media predictions are correct, it will be a first-ever title game matchup of teams from Florida. The Seminoles and Hurricanes meet in Tallahassee on September 16. Florida State has won 15 ACC championships since joining the league in 1992.
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville was chosen to repeat as ACC Player of the Year. He averaged 393.4 yards per game of total offense and accounted for 51 touchdowns, both ACC single-season records. Jackson led the preseason ACC Player of the Year balloting with 113 votes, while Florida State’s Francois was listed on 23 ballots and Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on 11.
Below is the complete breakdown of the media votes
ACC Championship
1. Florida State - 118
2. Clemson - 35
3. Louisville - 7
4-t. Virginia Tech – 3
4-t. Miami – 3
6. Duke – 1
Atlantic Division (First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Florida State (121) – 1,108
2. Clemson (37) – 1,007
3. Louisville (9) - 843
4. NC State - 658
5. Wake Forest – 415
6. Syracuse - 362
7. Boston College - 283
Coastal Division (First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Miami (103) – 1,065
2. Virginia Tech (40) – 932
3. Georgia Tech (9) – 708
4. Pitt (7) – 673
5. North Carolina (4) - 606
6. Duke (4) -473
7. Virginia -219
ACC Player of the Year
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville - 113
2. Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State - 23
3. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - 11
4. Harold Landry, DE, Boston College - 8
5. Jaylen Samuels, AP, NC State - 7
6. Eric Dungey, QB, Syracuse - 2
7-t. Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami - 1
7-t. Ahmmon Richards, WR, Miami - 1
7-t. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke - 1
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