2018 ACC early conference primer: Biggest games, Heisman hopefuls and one big prediction

The Atlantic Coast Conference enters the offseason coming off another solid season in which three-time defending conference champion Clemson reached the College Football Playoff and ACC Coastal Division champion Miami played in the Orange Bowl.

Both teams lost, however, and it wasn't quite the same banner season the conference enjoyed in 2016. That said, the conference has stability in its coaching ranks and several chances to prove itself all over again in nonconference play next season.

MORE: 18 early questions for 2018 season

Sporting News takes an early look at what the ACC will look like in 2018:

Way-too-early ranked teams 

No. 2 Clemson 
No. 7 Miami 
No. 15 Virginia Tech 
No. 19 Florida State 

Top storyline

Can anyone challenge Clemson? Florida State either won or shared the ACC championship in nine straight seasons from 1992-2000, and 12 of 14 through 2005. The Tigers are on the cusp of that kind of run. Clemson is 40-4 with just two conference losses over the last three seasons, and Dabo Swinney has a team that's built for the long haul. The best news is that Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins all bypassed the 2018 NFL Draft. That's almost unheard of. The Tigers need to make adjustments after a 24-6 Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama, but it's tough to spot a school that can challenge this run right now. 

MORE: SN's way-too-early top 25

Impact freshman

You won't get too far on a Clemson message board without reading Trevor Lawrence's name. The five-star quarterback and early enrollee was the No. 1 recruit in the 2018 class according to 247Sports, and he's going to be tracked closely in spring practice to see if he can challenge Kelly Bryant for the starting job.

New ACC coaches 

Willie Taggart, Florida State. That's it. The conference has made good hires the last few years, and even Jimbo Fisher's departure doesn't diminish that. Taggart's success at previous stops should carry over to an ACC program in need of a makeover. The Seminoles open with Virginia Tech on Labor Day.

2018 LOOKAHEAD: SEC | B10 | B12 | P12

ACC Heisman hopefuls

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson. Etienne averaged 7.2 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns as a freshman. A monster sophomore season is coming. 

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State. Akers totaled 1,025 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He'll do even more with a 200-plus carry workload next season.

Jawon Pass, QB, Louisville. He waited his turn behind Lamar Jackson the last two seasons. Those lessons will pay off. 

Best nonconference games 

Alabama vs. Louisville, Sept. 1 (Orlando). Nick Saban is 11-0 in openers with Alabama, and it's the Cardinals' turn to take their shot in a neutral-site game at Orlando.

LSU vs. Miami, Sept. 1 (Arlington). The Hurricanes can erase the sting of last season's season-ending three-game slide with a big nonconference victory against the Tigers at Jerry World. 

Penn State at Pitt, Sept. 8. The in-state rivals have traded victories in the last two meetings. It's a statement game for the Panthers and a potential early stumbling block for the Nittany Lions.

Clemson at Texas A&M, Sept. 8. Dabo, meet Jimbo. Jimbo, meet Dabo. Oh, that's right. … 

MORE: Best September games

Team to watch 

Pitt. The Panthers have shown a knack for pulling big upsets under Pat Narduzzi, but they haven't been consistent enough to win the Coastal Division. If the Panthers weather a tough nonconference schedule that includes Penn State, UCF and Notre Dame, that could give this team the confidence to challenge Virginia Tech and Miami.

Bold early prediction 

Lawrence will create a Deshaun Watson-like buzz at Clemson, and he'll end up assuming the starting job at some point — just like Watson did as a freshman. The Tigers, like many other schools, have intrigue at the most important position. 

MORE: Nine big QB battles for 2018

Three-year trends: Overall record

(* indicates rankings reflect conference records if teams have same record)

Three-year trends: ACC record

(* indicates rankings reflect head-to-head record when teams have same record)
(Florida State and Pittsburgh's rankings reflect overall record)