Kickoff in the QC (Part 1): The ACC Kickoff brings head coaches, team reps (players), personnel, and more from the member schools to usher in the start of the 2026 season
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The QC (Charlotte, NC, which is known as the Queen City) is the place to be July 15-17, 2026.
The three day stretch makes the city and the ACC the epicenter of college football. As one of the Power-4 conferences, the ACC Kickoff is an invitational as all 17 member schools send their head coaches, player/team reps, and personnel to meet and greet with the local, regional, and national media. With the start of the season (Week 0) including matchups between Florida State and New Mexico State (August 29th), North Carolina against TCU (August 29th), Stanford against Hawaii (August 29th), and NC State and Virginia wasting little time to start conference play (the 2 ACC teams lock horns against each other on August 29th), the anticipation for the season is gradually building.
And we are among the media outlets able to be a part of it all (as we're there on July 15th and 16th).
Before diving into our take on the teams we speak with, here's a few (of many) noteworthy pieces of information related to the conference:
The ACC has the strongest non-conference schedule of any of the Power 4 conferences. For the 2026, teams have 9 games against the SEC, 5 against the Big Ten, 5 against the Big 12, and 6 against Notre Dame (who is independent).
The ACC has a record 15 games televised (nationally) on Fridays; over the first 6 weeks of the season, ACC teams are scheduled to appear in 9 Friday games.
Over the last 3 seasons, the ACC has sent 11 teams to bowl games (and/or the College Football Playoff); this is the longest streak of any conference.
For the 2025 season (last year), 7 teams in the ACC have 9 or more wins (the most in conference history).
High noon is high time for the ACC when it comes to the conference championship. This year's game is December 5, 2026 at Bank of American Stadium (the home of the Carolina Panthers) and is the 14th consecutive year (18th overall) the game is on ABC/ESPN (and is the only championship game going on at this time among the Power 4).
Our first day of coverage (July 16, 2026) includes speaking with players and coaches from the following teams:
Louisville Cardinals (2025 record of 9-4 overall/ 4-4 in conference/Bowl Game win (Bush's Boca Raton Bowl) against Toledo).
Syracuse Orange (2025 record of 3-9 overall/ 1-7 in conference).
Boston College Eagles (2025 record of 2-10 overall/1-7 in conference).
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2025 record of 9-4 overall/6-2 in conference/Bowl Game loss (Pop-Tarts Bowl) against BYU).
Clemson Tigers (2025 record of 7-6 overall/4-4 in conference/Bowl Game loss (Bad Boy Motors Pinstripe Bowl) against Penn State).
With all the energy and excitement around, we're able to find a "landing page" to provide a snapshot of our first day of coverage. As is the case, hearing directly from the game-makers and breakers is key, so here's a look at what takes place:
Our first conversation is with Lance Robinson of the Louisville Cardinals. The offensive lineman shares his thoughts on where the team is with their development as their season opener clearly can be a tone-setter. They open regular season play at Nissan Stadium (September 6, 2026 in Nashville, TN at 7:30pm EST) against the Mississippi Rebels of the SEC in an early season Power-4 matchup*
Our second conversation includes representatives of the Syracuse Orange. Head Coach Fran Brown and Quarterback Steve Angeli share where the team is in their culture-building process and larger preparation. Demetres Samuel, Jr. (who is expected to see major time at both defensive back and wide receiver) notes how he maintains his perspective on and off the field (in addition to expectations for the season), and linebacker Antoine Deslauriers notes the larger focus and readiness to have a vastly different (and improved) season compared to 2025 (you may watch all video where they field our questions below):
Our time with representatives of the Boston College Eagles is full of optimism which includes how specially built the players are in relation to classes and the community. The commentary with Mason McKenzie (quarterback), KP Price (defensive back), and linebacker Anthony Plano (linebacker) incorporates aspects of faith, work-ethic, and larger team building being integral to individual and team success (you may watch all video they field our questions below):
Starting with linebacker Kyle Efford, players from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets provide a composite of life-lessons in remaining grounded, a few areas of focus, and excitement in building on the success of the 2025 season. Added to the mix is Michigan transfer Justice Haynes, who combined with returning running back Malachi Hosley look to form what arguably could be the top running back tandem in the conference. And of course, a friendly message (#THWG) is shared with their fans, alumni, and their in-state rivals who happen to be members of the SEC (you may watch all video where they field our questions below):
While the Clemson Tigers finish with a winning season overall and a bowl game, they look to get things back on track and return to the upper echelon of the ACC. The tone set in our time with Olsen Patt-Henry (considered one of the conference's best tight ends), linebacker Sammy Brown, and defensive end Will Heldt exudes confidence. With a commitment to team and relationship building, attention to detail, and applying what's learned for their individual and collective growth, they look to a return to the "Tiger Way" in the upcoming season (you may watch all video where they field our questions below):
It's not just another day in the preview phase of the 2026 college football season.
It's a reminder of the caliber of people who indicate that being built in the ACC is just a little different and is what makes the conference a standout across the Power-4 and beyond.
Get ready for our Day 2 time, let alone August 29, 2026 when play truly kicks off.
Notes: *Due to audio issues, we are unable to share our interview with Louisville's Lance Robinson. We encourage you to visit the ACC Network playlist which includes the larger pressor with all teams (as the first day of the ACC Kickoff is July 15, 2026) by clicking HERE.
You may watch all our interview segments and related media by visiting our ACC Kickoff Playlist (click HERE to watch).
Our upcoming article provides a recap of Day 3 of the actual ACC Kickoff (our second day of coverage). You are invited to check out our previous (archival) ACC coverage as well (click HERE).
All photos and video are recorded by asnortonccs. The first photo-grid includes photos of Syracuse Head Coach Fran Brown and the EA Sports College Football 27 game lounge (top row), Louisville offensive linesman Lance Robinson and Boston College defensive back KP Price (middle row), and the National and Conference Championship trophies and Georgia Tech linebacker Kyle Efford.
Great article.