2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

The 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football season, part of the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season, was the 68th season of college football play for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). It began on September 3, 2020, and ended in January 2021. For 2020, the ACC consisted of 15 members in one division.[1]

2020 ACC Football season
LeagueNCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision
SportFootball
DurationSeptember 3, 2020, to January 2, 2021
Number of teams15
TV partner(s)ESPN Family, (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network), Fox Sports Networks
2021 NFL Draft
Top draft pickTrevor Lawrence – (Clemson)
Picked byJacksonville Jaguars, 1st overall
Regular season
Season championsNotre Dame
  Runners-upClemson
ACC Championship Game
ChampionsClemson
  Runners-upNotre Dame
Finals MVPTrevor Lawrence, Clemson
Seasons
2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 5 Notre Dame y^ 90  102 
No. 3 Clemson y$^ 81  102 
No. 22 Miami (FL) 72  83 
No. 18 North Carolina 73  84 
NC State 73  84 
Boston College 55  65 
Pittsburgh 55  65 
Virginia Tech 55  56 
Virginia 45  55 
Wake Forest 34  45 
Georgia Tech 36  37 
Louisville 37  47 
Florida State 26  36 
Duke 19  29 
Syracuse 19  110 
Championship: Clemson 34, Notre Dame 10
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

The original 2020 schedule was released on January 22, 2020.[2] On July 29, a revised concept of the schedule was released in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was announced that teams would play a ten-game conference schedule, which would include Notre Dame. An option was left for one out-of-conference game, provided that game was played in the home state of the ACC school.[1]

Previous season

Clemson defeated Virginia 62–17 in the ACC Football Championship Game.[3] The victory, along with a 12–0 regular season record, earned Clemson a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers were the number three seed in the playoff and faced Ohio State in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers won the game 29–23 and advanced to the National Championship game where they lost to LSU 25–42.

Preseason

ACC Kickoff

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC announced that its 2020 Football Kickoff would be held virtually instead of at the Westin in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Kickoff was scheduled for July 21–23, 2020.[4] On July 13, it was announced that the Kickoff was postponed until further notice.[5] On September 4, 2020, the ACC Preseason Media Poll was released.[6]

Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Clemson2,008 (132)
2Notre Dame1,824 (2)
3North Carolina1,682
4Louisville1,434
5Virginia Tech1,318
6Miami1,280
7Florida State1,177
8Pittsburgh1,132
9Virginia994
10Wake Forest659
11NC State634
12Duke618
13Boston College532
14Syracuse449
15Georgia Tech339

Preseason ACC Player of the Year

Source:[6]

RankingPlayerPositionTeamVotes
1Trevor LawrenceQBClemson100
2Travis EtienneRB30
3Sam HowellQBNorth Carolina1
Chazz SurrattLB
Ian BookQBNotre Dame
Carlos Basham Jr.DEWake Forest

Preseason All-Conference Teams

Offense
PositionPlayerSchoolVotes
Wide receiverTamorrion TerryFlorida State100
Tutu AtwellLouisville96
Dazz NewsomeNorth Carolina75
Tight endBrevin JordanMiami77
Advanced PlaymakerMichael CarterNorth Carolina82
TackleJackson CarmanClemson64
Ben PetrulaBoston College61
GuardZion JohnsonBoston College78
Aaron BanksNotre Dame34
CenterJimmy MorrisseyPittsburgh80
QuarterbackTrevor LawrenceClemson131
Running backTravis EtienneClemson133
Javian HawkinsLouisville80
Defense
PositionPlayerSchoolVotes
Defensive endCarlos Basham Jr.Wake Forest89
Patrick Jones IIPittsburgh37
Defensive tackleMarvin WilsonFlorida State108
Tyler DavisClemson75
LinebackerChazz SurrattNorth Carolina106
Rayshard AshbyVirginia Tech66
Jeremiah Owusu-KoramoahNotre Dame47
CornerbackAsante Samuel Jr.Florida State90
Derion KendrickClemson85
SafetyParis FordPittsburgh62
Hamsah NasirildeenFlorida State56
Specialist
PositionPlayerSchoolVotes
PlacekickerNick ScibaWake Forest69
PunterTrenton GillNC State43
SpecialistDamond Philyaw-JohnsonDuke48

Source:[6]

Recruiting classes

Rankings
TeamESPN[7]Rivals[8]24/7[9]Signees
Boston College60636513
Clemson11123
Duke42585317
Florida State22222118
Georgia Tech27232624
Louisville33373925
Miami19161719
North Carolina17171926
NC State31454219
Pittsburgh44474117
Syracuse58535819
Virginia48555014
Virginia Tech70806315
Wake Forest54585719

Coaches

Coaching changes

The ACC entered the 2020 season with two new head football coaches:

Head coaching records

TeamHead coachYears at schoolOverall recordRecord at schoolACC record
Boston CollegeJeff Hafley10–00–00–0
ClemsonDabo Swinney13130–31130–3177–16
DukeDavid Cutcliffe13116–10872–7934–62
Florida StateMike Norvell138–150–00–0
Georgia TechGeoff Collins218–193–92–6
LouisvilleScott Satterfield259–298–55–3
MiamiManny Diaz26–76–74–4
North CarolinaMack Brown12251–128–176–52–144–39–1
North Carolina StateDave Doeren870–4647–4221–35
PittsburghPat Narduzzi636–2936–2924–16
SyracuseDino Babers560–4223–2612–20
VirginiaBronco Mendenhall5124–7025–2714–18
Virginia TechJustin Fuente559–4333–2020–12
Wake ForestDave Clawson7126–11936–4016–32

Notes

  • Records shown are prior to the 2020 season
  • Years at school includes the 2020 season

Rankings

Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
 PreWk
2
Wk
3
Wk
4
Wk
5
Wk
6
Wk
7
Wk
8
Wk
9
Wk
10
Wk
11
Wk
12
Wk
13
Wk
14
Wk
15
Wk
16
Final
Boston CollegeAPRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot released 
ClemsonAP1 (38)1 (60)1 (59)1 (55)1 (52)1 (59)1 (54)1 (52)1 (33)44444423
C1 (38)1 (37)1 (44)1 (42)1 (46)1 (55)1 (52)1 (52)1 (43)44433323
CFPNot released33332
DukeAP
CRVRV
CFPNot released 
Florida StateAPRVRV
CRV
CFPNot released 
Georgia TechAPRV
CRVRV
CFPNot released 
LouisvilleAPRV1824RV
CRV16RV
CFPNot released 
MiamiAPRV171287131112119121099191822
CRV1814871211121099998191822
CFPNot released1010101818
North CarolinaAP18121112851415RVRVRV25RV20161418
C1911121196131324RV2423RV20151417
CFPNot released1917171513
NC StateAPRVRV23RVRV2424RV
CRVRVRV22RVRVRVRV242322RV
CFPNot released232223
Notre DameAP107755434422222245
C1077554344222222 (2)45
CFPNot released22224
PittsburghAP252124RV
CRVRVRV25RV
CFPNot released 
SyracuseAP
C
CFPNot released 
VirginiaAPRVRVRVRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot released 
Virginia TechAPRV2020RV192319RV
C24192423182320RVRVRV
CFPNot released 
Wake ForestAPRVRV
CRVRVRV
CFPNot released 

Schedule

Index to colors and formatting
ACC member won
ACC member lost
ACC teams in bold

Regular season

The regular season began on September 10 and ended on December 5. The ACC Championship game was played on December 19.[14]

Week one

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 108:00 p.m.UABMiami (FL)Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLACCNW 31–14  8,153
September 1212:00 p.m.SyracuseNo. 18 North CarolinaKenan Memorial StadiumChapel Hill, NCACCN UNC 31–6   
September 122:30 p.m.DukeNo. 10 Notre DameNotre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, INNBC ND 27–13  10,097
September 123:30 p.m.Georgia TechFlorida StateDoak Campbell StadiumTallahassee, FLABC GT 16–13  17,538
September 124:00 p.m.Austin PeayPittsburghHeinz FieldPittsburgh, PAACCNW 55–0   
September 127:30 p.m.No. 1 ClemsonWake ForestTruist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC (College GameDay)ABC CLEM 37–13  68
September 128:00 p.m.Western KentuckyLouisvilleCardinal StadiumLouisville, KYACCNW 35–21  11,179
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 12Boston CollegeNC StateVirginiaVirginia Tech

Week two

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1912:00 p.m.SyracuseNo. 25 PittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)ACCN PITT 21–10   
September 1912:00 p.m.Boston CollegeDukeWallace Wade StadiumDurham, NCRSN BC 26–6   
September 192:30 p.m.South FloridaNo. 7 Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium • South Bend, INUSAW 52–0  10,085
September 193:30 p.m.No. 14 UCFGeorgia TechBobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GAABCL 21–49  11,000
September 194:00 p.m.The CitadelNo. 1 ClemsonMemorial StadiumClemson, SCACCNW 49–0  18,609
September 197:30 p.m.No. 17 Miami (FL)No. 18 LouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY (College GameDay)ABC MIA 47–34  12,120
September 198:00 p.m.Wake ForestNC StateCarter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC (rivalry)ACCN NCSU 45–42   
Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 19Florida StateNorth CarolinaVirginiaNo. 20 Virginia Tech

Week three

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2612:00 p.m.No. 24 LouisvilleNo. 21 PittsburghHeniz Field • Pittsburgh, PAACCN PITT 23–20   
September 2612:00 p.m.Georgia TechSyracuseCarrier DomeSyracuse, NYRSN CUSE 37–20   
September 26 [a]4:00 p.m.DukeVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VAACCN UVA 38–20  1,000
September 266:00 p.m.Texas StateBoston CollegeAlumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MARSNW 24–21   
September 267:30 p.m.Florida StateNo. 12 Miami (FL)Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL (rivalry, College GameDay)ABC MIA 52–10  12,806
September 26 [b]8:00 p.m.NC StateNo. 20 Virginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAACCN VT 45–24  1,000
Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 26ClemsonNorth CarolinaNo. 7 Notre DameWake Forest

Week four

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 27:00 p.m.CampbellWake ForestTruist Stadium at Wake Forest • Winston-Salem, NCACCNW 66–14   
October 312:00 p.m.NC StateNo. 24 PittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAACCN NCSU 30–29   
October 33:30 p.m.No. 12 North CarolinaBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MAABC UNC 26–22   
October 34:00 p.m.Virginia TechDukeWallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NCACCN VT 38–31   
October 34:00 p.m.Jacksonville StateFlorida StateDoak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FloridaRSNW 41–24  13,589
October 38:00 p.m.VirginiaNo. 1 ClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SCACCN CLEM 41–23  18,735
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 3Georgia TechLouisvilleNo. 8 Miami (FL)No. 5 Notre DameSyracuse

Week five

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 97:00 p.m.LouisvilleGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GAESPN GT 46–27  11,000
October 1012:00 p.m.No. 19 Virginia TechNo. 8 North CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NCABC UNC 56–45  3,535
October 1012:00 p.m.NC StateVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VAACCN NCSU 38–21  1,000
October 1012:30 p.m.DukeSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYRSN DUKE 38–24   
October 104:00 p.m.PittsburghBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MAACCN BC 31–30 OT  
October 107:30 p.m.Florida StateNo. 5 Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, INNBC ND 42–26  10,409
October 107:30 p.m.No. 7 Miami (FL)No. 1 ClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SC (College GameDay)ABC CLEM 42–17  18,885
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 10Wake Forest

Week six

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 1712:00 p.m.LibertySyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYRSNL 21–38   
October 1712:00 p.m.No. 1 ClemsonGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA (rivalry)ABC CLEM 73-7  11,000
October 1712:00 p.m.PittsburghNo. 13 Miami (FL)Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FLACCN MIA 31–19  9,000
October 172:30 p.m.LouisvilleNo. 4 Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, INNBC ND 12–7  10,182
October 173:30 p.m.DukeNC StateCarter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC (Tobacco Road)RSN NCSU 31–20  4,032
October 174:00 p.m.VirginiaWake ForestTruist Field at Wake Forest • Winston-Salem, NCACCN WAKE 40–23  2,186
October 177:30 p.m.No. 5 North CarolinaFlorida StateDoak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FLABC FSU 31–28  18,016
October 178:00 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 23 Virginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAACCN VT 40–14  1,000
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week seven

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 2412:00 p.m.SyracuseNo. 1 ClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SCACCN CLEM 47–21  18,629
October 2412:00 p.m.No. 23 NC StateNo. 14 North CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)ESPN UNC 48–21  3,535
October 2412:00 p.m.Florida StateLouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYRSN LOU 48–16  11,465
October 243:30 p.m.No. 3 Notre DamePittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)ABC ND 45–3  5,451
October 243:30 p.m.No. 19 Virginia TechWake ForestTruist Field at Wake Forest • Winston-Salem, NCRSN WF 23–16  2,135
October 244:00 p.m.Georgia TechBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MAACCN BC 48–27   
October 248:00 p.m.VirginiaNo. 11 Miami (FL)Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FLACCN MIA 19–14  9,940
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 24Duke

Week eight

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 3112:00 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 1 ClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SC (O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy)ABC CLEM 34–28  18,690
October 3112:00 p.m.Wake ForestSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYACCN WAKE 38–14   
October 313:30 p.m.No. 4 Notre DameGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GAABC ND 31–13  11,000
October 314:00 p.m.Virginia TechLouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYACCN VT 42–35  11,901
October 317:00 p.m.CharlotteDukeWallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NCRSNW 53–19   
October 318:00 p.m.No. 15 North CarolinaVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry)ACCN UVA 44–41  1,000
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 31Florida StateNo. 12 Miami (FL)NC StatePittsburgh

Week nine

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 67:30 p.m.No. 11 Miami (FL)NC StateCarter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NCESPN MIA 44–41  4,032
November 712:00 p.m.North CarolinaDukeWallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC (Victory Bell)ESPN2 UNC 56–24  0
November 712:00 p.m.LibertyVirginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAACCNL 35–38  1,000
November 72:00 p.m.Boston CollegeSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NY (rivalry)RSN BC 16–13  0
November 74:00 p.m.PittsburghFlorida StateDoak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FLACCN PITT 41–17  16,568
November 77:30 p.m.No. 1 ClemsonNo. 4 Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium • South Bend, IN (College GameDay)NBC ND 47–40 2OT 11,011
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 7Georgia TechLouisvilleVirginiaWake Forest

Week ten

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 1412:00 p.m.No. 9 Miami (FL)Virginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAESPN2 MIA 25–24  1,000
November 1412:00 p.m.Wake ForestNorth CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC (Tobacco Road)ACCN UNC 59–53  3,535
November 143:30 p.m.No. 2 Notre DameBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MA (Holy War)ABC NC 45–31   
November 143:30 p.m.LouisvilleVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VAACCN UVA 31–17  1,000
November 147:30 p.m.Florida StateNC StateCarter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NCACCN NCSU 38–22  4,032
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 14No. 4 ClemsonDukeGeorgia TechSyracusePittsburgh

Week eleven

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 207:30 p.m.SyracuseLouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYESPN LOU 30–0  11,192
November 214:00 p.m.Abilene ChristianVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlotteville, VARSNW 55–15  250
November 214:00 p.m.Virginia TechPittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAACCN PITT 47–14  4,612
November 217:30 p.m.No. 21 LibertyNC StateCarter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NCRSNW 15–14  4,032
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 21Boston CollegeNo. 4 ClemsonDukeGeorgia TechFlorida StateNo. 12 Miami (FL)North CarolinaNo. 2 Notre DameWake Forest

Week twelve

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 273:30 p.m.No. 2 Notre DameNo. 19 North CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NCABC ND 31–17  3,535
November 2812:00 p.m.NC StateSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYACCN NCSU 36–29   
November 283:30 p.m.PittsburghNo. 3 ClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SCABC CLEM 52–17  18,819
November 284:00 p.m.LouisvilleBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MAACCN BC 34–27   
November 287:00 p.m.DukeGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GARSN GT 56–33  11,000
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 28Florida StateNo. 10 Miami (FL)VirginiaVirginia TechWake Forest

Week thirteen

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 512:00 p.m.Western CarolinaNo. 17 North CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NCACCNW 49–9  3,535
December 52:30 p.m.SyracuseNo. 2 Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, INNBC ND 45–21  6,831
December 53:30 p.m.Boston CollegeVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VARSN UVA 43–32  250
December 54:00 p.m.Georgia TechNC StateCarter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NCACCN NCSU 23–13  4,032
December 57:30 p.m.No. 3 ClemsonVirginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAABC CLEM 45–10  250
December 58:00 p.m.No. 10 Miami (FL)DukeWallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NCACCN MIA 48–0   
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
December 5Florida StateLouisvillePittsburghWake Forest

Week fourteen

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 107:00 p.m.PittsburghGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GARSN PITT 34–20  11,000
December 1212:00 p.m.Wake ForestLouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYACCN LOU 45–21  10,959
December 123:30 p.m.No. 17 North CarolinaNo. 10 Miami (FL)Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FLABC UNC 62–26  12,092
December 124:00 p.m.DukeFlorida StateDoak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FLACCN FSU 56–35  14,872
December 128:00 p.m.VirginiaVirginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup)ACCN VT 33–15  250
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
December 12Boston CollegeNo. 3 ClemsonNo. 23 NC StateNo. 2 Notre DameSyracuse

Championship game

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 194:00 p.m.No. 3 ClemsonNo. 2 Notre DameBank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (College GameDay)ABC CLEM 34–10  5,240
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

ACC vs other conferences

ACC vs Power 5 matchups

The other Power 5 conferences (Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) announced a conference-only schedule model, and no ACC team played another Power 5 team during the regular season.[17][18][19][20]

ACC vs Group of Five matchups

The following games featured ACC teams competing against teams from the American, C-USA, MAC, Mountain West, or Sun Belt.

Index to colors and formatting
ACC member won
ACC member lost
ACC teams in bold
DateConferenceVisitorHomeSiteScore
September 10C-USAUABMiami (FL)Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FLW 31–14
September 12C-USAWestern KentuckyLouisvilleCardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYW 35–21
September 19AmericanUCFGeorgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GAL 21–49
September 19AmericanSouth FloridaNotre DameNotre Dame Stadium • South Bend, INW 52–0
September 26Sun BeltTexas StateBoston CollegeAlumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MAW 24–21
October 31C-USACharlotteDukeWallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NCW 53–19

ACC vs FBS independents matchups

The following games featured ACC teams competing against FBS Independents, which included Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn, and UMass.

Index to colors and formatting
ACC member won
ACC member lost
ACC teams in bold
DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
October 17LibertySyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYL 21–38
November 7LibertyVirginia TechLane Stadium • Blacksburg, VAL 35–38
November 21LibertyNC StateCarter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NCW 15–14

ACC vs FCS matchups

Index to colors and formatting
ACC member won
ACC member lost
ACC teams in bold
DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
September 12Austin PeayPittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAW 55–0
September 19The CitadelClemsonMemorial Stadium • Clemson, SCW 49–0
October 2CampbellWake ForestTruist Field at Wake Forest • Winston-Salem, NCW 66–14
October 3Jacksonville StateFlorida StateDoak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FLW 41–24
November 21Abilene ChristianVirginiaScott Stadium • Charlottesville, VAW 55–15
December 5Western CarolinaNorth CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NCW 49–9

Records against other conferences


Post Season

Power Conferences 5Record
Big Ten0–2
Big 120–1
BYU0–0
Pac-120–0
SEC0–3
Power 5 Total0–6
Other FBS ConferencesRecord
American0–0
C–USA0–0
Independents (Excluding BYU)0–0
MAC0–0
Mountain West0–0
Sun Belt0–0
Other FBS Total0–0
Total Bowl Record0–6

Postseason

Bowl games

Legend
 ACC win
 ACC loss
Bowl gameDateSiteTelevisionTime (EST)ACC teamOpponentScoreAttendance
2020 Cheez-It BowlDecember 29Camping World StadiumOrlando, FLESPN5:30 p.m.No. 18 MiamiNo. 21 Oklahoma StateL 34–37
2020 Duke's Mayo BowlDecember 30Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NCESPN12:00 p.m.Wake ForestWisconsinL 28–421,500
2021 Gator BowlJanuary 2TIAA Bank FieldJacksonville, FLESPN12:00 p.m.No. 23 NC StateKentuckyL 21–2310,422
New Year's Six bowl games
2021 Orange BowlJanuary 2Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLESPN8:00 p.m.No. 13 North CarolinaNo. 5 Texas A&ML 27–4113,737
College Football Playoff bowl games
Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal)January 1AT&T StadiumArlington, TXESPN4:00 p.m.No. 4 Notre DameNo. 1 AlabamaL 14–3118,373
Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal)January 1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LAESPN8:00 p.m.No. 2 ClemsonNo. 3 Ohio StateL 28–493,000

Rankings are from CFP rankings. All times Eastern Time Zone. ACC teams shown in bold.

Awards and honors

Player of the week honors

WeekQuarterbackRunning BackOffensive LineReceiverDefensive LineLinebackerDefensive BackSpecialistRookie
PlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPosition
Week 1[21]Trevor LawrenceClemsonQBKyren WilliamsNotre DameRBCorey GaynorMiamiCBraden SmithLouisvilleWRCurtis RyansGeorgia TechDEChazz SurrattNorth CarolinaLBAsante Samuel Jr.Florida StateDBMarvin WilsonFlorida StateDTJeff SimsGeorgia TechQB
Week 2[22]D'Eriq KingMiamiQBRicky Person Jr.NC StateRBIkem EkwonuNC StateOGZay FlowersBoston CollegeWRVictor DimukejeDukeDECam BrightPittsburghOLBBubba BoldenMiamiSJosé BorregalesMiamiPKJahmyr GibbsGeorgia TechRB
Robert HainseyNotre DameOTRashad WeaverPittsburghDE
Week 3[23]D'Eriq King (2)MiamiQBSean TuckerSyracuseRBBrock HoffmanVirginia TechCLavel Davis Jr.VirginiaWRPatrick Jones IIPittsburghDEZane ZandierVirginiaILBTrill WilliamsSyracuseDBAlex KessmanPittsburghPKLavel Davis Jr.VirginiaWR
Week 4[24]Devin LearyNC StateQBKhalil HerbertVirginia TechRBChristian DarrisawVirginia TechLTEmeka EmezieNC StateWREmmanuel BelmarVirginia TechDEBaylon SpectorClemsonLBAndrew Booth Jr.ClemsonDBLawrance ToafiliFlorida StateRBKhalil HerbertVirginia TechRB
Cade StewartClemsonCD. J. TurnerPittsburghWR
Week 5[25]Trevor Lawrence (2)ClemsonQBMichael CarterNorth CarolinaRBBrian AndersonNorth CarolinaCZay Flowers (2)Boston CollegeWRPatrick Jones II (2)PittsburghDESirVocea DennisPittsburghOLBBubba Bolden (2)MiamiSCharlie HamDukePKJeff Sims (2)Georgia TechQB
Phil JurkovecBoston CollegeQB
Week 6[26]Trevor Lawrence (3)ClemsonQBKenneth Walker IIIWake ForestRBIkem Ekwonu (2)NC StateLTAmari RodgersClemsonWRQuincy RocheMiamiDEPayton WilsonNC StateLBChamarri ConnerVirginia TechNBLou HedleyMiamiPKyren WilliamsNotre DameRB
Doug NesterVirginia TechRG
Week 7[27]Ian BookNotre DameQBJavian HawkinsLouisvilleRBLiam EichenbergNotre DameLTMichael HarleyMiamiWRCarlos Basham Jr.Wake ForestDEChazz Surratt (2)North CarolinaLBNick AndersonWake ForestSWill SpiersClemsonPNick AndersonWake ForestS
Week 8[28]Sam HowellNorth CarolinaQBTravis EtienneClemsonRBJackson CarmanClemsonLTDyami BrownNorth CarolinaWRDaelin HayesNotre DameDECharles SnowdenVirginiaOLBChamarri Conner (2)Virginia TechCBIsiah Fisher-SmithDukeSDJ UiagaleleiClemsonQB
Brock Hoffman (2)Virginia TechC
Week 9[29]D'Eriq King (3)MiamiQBKyren Williams (2)Notre DameRBAaron BanksNotre DameOGMichael Harley (2)MiamiWRJaelan PhillipsMiamiDEJeremiah Owusu-KoramoahNotre DameLBBrandon HillPittsburghSSZonovan KnightNC StateRBDJ Uiagalelei (2)ClemsonQB
Week 10[30]Sam Howell (2)North CarolinaQBMichael Carter (2)North CarolinaRBTommy KraemerNotre DameOGDazz NewsomeNorth CarolinaWRJaelan Phillips (2)MiamiDENoah TaylorVirginiaOLBShaun CrawfordNotre DameSLou Hedley (2)MiamiPLavel Davis Jr. (2)VirginiaWR
Christian Beal-SmithWake ForestRB
Week 11[31]Kenny PickettPittsburghQBZonovan KnightNC StateRBBryce HargrovePittsburghLGD. J. Turner (2)PittsburghWRDaniel JosephNC StateDEIsaiah MooreMLBNC StateKei'Trel ClarkCBLouisvilleAlex Kessman (2)PittsburghPKAydan WhiteNC StateCB
Damar HamlinSPittsburgh
Week 12[32]Trevor Lawrence (4)ClemsonQBKyren Williams (3)Notre DameRBZach QuinneyGeorgia TechLTCornell PowellClemsonWRJordan DomineckGeorgia TechDEPayton Wilson (2)NC StateLBMario GoodrichClemsonCBTrebor PenaSyracuseKRJeff Sims (3)Georgia TechQB
Liam Eichenberg (2)Notre DameLT
Week 13[33]Dennis GroselBoston CollegeQBKyren Williams (4)Notre DameRBRyan SwobodaVirginiaRTJavon McKinleyNotre DameWRQuincy Roche (2)MiamiDEPayton Wilson (3)NC StateLBClarence LewisNotre DameCBChristopher DunnNC StatePKMyles MurphyClemsonDE
Sean TuckerSyracuseRBPorter WilsonDukeP
Week 14[34]
Sam Howell (3)North CarolinaQBMichael Carter (3)North CarolinaRBJoshua EzeuduNorth CarolinaLGDyami Brown (2)North CarolinaWRMiles FoxWake ForestDTJeremiah GemmelNorth CarolinaLBHamsah NasirildeenFlorida StateSAlex Kessman (3)PittsburghPKJalen MitchellLouisvilleRB

All Conference Teams

Source:[35]


Second Team

PositionPlayerTeam
Second Team Offense
QBSam HowellNorth Carolina
RBJavonte WilliamsNorth Carolina
Kyren WilliamsNotre Dame
WRJaquarii RobersonWake Forest
Tutu AtwellLouisville
Dez FitzpatrickLouisville
TEBrevin JordanMiami
TJackson CarmanClemson
Robert HainseyNotre Dame
GBen PetrulaBoston College
Matt BockhorstClemson
CJimmy MorrisseyPittsburgh
All Purpose BackKhalil HerbertVirginia Tech
Second Team Defense
DEJaelan PhillipsMiami
Chris Rumph IIDuke
DTMarvin WilsonFlorida State
Myron Tagovailoa-AmosaNotre Dame
LBIsaiah McDuffieBoston College
James SkalskiClemson
Charles SnowdenVirginia
CBAndrew Booth Jr.Clemson
Kei'Trel ClarkLouisville
SNolan TurnerClemson
Bubba BoldenMiami
Damar HamlinPittsburgh
Second Team Special Teams
PKAlex KessmanPittsburgh
PLou HedleyMiami
SPNykeim JohnsonSyracuse


Third Team

PositionPlayerTeam
Third Team Offense
QBIan BookNotre Dame
RBKhalil HerbertVirginia Tech
Zonovan KnightNC State
WRMike Harley Jr.Miami
Taj HarrisSyracuse
Cornell PowellClemson
TEMichael MayerNotre Dame
TIkem EkwonuNC State
Zion JohnsonBoston College
GJoshua EzeuduNorth Carolina
Joe SculthorpeNC State
CJarrett PattersonNotre Dame
All Purpose BackMichael CarterNorth Carolina
Third Team Defense
DECarlos Basham Jr.Wake Forest
Quincy RocheMiami
DTJarrod HewittVirginia Tech
Miles FoxWake Forest
LBSirVocea DennisPittsburgh
Nick JacksonVirginia
Max RichardsonBoston College
CBNick McCloudNotre Dame
Ifeatu MelifonwuSyracuse
SMichael Carter IIDuke
Nick AndersonWake Forest
Third Team Special Teams
PKNick ScibaWake Forest
PNolan CooneySyracuse
SPThayer ThomasNC State

All-Americans

Consensus All-Americans

2020 Consensus All-Americans
UnanimousConsensus

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech
José Borregales – Miami

Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh
Travis Etienne – Clemson

Associated Press

2020 AP All-Americans[40]
First TeamSecond TeamThird Team

Aaron Banks – Notre Dame
Travis Etienne – Clemson
José Borregales – Miami
Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech

Javonte Williams – North Carolina
Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech
Hunter Long – Boston College
Jaelan Phillips – Miami
Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh
Alim McNeill – NC State
Lou Hedley – Miami

Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
Michael Carter – North Carolina
Tommy Kraemer – Notre Dame
Dyami Brown – North Carolina
Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame

AFCA

2020 AFCA All-Americans[41]
First TeamSecond Team

Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
Aaron Banks – Notre Dame
Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh
Jaelan Phillips – Miami
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech
José Borregales – Miami

Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
Travis Etienne – Clemson
Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh
Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame
Nolan Turner – Clemson

FWAA

2020 FWAA All-Americans[42]
First TeamSecond Team

Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame
José Borregales – Miami
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech
Travis Etienne – Clemson

Hunter Long – Boston College
Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech
Jaelan Phillips – Miami

The Sporting News

2020 Sporting News All-Americans[43]
First TeamSecond Team

Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
Travis Etienne – Clemson
Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Chazz Surratt – North Carolina
José Borregales – Miami
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech

Kyren Williams – Notre Dame
Hunter Long – Boston College
Aaron Banks – Notre Dame
Javonte Williams – North Carolina
Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh

WCFF

2020 Walter Camp All-Americans[44]
First TeamSecond Team

Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame
José Borregales – Miami
Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh
Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Pressley Harvin III – Georgia Tech

Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech
Aaron Banks – Notre Dame
Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
Travis Etienne – Clemson
Jaelan Phillips – Miami
Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame

National Award Winners

Home game attendance

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance was limited at all stadiums for the season. Depending on state regulations, some universities did not allow any fans.

TeamStadiumCapacityGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6TotalAverage
Boston CollegeAlumni Stadium44,500[47]No attendance due to COVID-19
ClemsonMemorial Stadium81,500[48]18,60918,73518,885†18,62918,69018,819112,36718,728
DukeWallace Wade Stadium40,000[49]No attendance due to COVID-19
Florida StateDoak Campbell Stadium79,560[50]17,53813,58918,016†16,56814,87280,58316,117
Georgia TechBobby Dodd Stadium55,000[51]11,00011,00011,00011,00011,00011,00066,00011,000
LouisvilleCardinal Stadium60,800[52]11,17912,120†11,46511,90111,19210,95968,81611,469
MiamiHard Rock Stadium65,326[53]8,15312,806†9,0009,94012,09251,99110,398
North CarolinaKenan Memorial Stadium50,500[54]03,5353,5353,5353,5353,53517,6753,535
NC StateCarter–Finley Stadium57,583[55]3504,0324,0324,0324,0324,03220,5103,418
Notre DameNotre Dame Stadium77,622[56][non-primary source needed]10,09710,08510,40910,18211,011†6,83158,6159,769
PittsburghHeinz Field68,400[57]00005,451†4,61210,0635,032
SyracuseCarrier Dome49,262[58]No attendance due to COVID-19
VirginiaScott Stadium61,500[59]01,0001,0001,0001,0002504,250708
Virginia TechLane Stadium65,632[60]1,0001,0001,0001,0002502504,500750
Wake ForestTruist Field at Wake Forest31,500[61]682,0582,186†2,1356,4471,612

Bold – Exceeded capacity
†Season High

NFL Draft

The following list includes all ACC Players who were drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft

PlayerPositionSchoolDraft
Round
Round
Pick
Overall
Pick
Team
Trevor LawrenceQBClemson111Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaelan PhillipsDEMiami11818Miami Dolphins
Caleb FarleyCBVirginia Tech12222Tennessee Titans
Christian DarrisawOTVirginia Tech12323Minnesota Vikings
Travis EtienneRBClemson12525Jacksonville Jaguars
Gregory RousseauDEMiami13030Buffalo Bills
Javonte WilliamsRBNorth Carolina2335Denver Broncos
Jackson CarmanOTClemson21446Cincinnati Bengals
Asante Samuel Jr.CBFlorida State21547Los Angeles Chargers
Tutu AtwellWRLouisville22557Los Angeles Rams
Carlos Basham Jr.DEWake Forest22961Buffalo Bills
Andre CiscoSSyracuse3165Jacksonville Jaguars
Alim McNeillDTNC State3872Detroit Lions
Chazz SurrattLBNorth Carolina31478Minnesota Vikings
Divine DeabloSVirginia Tech31680Las Vegas Raiders
Hunter LongTEBoston College31781Miami Dolphins
Dyami BrownWRNorth Carolina31882Washington Football Team
Amari RodgersWRClemson32185Green Bay Packers
Patrick Jones IIDEPittsburgh32690Minnesota Vikings
Ifeatu MelifonwuCBSyracuse337101Detroit Lions
Michael CarterRBNorth Carolina42107New York Jets
Dez FitzpatrickWRLouisville44109Tennessee Titans
Chris Rumph IIOLBDuke413118Los Angeles Chargers
Janarius RobinsonDEFlorida State429134Minnesota Vikings
Rashad WeaverDEPittsburgh430135Tennessee Titans
Joshua KaindohDEFlorida State439144Kansas City Chiefs
Brevin JordanTEMiami53147Houston Texans
Michael Carter IISDuke510154New York Jets
Noah GrayTEDuke518162Kansas City Chiefs
Jason PinnockCBPittsburgh531175New York Jets
Cornell PowellWRClemson537181Kansas City Chiefs
Hamsah NasirildeenSFlorida State62186New York Jets
Jaylen TwymanDTPittsburgh615199Minnesota Vikings
Jalen CampWRGeorgia Tech625209Jacksonville Jaguars
Victor DimukejeDEDuke626210Arizona Cardinals
Damar HamlinSPittsburgh628212Buffalo Bills
Quincy RocheOLBMiami632216Pittsburgh Steelers
Khalil HerbertRBVirginia Tech633217Chicago Bears
Isaiah McDuffieILBBoston College636220Green Bay Packers
Dazz NewsomeWRNorth Carolina637221Chicago Bears
Jimmy MorrisseyCPittsburgh72230Las Vegas Raiders
Pressley Harvin IIIPGeorgia Tech727254Pittsburgh Steelers

References

Further reading