Coaching changes in the Atlantic Coast Conference the past few years have altered its complexion, making some of its football programs more prominent.
It became apparent at the start of this season when Duke, under reigning ACC coach of the year Mike Elko, pummeled league bully Clemson 28-7 in front of a national TV audience. It was a signature win for the second-year coach.
It’s evident at Georgia Tech, where Brent Key, a former offensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets, had his interim tag removed after he finished out last season by turning a 1-3 start into a 5-7 finish. He is 4-0 against ranked ACC opponents as head coach at his alma mater, and three of those wins have come on the road.
The 45-17 victory at Virginia last weekend moved Key’s team within a victory of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2018, a chance the Jackets will try to convert on their first try when they visit Clemson on Saturday.
The biggest splash is coming from No. 11 Louisville in its first season under Jeff Brohm, a former Cardinals quarterback. They improved to 9-1 with Thursday night’s 31-23 home win against Virginia. Entering the game, the Cardinals were ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 16.3 points per game, eighth in rushing defense (88.78 yards per game) and 28th in passing defense (196.4 yards per game).