Rece Davis Names College Football Conference That's 'Deeper Than We Thought'

Rece Davis Names College Football Conference That's 'Deeper Than We Thought' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

With SEC media days now in the rearview mirror and the start of the 2025 college football season just over one month away, almost everybody is writing off each conference not named the SEC or the Big Ten.

Given the starpower in those two leagues — Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Oregon, etc. — it's easy to forget about the rest of the country.

While recording the most recent episode of the "College GameDay Podcast" on Wednesday, host Rece Davis mentioned he thinks a different conference will surprise college football fans this season, proving to be deeper than everyone thought.

That league being the ACC, headlined in 2025 by Clemson and Miami.

"I think we learn that the ACC is deeper than we thought," Davis said while discussing Week 1.

Davis also spent time discussing Florida State, a program that struggled a season ago and finished with a 2-10 record. On Aug. 30, FSU is set to open the season against Alabama in Tallahassee. That game could get ugly, as probably most will predict as we inch closer. But Davis actually thinks the 'Noles will be very improved and actually 'threaten' Alabama.

"Florida State is going to be so much more improved," Davis said. "Because they will threaten Alabama, it's going to be — instead of Florida State being improved — is this really working at Alabama?"

In his preseason top 136 team rankings, Athlon Sports' Steven Lassan has the Seminoles checking in at No. 43 overall. Not great, but with the new additions of coordinators Gus Malzahn on offense and Tony White on defense, FSU fans do at least have some hope going into the season.

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos has injected some energy, and Pete Fiutak of College Football News expects him to play behind a "terrific" offensive line.

As for the other top teams, Clemson and Miami, Lassan has them both in his preseason top 10.

Dabo Swinney returns a loaded Clemson roster that Lassan says is "poised for a run at the national title" this year. He credits that to quarterback Cade Klubnik, a talented receiving corps and an elite defense. Lassan has the Tigers at No. 5.

The Tigers open the season with a tough battle against LSU at home. If Clemson wins that one, the Tigers will likely be well on their way to a spot in the College Football Playoff, giving the ACC some hope.

And how about the 'Canes, opening at home against Notre Dame?

Lassan has Miami at No. 10, thanks in large part to the transfer of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and a predicted improvement on defense.

Wins from Clemson and Miami — and as long as FSU gives Alabama a fight — could mean a big year for the ACC.

SMU, which Lassan has at No. 24, and Louisville (26) also provide some depth to the ACC.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.