ACC Preview: Can Cristobal Deliver, Is Dabo Ready to Evolve & Belichick’s Make-Or-Break Year

ACC Preview: Can Cristobal Deliver, Is Dabo Ready to Evolve & Belichick’s Make-Or-Break Year

Author: The Athletic August 13, 2026 Duration: 1:10:49

Can Mario Cristobal finally deliver a championship season in Miami? Is Dabo Swinney ready to evolve and get Clemson out of their recent slump? And can Bill Belichick salvage his high-stakes experiment at North Carolina after a disastrous 4-8 year? 


Welcome back to The Audible! In this episode, Stew, Bruce, and Ralph break down everything you need to know about the ACC ahead of the 2026 season. The guess dive deep into the ultimate 17-team ACC preview, sorting the true College Football Playoff contenders from the teams sitting firmly on the coaching hot seat.



🏈 TIMESTAMPS


0:00 - Intro

1:17 - Miami

5:00 - Challengers/Clemson

9:43 - Louisville

12:32 - SMU

14:48 - Miami vs the Field

17:25 - Dark Horses/Virginia

21:36 - NC State

24:26 - Virginia Tech

26:58 - Cal

29:42 - Stanford

31:51 - Hot Seat coaches

32:00 - Florida State

38:16 - Syracuse

40:48 - Boston College

43:24 - North Carolina

48:46 - End of the Belichick era?

50:56 - Wildcards/Georgia Tech

53:16 - Duke

55:00 - Wake Forest

56:32 - Pitt

59:14 - Mailbag



#ACCPreview #TheAudible #BillBelichick #DaboSwinney #MarioCristobal


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For anyone who lives and breathes college football, the weekly conversation happening on The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph is essential. This isn't just a recap of last Saturday's scores; it's where the sport's narrative gets unpacked by three of its most connected and seasoned voices. Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo bring a combined depth of experience that cuts through the noise, offering clarity on everything from coaching changes and playoff implications to the evolving landscape of conferences and recruiting. Their access is a key part of the podcast, featuring candid interviews with coaches, players, and insiders you won't hear elsewhere. Whether it's the frenzy of National Signing Day, the weekly drama of the regular season, or the road to the National Championship, they provide a consistent, intelligent, and often entertaining analysis that follows the sport's endless calendar. Presented by The Athletic, this show delivers the kind of substantive discussion and forward-looking insight that true fans rely on, making it a staple for those who want to go deeper than the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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