It's desperation to blame the media. The ACC opens the season like this every year, cementing the reputation. Then the teams improve upon conference play so it's a double whammy. The opponents are tougher to defeat but we get not credit for doing so, since those same teams looked pathetic in prime time games a month or two earlier.
Even when it's a tight game the ACC invariably falls short, like North Carolina against LSU a few years ago, and Clemson in the maddening season opener against Auburn when they blew a big lead then dropped a game winning touchdown pass in overtime. That would have knocked out Auburn in the opening game. Instead, they won the title to keep the SEC streak alive.
The top SEC teams are simply a different level in terms of defensive emphasis and intensity. It's silly to deny it. Even when they don't look great they limit yards and deny touchdowns. South Carolina was 11th in yards allowed per play last year and 10th in yards per rush. Their pass defense wasn't great, which made them vulnerable in some games, especially when they turned it over.