ACC Atlantic Preview
1. Florida State – Despite coming off their 1st losing season in ACC play, they are my favorite to win the Atlanta division. This team is loaded with talent. Bowden brought in Chuck Amato, Jimbo Fisher, and Rick Trickett this year to improve an offense that has struggled for 2-3 years now. They have 14 returning starters, and the schedule is set up that they could nearly run the table and be a contender for the National Title. They have some tough games, playing @Clemson, vs Alabama at a neutral site, @Wake Forest, @Boston College, and @Florida to close out the season. Prediction: 9-3 (6-2).
2. Wake Forest – Jim Grobe is an excellent coach, but the Deacons also had a lot of luck last year as well. They were the 1st team ever to win 6 ACC road games, even through they were outgained by 57 yards per game and without their starting QB and RB. Last year, they have 5 net close wins, which normally means a drop off the next season, but they are a more talented team this year. They have 9 back on offense, and only 5 back on defense. Prediction: 9-3 (6-2).
3. Clemson – The hardest team for me to pick every year. Tommy Bowden is in the hot seat again after his Tigers started 7-1 last year, were #10 in the nation, leading Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium 7-0, when the wheels came off and they never recovered, finishing 8-4, then getting beat by Kentucky in a bowl game they never really showed up for. They have one of the better defenses in the conferences, especially against the run, and two of the top 2 running backs in the country. They lose 4 off the offensive line and only return 5 on offense, and only return 7 on defense. They have enough talent to win 10 with their schedule, but only have the coaching to win 6, especially with no senior leadership (which is important when you aren’t getting motivation and leadership from your coaches). It could be a long season in Death Valley. Prediction: 7-5 (4-4).
T-4. NC State – This team should be much improved under Tom O’Brien. Chucky Amato was a great recruiter, but an undisciplined coach and his teams lacked direction and focus and won mostly on talent. So O’Brien brings his brand of strict discipline and should have this team back in the post season. They have have 8 back on offense, and 5 back on defense. Prediction 6-6, (3-5).
T-4. Maryland – Last year, Maryland started 3-2 and had lots of luck down the stretch with 6 very close wins and finished 5-3 in the ACC. They were outgained by 86 yards per game and won all 5 league games by a combined 13 points. Odds are, they won’t be so lucky this year. They lose senior leader and QB Hollenback, but do return 8 on offense and 6 on defense. A bowl is possible, but don’t expect another 9 wins this year. Prediction: 6-6 (4-4).
5. Boston College – I’m not real fond of 1st year coaches, especially when the hire was controversal and leads to tension on the coaching staff. They start the season vs. Wake Forest, NC State, then @ Georgia Tech, which is a tough way to start. Then the second half of the season they have 6 straight games against teams that went to a bowl last year. The schedule is tough and it’ll be VERY tough for this team to match 10 wins from last year. Prediction: 5-7 (2-6).