RSF Blog

ACC Coastal Preview

Coastal Division

1. Virginia Tech – This team will be on an emotional high all season, that said, there will be a lot of pressure put on this team by the community and hopefully that won’t overwhelm this very talented team that returns 8 starters on each side of the ball. They’ll have an emotional home opener against ECU and then travel to LSU. The winner of that game could finish the season undefeated. This will be the best defense in the league, and RB Brandon Ore will have to stay healthy for the team to stand a chance at undefeated. The schedule is tough, but I like the Hokies to ride an emotional roller coaster to 12 wins this season. Prediction: 12-0 (8-0).

2. Miami – This team is coming off tough 7-6 season where A LOT went wrong. A LOT. They regained their ‘thug’ reputation last year, stomping on the logo in Louisville before getting beat, the brawl against FIU, numerous arrests, and just 23,000 in attendance in the final home game. However, they return 16 starters and the D will be ahead of the offense with Randy Shannon at the helm. Patrick Nix joins as offense coordinator (formerly of Georgia Tech), and I can’t figure out if that is a good hire or not. They have a very tough schedule, with games at Oklahoma, vs. Texas A&M, @ Florida St, @Virginia Tech, and @ Boston College. Prediction 8-4, (4-4)

3. Georgia Tech – Last year, despite having to play 9 teams that went to bowl games the year before, the Yellow Jackets were 9-5. However, they had 4 close losses that could have made them 13-1, but negate that with 4 close wins that could have made them 5-9. This is a team that has struggled with inconsistency every year under Gailey. The offense have 7 starters back and the defense has 8 back. Despite losing veteran QB Reggie Ball and star WR Calvin Johnson, the offensive line is one of the best in the conference and RB Choice should find plenty of running room because of it. Prediction: 7-5, 5-3.

3. Virginia – Al Groh is in the hot seat this year as the Virginia fans are anxious to win and don’t see Al making this team any better than mediocre. He’ll probably need 8-9 wins to keep his job. It’s possible though as the non conference schedule is made up of Wyoming, Pitt, MTSU, and Uconn and they get Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech at home (although Scott Stadium isn’t that imposing to visiting teams) and they get to play UNC early, when Butch Davis’ Tar Heels are still inexperienced and learning his schemes. The Cavs return 9 on offense and 10 on defense. If this team isn’t in the postseason, it will be a huge disappointment. Prediction: 7-5, 3-5.

4. North Carolina – Butch Davis takes over a team that had a difficult time filling out the highlight reel last season. But Butch was 51-20 was at Miami and ran a very clean program. Expect the same kind of results here eventually, with great facilities and good fans. They have just 9 starters back total and Davis will likely play many of his own recruits, making this a very young, raw team. Ultimately, this team is a year away from a decent bowl, and about 3 years away from competing for the league title. Prediction: 6-6 (3-5)

5. Duke – The Blue Devils have been the doormat of the ACC for as long as I can remember, and that isn’t changing anytime soon. On the bright side, they return every starter, 2 deep on offense. And the offense was only outgained by 115 ypg last year in league play, which is good for Duke. The defense returns 5, but the others have some degree of experience. I’ll predict this team to break the nation’s longest losing streak (20 games) at some point during the season, but that’s about it. 1-11 (0-8).