ACC Preview
This is always the toughest league for me to predict because I follow it so closely, but as always, we’ll give it the old college try.
Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech – Surprisingly, this team has gotten little media attention this year and has flown under the radar with all the hype that UNC and MIA will be improved. They are still the class of the division though and I don’t see anyone knocking them off their pedestal, even in somewhat of a rebuilding year.
2. North Carolina – I try not to buy into the media hype about a team, but Butch Davis returns 18 starters in the second year of his system and neither Miami or Georgia Tech impress me enough to pick them here. I think North Carolina returns to a bowl this year.
3. Miami – Just 11 returning starters and neither of the QB’s on this team have thrown a pass in college football. Ouch. Regardless, I don’t see how this team is much worse than last year. They have a lot of talent and I think they will be a force come the end of the season.
4. Georgia Tech – They have just 9 returning starters (fewest in ACC) and a 1st year coach who will drastically change the offense. They do have a shot at being bowl eligible, but GT fans should consider this a rebuilding year. Be thankful you have a great coach in Paul Johnson and book your trip to the 2010 ACC Championship game.
5. Wait for it… Duke – That’s right, I’m picking the Blue Devils to not finish in the basement. They’ve been close to winning an ACC game the last couple years and new head coach David Cutcliffe (who never should have been fired from Ole Miss) steps into a great situation. They return a lot of talent and I think 2 ACC wins are not out of the question.
6. Virginia – Al Groh should have been fired 4 seasons ago. Honestly, I have no idea how this team won 9 games last year and still managed to lose to Wyoming. Well, they won 5 games by 2 points or less so they easily could have had a much worse record and this team has a ton of holes and won’t get as lucky in those close games. Will a winless ACC season send Al packing? I hope not, I like to see the Cavs lose.
Atlantic Division
1. Clemson – The Tigers have the most talent in the ACC (same as the last 2 years), but still, they have a history of coming up just short of expectations. This year, they have a favorable schedule and it will be interesting to see if the Tigers can finally make it to the ACC Championship game. With Davis and Spillar in the backfield again this year, I think the Tigers finally get it done.
2. Wake Forest – Jim Grobe is one of the best coaches in the country and I’m glad he chose to stay at Wake. He is certainly changing the perception of Wake football as they are no longer pushovers. This could be his best team yet and Wake should easily gets third straight winning season, which would be a first.
3. Florida State – Hard to believe this team won the title just 3 short years ago as it’s been a tough couple years for the Noles. But they have a lot of talent back on D (8 starters) and experience at all the skill positions on offense. Bobby Bowden knows what it takes to win in the ACC and they will certainly be a tough out for any team this year. They get Wake and Clemson at home, so they could easily contend for the ACC title.
4. Boston College – I made the mistake of underestimating the Eagles last year, and I hope they don’t make a fool of me again. I still think Matt Ryan was overrated, but the loss of him makes a big difference. Without him, those close wins last year don’t happen. They have just 10 returning starters, but should still win their first 5 games. That’s when the schedule toughens and I don’t see them matching their 11 wins from last year.
5. Maryland – The Terps should be bowling again as this is a talented team. They have great receivers and should see improvement at the QB and RB positions. Questions on defense is the only reason I put them behind Boston College, but they could easily have a 8 or 9 win season if a few balls bounce their way.
6. NC State – Sorry Wolfpack fans, Tom O’brien has a good hire, but he still has a lot of work to do before he gets the kind of talent here that he had at BC. And I don’t think it’s nearly as easy to recuit to NC State as it was to BC. Not only are they not as talented as the other teams in the division, but they also are not as experienced. They schedule also tough as they play South Carolina, USF, and ECU out of conference. They are improved, but I don’t look for them to be better than their 5-7 record last year.