ACC Preview
Atlantic Division
1. Florida State – Despite a few holes on defense (they lose their top 3 tacklers and only return 5 starters), this should be an even better team than last years. The schedule is brutal playing BYU, Florida, and USF out of conference. 11 of the 12 teams on their schedule had winning records last year, so I’m only projecting them to finish 9-3, but I think that’s all it will take to win the Atlanta this year.
2. NC State – It’s Tom O’Brien’s magical 3rd year when good coaches make their move. Last year, they finished strong and were plagued with injuries all year. If they can stay healthy, they are a tough team and the front 7 on defense is the best in the Atlantic.
T-3. Clemson – The Tigers are a tough team to get a feel for this year. They have a lot of questions at WR and QB and I’m still not convinced that the O-line is any better than last year just because they have more experience. The defense will be good again though as Kevin Steele was a great hire and they will keep them in every game, but it could be another 8-4 season.
T-3. Boston College - At some point, you have to think that the coaching carousel will have it’s effect on the team. I think it would happen last year, so surely it will happen this year, right? However, they are very experienced with 14 returning starters, and only 16 lettermen lost. I think questions at QB keep them from matching the 9 wins from last year, but 8 is very much within grasp.
5. Wake Forest – It’s hard to pick against a Jim Grobe team when he keeps finding ways to win no matter what personnel he has on the field. They return 9 starters on offense, so they will be more proficient there, but lose their top 5 tacklers and only return 4 starters on defense. For a team that doesn’t do as well in shootouts, they may find themselves in a couple this season. I think they are bowl eligible, but won’t be able to match last years 8 wins.
6.Maryland – Last year, MD was a jeckyll and hyde team to say the least. This year, they have just 9 returning starters and only 56% of their lettermen returning. Both defensive line and offensive line have too many holes though for them to compete week in and week out.
Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech – my pick to win not only the Coastal, but the ACC Championship game as well. This is a team that won 10 games last year with just 10 returning starters and a tough schedule. The schedule still isn’t easy (though they avoid Clemson and FSU from the Atlantic). The holes to run through on offense will be bigger for Tyrod Taylor and Darren Evans and the defense will be the best in the division once again. If they can get past Alabama in their opener, they could finish the season with 1 loss and be a national champion contender.
2. Georgia Tech – Get ready for your last year of success under Paul Johnson Yellow Jacket fans. After this year, the coaches will have seen your 5 plays enough times to have caught on to them and how to stop them. And once recruits figure out that they the NFL is not looking for players who only run the option, the talent will dry up too. For this year though, the talent and edge are still there and 18 returning starters will make them a formiddable opponent every week this season.
T- 3. North Carolina - Butch Davis has had several good recruiting classes now and has shown that he knows what to do with the talent he is bring in. The defense returns 9 starters and should be much better than last year when the defense continually let them down. I’m not sold on the offense or the offensive line or I’d have them ranked higher. They should easily win the Coastal division next season.
T- 3. Miami - Oh, how the mighty have fallen. However, Randy Shannon is doing a great job and is beginning to assemble quite a bit of talent. He has his most talented team yet and I feel that Jacoby Harris will have a breakout season at QB. However, the schedule includes Clemson and FSU from the Atlanta and USF and Oklahoma out of conference. Unfortunately, they will be underdogs in each of their first 4 games and could feasibly start 0-4. I just hope they let coach Shannon finish out the season if that happens and I think they will be pleased with the results. I’m projecting a return to the postseason for the U.
5. Virginia - Al Groh has just 36 returning lettermen and 11 returning starters (same as last year). This year though, they lost their top 5 tacklers, top 5 receivers, and RB. They get Sewell back at QB this year (sat out with academic problems last year), but I don’t see it being enough. Gregg Brandon is a great hire at OC, but he won’t have much to work with this year. So long Al Groh, thanks for the memories. Although I do with you’d left the cupboard a little more bare, I can’t stand UVA or their obnoxious fans.
6. Duke - Dear David Cutcliffe, I’m sorry that Mississippi and Tennesee never gave you the respect you deserve and thus you have been relegated to Duke. Congratulations on winning 4 games last year as that’s how many Roof won his entire tenure there. I see the improvement, I see your ability, but alas, it’s still Duke. Maybe if you painted the ball orange and put down some hardwood in the middle of the field, someone up there would care about what you are doing. I’ve heard that this is another “rebuidling” year, but can you have a rebuilding year if you haven’t had a winning season in 15 years? What are you rebuilding from? Anyway, two FCS teams on the schedule should provide a couple wins and I look for at least 1 ACC game along the way, other than that, it’s the basement again for the Blue Devils.