ACC Preview
By Joe Nelson
ACC ATLANTIC
Champion: Clemson
Runner-Up: Florida State
After falling well short of very high expectations last season Clemson may get it right this year. The Tigers responded well to Coach Swinney last season as the defense played well late in the year and this year the Tigers have a more favorable schedule draw than the other Atlantic contenders. Both lines should be among the best in the ACC and the defense can carry them to the top.
On paper Florida State looks like the top team in this division but they face a very tough schedule overall and in the conference. FSU plays three very tough non-conference games that will take a toll and closes the year playing four of the last six on the road. FSU should have a more productive offense than last season but defensively Clemson looks like the stronger contender and the Seminoles must go to Clemson in a tough scheduling spot.
Late last season NC State started to play very strong ball, winning four straight to close the year before a narrow loss in its bowl game. This is the third year for Coach O'Brien's system to take hold and the Wolfpack have a legitimate shot to win this division. NC State only plays four road games all year and although they are all difficult this looks like a team ready to improve by several wins.
After an awkward coaching change last season Boston College may have a tough time keeping together an incredible streak of seven consecutive years with at least eight wins. BC has won the Atlantic the last two years but it happened somewhat by default last year in a very even division with four 4-4 teams and two 5-3 teams. It is hard to count out the Eagles however as they have exceeded expectations in recent years and Coach Spaziani has been with the program for a decade.
Wake Forest is a hard team to put towards the bottom of this division but the Deacons will likely be the worst defensive team in this group. The offense returns veteran QB Skinner and all the top rushers but it is likely to be a third consecutive drop in total wins after winning eleven games in 2006.
After three straight bowl seasons, Maryland will likely take a step back this season as only nine starters return from a team that struggled down the stretch. Maryland draws the two worst teams form the Coastal division so the schedule might allow for a respectable year.
ACC COASTAL
Champion: Virginia Tech
Runner-Up: North Carolina
The ACC champion each of the last two seasons has been Virginia Tech but the conference has not been able to make a splash on the national stage. The Hokies have a ton of experience back on this team and they grab a favorable schedule by not playing the top two Atlantic teams. Key non-conference games between Alabama and Nebraska will determine whether or not the ACC can have a national title contender.
Injuries derailed what might have been a stronger season for North Carolina and this should again be a very competitive team. The Tar Heels will be on the road in several important division games but nine starters are back on defense.
Talent rich Miami, Fl quietly put together a bowl season last year and as usual QB will be the key question mark for the Hurricanes. Miami may be the most talented team in the ACC but they are on the road against several of the top ACC contenders. Look for a strong ATS season however as Miami could start slowly and become an underrated team the rest of the way.
A very inexperienced team was inherited by the new coaching staff last year at Georgia Tech yet the Yellow Jackets posted huge offensive numbers and delivered nine wins. 18 starters are back this year but a worse record might be in order due to a tougher schedule that features six road games and draws the top two teams from the Atlantic division. This team could take a step back despite showing great promise and results last year.
2008 started out poorly for Virginia in a clear rebuilding season but the Cavaliers put together four consecutive S/U underdog wins in the middle of the season and nearly made it to a bowl game. Coach Groh will likely face some pressure to get back to the postseason but this team likely does not have enough experience or talent to make it happen. Hurting the cause will also be a non-conference schedule that features three challenging games.
After winning as many games last season as they had won the previous four years, expectations may be growing at Duke. A couple of weak non-conference games should allow at least two wins but last year appears to have been the missed opportunity for the postseason. Duke must replace most of the offensive line and seven of the top ten tacklers from last season have also departed for the Devils.
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