With all the expansion talk it was the ACC that really got the ball moving when they poached Boston College, Miami, and Virginia Tech from the Big East in 2004. They were at it again adding Pittsburgh and Syracuse this year. This year should also be good for the ACC with Clemson returning at full strength and Florida State right behind them. But watch out for the Coastal Division where North Carolina and Miami will have something to say about league dominance.
Here is how I predict this year will pan out!
Atlantic
1. Clemson Tigers (11-1 8-0)
Even though they won 11 games last year, it wasn't a success because the Tigers didn't win the division and had to settle for a non BCS Bowl. This year should be different. They return star QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammie Watkins and the defense should only get better with another year of Brent Vennables. But it will come down to their game against Florida State, but its at home and Clemson brings in the veteran team. This could be a dark horse team for a National Title appearance.
2. Florida State Seminoles (10-2 7-1)
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher has done a great job bringing in talent so when they lose a bunch of starters they are not crippled by it. They do have to replace QB EJ Manuel on offense, but look for them to rely on the running game behind a talented line. Defensively they lose their three best pass rushers, but have studs in LB Christian Jones and DT Tim Jernigan. However that may not be enough to get past Clemson to win the division again.
3. North Carolina State Wolfpack (7-5 3-5)
Another hire that I really like is bringing Dan Doren from Northern Illinois. Under Doren he lead the Huskies to a BCS Bowl and had QB Jordan Lynch setting records all over the place. He's a good coach and it should only be a matter of time before he has the Wolfpack rolling. But losing QB Mike Glennon and not catching the schedule right will keep them challenge for a bowl game, not the division.
4. Wake Forrest Deamon Decans (6-6 4-4)
Not too long ago Wake Forrest shocked everybody winning the ACC and Jim Grobe was one of the hottest names for bigger schools. However since then the Deamon Decans have struggled just to make bowl games. That should change this year coming off a five win season, they return 15 starters. Add in an easier schedule and we could see them finishing in the top half of the division.
5. Maryland Terripans (5-7 3-5)
This will be Maryland's final season in the ACC before they move to the Big 10. If you are expecting the Terripans to go out in style, your going to be disappointed. Edsall may get them turned around at some point, but not anytime soon. Only returning 12 starters it's not like they have a ton of talent coming back. I see them improving off of their four win total from last year, but not by much.
6. Boston College Eagles (4-8 1-7)
Steve Addazio takes over the Eagles after two years at Temple. Addazio looks like a good hire due to his experience with winning programs (Florida) and his ties to the Northeast. However that won't help him out this year with the Eagles who are coming off a three win year. A true test could be to see how the players (recruited by another coach) will play for him.
7. Syracuse Orange (3-9 1-7)
New to the ACC the Orange are going to be stepping up in competition and that couldn't be at a worst time. Not only do they have to replace their coach Doug Marrone who is now with the Buffalo Bills, but they have to replace a bunch of key players. Mainly QB Ryan Nassib who'd started the past few years. Let's just say it's going to be a long season.
Coastal
1. North Carolina Tar Heels (9-3 6-2)
Under Butch Jones the Tar Heels always had elite talent, but could never put it all together. They could be on the verge of finally doing that. Larry Fedora is an excellent coach and he has a team right now that should win the division. QB Bryn Renner is one of the top QBs in the nation and should lead a high powered attack through the Coastal Division.
2. Miami Hurricanes (9-3 5-3)
Lost in all the Miami sanctions and controversy is that Al Golden has silently built this team up to contend for the Coastal Division. QB Stephen Morris is back to lead an offense and he is yet another star passer while RB Duke Johnson may be the best back they've had the past couple of years. The Hurricanes could easily win the division, but trips to Florida State and North Carolina make it tougher.
3. Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4 5-3)
Favored to win the division and contend for the conference title last year, it was a huge disappointment for the Hokies to win only seven games last year. Their hoping that it was only a fluke last year and that their three game winning streak at the end of the year was a sign of them getting it figured out. QB Logan Thomas is back and if he can reach his potential the Hokies should contend. But that's a big if.
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4 5-3)
With an experienced team back and key games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina at home, the Yellow Jackets have all the makings of a sleeper team in the division. This is especially true with their triple option offense which is difficult to get ready for. We should see a Paul Johnson lead team we're use to seeing.
5. Virginia Cavilers (6-6 4-4)
What team are we going to see out of Virginia this year? The one two years ago that won eight games and made it to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl or the one that only won four games last year? I'm thinking somewhere in between. They do return 16 starters, but their schedule doesn't give them a break. Their key could be Alabama transfer Phillip Sims who could breathe some life into this offense.
6. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-7 2-6)
Given a little time I believe Paul Chryst can get Pittsburgh into a contender for the division. However they are in rebuild mode and are stepping up in competition, so that doesn't bode well. Luckily they return nine starters on defense which could help them get towards bowl eligibility.
7. Duke Blue Devils (5-7 1-7)
Last year the Blue Devils made a run at winning the division. Too bad it was also because North Carolina and Miami weren't eligible. Don't assume that same type of season is going to happen again. David Cutcliff is a good coach, but he loses QB Sean Renfree and WR Connor Vernon. However for finishing last in their division they are still better than most.
All Conference Team
QB: Tajh Boyd, Clemson
RB: Duke Johnson, Miami
RB: Kevin Parks, Virginia
WR: Sammie Watkins, Clemson
WR: Devin Street, Pittsburgh
TE: Eric Ebron, North Carolina
OT: Cameron Irving, Florida State
OG: Brandon Linder, Miami
C: Brian Stork, Florida State
OG: Will Jackson, Georgia Tech
OT: Alex Hurst, North Carolina
DL: Mario Edwards, Florida State
DL: Tim Jernigan, Florida State
DL: Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
DL: Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
LB: Christian Jones, Florida State
LB: Jack Tyler, Virginia Tech
LB: Dyshawn Davis, Syracuse
CB: Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
S: Tre Boston, North Carolina
S: Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
CB: Ross Cockrell, Duke
Offensive Player of the Year: Tajh Boyd QB Clemson
Defensive Player of the Year: Christian Jones LB Florida State
Newcomer of the Year: Jameis Winston QB Florida State
Coach of the Year: Larry Fedora, North Carolina
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