Atlantic
1. Florida State Seminoles
Schedule Strength: Moderately Easy
Key Losses: RB Devonta Freeman, WR Kelvin Benjamin, C Bryan Stork, DT Tim Jernigan, OLB Telvin Smith, CB Lamarcus Joyner and FS Terrence Brooks
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Jameis Winston, RB Karlos Williams, WR Rashad Greene, TE Nick O'Leary, LT Cameron Erving, LG Josue Matias, RG Tre' Jackson, DE Mario Edwards, DT Eddie Goldman, ILB Terrence Smith, CB Ronald Darby, CB PJ Williams and SS Tyler Hunter
Summary: It's an embarrassment of riches when you have seven players drafted last year and they still be the favorites to win another National Title. But when you have 13-15 players who could be drafted in 2015 and it's no surprised. Having QB Jameis Winston back is key, but having four returning starters along the offense line is just important. Defensively they lost some good talent (including DC Jeremy Pruitt) but their CB duo of Darby and Williams could be the best in the nation.
2. Clemson Tigers
Schedule Strength: Tough
Key Losses: QB Tajh Boyd, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Martavis Bryant, G Brandon Thomas and CB Bashaud Breeland
NFL Draft Prospects: WR Charone Peake, C Ryan Norton, DE Corey Crawford, DT Grady Jarrett, OLB Vic Beasley and ILB Stephone Anthony
Summary: Without the likes of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins it should be interesting to see how the Tigers will do this season. OC Chad Morris is one of the best in the business and how he gets his new QB up to speed and if WR Charone Peake can give them enough plays. But for once it could be the defense that carries the Tigers. DE/LB Vic Beasley the explosive pass rusher gets all the attention, but they have plenty of top tier talent. They'll be good, but I don't see them at the same level as we've seen the past few years.
3. Louisville Cardinals
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: QB Teddy Bridgewater, DE Marcus Smith, ILB Preston Brown and S Calvin Pryor
NFL Draft Prospects: RB Michael Dyer, RB Dominqiue Brown, WR DeVante Parker, TE Gerald Christian, LT Jamon Brown, C Jake Smith, DE Lorenzo Mauldin, CB Charles Gaines and SS Gerold Holliman
Summary: It sure seems like deja vu for the Cardinals with Bobby Petrino back running the show. Look for the Cardinals to have some early success behind some talented offensive weapons (Dyer, Parker, Christian) and Petrino's scheme. Todd Grantham (former Georgia DC) takes over the defense that lost some high level talent, but the cupboard isn't bare. Normally teams that move up in conferences struggle, this could be the exception.
4. Boston College Eagles
Schedule Strength: Moderately Tough
Key Losses: RB Andre Williams, DT Kaleb Ramsey, OLB Kevin Pierre-Louis and K Nate Freese
NFL Draft Prospect: C Andy Gallik and DE Brian Mihalik
Summary: Not only does the Eagles offense have to replace 2,000 yard rusher Andre Williams, but they also have to replace eight other starters. That's a tall task for any team. The defense didn't get hit as hard, but they lose the ultra athletic Pierre-Louis who was drafted by Seattle. With a tough schedule it will be tough to get back to a bowl game, but Addazio has instilled a toughness and their physical scheme will be tough to game plan for.
5. Syracuse Orange
Schedule Strength: Moderately Tough
Key Losses: DT Jay Bromley and OLB Marquis Spruill
NFL Draft Prospects: LT Sean Hickey and S Durrell Eskridge
Summary: Last year ended up being mildly (7-6) successful despite losing several key players (Pugh, Nassib, Thomas). With 15 starters back the Orange could look to improve on last year's mark and get to a third straight bowl game. However outside of LT Hickey the Orange lack the star power to get through their tough schedule and get out with six wins.
6. NC State Wolfpack
Schedule Strength: Easy
Key Loss: CB Dontae Johnson
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Jacoby Brissett, RG Alex Barr and DT Thomas Teal
Summary: Best case scenario is that Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett pulls a Cam Newton and they becomes a Atlantic contender. However that's a big stretch and the Wolfpack doesn't have the defense to help. Instead they should be happy to get bowl eligible. Having Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville all in your division doesn't make it easy and finishing in 4th place should feel like a victory.
7. Wake Forest Demon Decans
Schedule Strength: Tough
Key Loss: WR Michael Campanaro
NFL Draft Prospects: CB Kevin Johnson
Summary: New Head Coach Dave Clawson has built up and won at every stop he's had. Did it at Richmond (FCS) and Bowling Green, however it's going to be ten times harder to do at Wake Forest. Not only have the Demon Decans only averaged 4 wins a season over the past five years, but Clawson inherits a team devoid of any talent. I'm honestly surprised he took this job.
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
Schedule Strength: Moderately Tough
Key Losses: TE Eric Ebron, C Russell Bodine, DE Kareem Martin, CB Jabari Price and S Tre Boston
NFL Draft Prospects: WR Quinshad Davis, RT Jon Heck, LT Kiaro Holts, LG Caleb Peterson, RG Landon Turner, OLB Norkeithus Otis, OLB Travis Hughes and CB Tim Scott
Summary: Is this finally the year that the Tar Heels break through? Like every year they lose some elite talent, but like every year they are still chalk full of NFL level talent. QB Marquise Williams took over last year when Bryn Renner was injured, so that experience will help. But he needs to develop as a passer for the offense to really take off. A November 20th game at Duke could decide the Coastal.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Schedule Strength: Easy
Key Loss: CB Ross Cockrell
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Anthony Boone, WR Jamison Crowder, TE Braxton Deaver, RG Laken Tomlinson, ILB Kelby Brown and S Jeremy Cash
Summary: Last season's ten win season was nothing short of amazing. But don't think these Blue Devils are fly by night. Offensively Duke should only get better with eight returning starters including QB Boone and WR Crowder. But they are going to need their defense to improve from giving up 26 points per game last season. But they're schedule might be one of the easiest in all of the Power 5 conference.
3. Virginia Tech Hokies
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: QB Logan Thomas, CB Kyle Fuller and CB Antone Exum
NFL Draft Prospects: RB Trey Edmunds, DT Luther Maddy and SS Kyshoen Jarrett
Summary: Looking to get back to ACC supremacy, the Hokies have a way to go. Hopefully Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer can be more consistent that Logan Thomas has been over the past three years. But we know that the Hokies will play good defense and special teams. What sets them back is they have to travel to Duke and North Carolina. That could cost them the Coastal.
4. Pittsburgh Panthers
Schedule Strength: Moderately Easy
Key Losses: QB Tom Savage, WR Devin Street and DT Aaron Donald
NFL Draft Prospects: RG Matt Rotheram and OLB Anthony Gonzalez
Summary: Slowly Paul Chryst has been building Pittsburgh back up, but he'll have to do that with losing the most dominant DT in college football last year (Donald) and their starting QB (Savage). QB Chad Voytik almost beat Savage out last year and will get the nod. But look for them to rely on breakout RB James Conner to carry the load. But they'll need some playmakers to emerge on defense that only returns 5 starters.
5. Miami Hurricanes
Schedule Strength: Tough
Key Losses: OT Seantrel Henderson, RG Brandon Linder and P Pat O'Donnell
NFL Draft Prospects: RB Duke Johnson, TE Clive Walford, LT Ereck Flowers, DE Anthony Chickillo, ILB Denzel Perryman CB Ladarius Gunter and CB Tracy Howard
Summary: If you are thinking this is the year that Miami breaks through, then you'll be disappointed. Yeah RB Duke Johnson is dynamic but he's coming off an ankle fracture, but will he be 100%? Then you look at their QB situation where starter Ryan Williams tore his ACL and will be out for the year. Can Jake Heaps finally live up to his potential? Add all that up with a tough schedule and this will be a LONG season in Coral Gables. Luckily they'll have nice weather.
6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB Brandon Watts and S Jemea Thomas
NFL Draft Prospects: RG Shaquille Mason, DT Adam Gotsis, OLB Quayshawn Nealy and ILB Jabari Hunt-Days
Summary: Since winning 11 games in 2009, the Yellow Jackets have struggled to get past seven and eight wins. Can they break through or are they going to keep plateauing out? Even with their triple option system it still comes down to the QB. They've struggled to find a difference maker since Josh Nesbitt left. Justin Thomas does have 4.3 speed which could help. But without the playmakers on defense (Morgan, Sylvester, Burnett) they had in 2009 they'll continue to just be a tough team to play.
7. Virginia Cavilers
Schedule Strength: Tough
Key Losses: LT Morgan Moses, C Luke Bowanko and DT Brent Urban
NFL Draft Prospects: RB Kevin Parks, DE Eli Harold, CB Demetrious Nicholson and SS Anthony Harris
Summary: It's unfortunate that Mike London wasn't able to build off of a their 8-4 season in 2011, instead of winning six games combined the next two years. London is going to need to get to a bowl game to take some heat off his seat. But don't look for that to come. Despite having NFL level talent on the roster, they continue to struggle and will be lucky to win four or five games with their schedule. The Cavilers will likely be looking for a new coach in 2014.
Conference Championship Game
Florida State over North Carolina
Coaching Carousel
Coach of the Year: Larry Fedora, North Carolina
Coach on the Hotseat: Mike London, Virginia
Coordinator for Hire: Todd Grantham, Louisville (Defensive Coordinator)
Top Prospects for the 2015 NFL Draft
1. Vic Beasley OLB Clemson
2. PJ Williams CB Florida State
3. DeVante Parker WR Louisville
4. Tre'Jackson RG Florida State
5. Cameron Erving LT Florida State
6. Mario Edwards DE Florida State
7. Jameis Winston QB Florida State
8. Rashad Greene WR Florida State
9. Quinshad Davis WR North Carolina
10. Tracy Howard CB Miami
11. Nick O'Leary TE Florida State
12. Karlos Williams RB Florida State
13. Denzel Perryman ILB Miami
14. Duke Johnson RB Miami
15. Laken Tomlinson G Duke
16. Anthony Harris S Virginia
17. Anthony Boone QB Duke
18. Gerald Christian TE Louisville
19. Sean Hickey OT Syracuse
20. Quayshawn Nealy OLB Georgia Tech
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