2007 ACC Preview

ACC


Last season was a WTF? Or better yet, WF-Wake Forest shocked the world last year making some compulsive gambler a VERY rich man (somewhere). Wake won the ACC last year, but may not be the lead dog in this year’s race. Florida St, Boston College, Miami, Clemson and Georgia Tech have all made changes to get to the top, and there is the sentimental favorite Virginia Tech who suffered a horrific tragedy on their campus last March. But this season there are a lot of questions, the big one being-with improved Pac 10, Big 10 and the Big 12-is this conference still able to compete with the big boys?

Who’s New

Butch Davis-North Carolina
Randy Shannon-Miami
Jeff Jagodzinski-Boston College
Tom O’Brien-NC State

Who’s on the Hot Seat

Bobby Bowden-Florida St
Ralph Friedgen-Maryland
Tommy Bowden-Clemson
Chan Gailey-Georgia Tech
Ted Roof-Duke
Al Groh-Virginia

Atlantic

6. North Carolina State Wolfpack. Tom O’Brien left Boston College for this job, which is a doozy. Wanna bet when BC plays NC State is going to be a huge game? Despite having 13 returning starters (8 on offense), things are not bright for the Pack-yet. Former LSU head coach Mike Archer is the Defensive coordinator and it looks like the defense may benefit from his zone scheme. They will pull a few surprises, but the talent is not here yet to be a power in the ACC, for this year anyway.

5. Maryland Terrapins. This is a do or die year for the Terps. The good news, 14 starters (7 on each side) return. The bad news-besides a brutal schedule that includes West Virginia and Rutgers, and road trips to the powers of the ACC mean it is going to be a very long year. If this team can play as well as they did last year, and QB Jordan Stelly catches fire, Maryland might be good. But without a consistent kicking game to assist, Maryland will struggle in 2007

4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons. 2006 was a dream season. While this had been a competitive program, Jim Grobe proved himself last season as a top notch coach. Amazingly he turned down offers from Alabama, Michigan St. and Stanford to stay in Winston Salem. 13 starters are back (5 on defense), but the leaders of 2006 are gone from a defense that gave it all on the field last year. The offense is solid enough to compete, but the questions on defense are too numerous, making a prediction dicey.

3. Clemson Tigers*. A promising start, a memorable meltdown. That summed up Clemson last year. Many had bought tickets for Jacksonville, but late October saw the meltdown commence. So naturally, this is going to be a great year for the Tigers, who when the job of their coach was on the line played brilliantly. Despite only 10 starters returning (3 yes 3 on offense), this team has a lot of talent. Defense will win games and QB Cullen Harper should have no pressure with RB’s James Davis and CJ Spiller (if he can stay healthy). Clemson will surprise this year.

2. Florida State Seminoles*. Bobby Bowden is a coaching legend, but that legend has been rusty for the past few years. Things should change. Jimbo Fisher, the former LSU offensive coordinator has arrived, and Drew Weatherford should reap the benefits of his tutelage. Chuck Amato is back to help Mickey Andrews run the defense, the only bright spot for the Noles last year. An interesting game-the Sept 29 game that sees the Seminoles host Alabama-Nick Saban’s defense vs Jimbo Fisher’s offense, but the big game is Nov 3 at Boston College.

1. Boston College Eagles*. New head coach Jeff Jagodzinski inherits the most talented team in this division. He also brings the West Coast offense to BC, and that is good news for Matt Ryan, one of the top prospects for the 2008 draft. BC has 16 starters back (9 on defense) and is loaded. The big games are all at home, and the favorable schedule plus the returning talent are enough to overcome the Seminoles in the Atlantic.

Coastal

6. Duke Blue Devils. All you need to know is Ted Roof has not done much for Duke, and they suck. If they beat UConn in the season opener, well, maybe it will be a year to notch a couple of wins. QB Thaddeus Lewis is a gifted athlete, but even with all 11 starters coming back, this team is an 0-12 team last year, and the defense is a mess. But whoever comes in 2008 will have some talented players to build on.

5. Virginia Cavaliers. Another do or die, or what have you done for me lately season for an ACC coach. Al Groh has taken the Cavs down the last 3 years, but there is a chance to build strong. 18 starters are back (10 on defense), but here is where the problems lay. The offense needs speed at WR, and QB Jameel Sewell tended to run first when things broke down, and being loaded at RB and the O-line means the running game is trouble free. No questions about the defense, but if the Cavs get off to a fast start, they might be in a bowl game.

4. North Carolina Tar Heels. Butch Davis returns to coach College Football in the same division as his old team, Miami (Wonder how big that game will be too!). However, despite having only 10 starters returning (5 on each side), you might think there will be a let down, or struggle. If this team can find a QB-Freshman TJ Yates was the top man in Spring ball, last year’s QB Joe Dailey switched to WR-this team should be good, since the speed is at WR. On defense, the Tar Heels must find help in the secondary. Without Davis, this is a 3-9 team (like last year), but with Davis, 5-7 or 6-6 is likely.

3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets*. Chan Gailey is another coach with his job on the line. But there is help in the form of Bond. John Bond. The new offensive coordinator several letters away from having a globally famous name should breath new life into an offense that has fans optimistic, since Reggie Ball is gone. Taylor Bennet played well in the Bowl game at QB-but he had Calvin Johnson to catch his passes, with him gone, James Johnson MUST step up. The defense returns 8 starters, and is solid there.

2. Miami Hurricanes*. Last season, I called the Canes going 6-6, but this year I see the changes. Instead of talking smack, Miami is talking about getting back to basics, something preached by Randy Shannon, the team’s DC a year ago is now the head man. QB Kyle Wright is in a battle for his job, but once Patrick Nix finds one, whoever it will be will have explosive talent to work with, led by RB Javarris James (Edge’s cousin). The defense has been solid since Shannon has been in Miami, almost enough to drastically change their fortunes..

1. Virginia Tech Hokies*. Sometimes you play with an Angel on your shoulder. VT will play with 33. The Hokies return 16 starters (8 on each side), and there is a reason to be cautious. On offense, Sean Glennon has struggled at QB at times, but RB Brandon Ore should keep the pressure off of him. The defense is solid, but here is why head coach Frank Beamer is cautious-Special Teams. No returning kicker, long snapper and punter mean questions. Having to go to LSU in week 2 will be difficult, but the Hokies should still have a good season, and even with 1 loss, still in the National Title picture.


2007 ACC Champs-Virginia Tech Hokies