2008 College Football Preview ACC

A new look this year to the previews, I'll give the predicted order of finish, and highlight a couple of teams.





ACC


The ACC had a bad year last year. While having a lot of good athletes (2nd only to the SEC in NFL starters by the way), the post season was bland at best. Va. Tech was the top dog last year, but who is the one to knock them off this year? can they be knocked off?


Coastal

1. Virginia Tech Hokies-The good news is the Hokies have a lot of starters returning on offense, but are still unsure about who the starting QB is; Sean Glennon is efficient, but Tyrod Taylor is the better athlete and gives defenses new problems. The defense is the tougher job, finding 7 new starters. At least this is a weak division, so Tech should go to Jacksonville again this year.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels-The Tar Heels are back, well close anyway. Butch Davis has 10 starters back on offense, but only 5 on defense. 7 wins are a possibility, as is a bowl game.

3. Virginia Cavaliers-A surprise that won't surprise this year. If they win, it will be boring, and the defense may not have enough in the tank to bail them out.

4. Miami Hurricanes-Randy Shannon's 1st season was disappointing, but there is optimism in Miami. The Orange Bowl is gone, now they share Pro Player Stadium w/ the Dolphins. This team is real young, so 5 or 6 wins could be the norm for a couple of years anyway.

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets-Paul Johnson brings the Flexbone offense to the Yellow Jackets, but will it work here? I don't think it will in 2008, but 2009 will be a break out year.

6. Duke Blue Devils-David Cutcliffe had only 1 losing season at Ole Miss, his last. The bad news is no new QB named Manning is waiting in the wings, but 3 wins is reason enough to celebrate.



Atlantic


1. Clemson Tigers-If Tommy Bowden can get people off of his back, this is the year to do it. From top to bottom, Clemson has the best talent in this conference. The only ?'s are on the O-Line, and LB on defense. But they should get the O-line resolved quicker than LB, and be a force.

2. Florida State Seminoles-What is it about FSU that has me higher on them than everyone else? Jimbo Fisher. In his 2nd year (Auburn, LSU) he really had great offenses. Legal troubles for players aside, the Noles Defense is impressive, and that should help the offense out quite a bit.

3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons-Good enough to win the division, but despite a favorable schedule, the Sept 20 game at FSU could determine the season for the Deacons.

4. Boston College Eagles-Life without Matt Ryan begins here, the defense is missing 7 starters from last year, and on offense WR Brandon Robinson returns. This is a rebuilding year.

5. Maryland Terrepins-The Terps haven't lived up to the reputation of Ralph Freidgen's reputation, but they might do it this year. But the Terps will be done in by an inexperienced defense once again.

6. NC State Wolfpack-The good news? Let me get back to you. With 9 starters back, that may be a good or bad thing. 2010 can't come soon enough for the Pack, by then they'll be in ACC fray.