2009 ACC Preview

I have to admit, this league hasn’t lived up to the expectations of the pundits or some of their fans. But that could change in 2009. Last year Virginia Tech repeated as ACC Champs, and could 3-peat this year. The Atlantic Division is the most wide open division of the Super Conferences-all 6 teams could win it. With a couple of new faces at some programs this could be a new beginning and a chance to get back in the conversation as a premier college football conference.


Atlantic Division

1. Wake Forest Demon Deacons-It may be a stretch, but I like these guys. The playmakers on offense are back, but the defense has only 4 starters back thanks in large part to graduation and the NFL draft. Besides, Jim Grobe gets the most out of his team year in and year out, and this team is eerily similar to the 2006 team that went to the Orange Bowl. But like I said, any team in this division can win it.
Player to watch: QB Riley Skinner

2. Florida State Seminoles-Bobby Bowden is trying to get the NCAA to not toss out 14 of his wins due to a school wide cheating scandal. This program is in a state of transition-Jimbo Fisher must be the head coach by 2011 or get $5 million as a penalty. The good news is the Seminoles can compete in the ACC once again. The bad? Possible NCAA penalties loom, and wins might not be all they lose-scholarships could be lost as well.
Player to watch: DE Markus White

3. Clemson Tigers-Dabo Sweeney got the interim tag removed, and I think it’s a bad idea. Tommy Bowden had a real talented team last year that fell flat to Alabama and never recovered. The defense is loaded with 8 starters back, but road games against Georgia Tech and Miami make it a tough year in conference. RB CJ Spiller is back to anchor the ground game, but a new QB must step up to replace Cullen Harper.
Player to watch: DE Ricky Saap

4. NC State-Tom O’Brien could finally get a breakout year after shockingly leaving Boston College in 2006. With 7 starters back on each side, this could be a breakout year in Raleigh. But a brutal conference road schedule: Wake, FSU and Virginia Tech make this a wait till next year type season.
Player to watch: QB Russell Wilson

5. Boston College-Here we go again, another year and another head coach. Frank Spaziani coached BC in their bowl game against Navy in 2006. At least he is not new, being there for 13 years as an assistant. 7 are back on each side, but this is not the program they were when Tom O’Brien was here. With no stable HC since 2006, the Eagles are stepping back, in a big way.
Player to watch: WR Rich Gunnell

6. Maryland Terrapins-Ralph Friedgen, meet the hot seat. Again. A change could happen here as Maryland choked a 7-3 start and a division lead to finish 8-5. 9 starters are back, 4 on defense and it is going to be a long year. Cal and Rutgers highlight a strong NC schedule, and the good news is Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech are not on the schedule.
Player to watch: WR Torrey Smith



Coastal Division

1. Virginia Tech Hokies-Last year Clemson was the favorite to win the ACC, had a top 10 ranking and opened with Alabama in the Georgia Dome. It’s the Hokies turn this year. But unlike Clemson, they can handle successful predictions. QB Tyrod Taylor leads the offense, but the Hokies have concern at RB as Darren Evans is out for the year with a knee injury. The defense has 7 starters back, and is always tough. If you like defenses you will love the Sept 5 game against Bama.
Player to watch: QB Tyrod Taylor

2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets-Paul Johnson shocked many winning 9 games last year, but the Yellow Jackets were dismantled by LSU in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl in a surprising fashion. The Yellow Jackets return 18 starters, 10 on offense, and have a road schedule that includes Miami, Vandy, and FSU. I believe this could prevent them from winning the Coastal this year.
Player to watch: RB Jonathan Dwyer

3. Miami, Fl. Hurricanes-Randy Shannon is in year 3 at Miami, and has his best team yet. Recruits are coming back in, slowly than in the past, but back nonetheless. This team will go as far as QB Jacory Harris takes them, and yes that is a lot to put on a Sophomore but it is the truth. New OC Mark Whipple has the task of establishing the offense, and that is why despite the talent they are 3rd in the division.
Player to watch: QB Jacory Harris

4. North Carolina Tarheels-Butch Davis took this job, and has surprised. The Heels are near the level that Mack Brown had them at in the early 90’s and are a solid team. But Mack Brown left b/c of what plagues the Tarheel faithful-basketball and lack of competition in the league. Davis may never win an ACC title here, but he could by jumping elsewhere in a year or 2. The Heels have 15 starters back (9 on Defense) and will rely on an experienced defense to carry them in 2009.
Player to watch: LB Bruce Carter

5. Duke Blue Devils-When Duke hired David Cutcliffe, it got my attention. He is a great recruiter like Steve Spurrier was in Durham and he can make a bad team look good. This year, 11 starters are back, (5 on defense) but the playmakers are back on offense with the most underrated QB in college football in Thaddeus Lewis. Watch for him to rise in the April NFL Draft. The Blue Devils could crack 5 wins this year, and if they do look for great things in the future.
Player to watch: QB Thaddeus Lewis

6. Virginia Cavaliers-Al Groh, welcome back to the hot seat. Again. Am I the only one seeing a trend here? Here is the good news-the tough games are at home. The bad news-Miami, Clemson and Carolina are on the road. So, who will be here next year?
Player to watch: CB Vic Hall



ACC Championship Game

Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech


ACC Champs-Virginia Tech