ATLANTIC
DIVISION
BOSTON COLLEGE
STRENGTHS:
The offense should continue
to be big and strong along
the offensive line with
four of five starters
returning while RBs Montel
Harris and Josh Haden
are more than capable
ball carriers. Defensively,
big tackles B.J. Raji
and Ron Brace have moved
on to the NFL. But beware
of their incumbents Ramsey
and Scafe. The drop-off
on this front line is
actually pretty slim.
CONCERNS:
Two off-season misfortunes
have cast an early dark
cloud over this program
as the team's best player
at any position and one
of the front-runners for
the Butkus Award, LB Mark
Herzlich, was diagnosed
with cancer. Making matters
worse, the QB situation
did not shake out too
well at the close of spring.
Dominique Davis held on
to the starting role but
was then dismissed from
the team for academic
reasons and will now transfer
leaving a former fullback
and a guy that played
on the scout team last
season as the two that
will battle it out this
August.
PROGNOSIS:
Frank Spaziani will be
the third Eagle head coach
in four years. Despite
the coaching and player
turnover, BC continues
to be one of the most
consistent programs in
the conference. Their
30-11 overall record is
the best of any Atlantic
Division team over the
past three seasons. Expect
most opposing defenses
to be geared towards shutting
down the run with the
passing attack being one
big question mark. With
all the issues at QB,
they will have a very
difficult time of repeating
as champions.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 7-5
CLEMSON
STRENGTHS:
If defense wins championships,
Clemson is in a fine position.
From top to bottom this
is the best defense in
the ACC. Eight starters
are back headlined by
defensive ends Da'Quan
Bowers, Kevin Alexander
and Ricky Sapp. Cornerbacks
Chris Chancellor and Crezdon
Butler are both seniors
and are worthy of earning
All-ACC status by season's
end. C.J. Spiller is one
of the fastest ball carriers
anywhere and he now inherits
the spotlight. Injuries
crippled the offensive
line last year. Through
the process, this group
is much improved than
the one that took the
field a year ago.
CONCERNS:
The offensive
skill positions took a
huge hit with the losses
of QB Cullen Harper, RB
James Davis and WR Aaron
Kelly (the top receiver
in ACC history). The battle
behind center was left
in a dead heap through
the spring. Redshirt frosh
Kyle Parker is the passing
option with a rocket arm,
although he has spent
the off-season on the
Clemson baseball squad.
Willie Korn is the dual-threat
option. Expect to see
both through out the course
of the season. Only one
starter returns to a depleted
receiving unit.
PROGNOSIS:
The running game and superior
defense looks to be the
formula in 2009. If the
defense can meet the expectations
Clemson can win the Atlantic
Division. They won't carry
the same lofty preseason
expectations of a year
ago, which bodes well
as Clemson never seems
to fare so well under
this umbrella. Some prognosticators
have pegged Clemson as
the surprise team in the
ACC.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 7-5
FLORIDA STATE
STRENGTHS:
This offensive line has
made a huge turnaround
since the arrival of line
coach Rick Trickett. With
every starter returning
across this front, this
unit has gone from being
the league's worst to
the league's best. OG
Rodney Hudson continues
to be one of the best
blockers in the ACC. At
QB Christian Ponder is
doing more with this offense
utilizing his feet. His
threat to run helps the
ground game immensely
and he has a firm mental
grasp on what coaches
are trying to create.
CONCERNS:
The secondary has its
work cut out especially
at safety where talent
is extremely thin. While
FSU manages to harass
QBs with a pass rush,
the interior of the defensive
front line has taken a
drop. Stopping opponents
from running with the
ball will continue to
be a problem. There is
some young talent at receiver,
but with the team's top
playmaker Preston Parker
getting dismissed this
off-season and speedster
Bert Reed dealing with
an off-season injury that
could linger into the
fall, a group of extremely
young faces will be the
only option in terms of
improving a weak passing
game.
PROGNOSIS:
Bobby Bowden continues
to fare well in the recruiting
department but player
dismissals and transfers
continue to hamper their
winning efforts. The offensive
line will be the key to
how far the Noles climb
in the standings. Defensively,
long time coordinator
Mickey Andrews fields
a group that is a far
cry from the days of old
where attacking was the
name of the game. They
will have trouble stopping
the run and defending
the pass, which makes
their fortunes hard to
predict. FSU continues
to be the most penalized
team in the ACC which
makes winning the close
games in this league of
parity extremely difficult.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
MARYLAND
STRENGTHS:
The offensive skill positions
are stacked...probably
more so than coach Friedgen
has operated with since
arriving in College Park.
Senior QB Chris Turner
finally gives this offense
a steady player with quality
experience behind center.
The running backs go three
and four deep. Da'Rell
Scott is proving to be
one of the best ball carriers
in the league when he
remains healthy while
Morgan Green and Davin
Meggett complete the package.
The receivers are extremely
young but full of speed
and talent despite the
fact Darrius Heyward-Bey
bolted early for the NFL.
Alex Wujciak is the best
tackler on defense from
his middle linebacker
position and the secondary
should be much improved.
CONCERNS:
If games are won up front
the Terps have a major
problem. Only one full
time starter (C Phil Costa)
is back on either side
of the line of scrimmage.
Bruce Campbell offers
some promise at offensive
tackle but beyond those
two every position is
one big question mark.
The defensive line too
has many issues where
four new starters have
to be located. Injuries
and academic problems
have not helped the unit's
cause this spring. The
Terps will struggle getting
pressure and plugging
holes, which puts a ton
of pressure on the other
positions.
PROGNOSIS:
QB Chris Turner is not
a capable scrambler. His
success depends on having
time in pocket...an issue
that could cripple this
team if not fixed with
new faces providing the
protection. While the
skill positions look fine,
the line of scrimmage
is another story. The
Terps won't fare well
when facing off against
teams with quality linemen.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
STRENGTHS:
Freshman Russell Wilson
was tabbed the First Team
All-ACC QB just last season.
His progression allowed
NC State to turn their
early misfortunes into
a bowl game invitation.
His feet and decision
making have been quite
impressive thus far as
he only tossed one interception
to go with his 17 touchdowns.
While Russell's pass catching
targets have yet to become
a household name, this
year's version will be
full of experience. The
receiving numbers will
get better as Wilson continues
to grow.
CONCERNS:
The secondary has to replace
starters Jeremy Grey and
J.C. Neal from a unit
that was dead last in
the ACC at defending the
pass. The offensive line
has some work to do and
depth appears limited.
This area will be critical,
as the success of the
big power backs has seen
a major drop off in the
running game.
PROGNOSIS:
The Wolf Pack has not
seen a winning ACC record
since 2002. Head coach
Tom O'Brien has his team
on the right track after
winning their last four
conference games a year
ago. While they are not
going to push for a divisional
crown, they will continue
to play with anyone on
any given Saturday as
long as Russell Wilson
lines up behind center.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
WAKE FOREST
STRENGTHS:
Former ACC Offensive Player
of the Year Riley Skinner
returns for his senior
campaign. One of the most
accurate passers in the
country, Skinner makes
Jim Grobe's offense difficult
to defend. The offensive
line returns four starters
and 2007 starter Chris
DeGeare returns after
sitting last year due
to academics. A strong
rushing defense boasts
three returning starters
on the defensive line.
Senior tackles Boo Robinson
and John Russell form
a steady anchor in the
middle.
CONCERNS:
The Deacs need someone
to step up at the receiver
position to allow Skinner's
short range passing skills
to meet the potential.
Cornerback Brandon Ghee
is the only returning
starter on the defensive
back seven as some hefty
names now playing at the
next level are gone, which
includes Butkus Award
winner Aaron Curry and
CB Alphonso Smith.
PROGNOSIS:
Head coach Jim Grobe always
seems to get maximum results
out of his lesser-known
recruits. Skinner, a solid
offensive line and RB
Josh Adams all offer a
great deal of optimism
on the offensive side
but the question marks
on defense where the top
five tacklers have departed
loom large. Three new
players will take over
at linebacker and the
secondary must also replace
three quality starters.
The Deacs will be competitive
as always, just not good
enough to win a conference
crown. But we have heard
this analogy before only
to see Wake Forest rattle
off three consecutive
non-losing seasons. Expect
nothing less.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
COASTAL
DIVISION
DUKE
STRENGTHS:
QB Thaddeus Lewis (Second
Team All-ACC in 2008)
is one of the more productive
returning passers in the
ACC after producing an
average of 206 yards per
game. Getting big play
running back Re'quan Boyette
back into the lineup after
losing him to injury a
year ago is a big boast
to a rushing offense that
was second worst in the
league. The defensive
line has one of the best
tackles nationally in
Vince Oghobaase while
DE Ayanga Okpokowuruk
is a quality end.
CONCERNS:
The leading tackler (LB
Michael Tauiliili) from
three of the last four
years has moved on. To
duplicate the positive
strides made on defense
the Blue Devils need to
replace two starters on
the DL, at LB and in the
secondary. The holes are
spread all across this
side of the ball. With
the departure of All-ACC
receiver Eron Riley, a
new favorite target will
have to be located for
Lewis. The big question
is up front on the OL
where three starters are
gone.
PROGNOSIS:
Duke has some offensive
firepower in QB Thaddeus
Lewis and RB Re'quan Boyette.
But gone is half of their
'08 team, which does not
bode well for getting
this team out of the ACC
basement. If the offensive
line can produce more
than what's expected,
Duke has a chance to outscore
a few of the lesser opponents
on the schedule. Expect
the improvements of last
year's defense to take
a few steps back.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 3-9
GEORGIA TECH
STRENGTHS:
The entire rushing offense.
Everyone responsible for
making Paul Johnson's
triple-option attach so
successful is back. The
ACC's No. 1 ranked rushing
offense (292 yards per
game) returns QB Josh
Nesbitt, RBs Lucas Cox,
Roddy Jones and ACC Player
of the Year Jonathan Dwyer.
The entire back seven
on defense returns all
but one starter.
CONCERNS:
Both offensive tackles
need replaced. The position
hit the hardest by departures
is the defensive line
and Tech lost some good
ones here in Vance Walker,
Darryl Richard and Michael
Johnson.
PROGNOSIS:
Georgia Tech has the most
starters returning out
of all the ACC teams.
When looking for a surprise
team on the national landscape
look no further than Atlanta.
Anything less than a ten
win season would be a
disappointment in just
Paul Johnson's second
year. Retooling the defensive
line is the whole key
to the success and/or
failures of this team.
For those that wandered
if this offensive scheme
would work at the BCS
level, the answer has
already been a resounding
YES! Look for the expectations
and results to keep growing.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2
MIAMI FL
STRENGTHS:
No doubt the RB tandem
of Graig Cooper and Javarris
James represents the best
unit on either side of
the ball. No reason exists
why this should not be
one of the better rushing
attacks in the conference.
This group of linebackers,
if healthy, has the potential
to turn around the rushing
defense woes of 2008.
Getting LB Colin McCarthy
back to 100% appears to
be a top priority. Eric
Moncur's return for another
year at defensive end
will also help bolster
the efforts up front.
CONCERNS:
QB Robert Marve transferred
leaving Jacory Harris
in sole control of the
offense after sharing
the role last season.
When Harris struggles
as he has done in the
past, the answer behind
him will have to come
from a player that has
yet to take a college
snap. The offensive line
has been a sore spot in
the team's recent downturn.
They are still dealing
with issues that have
to be addressed quickly.
PROGNOSIS:
Shockingly, Miami has
not had a winning record
in the ACC since 2005.
While many were calling
this team the youngest
in college football a
year ago they still have
quite a few gaps that
need to be much improved
before they can start
to get back to their winning
ways of old. The QB spot
still is not set in a
way to accomplish such
a return just yet. But
their recruiting successes
afford them the ability
to stay in the Coastal
Division hunt.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 7-5
NORTH CAROLINA
STRENGTHS:
The front four on defense
have a chance to be special
led by former super recruit
Marvin Austin at defensive
tackle. Despite the loss
of LB Mark Paschal and
safety Trimane Goddard,
the rest of the back seven
is blessed with plenty
of experience and talent
and is a big reason why
UNC carries lofty expectations.
CONCERNS:
The receiving corps took
some huge hits in the
playmaker department with
the losses of Brandon
Tate, Brooks Foster and
Hakeem Nicks who skipped
off early for the NFL.
Losing Richard Quinn at
tight end does not help
either. Last season's
predominant starter at
QB (Cameron Sexton) decided
to transfer leaving the
job to injury riddled
T.J. Yates.
PROGNOSIS:
Four teams are capable
of winning the Coastal
Division and Carolina
is one of them. The Heels
lose just 14 lettermen,
the fewest in the ACC
and coach Butch Davis'
recruiting success is
starting to pan out. UNC
is getting some Top 25
love in the preseason
polls and expectations
have not been this high
in a long time. They will
need more out of the offensive
side before they can make
serious noise, which includes
locating a quality playmaker.
The overall stats look
meager from a year ago,
but the talent level is
also as high as it has
been in a while.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 9-3
VIRGINIA
STRENGTHS:
The secondary should be
tremendous and represents
the fastest group of players
Al Groh has had in his
nine-year tenure. The
return of Chris Cook from
a one-year academic suspension
is a big lift and cornerback
Ras-I Dowling is progressing
into a dangerous player.
The offensive line has
four starters back in
the mix but took a big
loss when OT Eugene Monroe
moved on to the NFL as
a Top 10 draft choice.
Their run blocking skills
have to improve before
being taken seriously.
CONCERNS:
No one on the roster stands
out on the receiving depth
chart. Gone are full-time
starters Kevin Ogletree,
Maurice Covington and
TE John Phillips. The
Cavaliers also lost some
hefty linebackers. Ergo,
the ability to stuff the
run continues to be a
sizeable question mark.
PROGNOSIS:
In all three seasons under
ex-offensive coordinator
Mike Groh, the offense
ranked below 100th nationally
in total production. The
running game was ranked
dead last in the conference
last fall although the
return of RB Mikell Simpson
provides some hope. Promising
youngster Jameel Sewell
returns at QB for his
final season after a one-year
academic hiatus and Marc
Verica started to improve
immensely as a passer
last season. UVA will
be instituting a new quick-hitting
passing attack and finally
has some experienced signal
callers to operate the
scheme. The Cavs should
be much better than the
5-7 record put up last
fall but it will be awful
tough overcoming the front-runners
in the Coastal Division.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6
VIRGINIA TECH
STRENGTHS:
The entire offense should
be more than qualified
heading into 2009 as opposed
to the youth they were
forced to employ just
a year ago. Tyrod Taylor
is a shifty QB and All-ACC
RB Darren Evans looks
poised to break most of
the school's rushing records
before his time is done.
The receivers are blessed
with a ton of youthful
but speedy bodies and
the offensive line may
be the deepest they have
had in years. Expect more
yards and much more scoring
compared to the ball control
offense utilized last
fall.
CONCERNS:
Tech needs to replace
both inside linebackers
for the second straight
year. The experience on
the defensive side is
not quite as stocked as
has been in years past.
A top rated cornerback
must be found to replace
Macho Harris.
PROGNOSIS:
The Hokies continue to
hold the rope for the
ACC in terms of maintaining
a Top 10 caliber type
of team. They are coming
off their second straight
ACC title and BCS bowl
invitation after fighting
through a complete rebuilding
effort in 2008. Frank
Beamer is a miraculous
coach and he has plenty
of talent to work with
this time around. They
don't have to play FSU
or Clemson out of the
Atlantic Division and
they will host Coastal
rival Miami in Blacksburg.
Knocking VT off the top
of the hill will be much
harder to accomplish than
it was a year ago.
PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2 |