From now until the kickoff I'm going to breakdown the current BCS conferences, and predict the final standings for each. After each conference is broken down, I'll look rank the top 10 non-BCS teams, and finish with my preseason top 25. First up is the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)!
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
After last year’s disappointing 2-6 bowl record and their historically ugly display in BCS bowls, the ACC could use some good news. Luckily, the ACC is expected to have 3 (Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia Tech) top 25 teams with early indications suggesting Florida State in the top ten and all three in the top 15. As always, FSU haters will claim overrated and until they prove otherwise, it’s a valid point, but no one can overlook the talent and the continued recruiting success. Florida State looks poised to contend for not only the ACC title, but the national championship as well. In fact, given how the BCS works and how voters view undefeated records all three have the potential to make national championship runs.
As good as the top ACC teams may prove to be, the bottom teams are that bad. Between the turmoil in College Park, the lack of fan support at Boston College, and the continued Duke disappointment, the ACC will continue to be regarded as a mediocre conference, slightly above the Big East Mess and the non-AQ conferences. Let’s breakdown the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, followed by my predictions for the final standings.
Atlantic Division
Considered the weaker of the two divisions since Virginia Tech has dominated the conference since departing the Big Atlantic Division
Three of the top four teams in the conference (Clemson, Florida State, and NC State) reside in this division and all three could potentially win the ACC. Clemson returns one of the most talented group skill position players not only in the ACC, but the entire country, however, Clemson must answer questions on the offensive line after losing three starters from last year’s ACC championship team. Despite the changes upfront, with all the returning skill position players in early Heisman candidates Taj Boyd and Sammy Watkins, and talented running back Andre Ellington, the offense should put up points galore. With all the talk and focus on the offense, the defense is where doubters will point to first. After the embarrassing Orange Bowl loss where they allowed 70 points, granted to an explosive WVU offense, problems seem to be larger than last year. The defensive line loses three starters and new defensive coordinator Brent Venables is installing a new defense. The defense should improve this year, but the question marks are larger, but really, could they be any worse than last year?
Florida State and Jimbo Fisher continue to recruit well and have put together another top 5 class this past February, but will they finally stop underachieving this year? FSU returns 18 starters and almost all are former blue-chip recruits. Offensively, one could argue that Florida State has the better skill position players, but for now Clemson has the proof. Defensively, this is the best unit in the ACC and maybe the entire nation. Florida State should finally stop underachieving by not only winning the division, but the league as well.
A legitimate threat to win the ACC is a surprising NC State team. This team returns 16 starters from a team that finished on a three game win streak upsetting Clemson and beating a rising Louisville team in the Belk Bowl. Mike Glennon returns as one of the top QB’s in the league and is protected by arguably the best offensive line. The nation’s interception leader from a year ago, David Amerson, returns to lead a defense that led the nation in interceptions. A top ten team in sacks as well, this defense looks to be a potential showstopper for Clemson and FSU. A grueling midseason stretch on the road against Miami, home against FSU, an away trap game against a revenge-minded Maryland, and then a rivalry matchup at UNC will show whether this team can compete for the title.
Coastal Division
VT has been the face of the league since joining the ACC in 2004, but is this the year that changes? Questions on the offensive line, the lack of an emerging running back, and the loss of their top two receivers leave a lot of doubt on the offensive side of the ball. Logan Thomas, the tight end turned quarterback, is one of the few bright spots on the offense. His size and strength have many NFL draft experts predicting big things for Thomas, but he can’t win alone. You can question the offensive side of the ball all you want, but remember, this is still a Beamer coached team. The defense returns eight starters from a team that was in the top ten in sacks and only allowed 314 YPG. The defense will look to continue the dominance, but special teams must improve after only blocking one kick last year. Look for this team to get back to the basics. A tough three game stretch at Clemson, at Miami, and a Thursday night special at home against FSU will test the team come late October.
Tobacco road will have some talented football teams this year. Larry Fedora takes over a North Carolina program still trying to recover from NCAA sanctions and repair their reputation, but with a dominate offensive line, the FBS freshmen rushing leader, and a QB that finished with a top ten QB rating, there’s no reason he can’t win and win now in Chapel Hill. Defensively the team takes huge losses in the departures of Quinton Coples and Donte Paige-Moss, and learning new defensive schemes will ultimately decide the fate of the team this season. Regardless of the defensive question marks, the team should contend with VT for the division title, but with no bowl game to play for, how motivated will these kids be?
After VT and UNC the division is wide open. UVA was a surprise team last year, finishing second in the division, but the Cavaliers only return 11 starters from a year ago. Miami, a dangerous team in 2011, loses a bulk of its offense with the early departure of running back Lamar Miller, and the loss of starting quarterback Jacory Harris. Georgia Tech is the biggest wild card of all. Paul Johnson coached teams are always difficult to prepare for with the triple option offense, and with one of the strongest offensive lines it only makes it that much more difficult. The defense will be the Achilles’ heel with only one starter returning on the line. How will they be able to match with the talented offenses of Clemson, UNC, and UVA on the conference schedule? That Labor Day matchup with VT may have huge divisional implications.
Predicted Finish
· Atlantic
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. North Carolina State
4. Wake Forest
5. Maryland
6. Boston College
· Coastal
1. Virginia Tech
2. North Carolina
3. Georgia Tech
4. Miami
5. Virginia
6. Duke
· Champion
1. Florida State
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