We are so lucky the editor of @TrojansWire the esteemed @MattZemek answered some questions about the ACC going into the season.
What are your thoughts about what is going on at Louisville, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Georgia Tech? Lots of new coaches (some in their first year – some in their second year).
What is noticeable about Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Georgia Tech is how much those three programs have struggled in the passing game – Virginia last year after previous successful seasons, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech for several years. Tony Elliott, Brent Pry, and Brent Key are all under immense pressure to figure out the passing game at their respective programs entering 2023. Failure to do so will hold each of them back. Justin Fuente and Geoff Collins couldn’t unlock the potential of their offenses. They had frustrating and unfulfilled tenures. Their replacements in Blacksburg and Atlanta know they have to find solutions.
At Virginia, Tony Elliott’s first season was an absolute disaster. Can he repair what he damaged? It’s a fascinating question in Charlottesville.
Jeff Brohm, in contrast to Elliott, Pry, and Key, has an established reputation as a quarterback whisperer. He’s basically “Lincoln Riley Light.” He doesn’t create Heisman contenders, but he takes modestly talented quarterbacks and turns them into productive starters. He’s a more-with-less guy. The tantalizing possibility attached to Louisville football is that Brohm can get his hands on high-end talent. UL could really take off if that happens.
Is this the year that FSU takes a monster leap? And are there any consequences for Mike Norvell if the Noles do not?
I looked at the rosters and at the transfer portal acquisitions made in the offseason. Dabo Swinney’s distaste for the portal stands in marked opposition to Mike Norvell’s embrace of the portal. Florida State appears to me to have more “dudes” than Clemson. Strictly in terms of talent, FSU has more tools and resources, though Dabo’s hire of Garrett Riley could prove to be the most important offseason move in the ACC. Ultimately, it seems we’re ready to go back to 2012-2014, when Clemson-FSU games were must-see TV and easily the ACC games which mattered most each season. The main thing for Florida State is to regain that co-equal status in the ACC alongside Clemson. If FSU loses four or more games and doesn’t finish anywhere close to Clemson in the standings, Norvell will come under major pressure. As long as FSU leaves the season as a team on par with Clemson, one can say the Seminoles are fundamentally on the right track (unless Clemson is actually mediocre and FSU is similarly mediocre, but the odds of that happening are slim).
Which ACC team takes a dive this year that might be unexpected?
Since Florida State and Clemson should both be very good, the regression candidates are both in the state of North Carolina. The UNC Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils could both disappoint. We have seen Carolina fall short virtually every time the Heels are hyped entering a season. With Drake Maye getting a ton of Heisman publicity, you can feel the letdown coming in Chapel Hill.
Duke is probably still going to have a good season – any year when Duke makes a bowl is a good season – but after last year set the bar so high for 2023, Duke might not reach that same level this season. I like Mike Elko, but Duke overachieved last year and might come down just a little instead of remaining close to the top tier of the conference. I still like where Duke is long-term.
Which ACC team will do better than everyone expected?
With Sam Hartman gone, people will sell Wake Forest stock. This is when Dave Clawson works his magic. Doing more with less is his specialty. This is the natural overachievement pick.
Lightning round:
Any Coach on the ACC Hot Seat?
If Elliott has a 2023 as bad as 2022, he’s gone at Virginia. Jeff Hafley can’t hit rock bottom or he could be in real trouble at Boston College, despite all the injuries his teams have endured. A terrible season at Syracuse could put Dino Babers in a tough spot. Mario Cristobal is not on the hot seat, but another bad season at Miami will put him on the hot seat entering the 2024 season.
The two ACC teams in the title game?
Florida State and Clemson.
Who wins the ACC?
Florida State.
Four College football playoff teams?
Georgia, LSU, Michigan, USC
National Champion?
Georgia
