Here are the predictions!
Completed ACC position rankings for 2010.
Running Backs | Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers | Offensive Line | Tight Ends | Defensive Line | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Special Teams |
Coastal Division
1) Virginia Tech 10-2 (6-2) ACC CHAMPIONS
Quick Take: There isn't a better backfield in the ACC, maybe the country. With the dynamic Ryan Williams and powerful Darren Evans, the Hokies should be able to run the ball effectively. QB Tyrod Taylor's consistency will be the difference between a good or great season.
The defense despite some personal losses should be a solid. Bud Foster is still doing the coaching on that side of the ball. This is Frank Beamer's best shot at top 5 team since Michael Vick was the Hokie’s quarterback.
Key Game: Boise St. 9/6
This game could set the tone for the season. It's that simple.
2) Georgia Tech 9-3 (6-2)
Quick Take: Georgia Tech is capable of giving the division title a run, but the schedule will be too much to overcome. The Jackets have to play at North Carolina, at Clemson, at Virginia Tech, and at Wake Forest is no gimme. I think they hold serve at home, but go 2-2 in those four.
The Jackets will be better on defense under Al Groh and his 3-4 system. Stephen Hill will have a break out season at WR, and Joshua Nesbitt will lead the Jackets to two game winning drives.
Key Game: at North Carolina 9/18
If the Jackets win this game they have a great shot at starting the season 7-0. By then the Jackets should be acclimated to the 3-4 defense. The game at Virginia Tech on 11/4 is one to circle as well.
3) Miami 8-4 (5-3)
Quick Take: Jeez and I thought Miami overscheduled to start last season. This year after Florida A&M, it's at Ohio State, At Pittsburgh, at Clemson, and then Florida State. They end the season at Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and South Florida. Jacory Harris is a solid qb, but he still seems skittish in the pocket.
There are simply to many landmines in this schedule and I still don't quite believe in Randy Shannon. Miami is gradually improving, but their record might not show it this season.
Key Game: North Carolina 10/23
The Canes get North Carolina at home, and they can't afford to lose this game and expect to have a shot at upper tier bowl game.
4) North Carolina 8-4 (5-3)
Quick Take: The Heels are talking confident despite all of their pre-season agent player mess. No one knows yet what punishment the NCAA may levy against the Tar Heels. That's going to play a major role in how UNC does this year.
The defense is unreal. There is so much future NFL talent on this squad. Remember though this is the same defense that struggled last year against Georgia Tech and Florida State. Could they be a tad overrated? They better not be, because the offense behind QB T.J. Yates won't give them much.
Key Game: LSU 9/4
Even with all the off-season troubles, if the Heels somehow could beat the SEC's LSU Tigers a jolt of confidence could run through North Carolina that might last the whole season. Beat LSU and add 2 to the predicted win total.
5) Virginia 4-8 (2-6)
Quick Take: The fall of the Virginia program is one I never really saw coming five years ago. Al Groh seemed to recruit well and his teams were physical, then poof they turned into one of the ACC's worst teams last season. Mike London is the new coach now. He's bringing in some much needed enthusiasm with him.
2 years ago I went to the Georgia Tech vs Virginia game I thought Marc Verica was the 2nd coming of Matt Schaub. He’s been inconsistent at best since, but he should be better under London's more pro-style offense. The defense needs to adjust to the 4-3 defense after playing the 3-4 under Groh for so many years. At least future NFLer Ras-I Dowling will be there at corner. If Virginia gets to a bowl, Mike London should be ACC coach of the year.
Key Game: at Duke 11/6
Winner of this game likely stays out of the Coastal cellar.
6) Duke 4-8 (2-6)
Quick Take: David Cutcliffe has done a more than credible job since arriving at Duke a couple of years ago. Last year after 8 games they were 5-3, before a 4 game losing streak. Prolific passer Thaddeus Lewis is gone. His replacement Sean Renfree (a former Georgia Tech commit to Chan Gailey) was highly regarded coming out of high school. Donovan Varner is a star at WR.
The defense will be inexperienced and lacks depth. The Blue Devils lost their best defensive players DT Vince Oghobaase and LB Vincent Rey.
Key Game: North Carolina 11/27
To have any shot at a bowl game, Duke needs to pull a big upset somewhere on the schedule. UNC is good but won't have the offense to light up the scoreboard. This game could get the Dukies that sixth win.
Atlantic Division
1) Florida State 8-4 (6-2)
Quick Take: The Bobby Bowden era is over. The Jimbo Fisher one begins. The glory years are back... not so fast. Christian Ponder is getting plenty of pre-season hype myself included. Ponder is a stat machine, now he needs to deliver a division title. The offensive line is solid and experienced.
The question mark is the defense. LB Nigel Carr didn't help matters by getting himself suspended with his arrest. This unit has to be better. They gave up more than 27 points 9 times last season.
In a down Atlantic Division the Noles are the favorite especially with Clemson and BC coming to Tallahassee.
Key Game: at Miami 10/9
A win here would likely be a 3-0 start to the ACC schedule and beat Miami in his first year will win over tons of fans for Fisher.
2) Clemson 8-4 (5-3)
Quick Take: Dabo Swinney has reason to smile. He just got a $975,000 raise that takes his salary to $1.75 Million a year. He also got the good news that Kyle Parker is returning to play quarterback. The offense lacks experienced playmakers outside Parker. RB Andre Ellington and TE Dwayne Allen are the mostl likely candidates to be Clemson's next big offensive stars.
The defense is talented and athletic. Jarvis Jenkins is one of the ACC's best DTs, and DE Da'Quan Bowers is back and ready to fulfill the potential he's shown glimpses of.
Key game: Georgia Tech 10/23
The Tigers can't win the ACC Atlantic without beating Georgia Tech in Death Valley. The Tigers haven't beaten the Jackets since 2006.
3) Boston College 9-3 (5-3)
Quick Take: I'm done underestimating the Eagles. Tom O'Brien leaves and they keep winning. Mark Herzlich misses all 2009 and they just keep winning. The Eagles have plenty of quality players on both sides of the ball. Herzlich's return should provide inspiration all season, and Luke Kuechly is arguably the ACC's best linebacker.
Montel Harris is the best running back you've never heard of.
If David Shinskie can provide adequate QB play, this team is extremely dangerous.
Key Game: Virginia Tech 9/25
If the Eagles can win this game at home, they will open eyes all over the ACC.
4) Wake Forest 5-7 (2-6)
Quick Take: The Demon Deacons lost 5 games last year by 3 points or less. Jim Grobe always has Wake prepared, but he will enter 2010 without the reliable Riley Skinner at quarterback. Your guess is as good as mine who will be opening day starter.
On defense Kenny Okoro is a rising star at corner, and the linebackers are a good unit, but the defensive line may start two Red Shirt Freshman. A bowl game is good goal for 2010.
Key Game: Boston College 11/6
The schedule is challenging with non-conference games at Stanford and with Navy. The Deacs went to OT with BC last year, and this year's game could be the difference between a bowl bid and staying at home.
5) NC State 5-7 (2-6)
Quick Take: Tom O'Brien came to NC State to resurrect the Pack Program after Chuck Amato's departure. Honestly so far I give him a D+ for his efforts. The Wolfpack are a complete afterthought in the ACC. At least Russell Wilson is back at quarterback. He's one of the conference's best at that position. I like Owen Spencer at WR, and it's great to see LB Nate Irving playing again after missing all of 2008.
Good thing Wilson is mobile, because the offensive line is average at best. The defensive line lost all four starters and most of the rest of the defense will be young as well.
Key Game: Florida State 10/28
The Pack usually give Florida State a really tough time. The Noles come to Raleigh and a NC State win could throw the ACC Atlantic into chaos, and give the Wolfpack a real shot at a bowl.
6) Maryland 4-8 (2-6)
Quick Take: Is this Ralph Friedgen's last season at Maryland? They have some good players returning, WR Torry Smith, RB Da'Rel Scott, and LB Alex Wujciak, but overall there just isn't much elite talent. Jamarr Robinson played well filling in for QB Chris Turner at the end of last season, but he's still not very experienced. The offensive line that lost NFL draft choice Bruce Campbell is not very good. 105th in the nation in rushing last season says it all.
A.J. Francis is the nose tackle and has ability, and Wujciak anchors an underrated linebacking crew, but the secondary lacks experience. A bowl game would be a real success.
Key Game: Wake Forest 10/30
The winner of this game gets a leg up in the round robin set of games between Wake Forest, Maryland, and NC State for the EagleBank Bowl bid.
