I asked three ACC bloggers their opinion on the upcoming ACC Football Season. I want to thank each for taking the the time to answer my questions. You know my opinion on the ACC Season.
You can check my Team Predictions for that, but let's now take a look out how the bloggers see the ACC Championship race going.
First to introduce the bloggers.
ACCBlogger - Articles and Posts on anything regarding the ACC's Big 3 sports, Football, Baseball, and Basketball. Frequent Live Game Chats! Follow on twitter at @ACCBlogger
ACCMania - Great opinion pieces on ACC Teams and Players. There's also posts on ACC Lacrosse in addition to the more well known sports! Follow on twitter at @ACCManiac
ACCBlitz - Covers ACC Football from top to bottom, includes an ACC Message board, news headlines, and blog posts! Follow on twitter at @ACCBlitz
Please visit their sites for their outstanding ACC coverage.
1) Which ACC team do you think could surprise in 2010?
ACCBlogger: It would be easy to say that nothing would surprise me in 2010, but the ACC Football Kickoff was evidence that they will surprise folks once again - Georgia Tech.
They shouldn't - we should get it by now, but the Jackets fell to third in the preseason poll when the offense should be as good or better than '09 and the defense has nowhere to go but up.
ACCMania: I think Maryland is not going to be as bad as people expect. They have two of the best playmakers in the ACC in Da’Rel Scott and Torrey Smith. Scott missed five games last year with a broken wrist, but was all-conference in 2008. The Terps also have one of the best linebacking units in the ACC. They should be in contention for a bowl game.
ACCBlitz: Boston College
Year in and year out, the Eagles simply over-achieve. A 2009 squad that was expected to be mediocre at best finished a game away from playing Georgia Tech for the ACC Title. The 2010 season should be no different. No one is expecting a lot from them, win a few games and go to a decent bowl.
When will people learn?
Quarterback Dave Shinskie isn't all conference caliber, but if he can shake off the inconsistency that troubled him last year and be 'good', it opens things up for a strong running game behind Montel Harris. He is one of the best kept secrets in football, and could see a 1,500 yard season, especially running behind such an experienced and talented line.
The wide receiver position will be their biggest question mark on offense. Team leader Rich Gunnell is gone, with Colin Larmond Jr. taking the reigns as lead guy. The defense took what as supposed to be a major hit last year when 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich missed the entire season recovering from a fight with cancer. But his absence gave freshman LB Luke Kuechly a chance to shine, and shine he did. He racked up.
He led an Eagle defense that finished second in the league in rushing defense, third in scoring defense, and fourth in total yards allowed. The weak spot was the passing defense.
They finished the year as the third worst in the conference. Cornerback DeLeon Gause and Free Safety Wes Davis return having a combined 50 career starts, which at least adds a little experience in the backfield. As far as the schedule goes, they get Clemson and Virginia Tech, arguably two of their toughest opponents, in Chestnutt Hill this year.
The midseason trip to Florida State could wind up being the determining factor in the Atlantic race.
2) Which ACC team do you think could disappoint in 2010?
ACCBlogger: I picked them to finish high in the ACC standings, but FSU is probably the most volatile team in the ACC - especially now after a projected starter at LB in Carr could be gone for a while.
They do have an anchor on the offensive line which is always good, but the defense could bring them down in the Atlantic.
ACCMania: Beside from the obvious choice due to recent developments, North Carolina, I’d say Clemson. A lot of people think Kyle Parker’s return puts them close to FSU in the Atlantic race.
The Tigers lost every starter at the skill positions except quarterback. They draw Miami, Ga. Tech and UNC from the Coastal, and they also travel to Auburn. I think 8 wins would be quite an achievement.
ACCBlitz: North Carolina
When you have one of the most potent defenses in college football, a little preseason hype is expected. Despite marginal voting from the media at ACC Media Days, the Tar Heels are getting a lot of buzz from a majority of writers and preseason publications around the country, pegging them as a dark horse in the Coastal race.
What's being overlooked is the combo of a grade 'C' offense and a brutal schedule. The Heels finished last year in the lower tier of almost every major offensive category in the ACC. Quarterback T.J. Yates threw more interceptions than touchdowns. The rushing attack was decent, but decent won't cut it with the opponents they have on tap. To start the season, they take on what should be a resurgent LSU team.
They catch a break during the conference schedule, getting Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Virginia Tech at home, but have huge road trips to Miami and Florida State. If their defense can pitch near shutout after near shutout, then maybe the Heels challenge for the Coastal title. But if their offense doesn't get rolling, those hopes turn to dust in a heartbeat.
3) Who are you division winners, and who will be the ACC Champion?
ACCBlogger: Out of the wild Coastal, I have Virginia Tech. The Hokies will have a top notch running game and offense overall, and they catch the division's second best team (Georgia Tech) at home on a Thursday.
The Atlantic race just got interesting with Kyle Parker coming back, but I'm still picking the Noles. They will have a dynamic offense that will light up the scoreboard and allow the defense to make gradual improvement under Stoops.
Overall, FSU and Virginia Tech are even teams, but I have a feeling that Ponder will lead the 'Noles to an ACC title in 2010.
ACCMania: I think Boston College, if they get consistent QB play, could challenge Florida State in the Atlantic, but I still think it’s going to be Seminoles-Hokies in the title game, and I think the Hokies win it all.
They are the best coached team in the league, and always find a way to grind out seasons. Their November schedule is brutal, but the Hokies have always stepped up during tough stretches – it’s when you least expect it that they slip up. It’s anyone’s guess who’s going to represent the Coastal, though.
Atlantic Division Champ: Virginia Tech
Coastal Division Champ: Florida State
ACC Champ: Virginia Tech
4) Final Thought on the ACC season?
ACCBlogger: The mantra Swofford repeated over and over at the ACC Football Kickoff was depth of strength in the conference, and 2010 will be a prime example of that. The ACC has a chance to have seven top 25 teams in the final rankings and possibly eight bowl eligible teams.
The top seven teams are that good, and the rest are that bad which could raise the prominence of the conference. But as Swofford also pointed out, a national championship contender will be needed for the ACC to really arrive, and that's out of the conference's grasp right now.
ACCMania: I don’t think this is the year the ACC gets back into the top 5 at season’s end. There is not a complete team in the group. Miami is the most balanced between offense & defense, and if everything falls into place they could probably make a run.
However, I don’t see them making it out of September without at least one loss. You saw what happened after Va. Tech put them in their place a year ago. The Coastal Division is going to be an absolute bloodbath. Look for Duke to upset one of the “big four” in that division.
ACCBlitz: I don't think the league could have imagined the divisions being this lopsided when they broke out the two-division model.
The Coastal is basically a pick 'em contest between four teams, while the Atlantic has a clear cut favorite with two teams that might challenge, if they can find a way to bring their 'A' game week in and week out.
It's going to be a fun one to watch, that's for sure, and I'm counting down the days to kickoff.
