Tyrod Taylor & Va Tech once again class of ACC
Tyrod Taylor & Va Tech once again class of ACC
Known primarily for basketball, the ACC is quietly emerging as a competitive football conference. No longer is it just the Seminoles and Hurricanes making noise on the gridiron as Va Tech, Ga Tech, Clemson and even North Carolina are poised to contend for the conference title in '09. Behind the play of soph QB Tyrod Taylor, the Hokies enter the campaign as the best bets to come out on top when it's time to go bowling.
Are they really that good?
The ACC has been largely forgotten in college football circles with the fall from grace of Miami and Florida State. And yet six ACC teams finished in the Top 15 of Brian Fremeau’s efficiency rankings last year – including the Seminoles at No. 10, following a 9-4 season at a profitable 6-4-1 ATS. Other notable moneymakers from this group: No. 6 North Carolina (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) and No. 14 Georgia Tech (9-4 SU, 7-3-1 ATS).
This figures to be another highly competitive season in the ACC with seven viable contenders in the conference race, and maybe even an outside shot at the national championship. We’ll give you the betting odds on both the ACC and the BCS titles for all 12 teams as we run them down in order of expected finish.
1. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 20-1): The class of the ACC has a chance to improve on last year’s 10-4 mark (6-7 ATS) with the offensive line starting to come together in front of sophomore QB Tyrod Taylor (two TDs, seven INTs in 2008).
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-1, 50-1): The Wramblin’ Wreck had an outstanding first year with Paul Johnson taking over the program. They’re the value pick in the ACC with the Hokies having to come to Atlanta on Oct. 17.
3. Clemson Tigers (4-1, 50-1): The Tigers jumped the rails last year and replaced Tommy Bowden with Dabo Swinney. That worked out; now they have to replace QB Cullen Harper, but Willy Korn and Kyle Parker have both impressed in their battle for the starting job.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1, 50-1): The Heels retain their anonymity, thanks in part to the success of their basketball program, but also because their defense far outshines their offense. A full season from QB T.J. Yates (11 TDs, four INTs) could make the difference.
5. Florida State Seminoles (4-1, 35-1): The ‘Noles are getting short odds for the ACC title even though they haven’t gotten a sniff of it for four years, and the program continues to generate off-field controversy. QB Christian Ponder (14 TDs, 13 INTs) has to prove he can pass as well as run.
6. Miami Hurricanes (6-1, 35-1): The Miami rebuilding project still has at least another year to go. Coach Randy Shannon has done some solid recruiting, and he has a pair of new co-ordinators to break in: Mark Whipple (offense) and John Lovett (defense).
7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (15-1, 100-1): Wake Forest is a well-run program under Jim Grobe, but the Deacs will have to take a step back with LB Aaron Curry and CB Alphonso Smith going to the NFL. Sam Swank (6-of-8 from 40 or longer last year) isn’t around anymore to kick field goals, either.
8. North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-1, 100-1): One of the most profitable teams in the FBS last year (6-7 SU, 9-2-1 ATS), the Pack have a game-changing QB in Russell Wilson (17 TDs, one INT), but he’ll play behind an awful offensive line in 2009.
9. Maryland Terrapins (30-1, 150-1): The Terps have to make some changes to their offensive line, and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (42 catches, five TDs) was drafted seventh overall by the Oakland Raiders. That should knock Maryland out of the ACC’s strong middle class.
10. Virginia Cavaliers (30-1, 150-1): Things look pretty grim for the Cavs, who have a killer schedule including non-con matchups with TCU at home and Southern Miss on the road. But there’s hope: Jameel Sewell (12 TDs, nine INTs in 2007) is back at QB after missing 2008 to academic probation.
11. Boston College Eagles (30-1, 150-1): BC needs a QB. Justin Tuggle has a chance at the job after redshirting last year, but he may be supplanted by 25-year-old David Shinskie, who has spent the last six years as a minor-league pitcher.
12. Duke Blue Devils (50-1, NL): The perennial division doormats actually made progress last year by going 4-8 SU and 6-5 ATS. They should take another step forward in their second year under coach David Cutcliffe, with the steady hand of QB Thaddeus Lewis (15 TDs, six INTs) at the tiller.
Known primarily for basketball, the ACC is quietly emerging as a competitive football conference. No longer is it just the Seminoles and Hurricanes making noise on the gridiron as Va Tech, Ga Tech, Clemson and even North Carolina are poised to contend for the conference title in '09. Behind the play of soph QB Tyrod Taylor, the Hokies enter the campaign as the best bets to come out on top when it's time to go bowling.
Are they really that good?
The ACC has been largely forgotten in college football circles with the fall from grace of Miami and Florida State. And yet six ACC teams finished in the Top 15 of Brian Fremeau’s efficiency rankings last year – including the Seminoles at No. 10, following a 9-4 season at a profitable 6-4-1 ATS. Other notable moneymakers from this group: No. 6 North Carolina (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) and No. 14 Georgia Tech (9-4 SU, 7-3-1 ATS).
This figures to be another highly competitive season in the ACC with seven viable contenders in the conference race, and maybe even an outside shot at the national championship. We’ll give you the betting odds on both the ACC and the BCS titles for all 12 teams as we run them down in order of expected finish.
1. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 20-1): The class of the ACC has a chance to improve on last year’s 10-4 mark (6-7 ATS) with the offensive line starting to come together in front of sophomore QB Tyrod Taylor (two TDs, seven INTs in 2008).
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-1, 50-1): The Wramblin’ Wreck had an outstanding first year with Paul Johnson taking over the program. They’re the value pick in the ACC with the Hokies having to come to Atlanta on Oct. 17.
3. Clemson Tigers (4-1, 50-1): The Tigers jumped the rails last year and replaced Tommy Bowden with Dabo Swinney. That worked out; now they have to replace QB Cullen Harper, but Willy Korn and Kyle Parker have both impressed in their battle for the starting job.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1, 50-1): The Heels retain their anonymity, thanks in part to the success of their basketball program, but also because their defense far outshines their offense. A full season from QB T.J. Yates (11 TDs, four INTs) could make the difference.
5. Florida State Seminoles (4-1, 35-1): The ‘Noles are getting short odds for the ACC title even though they haven’t gotten a sniff of it for four years, and the program continues to generate off-field controversy. QB Christian Ponder (14 TDs, 13 INTs) has to prove he can pass as well as run.
6. Miami Hurricanes (6-1, 35-1): The Miami rebuilding project still has at least another year to go. Coach Randy Shannon has done some solid recruiting, and he has a pair of new co-ordinators to break in: Mark Whipple (offense) and John Lovett (defense).
7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (15-1, 100-1): Wake Forest is a well-run program under Jim Grobe, but the Deacs will have to take a step back with LB Aaron Curry and CB Alphonso Smith going to the NFL. Sam Swank (6-of-8 from 40 or longer last year) isn’t around anymore to kick field goals, either.
8. North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-1, 100-1): One of the most profitable teams in the FBS last year (6-7 SU, 9-2-1 ATS), the Pack have a game-changing QB in Russell Wilson (17 TDs, one INT), but he’ll play behind an awful offensive line in 2009.
9. Maryland Terrapins (30-1, 150-1): The Terps have to make some changes to their offensive line, and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (42 catches, five TDs) was drafted seventh overall by the Oakland Raiders. That should knock Maryland out of the ACC’s strong middle class.
10. Virginia Cavaliers (30-1, 150-1): Things look pretty grim for the Cavs, who have a killer schedule including non-con matchups with TCU at home and Southern Miss on the road. But there’s hope: Jameel Sewell (12 TDs, nine INTs in 2007) is back at QB after missing 2008 to academic probation.
11. Boston College Eagles (30-1, 150-1): BC needs a QB. Justin Tuggle has a chance at the job after redshirting last year, but he may be supplanted by 25-year-old David Shinskie, who has spent the last six years as a minor-league pitcher.
12. Duke Blue Devils (50-1, NL): The perennial division doormats actually made progress last year by going 4-8 SU and 6-5 ATS. They should take another step forward in their second year under coach David Cutcliffe, with the steady hand of QB Thaddeus Lewis (15 TDs, six INTs) at the tiller.
