Originally Posted by
BigdaddyQH
The first in a series of articles about returning starters in the "Power 5" Conferences. Today, the ACC:
Atlantic Division:
Boston College...BC gets hit hard on offense, only retuyrning 4 starters and losing their entire starting backfield of last season. The defense returns 7 starters, losing two on the line and two LB's.
Clemson...Another team to take a big hit offensively, Clemson returns 5 starters and loses QB Taj Boyd. The defense returns 8 starters and is in good shape.
Florida State...Offensively, 8 starters return including QB Winston. Defensively only 5 starters return, but FSU is still in great shape for 2014.
Louisville...The new kids on the block return 7 starters on offense, but lose QB Bridgewater. The also return 7 starters on defense. They are not playing the likes of AAC teams any more.
N.C. State...These underachievers should imprive in 2014, returning 6 starters on offense and 8 on defense. State lost 9 out of their last 10 in 2013.
Syracuse...One of the surprise teams of 2013 returns 7 starters on both sides of the ball. This team is one that can surprise just about anyone.
Wake Forest...Wake gets hit big time by graduation, with only 4 starters returning on offense and 5 on defense. The laso lose their Head Coach. It could be a long season for Wake.
Coastal Division:
Duke...The surprise Coastal Champs of 2013 return 8 starters on offense but only 5 on defense. Still, with most of the offense returning, Duke has to be considered more than just a fluke.
Georgia Tech...The run, run, run offense returns 6 starters on offense, but loses two key RB's. The defense is in real trouble, returning only 4 starters.
Miami...8 starters return on offense for Miami, but they must replace QB Morris. 8 starters return on defense also. A lot of good things are expected from this team. Don't sell them short.
North Carolina...The Tar Heels return 7 starters on offense, but must replace QB Renner. The defense also returns 7 starters including all of their LB's.
Pittsburgh...9 starters return from an offense that showed some life last season. Only 6 players return on the defensive side of the ball, which is normally their strength.
Virginia...UVA returns 7 starters from last seasons offense that was just average. They return 9 starters from a defense that was porous. If UVA cannot win 6 games, London should be gone.
Va. Tech...7 starters return to Tech's very disappointing offense fromlast year, but Q Thomas is not one of them. The defense takes a hard hit, losing 7 starters. Beamer has his work cut out for him.