The ACC Atlantic is certainly the weakest of the two divisions in the ACC. Here's an early look:
FLORIDA STATE has rid themselves of Bobby Bowden and his gang of assistants. New HC Fisher will welcome back 8 starters on what proved to be a potent offense. He loses 8 starters on a defense that left a lot to be desired. Everything depends on the defense. If State can rebuild their defense, they have a strong shot at winning the Atlantic. The schedule features a game at Norman OK, and at home against BYU. They duck both Ga. Tech and Va. Tech.
CLEMSON was a major disappointment last year, losing 5 games. Dabo was able to make a strong run late in the season, winning 6 conference games in a row, but losses to South Carolina and Ga. Tech ended the season on a sour note. Clemson loses 4 on offense, but two are huge. RB Spiller and WR Ford are gone. The defense loses 3, including DE Sapp. The schedule has games at Auburn, Ga. Tech and Florida State. It will be up to the defense this season.
It appears that it does not matter who coaches at BOSTON COLLEGE. The Eagles, picked my some to finish last in the Atlantic last season, finished a very respectable 8-5, and were in the hunt until the end of the season. The Eagles only lose 3 on offense, but a lack of offensive porduction hurt last year. The defense loses 5 starters. With a schedule that is not extreme, look for B.C. to find a way to challenge again in 2010.
Tom O'brien has an off year at NC STATE last season. After getting off to a 3-1 start includinga win over Pitt, State lost 6 out of their next 8 and failed to get a bowl bid. The biggest culprit was a pourous defense, which loses it's entire DL and 6 starters overall. The offense loses 4 starters, 3 on the line. The schedule is no help, with games at Ga. Tech, at UNC, and home against Va.Tech. O'Brien will have to find the magic he had at B.C. if he wants to challenge this year.
To say that WAKE FOREST was a disappointment last season would be a gross understatement. A 5 win season was not what HC Grobe was expecting with a senior laiden team. Grobe loses 7 offensive starters and 4 on defense. Once again, the defense will have to carry the team until a new offense catches up. Last year, the defense proved to be a weak point. They will have to step up this year if Wake wants to return to a bowl.
The Friedge return for what may be his swan song at MARYLAND. Last year's two win season was a total disaster. Losing 5 starters on offense, including their QB and All American Jr. RT Campbell is big. Losing 6 on defense also hurts. The schedule will not be that kind to Maryland. Vast improvment will be needed for the Terps to give the Friedge a bowl game as a retirement present.
Next: ACC Costal.
FLORIDA STATE has rid themselves of Bobby Bowden and his gang of assistants. New HC Fisher will welcome back 8 starters on what proved to be a potent offense. He loses 8 starters on a defense that left a lot to be desired. Everything depends on the defense. If State can rebuild their defense, they have a strong shot at winning the Atlantic. The schedule features a game at Norman OK, and at home against BYU. They duck both Ga. Tech and Va. Tech.
CLEMSON was a major disappointment last year, losing 5 games. Dabo was able to make a strong run late in the season, winning 6 conference games in a row, but losses to South Carolina and Ga. Tech ended the season on a sour note. Clemson loses 4 on offense, but two are huge. RB Spiller and WR Ford are gone. The defense loses 3, including DE Sapp. The schedule has games at Auburn, Ga. Tech and Florida State. It will be up to the defense this season.
It appears that it does not matter who coaches at BOSTON COLLEGE. The Eagles, picked my some to finish last in the Atlantic last season, finished a very respectable 8-5, and were in the hunt until the end of the season. The Eagles only lose 3 on offense, but a lack of offensive porduction hurt last year. The defense loses 5 starters. With a schedule that is not extreme, look for B.C. to find a way to challenge again in 2010.
Tom O'brien has an off year at NC STATE last season. After getting off to a 3-1 start includinga win over Pitt, State lost 6 out of their next 8 and failed to get a bowl bid. The biggest culprit was a pourous defense, which loses it's entire DL and 6 starters overall. The offense loses 4 starters, 3 on the line. The schedule is no help, with games at Ga. Tech, at UNC, and home against Va.Tech. O'Brien will have to find the magic he had at B.C. if he wants to challenge this year.
To say that WAKE FOREST was a disappointment last season would be a gross understatement. A 5 win season was not what HC Grobe was expecting with a senior laiden team. Grobe loses 7 offensive starters and 4 on defense. Once again, the defense will have to carry the team until a new offense catches up. Last year, the defense proved to be a weak point. They will have to step up this year if Wake wants to return to a bowl.
The Friedge return for what may be his swan song at MARYLAND. Last year's two win season was a total disaster. Losing 5 starters on offense, including their QB and All American Jr. RT Campbell is big. Losing 6 on defense also hurts. The schedule will not be that kind to Maryland. Vast improvment will be needed for the Terps to give the Friedge a bowl game as a retirement present.
Next: ACC Costal.