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The ACC. Who is Hot? Who is Not?
Today we discuss the ACC, which disappinted once again in the bowlseason last year. This is a very tough conference to call:
Atlantic:
Boston College: UP. The offense, which was anemic at times last season, returns 8 starters including RB Harris, and 4 out of 5 on the OL. The QB spot is up in the air, and the WR's are not strong. The defense returns 6 starters but gets hit hard on the line. This offense was held to under 20 points in 5 of their last 6 games last season, and will have to pick things up.
Clemson: DOWN. You just do not recover from the loss of a talent like C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford. The offense may return 5 starters, but the status of QB Parker is unknown. The defense returns 6 starters, and the LB corps looks to be the best of that group. Clemson must rebuild their offense this season. The schedule is no help at all.
Florida State: UP. The 'Noles start the Jimbo Fisher era by returning 8 starters on an offense that could score a lot, but was inconsistant at times. It is hard not to see improvment in this potent offense for this season. The Defense, which was porous, only returns 4 starters, and has a new DC. They can not be any worse than last years group. The 'Noles should have no trouble winning a weak Atlantic Division.
Maryland: DOWN. This team was a disaster last season, and things do not look real good this season. The offense returns 6 starters, but must find a new QB. The line needs to be retooled. The defense only returns 4 starters, and loses everyone in the secondary. While the Friedge expects improvment tis season, they did go 2-10 last season, so we are not talking about much here.
North Carolina State: EVEN. HC O'Brien is starting to feel the heat. The offense returns 7 starters including QB Wilson, (as of now) but must find a RB and must replace 4 starters on the O-line. The Defense faces the same problems, returning 6 starters, but having to replace the D-line. The Return of LB Irving is critical here. The defense will have to improve for this team to take the next step.
Wake Forest: DOWN. 6 starters return on offense, but a new QB must be found, and the O-line must be rebuild. This is not good for a team that is expected to run the same style of wide open rushing offense this season. The defense returns 6 starters also, but is very young along the line, and does ot have a lot of depth there. The LB's also get hit depth wise. Wake must learn to win the close games.
Coastal:
Duke: DOWN. While Duke does return 7 players on offense, the line must become more cohesive as the WR's did not fare well in the spring. The defense returns 6 starters, but is thin in many spots, and needs help at LB. Last year, Duke snuck up on a lot of teams last season. That will not happen this season. The schedule is tougher, but they do play 7 games at home.
Georgia Tech: UP: The offense loses RB Dwyer, but returns 7 starters including QB Nesbitt. The left side of the line will need work. The defense loses DE Morgan, but little else. Paul Johnson has taken huge strides with this program, but ended the season on a sour note, losing to rival Georgia, and Iowa in the Orange Bowl. Consistancy on defense is the key issue for this team.
Miami: UP: The offense, led by QB Harris, returns 6 starters, but were hit by the injury bug in the Spring. The defense returns 8 starters, and is the key to success for Miami. Inconsistancy really hurt this team last season. They also need to get tougher. The non-con schedule is tough. This is Shannon's best team by far. Let's see what he can do with it.
North Carolina: UP. 8 starters including QB Yates return on an offense that was very inconsistant last season. The line will need a bit of work, in order for UNC to run the ball more efficiently. The defense returns 10 starters, and should be solid, though a bit thin on the line. This teamlost games it should have won last season. They have to become more consistant to thake the next step.
Virginia: DOWN. New HC Mike London faces a tough situation. While 7 starters return on offense, he loses all of his QB's and RB's, and inherits a shakey O-line. The defesne returns 6 starters, but gets hit hard in the LB position. The schedule has two FCS teams on it,so UVA must win 7 games to become bowl eligable. Do not look for that to happen.
Virginia Tech: EVEN. The offense will be loaded, with 8 starterrs including QB Taylor returning. If replacements can be found for the lesft side of the line, scoring should not be a problem. The defense returns only 5 starters, and gets hit hard on the line and in the secondary. There is very little experience on that side of the ball. Tech opens in Landover against Boise State. That could be a make or break game for this team.
Overall: Look for Florida State to dominate a rather weak Atlantic Division where teams lost some good talent. The Costal Division contains 4 of the best 5 teams in the ACC and should be wide open. The big question is whether or not these teams will simply beat each other up, as they did last year. It is hard to see a team coming out of the ACC with less than two losses.
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Originally Posted by goblue12
