2010 ACC Preview

There is a great desire on the part of the media to have Miami and Florida State return to past glory. I assume that the majority of these folks came of age during the 1980s and to them college football would make more sense with national powers rolling out of Coral Gables and Tallahassee on an annual basis. And so this August the talent on both of these squads look pretty good to a large number of writers who I feel are combining sound analysis with a little wishful thinking.

Which is not say that both of these teams stink. They do have talent and will be factors in the race for the Coastal and Atlantic Divisions this year. But they will not win either and will have to settle for non BCS bowls.

Who will instead meet in the ACC title game? I am sticking with the two other former Big East programs who have each been more successful than the Hurricanes--much to the displeasure of those hoping for another Miami national title run--Boston College and Virginia Tech.

Picking the Hokies is a bit boring I do admit as they usually do capture the Coastal Division or at least come very close. Last year they finished second to Georgia Tech, thanks in large part to a 28-23 loss to the Yellow Jackets in mid-season. The rematch this year is November 4, a game that begins a November run of three crucial games (at UNC and at Miami follow). While the Hokies took some losses on the defensive side, they will be sound there in 2010. What is particularly exciting about this year's Virginia Tech team, however, is on the other side of the ball where all of their skill position player return, led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor and back Ryan Williams, and they get running back Darren Evans back from injury. They ended 2009 with four straight blowout wins and I predict that romps will be the norm this season. Beat Boise in week one and the Hokies will be in the top 3 once the first BCS standing come out. Helping their case for a spot in the BCS title game will be an easy win in the ACC championship tilt.

For second place in the division I will go with the Yellow Jackets to edge out Miami. No one seems to like coach Paul Johnson, but the guy is a magnificent coach. Yes the team lost some of their most famous players from last year's squad but the offense will hum behind QB Josh Nesbitt, a solid line now experienced at this style of play and plenty of talented backs. Look for Anthony Allen to more than double his total of 618 yards rushing from last season. Meanwhile the defense is now in the hands of Al Groh, who is as excellent a coordinator as he was mediocre as a head man.

Miami will once again pay the price for a difficult schedule. among their six road games are killers at Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Clemson and Georgia Tech. I may be devaluing them because of the poor performance the team turned in against Wisconsin last January. This is a talented team and if they can consistently play at a high level they can win this division.

As for North Carolina, they can go one of two ways. Use the outside forces swirling around the program as a motivational tool to make a run for the ACC title or be overwhelmed by all of the negative publicity and possibility of some significant suspensions to fold their tent. Being that the Tar Heels have not managed to overwhelm anyone with this talent before, I think folding is much more likely. And in doing so they may not even finish fourth in this very tough division as Duke is good enough to edge them out. The Blue Devils are now experienced and look to pull an upset or two in coach David Cutcliffe's third season at the helm. As for Virginia? Well the campus is pretty.

It was difficult picking Boston College to win the Atlantic Division as they have the must unsure QB situation of the big three contenders with FSU and Clemson. But the Eagles have a sound defense, excellent run game and most favorable schedule. They also have the motivation of the return of linebacker Mark Herzlich from his successful bout with cancer. Herzlich is not only a great backer but a team leader and his return, the ability to run Montel Harris behind stud tackle Anthony Castonzo and a good coaching staff will make the difference in a tight race. And yes I am purposely not mentioning their passing game.

Losing the distraction that became the coaching situation last year has got to be a boon for the Seminoles. But can Jumbo Fisher be a good head coach? We'll see on September 11 when the Noles travel to Norman to take on Oklahoma. I think he will be fine but the true story is how good the defense can improve under Mark Stoops, who comes from Arizona to fix a unit that gave up a ton of big plays in 2009. If they cannot greatly improve the 30 points per game they surrendered last season, the offense will be forced to win shootouts over and over again.

Clemson rode the tremendous abilities of back C.J. Spiller to the division crown last year and will have to make huge adjustments with him now in the pros. But there is talent on both sides of the ball to make some hay but not enough to overcome road games at both BC and FSU.

Of the remaining three teams in the division, Maryland, North Carolina State and Wake Forest, the team with the best shot to force their way in title consideration is Wake Forest--but only if their passing attack is not truly abysmal. Their schedule is much, much better than the Wolfpack's, who probably have the most talent of the three. NC State also welcomes back linebacker Nate Irving from injury. Maryland will be better than last season's 2-10 club but not by enough to save coach Ralph Friedgen's job.