ACC Preview

by Sterling Gould, More Credible

If you're a sports fan, most likely you're a college football dude. College football is like hooking up with some excellent ass. I mean, who doesn't like college football right and ass? Why not take an early look into each team's schedule, playmakers, offense, defense, coaching situations, and ALL Conference team? Yes you say? Then read on my friends...

ALL ACC-Team

OFFENSE:
QB - Matt Ryan, Boston College
RB - James Davis, Clemson
RB - Brandon Ore, Virgina Tech
WR - Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
WR - Greg Carr, Florida State
TE - Joey Haynos, Maryland
OL - Eugene Monroe, Virgina
OL - Jason Fox, Miami
OL - Barry Richardson, Clemson
OL - Jared Gaither, Maryland
OL - Steve Justice, Wake Forest

DEFENSE:

DB - Myron Rolle, Florida State
DB - Brandon Flowers, Virgina Tech
DB - Jamal Lewis, Georgia Tech
DB - Kenny Phillips, Miami
LB - Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
LB - Vince Hall, Virgina Tech
LB - Erin Henderson, Maryland
DL - Calais Campbell, Miami
DL - Andre Fluellen, Florida State
DL - Chris Long, Virginia
DL - Demario Pressley, North Carolina State

SPECIAL TEAMS:

K - Sam Swank, Wake Forest
P - Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
PR - Brandon Tate, North Carolina
KR - Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech

Conference Outlook:

The ACC is looking to bounce back from a down year for the conference as a whole. Traditional national powerhouses like Florida State and Miami, had terrible seasons (with both teams finishing 7-6). Other teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech, became mid-season favorites to take the conference crown before they stumbled close to the end of the year. The only team that stayed consistent throughout the 2006 season, was first time ACC Champion Wake Forest. They popped their cherry against Calvin Johnson (now gone off to the NFL) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in a 9-6 thriller... *sigh*. Of course, that GT team was quarterbacked by one Reggie Ball, who has a knack for giving away interceptions like every Saturday is Christmas. The Demon Deacons went on to lose in the Orange Bowl to Big East Champion Louisville.

This season, the conference will be lead by defense as some of the nations best players return for another season. Virginia Tech in particular, will have the nation's strongest "back seven" with All American corner Brandon Flowers, All American Linebacker Vince Hall, linebacker Xavier Adibi, and cornerback Victor Harris. Clemson will boast the nation's top running back tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller.

This conference always has the potential to be the nation's best because of it's collective athleticism in skill positions. But for ACC fans and the National media, the perspective on how good this conference is, will rely on the strength of Miami and Florida State. Both teams are hoping to return to national title contention with new faces in the coaching departments. Florida State replaces offensive genius retard Jeff Bowden with Jimbo Fisher. "DA U" waves goodbye to Larry "Butch Davis and Ken Dorsey were the greatest things that ever happened to me" Coker and say hello to new bad-ass on campus Randy Shannon. Whether or not Shannon was a great hire remains to be seen. Anytime you replace Jeff Bowden, even if it's with a chimpanzee, it's an excellent decision.

TEAM PREVIEWS

Atlantic Division:

Boston College: The Eagles return All-ACC Quarterback Matt Ryan from a team that went 10-3 under then head coach Tom O'Brien. O'Brien departed for North Carolina State and new head coach Jeff Jagodzinski takes over. The offense will be decent despite Ryan's heroics, but no receiver from this team really is a "big time player". Everyone is pretty pedestrian outside of the running back tandem of L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. Boston College's defense will be the teams strength, as it's entire front seven and two starters from the secondary return. Jagodzinski being the offensive line coach he is, will no doubt bring a new blocking system to the Eagles rushing attack, making it the focal point of the offensive scheme, giving Ryan a more formidable play action. The schedule for BC is rough (atleast on the road it is, with visits to Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Clemson. If they can pull off a victory at Georgia Tech or Clemson, look for Boston College to make noise and win the Atlantic.

Prediction: 7-5

Clemson: Wow, the Tigers have so much talent... but probably aren't smart enough to use it. Clemson will have the nations best 1-2 running back tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and arguably have the nations best offensive tackle in Barry Richardson. And although of this is fun stuff, nobody has stepped up to be a decent quarterback for this bunch. Unproven Cullen Harper looks to be the guy taking the reigns for the Tigers and he'll have to form a relationship with a new favorite "go to guy" now that top receiver Chansi Stuckey is gone. The defense will be solid returns 8 starters, despite losing Gaines Adams and two starting corners. Kwam Williams will be the one replacing Gaines Adams and those will be some big-ass shoes to fill. Atleast he'll be backed up by linebackers Nick Watkins and Antonio Clay. The schedule is "meh" for Clemson, with it's hardest games (Florida State, Virginia Tech) at home. Trips to Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, and rival South Carolina will be rough, but winnable games with this much talent. Man, I just wonder when the "Fire Tommy Bowden" bomb will explode for this team.

Prediction: 8-4

Florida State: Ah... Bobby Bowden's crew. Seems every year they're ranked in the top 10... well, that was atleast the case 5 years ago. Since the 2000 season when the Seminoles lost to Bob Stoop's Oklahoma Sooners in the national championship, Coach Bowden has had one 10 win season. And although the nations most talented recruits apply and play for FSU, the Seminoles can't seem to get the job done. On offense, the running game seems to be a lock with stud back Antone Smith. At wide receiver, you have Greg Carr and De'Cody Fagg, the best 1-2 tandem at receiver in the conference. At quarterback... uhh... question marks. Drew Weatherford has been the starter for most of the games, but his inconsistent play has whispers of "START XAVIER LEE" starting back up. Weatherford had an amazing finish to last seasons victory in the Emerald Bowl over UCLA, but a half of football doesn't make a player. New Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher has alot of talent to work with but needs to mold either Weatherford or Lee into consistent starters. The defense looks tremendous, again, with sophomore strong safety Myron Rolle, senior free safety Roger Williams, and junior corner Tony Carter leading the secondary. The linebackers are topped off with speedy Geno Hayes and the line features every guards nightmare in Andre Fluellen. The schedule isn't going to be easy for Florida State, with away games at Clemson on Memorial Day, Colorado (you never know, could be pretty tricky), Alabama in Jacksonville (more like a home "neutral" site), Boston College, Virginia Tech, and rival defending national Champions Florida. The two toughest games at Doak feature arch-rival Miami and Maryland. Bobby will have his work cut out for him if he's going to stay ahead of Joe Paterno, especially in the month of November.

Prediction: 8-4

Maryland: Could this be the year Fat Ralph's boys shine? Nah. Maryland has all but 5 starters coming back from a team that went 9-4 last season and who should've gone to the ACC Title game before two late season losses to Boston College and eventual champ Wake Forest. The offense looks good everywhere but one spot... quarterback. Sam Hollenbach leaves the Terrapins with questions at his former position, and looks to be like sophomore Jordan Steffy will take the reigns. Running backs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore could both reach the 1,000 yard mark behind one of the better o-lines in the conference (anchored by tackle Jeremy Gaither), and super-soph Darrius Heyward-Bey looks to have another phenomenal season if Steffy can get the ball out to his wide-out. The defense has plenty of talent at well in the front seven and Isiah Gardner leads the secondary at corner. The schedule is the best for a division run with crucial conference games at home. Georgia Tech, Virginia, Clemson, and Boston College will visit College Park this season. West Virginia and at Rutgers will be a spicy non-conference matchups. On the road, the Terps will face Wake Forest, North Carolina, Florida State, and North Carolina State. FSU will be a handful, but all of the other conference road games should turn up to be W's.

Prediction: 6-6

North Carolina State: Tom O'Brien, you've got alot of work to do my man. Because this team just isn't that good. And it'll be tough sleding with recruiting now that Butch Davis has taken over at North Carolina, and we ALL know
that dude can recruit. Did I also mention this team only won three games last season? With "bad" losses to Akron, Southern Miss, and Virginia? Anyways, O'Brien steps into a program that's unsure of who they're quarterback is and what sort of identity they have on offense. Early on, I expect the play calling to be bombarded with run plays to let running backs Andre Brown and Toney Baker loose. The defense looks shotty as well, Demario Pressleys talent at defensive tackle. He and Martel Brown are excellent pass rushers however. The schedule is bad for conference play, with Boston College, Florida State, Miami, and Wake Forest all on the road. Clemson, Louisville, and Maryland come to Raleigh, giving their student fanbase atleast some sort of hope at an upset. But expect their fans to be drinking at games early... and often. Pass the Natty Light please.

Prediction: 4-8

Wake Forest: Last year's conference champions most likely won't have much to celebrate despite last year's unbelievable run. Coach Jim Grobe returns, turning down semi-offers from Alabama and Miami. QB Riley Skinner returns, along with All-American Center Steve Justice and Micah Andrews carrying the pill. Who does Skinner get to throw to? Well, you could pull anyone in off of the streets and you'd have the same receivers. So getting the ball downfield will be difficult for the sophomore quarterback. On defense, they'll have to replace alot of holes, especially at safety. The schedule has Nebraska, Maryland, and Florida State at home. Trips to Virginia and Clemson could be hazardous. Wake Forest also avoids Virginia Tech. Oh, and how do you give yourself a few guaranteed wins? Schedule the Military Academies! Oh, and Duke. B-A!

Prediction: 4-8

Atlantic Division Champion: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Coastal Division:

Duke: If you're still reading this, about Duke atleast, you're either a student there or are a serious ACC fan. I mean, it is Duke. And Coach K isn't going to be taking Ted Roof's job, although he should with his sizzling 5-34 record there. On Offense, you've got a young quarterback in Thaddeus Lewis tossing the ball to two veteran receivers, junior Eron Riley and senior Jomar Wright. And scoring will have to be a premium because... well... their defense isn't that good either. In the first quarter alone last season, the Blue Devils got outscored 120 to 19. The biggest "cupcake" of a game Duke has on the schedule is Connecticut at home (first game of the season). Everyone that has Duke on the schedule this season, is assured a "W".

Prediction: 0-12

Georgia Tech: The Wramblin' Wreck have alot of key players returning from a 9 win team last season, excluding mammoth receiver Calvin Johnson. He'll be suiting up for the Wide Receiver Black Hole in Detroit Michigan. Chan Gailey could have a signature season with this Yellow Jacket bunch. On offense, Reggie Ball is gone, which is already a significant upgrade. And at tailback, you have Tashard Choice, one of the conference's premiere backs. He'll be running behind an offensive line that returns all but one starter. At quarterback, Taylor Bennett will be taking the snaps. Bennett looked great in Tech's Gator Bowl loss, throwing for 326 yards and tres' touchdownos. His #1 target will be James Johnson, who probably wishes he was related to Calvin. The defense is stacked, returning nine starters and a dangerous line anchored by defensive ends Adamm Oliver and Darrell Robertson and defensive tackle Darryl Richard. If the offense sputters, atleast Durant Brooks can punt the other team deep and let the defense work on a turnover. The schedule is wonderful for Tech as well, with Boston College, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and rival Georgia all at home. They'll travel for the NCAA's biggest joke (Notre Dame), Virginia, Maryland, and Miami. The trips to Maryland and "DA U" will be the most difficult, and the home contests with Virginia Tech and Georgia are toss-ups. Georgia Tech will have a good season, regardless.

Prediction: 10-2

Miami: Dude, after last season, I'm sure everyone is scared to schedule Miami. Not because they were a mediocre 7-6 last season, but because those dudes fight dirty. The images are fresh in most of our minds, as 'Canes were beating FIU players with helmets, Brandon Merriweather stomping on players on the ground, and an all out brawl. Last season was a joke for this "prestigious" football program and the climb back to respectable standards will be a slow one. Miami always has some of the nations best players especially on defense, and this season will be no different. On offense, the 'Canes are pretty comfortable to handing off to super soph Javarris James (cousin of Edge, but probably doesn't have the gold teeth). He's running behind a line that returns four starters. Quarterback will be an issue, because Kyle Wright can't seem to stay consistent and Kirby Freeman isn't much better. Lance Leggett is a nice #1 receiver, but isn't anyone that'll demand double coverage. Defense is great, with two All-Americans with free safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell. Both players will be top 5 picks in next seasons NFL draft. Eric Moncur takes the end opposite of Campbell and Antonio Dixon will clog the middle. For what used to be "LINEBACKA' U", Miami lost Jon Beason to the pros and no one really scares you outside of that. The schedule is rough for the 'Canes, with a trip to Okalahoma on Sept. 8th and a homestand against Texas A&M two weeks later. Georgia Tech will be coming to the Orange Bowl as well. On the road, they'll be traveling to Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. It's going to be a long year 'Canes fans, but not as long as last years.

Prediction: 8-4

North Carolina: Are the Tarheels getting serious about their football? Hiring Butch Davis is a big step in the right direction because everyone knows the track record he had while at Miami, the players he recruited that went onto the NFL (28 first rounders), and the awesome record he had with the Cleveland Browns? No... wait, that's not right. Well, whatever. The point is, Davis has put North Carolina on the map and the recruits are pouring in. On offense, stud wide-out Hakeem Nicks will be the focal point of the offense with DIAPER DANDY Mike Paulus as his gun-slinger. The running game will be awful with a bunch of unproven talent toting the pill. Defense is going to be abysmal, with only four starters returning and unproven/freshmen filling the holes where be. The schedule has a few wins, like James Madison, East Carolina, and the always wonderful Duke. Road trips to South Florida, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech will be losses. Just stop pretending. I think the Tarheels could slip a win between either Wake Forest or NC State though.

Prediction: 4-8

Virginia: The Cavaliers were pretty young last season, and looks like that trend will continue. With a depth chart that was riddled with freshmen and sophomores up and down the board, the Cavs finished 5-7. And it was a miracle. Why? Because of an offensive offense. I mean, they were "Achy Breaky Heart" bad. They averaged 15.7 points per game and tallied 257.2 offensive yards a game. They're offense didn't break a sweat on the field. True story. But atleast quarterback Jameel Sewell has a year under his belt and alot of his lineman return. The defense is somewhere between good and great, with senior defensive end Chris Long as captain. Howie's son was an All-ACC performer last season and will be on every quarterback's mind everytime they drop back. Not to mention sophmore Jeffrey Fitzgerald works the other end position. The schedule is set up for big upsets at home like Georgia Tech, Pitt, and Virginia Tech. Road trips include North Carolina, Maryland, NC State, and Miami. If the Wahoo's can get any offense going, their defense is good enough to squeak an upset.

Prediction: 7-5

Virginia Tech: The unspeakable events that happened on Virginia Tech's Campus over the Summer has made football less significant. It's a tragedy that innocent people died for a madman's constant obsession with social class and money issues. This team will play with heavy hearts and will constantly be a national story week in and week out. Frank Beamer has a special group at Virginia Tech this season and they could make a run at a national title or atleast a BCS Bowl game. On offense, the focal point will be junior Brandon Ore, who averaged 20 carries a game for the Hokies last season. Look for the same trend this season to keep pressure off quarterback Sean Glennon. And when Glennon has to throw, Ore is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and super-star Eddie Royal is a big time playmaker. On defense, the Hokies have bar-none the best back seven in the nation. Brandon Flowers are both legit "shut down" corners, and free safety D.J. Parker hits hard enough to jar footballs loose from the surest hands. But the best players are at linebacker, where tackling machines Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi are looming. The defensive line fine as well, anchored by tackle Barry Booker. This defense relies on constant pressure, and alot of blitzing, because of the faith Beamer has in his secondary. Did I forget to mention that this defense only allowed 11 points per game and only a measly 219.5 yards of total offense, both of those statistics were best in the country. The schedule is back loaded, with the exception of a trip to LSU in a non-conference matchup between two of the nation's best defenses. National title implications will lie on that game, no doubt. Then, up until the 25th of October, the Hokies play Boston College, at Georgia Tech, Florida State, and rivals Miami and at Virginia. If it weren't for the early trip to Baton Rouge, the Hokies would be serious national title contenders. There's no doubt they're the cream of the ACC this season.

Prediction: 11-1

Coastal Division Champion: VIRGINIA TECH

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE CHAMPION: VIRGINIA TECH

Conference Summary:
Like I said before, and I'll say it again, this conference's strength will be each schools defensive unit. The program with the best defense will hoist the trophy at the end of the year. The Hokies have way too much talent on defense to lose more than one or two games, and although Florida State and Georgia Tech will contend for the title too, they're not quite ready yet. Virginia Tech has too much talent, way too many leaders, and will be playing for the lost lives of their schoolmates.