There are a lot of ways you could look at the Atlantic Coast Conference for 2010. New coaches have come in (Jimbo Fisher at FSU, Mike London at Virginia), and several coaches that could be heading out (Ralph Friedgen at Maryland, Tom O'Brien at NC State). There are very good quarterbacks (Tyrod Taylor at VaTech, Jacory Harris at Miami), great runners (Joshua Nesbitt of GT), and fantastic receivers (Donovan Varner at Duke).
However, the conference will be decided by who can shut out distractions and just play the best football they possibly can. There is no question the conference is a basketball conference which just so happens to be good at football here and there. I do believe that there are a couple teams that could be great. Lets start with each division.
ATLANTIC DIVISION:
Florida State Seminoles: Last Year 7-6 (4-4)
Whether you believe that Bobby Bowden was fired, pushed, resigned, retired... it was time to go. The program he basically created had become third in the state of Florida. Usually, that still means you have the guns to compete. However, you wonder what restraints Bowden put on his coaches. Jimbo Fischer has already taken those restraints and thrown them away. Practices have quicker paces, there are new assistants that have brought in new systems, and there is new accountability. Does that mean this team will be better? Probably, however it may take a while to see it. Christian Ponder will have to be healthy from a faulty shoulder in order to match the numbers he had last year, which happened to lead the ACC in total offense. Offensively this team will be stacked at both the running back and wideouts. Jermaine Thomas will still be able to run like he did last year, and Bert Reed and Jarmon Fortson will replace the void from Rod Owens' graduation. Mark Stoops is in to run a defense that only has one way to go from being 108th last year. There is some depth questions at secondary, but there will be improvement.
Boston College Eagles: Last Year 8-5 (5-3)
They have the greatest story in college football this year with the return of LB Mark Herzlich from his battle with Ewing's Sarcoma (bone cancer), a very easy schedule, and a defense that doesn't let you run the ball and keeps you out of the end zone. So what's not to like? Well... there are the quarterback questions. Former Twins farmhand Dave Shinskie will get the first shot being the incumbent, but Justin Tuggle will be a option if Shinskie keeps throwing interceptions. Easier said than done with a very young wide receiver corp. The offense will go as long as Montel Harris stays healthy. The line is pretty solid, so I would think Harris can go for a 1300 yard season again. Defensively, this team must get sacks. The secondary was much better than numbers told you because this line, while able to stop any rushing attack, couldn't get a sack when they needed it. They get Virginia Tech and Notre Dame on back to back weeks at home, and if they get through there 4-0, they will have the confidence needed to be a top 10 team.
Clemson Tigers: Last year 9-5 (6-2)
Dabo Sweeney got the most out of his team last year, and it culminated with a division title. However, you lose C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford, and you have a very tough time replacing playmakers and leaders. I like Kyle Parker a lot, but the thought of him embracing being the BMOC will never be there with the lingering baseball playing time over his head. Plus, there are a lot of young players at wide receiver and tight end to replace. With no real option at running back yet, Parker will have to bear the load till playmakers emerge. That also puts a lot of pressure on this defense, which was alright last year but will have to be better in order for the Tigers to be winners. The line will have to anchor this team, with Jarvis Jenkins and Miguel Chavis having to be the cornerstones.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Last Year 5-7 (3-5)
Jim Grobe's team was one of if not the most unluckiest teams last year. There were countless fumbles, penalties, a muffed punt... well, if you're a fan, you know. To further the issue, this year's team will be one of the youngest ones in FBS. A combination of Skylar Jones and Brendan Cross will replace 4 year starter Riley Skinner at quarterback. Grobe will be hoping that Josh Adams returns to his ACC newcomer of the year status to help out at running back. If you see Jones at quarterback, don't be suprised to see Brandon Pendergrass at running back with him. It could easily be the fastest backfield duo in the conference. There are three great receivers in Marshall Williams, Devon Brown, and Chris Givens to throw to. With a iffy offensive line, look for a lot of perimiter plays and such to get the ball around. The defense will have to get better in the secondary to compete better, and with the trial-by-fire from last year, there is no doubt that there will be improvement.
North Carolina State Wolfpack: Last Year 5-7 (2-6)
The pressure to win in Raleigh is clearly on Tom O'Brien this year. While the schedule offers no favors, I do think, with the issues at Chapel Hill and finally being healthy, he will be alright come January. Russell Wilson is the real deal, and there is a stable of wideouts available starting with Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer. With the line issues and the uncertainty at running back, this team will have to throw to win. This team must improve defensively from allowing 31 ppg last year. T.J Graham will easily be the premier return man in the ACC again, and Josh Czajkowski is as close to money as they come. For O'Brien to return in 2011, he better be.
Maryland Terrapins: Last Year 2-10 (1-7)
How Ralph Friedgen kept his job, I am still trying to figure out. Maybe he has pictures, blackmail.. I really don't know. This team will be much more experienced this season, however that won't make them necessarily better skill wise. The strength of the team is at linebacker, with Alex Wujack, Darin Drakeford, and Adrian Moten doing work back there. Offensively, wide receiver is and will be the deepest and most talented. Da'Rell Scott and Davin Meggett will be only as good as a experienced yet young line will let them be. Opening against Navy and West Virginia will not help Fridge keep his job.
COASTAL DIVISION
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Last Year 11-3 (7-1)
Nobody laughs at Paul Johnson now. Oh, they did when he thought he could bring the double wing option to the ACC. With their first outright conference title since the national title year of 1990, he has brought back life to the Ramblin Wreck. Offensively, they run till till you put 11 in the box, then run some more. Joshua Nesbitt will be the catylist once again, running and throwing for over 2700 yards last year. Expect Anthony Allen to continue the number Jonathan Dwyer came up with. Johnson hired Al Groh to run the defense that was okay, but nothing spectacular last year. He will change to a 3-4 this year, with the main issue replacing ACC defender of the year Derrick Morgan. Expect the secondary to be the strength of the defense. The game in Blacksburg Nov. 4th will be for the division title and possibly have national championship implications for the Yellow Jackets.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Last Year 10-3 (6-2)
Most teams wish they could compete for a conference and national championship while rebuilding. And yet, the Hokies seem to have not done a lot with what they have had available to them. Tyrod Taylor is back, and is looking to finally provide a consistant offense for Frank Beamer. Ryan Williams led the ACC in rushing last year, and Darren Evans returns from a torn ACL to make the attack even more potent. There is youth on defense, but when has Bud Foster ever had a bad unit, age be damned? The opening game against Boise State at FedEx Field will either make the national title hopes rise or crash to the ground. The conference schedule isn't very forgiving (games at GT, NC, Miami) but expect VaTech to be in the mix come December.
Miami Hurricanes: Last Year 9-4 (5-3)
The contract extention finally came to Randy Shannon after a 9 win season, and this team could be even better this season. This team is starting to look physically like the great Miami teams of the 2000's, fast and physical on both sides of the ball. Jacory Harris will still be the man that will lead the offense, throwing to proven playmakers Leonard Hankerson and LaRon Byrd. The defense is loaded in the front seven but shaky in the secondary where they were lit up like the Rockerfeller Christmas Tree during the spring game by everyone but Harris. Matt Bosher is probably the best all-around kicker east of the Mississippi. Games at Ohio State and Pittsburgh will tell soon if this team is going to be as good as last year's group was.
North Carolina Tar Heels: Last Year 8-5 (4-4)
Butch Davis loves to just stockpile talent. Pretty easy with John Blake on your staff to do that. That being said, the NCAA also has an interest in Blake, and that's never good for your program. The Heels are loaded on defense, which will be good with Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn anchoring this line (that's if the NCAA doesn't find anything to keep them out). Quan Sturvant and Bruce Carter are first round draft picks at linebacker. The reason that the Heels have not gone farther is because of an anemic (at best) offense. T.J. Yates is back at quarterback and tight end Zack Pianalto return, along with Ryan Houston who was a nice suprise after injuried depleted the running back spot. Opening against LSU, Georgia Tech, and at Rutgers will test this offense quickly. If there are issues after three games, expect Davis' seat to get very hot very quickly. Carolina doesn't like to lose, and with the NCAA wanting some answers about Blake and Austin, this could get out of hand for Butch easily.
Duke Blue Devils: Last Year 5-7 (3-5)
I really like what David Cutcliffe has done with Duke football. I feel like he wasn't appreciated at Ole Miss, and he is going to show what he can do at Durham. The facilities are getting a much needed facelift, and the team is really competitive for the first time in a while. Donovan Varner is a stud at receiver in a defensively stout division. Sean Renfree is a classic drop back passer who will have Varner and two veteran tight ends to use. However, this team MUST run better to be a threat (last year's rushing leader for Duke was Desmond Scott with 262 yards.). The defense will be young and inexperieced, as graduation and dismissals have thinned out all spots, especially on the line. I expect Duke to make a bowl game this year, and with Alabama coming to town Sept. 18 for a nationally televised game, the exposure will only help Cutcliffe get the Blue Devils even better in the future.
Virginia Cavaliers: Last Year 3-9 (2-6)
Mike London comes into Virginia with a FCS title at Richmond. He knows how to win, but with what Al Groh left him, lets hope he has patience too. This is the third offensive system in as many years in Charlottesville, and the defense will go back to a 4-3. There will be some passing done, as Marc Verica will have a pretty deep wideout crew to throw it to. The defense will not be great, but will get better as players get acclimated to new spots in a new scheme. Without a lot of time to save the recruiting class (only 17 signed, what a concept Houston Nutt!), there will be some lean times for Virginia. They will be better next year, and London has to just make sure they stay focused on the process of becoming a good team.
PREDICTIONS:
Atlantic: Florida State
Coastal: Georgia Tech
Conference Winner: Georgia Tech
The Wreck will be the champion in a very competitive yet rebuilding themed conference. I think Virginia Tech is too green on defense, and Miami is not good enough in the secondary to turn the corner this year. Florida State will have a great rennisance with Jimbo Fisher running the show. However, Paul Johnson has too much discipline in his offense and program to just fold under pressure.
Player of the year: Joshua Nesbitt, Georgia Tech
Coach of the year: Jimbo Fischer, Florida State
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