ACC preseason conference outlook

By J.R. Hopwood  |   Monday, July 25, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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The ACC is strong this year and should have at least 4 or 5 teams in the top 25.

Coastal Division
1. Miami returns several key players, including star OL Eric Winston. The defense will be much more experienced returning 9 starters and some key playmakers. The Hurricanes should be solid once again.

2. Georgia Tech returns PJ Daniels, Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson who are all playmakers. They return 10 on a defense that ranked 12th overall last season. The Yellow Jackets will surprise a lot of their competition this year.

3. Virginia Tech QB Marcus Vick has been streaky in his appearances, and his off the field troubles hurt. The defense returns only 6 starters so this may be a down year for the Hokies.

4. Virginia brings back QB Marques Hagans who is a talented starter. However, the O-line and receiving corps will be down. The Cavaliers will not compete for the conference title the way they did last year.

5. North Carolina QB Durant and RB Chad Scott are gone, so don't look for the same production this year. The Tar Heels should be at or near the cellar all year long.

6. Duke will be rebuilding yet again. The defense may be the strength here, but I am using strength very loosely. The Blue Devils will struggle as usual.

Atlantic Division
1. Florida State has suffered some big losses over the past few weeks. First Sexton, then Cromartie. But the simple fact is that this team is still good. The RBs are among the best in the country and the defense will still be fairly stacked. The FSU Seminoles should find themselves in the conference championship come December.

2. Boston College returns the Big East Defensive Player of the year in Mathias Kiwanuka. Losing Paul Peterson will hurt, but this team has solid talent all around. The Golden Eagles should be a solid addition to the new and improved ACC.

3. Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst will look to silence his critics this season. The offense should be more productive, however the defense returns only 6 and loses some top talent. The Tigers will be in the middle of the pack as usual and will pull some big upsets as usual.

4. NC State returns only 5 on defense, but one returnee is star D-lineman Mario Williams. Jay Davis will look to improve this year, so this offense could shine in some games. Also, look for sophomore running back Bobby Washington to spark the Wolfpack offense.

5. Wake Forest RB Chris Barclay is a star, and needs only 907 yards to become the teams all time rusher. The offense will be a ton more experienced and should put up some big numbers. Still, the Demon Deacons will struggle against their ACC competition.

6. Maryland may have a solid D this year, anchored by D'Qwell Jackson. The offense just doesn't look as solid, and should be down a few notches. Expect the Terps to be cellar dwellers this year.
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