T1. Florida State (6-2 in the ACC, 9-2 overall)
Offense: The attack wasn't all that shabby last year averaging 32.3 points and 403 yards per game, but now the Seminole offense will look like it's old national championship self with nine starters returning including QB Chris Rix, WR Craphonso Thorpe and OT Alex Barron. The line is loaded with NFL prospects, while the skill positions are filled with more talent than ever. It all comes down to Rix as he needs to play up to be a consistent playmaker with all the talent around him.
Defense: The defense should have been more of a killer last year considering all of its experience, but it wasn't all that bad and there won't be much of a drop-off this year even with only four returning starters. All three linebackers have to be replaced, but this is a more talented group with the emergence of A.J. Nicholson and Ernie Sims. The pass defense will be strong if CB Antonio Cromartie plays as expected and the hard-hitting safeties play as well as they did last year. The line could use more tackle depth even though the starters are good at taking the stress off the great ends.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Florida State at Miami, Sept. 6
2. Virginia at Florida St, Oct. 16
3. Miami at Virginia, Nov. 13
4. Florida St at NC State, Nov. 11
5. Miami at NC State, Oct. 23
Team that will surprise
NC State
Team that will disappoint
Virginia Tech
Coach that must produce
John Bunting, North Carolina
Best head coach
Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
The potentially huge ACC upset might be ... North Carolina over NC State, Oct. 9
The potentially worst ACC game might be ... Duke at Florida State, Nov. 6
Best player no one pays attention to ... Georgia Tech FS James Butler
T1. Miami (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: Miami's offense was a shadow of its old self last year only averaging 27.8 points per game ruining a national championship-level season from the defense. The line will be fantastic and the receiving corps will be fine in time, so the key will be the backfield. QB Brock Berlin has to play far better than he did last year or he'll quickly be replaced. RB Frank Gore will try and come back from his second knee injury to give the running game some more pop.
Defense: Being Miami, there are always going to be talented players ready to step in for the lost stars. This year will be a big test needing to replace stars D.J. Williams, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Sean Taylor. CB Antrel Rolle leads a speedy secondary and the line should be among the best in America, but depth is a bit of an issue and several young stars need to immediately play like veterans.
T1. NC State (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: Even without Philip Rivers the Wolfpack attack will still be devastating. The offensive line and running backs will be among the best in the ACC if OT Chris Colmer and RB T.A. McLendon are 100%. The passing attack needs a few receivers to step up in a hurry, but the tight ends are tremendous. The quarterback situation will be fine with Jay Davis and Marcus Stone each able to step in and star.
Defense: New defensive coordinator Reggie Herring takes over after spending the last few years coaching the Houston Texan linebackers, and it'll be interesting to see what kind of an effect he has on a corps loaded with experience and potential. The secondary gave up way too many yards last year, but look for an improvement with everyone returning and Herring tightening things up. The line should be strong as the ends get more and more experience.
T1. Virginia (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: It's all up to Marques Hagans. The versatile playmaker will get his shot at running the precise passing game using his good arm and all-around athleticism to take over for Matt Schaub. While he has the knowledge of the offense and the ability to be a fine quarterback, he doesn't have the wide receivers with an average overall group if some of the true sophomores don't shine through. TE Heath Miller will once again be the most dangerous receiver. All five starters return to the line to pave the way for Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman.
Defense: The front seven will be a high-flying, pass rushing, run stopping brick wall with future NFL stars Chris Canty, Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham leading the way. The concern is a secondary that will rely on talented, but still raw, sophomore corners, a running back at one safety (Marquis Weeks) and another safety trying to quickly come back from a torn up knee (Jermaine Hardy).
T5. Clemson (5-3, 7-4)
Offense: Clemson should once again have one of the highest flying offenses in the ACC led by star QB Charlie Whitehurst. The receiving and running back corps isn't filled with name stars, but there are several sure-thing producers coming into their own. The only question is at tackle where there's no depth and two relatively unproven sophomores taking over.
Defense: The Tiger defense wasn't a killer last year, but it was effective only allowing 19.2 points and 336.2 yards per game. The secondary should be amazing with all four starters returning, while the defensive front seven is athletic and talented. The only concern will be against power running teams, but the coaches are working out ways for the front seven to be strong enough to hold their own.
T5 Maryland (5-3, 8-3)
Offense: Considering the loss of several top players, things aren't all that bad. QB Joel Statham should be excellent with a little bit of time, while the 1-2 rushing punch of Josh Allen and Sam Maldonado (when he gets over his knee injury) will be dangerous. The left side of the line will be one of the best in the ACC.
Defense: The D is loaded with athletic prospects mixed in with established All-ACC talent like CB Domonique Foxworth, LB D'Qwell Jackson and DE Kevin Eli. The linebacking corps has the potential to be among the best in the nation if Wesley Jefferson plays like he did this spring.
7. Georgia Tech (4-4, 6-5)
Offense: The offense struggled last season even though QB Reggie Ball and RB P.J. Daniels had great seasons. A go-to receiver has to emerge to replace Jonathan Smith, and several other pass catchers need to live and play up to their talent level. The line should be fine even after the loss of Nat Dorsey and Hugh Reilly.
Defense: If linebackers can be found to replace Keyaron Fox and Daryl Smith, the defense should be every bit as good as it was in 2003 when it only allowed 322 yards and 20.5 points per game. The secondary will be among the ACC's best led by All-America star safety James Butler. Getting to the quarterback won't be a problem with Travis Parker moving over from tackle to take some heat off Eric Henderson.
8. Virginia Tech (3-5, 6-6)
Offense: As always there will be speed and athleticism at all the skill positions and a strong line to work behind, but there's little to no returning production among the receivers and running backs. The spring injury to RB Cedric Humes didn't help matters this spring. Expect a drop-off in production from the attack that averaged more than 35 points per game last year.
Defense: The defense was stunningly inconsistent over the last few years breaking down as the seasons wore on. There aren't the obvious superstars in this year's D like Tech is used to fielding, but the potential is there for a big season. The Hokies will simply be more athletic than most offenses, and now they have to prove they can hold up.
9. Wake Forest (2-6, 5-6)
Offense: The offense was inconsistent, but occasionally clutch, all throughout last year with a lot of the production starting from the great offensive line. Now the line has issues with no depth whatsoever while the rest of the offense is explosive. The receivers are way too good to be ignored in this primarily rushing attack, while running backs Chris Barclay and Cornelius Birgs provide a dangerous tandem. There are two good quarterbacks able to keep things moving.
Defense: The defense has the potential to be the best ever under head coach Jim Grobe. There are enough good players up front to move to a 4-3 lineup while also going back to the 3-3-5 from time to time. More than anything else, there's far more depth and athleticism than Wake Forest has ever had and several excellent prospects waiting to shine.
Offense: The attack wasn't all that shabby last year averaging 32.3 points and 403 yards per game, but now the Seminole offense will look like it's old national championship self with nine starters returning including QB Chris Rix, WR Craphonso Thorpe and OT Alex Barron. The line is loaded with NFL prospects, while the skill positions are filled with more talent than ever. It all comes down to Rix as he needs to play up to be a consistent playmaker with all the talent around him.
Defense: The defense should have been more of a killer last year considering all of its experience, but it wasn't all that bad and there won't be much of a drop-off this year even with only four returning starters. All three linebackers have to be replaced, but this is a more talented group with the emergence of A.J. Nicholson and Ernie Sims. The pass defense will be strong if CB Antonio Cromartie plays as expected and the hard-hitting safeties play as well as they did last year. The line could use more tackle depth even though the starters are good at taking the stress off the great ends.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Florida State at Miami, Sept. 6
2. Virginia at Florida St, Oct. 16
3. Miami at Virginia, Nov. 13
4. Florida St at NC State, Nov. 11
5. Miami at NC State, Oct. 23
Team that will surprise
NC State
Team that will disappoint
Virginia Tech
Coach that must produce
John Bunting, North Carolina
Best head coach
Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
The potentially huge ACC upset might be ... North Carolina over NC State, Oct. 9
The potentially worst ACC game might be ... Duke at Florida State, Nov. 6
Best player no one pays attention to ... Georgia Tech FS James Butler
T1. Miami (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: Miami's offense was a shadow of its old self last year only averaging 27.8 points per game ruining a national championship-level season from the defense. The line will be fantastic and the receiving corps will be fine in time, so the key will be the backfield. QB Brock Berlin has to play far better than he did last year or he'll quickly be replaced. RB Frank Gore will try and come back from his second knee injury to give the running game some more pop.
Defense: Being Miami, there are always going to be talented players ready to step in for the lost stars. This year will be a big test needing to replace stars D.J. Williams, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Sean Taylor. CB Antrel Rolle leads a speedy secondary and the line should be among the best in America, but depth is a bit of an issue and several young stars need to immediately play like veterans.
T1. NC State (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: Even without Philip Rivers the Wolfpack attack will still be devastating. The offensive line and running backs will be among the best in the ACC if OT Chris Colmer and RB T.A. McLendon are 100%. The passing attack needs a few receivers to step up in a hurry, but the tight ends are tremendous. The quarterback situation will be fine with Jay Davis and Marcus Stone each able to step in and star.
Defense: New defensive coordinator Reggie Herring takes over after spending the last few years coaching the Houston Texan linebackers, and it'll be interesting to see what kind of an effect he has on a corps loaded with experience and potential. The secondary gave up way too many yards last year, but look for an improvement with everyone returning and Herring tightening things up. The line should be strong as the ends get more and more experience.
T1. Virginia (6-2, 9-2)
Offense: It's all up to Marques Hagans. The versatile playmaker will get his shot at running the precise passing game using his good arm and all-around athleticism to take over for Matt Schaub. While he has the knowledge of the offense and the ability to be a fine quarterback, he doesn't have the wide receivers with an average overall group if some of the true sophomores don't shine through. TE Heath Miller will once again be the most dangerous receiver. All five starters return to the line to pave the way for Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman.
Defense: The front seven will be a high-flying, pass rushing, run stopping brick wall with future NFL stars Chris Canty, Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham leading the way. The concern is a secondary that will rely on talented, but still raw, sophomore corners, a running back at one safety (Marquis Weeks) and another safety trying to quickly come back from a torn up knee (Jermaine Hardy).
T5. Clemson (5-3, 7-4)
Offense: Clemson should once again have one of the highest flying offenses in the ACC led by star QB Charlie Whitehurst. The receiving and running back corps isn't filled with name stars, but there are several sure-thing producers coming into their own. The only question is at tackle where there's no depth and two relatively unproven sophomores taking over.
Defense: The Tiger defense wasn't a killer last year, but it was effective only allowing 19.2 points and 336.2 yards per game. The secondary should be amazing with all four starters returning, while the defensive front seven is athletic and talented. The only concern will be against power running teams, but the coaches are working out ways for the front seven to be strong enough to hold their own.
T5 Maryland (5-3, 8-3)
Offense: Considering the loss of several top players, things aren't all that bad. QB Joel Statham should be excellent with a little bit of time, while the 1-2 rushing punch of Josh Allen and Sam Maldonado (when he gets over his knee injury) will be dangerous. The left side of the line will be one of the best in the ACC.
Defense: The D is loaded with athletic prospects mixed in with established All-ACC talent like CB Domonique Foxworth, LB D'Qwell Jackson and DE Kevin Eli. The linebacking corps has the potential to be among the best in the nation if Wesley Jefferson plays like he did this spring.
7. Georgia Tech (4-4, 6-5)
Offense: The offense struggled last season even though QB Reggie Ball and RB P.J. Daniels had great seasons. A go-to receiver has to emerge to replace Jonathan Smith, and several other pass catchers need to live and play up to their talent level. The line should be fine even after the loss of Nat Dorsey and Hugh Reilly.
Defense: If linebackers can be found to replace Keyaron Fox and Daryl Smith, the defense should be every bit as good as it was in 2003 when it only allowed 322 yards and 20.5 points per game. The secondary will be among the ACC's best led by All-America star safety James Butler. Getting to the quarterback won't be a problem with Travis Parker moving over from tackle to take some heat off Eric Henderson.
8. Virginia Tech (3-5, 6-6)
Offense: As always there will be speed and athleticism at all the skill positions and a strong line to work behind, but there's little to no returning production among the receivers and running backs. The spring injury to RB Cedric Humes didn't help matters this spring. Expect a drop-off in production from the attack that averaged more than 35 points per game last year.
Defense: The defense was stunningly inconsistent over the last few years breaking down as the seasons wore on. There aren't the obvious superstars in this year's D like Tech is used to fielding, but the potential is there for a big season. The Hokies will simply be more athletic than most offenses, and now they have to prove they can hold up.
9. Wake Forest (2-6, 5-6)
Offense: The offense was inconsistent, but occasionally clutch, all throughout last year with a lot of the production starting from the great offensive line. Now the line has issues with no depth whatsoever while the rest of the offense is explosive. The receivers are way too good to be ignored in this primarily rushing attack, while running backs Chris Barclay and Cornelius Birgs provide a dangerous tandem. There are two good quarterbacks able to keep things moving.
Defense: The defense has the potential to be the best ever under head coach Jim Grobe. There are enough good players up front to move to a 4-3 lineup while also going back to the 3-3-5 from time to time. More than anything else, there's far more depth and athleticism than Wake Forest has ever had and several excellent prospects waiting to shine.
