ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston College Eagles
Boston College?s farewell tour in the Big East ended with a regular season loss to Syracuse which cost them the outright Big East conference title and then they almost lost their bowl game to North Carolina before scoring 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Now they begin their inaugural season in the talent rich ACC against much stronger competition.
The Eagles return seven starters on each side of the line of scrimmage but that is from a team that, despite their 9-3 record, was able to only put up average numbers in 2004. They were within six points of a 10-0 start and BC has now won seven games in each of their last six seasons and is the only team in the country which has won five consecutive bowl games.
Senior quarterback, Quinton Porter, is said to run a 4.6, 40 yard dash and to possess a cannon for an arm. He will have an experienced front line to protect him with five returning starters and plenty of depth. A group of sophomores at running back offer some promise but the coaches need one of them to emerge as a go-to guy and the same holds true for two new wide receivers.
If you go strictly by the numbers, last year?s defense was top notch in allowing less than 17 points per game but that was while playing the 74th ranked schedule in the nation. This year?s squad is experienced but the level of competition will be increased significantly and the Eagles will need another season from DE Mathias Kiwanuka like he had in 2004 when he recorded 60 tackles with 19 of them being for a loss.
Despite having to host Miami for their home opener, Boston College has drawn a somewhat favorable schedule with non-conference games against BYU, Army and Ball State and home games against Florida State, Virginia, and NC State but traveling to Virginia Tech is never any fun, especially when you are the new kid on the block.
Clemson Tigers
Bobby Bowden?s squad started last year?s campaign at 1-4 but yet was able to finish strong with a final record of 6-5. He faded the heat from the alumni by firing his offensive and defensive coordinators and as a result both sides of the ball will be playing under new systems.
The offense looks good on paper with seven returning starters and big things are expected from QB Charlie Whitehurst. He will be working with most of his offensive line from last season as well as the entire receiving corp. Unfortunately, this is the same crew who ranked 90th in scoring last year. New coordinator Rob Spence from Toledo will allow Whitehurst more leeway in an effort to see if he can return to his form of 2003 when he passed for 3,561 yards.
The defense allowed only 12.2 per game in the last six games and this year?s squad will see six starters back from last season but their best linebacker in Leroy Hill and top cornerback in Justin Miller are gone to the NFL. Duplicating the success of last year?s 23rd ranked passing defense will be difficult without Miller, particularly with a new defensive coordinator.
The Tigers? schedule starts with an opener with Texas A&M at home but despite two tough road games at NC State and Florida State, it is easier than most in this conference and they do not have to play Virginia Tech this year.
Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles posted a 9-3 record last year but this is a school which expects better than that year in and year out. The best news to come out of Tallahassee in the off season was the announcement that talented RB Leon Washington had decided to skip the NFL draft and return to the Seminoles. Quarterback Chris Rix finally graduated thereby opening the door for Wyatt Sexton to take over but Sexton was diagnosed with advanced Lyme Disease this summer so Bobby Bowden will have to turn to a pair of freshmen ball handlers and it appears that Xavier Lee will be called on to improve over last year?s 61st ranked offense. That will be an extremely tall order with only four starters returning. At most schools, that would be a bigger obstacle but FSU has always been able to recruit gifted athletes and this squad is no exception.
The fact of the matter is that the defense is going to have to play extraordinarily well to keep FSU in the hunt for the ACC title but they are blessed with what is perhaps the best linebacking crew in the country. The remainder of the defensive squad will have to learn fast but the personnel looks promising. Their season opener will be at home against Miami so we will get an early look at how far the defense has come along. Keep in mind that although the Noles are 52-1 at home vs. ACC opponents, they have lost six straight to Miami going 1-5 ATS.
Papa Bowden is celebrating his 30th season at the helm of the Seminoles? team and that sets up an opportunity for the players to excel as they would love to give him an anniversary present to remember the occasion. He could use a good season in 2005 as the Seminoles have faded lately.
Maryland Tereapins
Terps? HC Coach Ralph Friedgen is recognized as an offensive guru so it must have been pretty hard for him to stomach last year?s disappointing 5-6 record after winning 31 games over the previous three seasons which include bowl appearances. The season started with a lot of promise and after a 55 point performance against Duke it began to look as if Friedgen had worked his magic again but things went south fast as the Terrapins scored only 56 points in their last seven games.
The Terps averaged just 2.9 yards a carry last season and this year they do not seem to even have a running game after loosing both of their top two rushers to graduation. Only six offensive starters are back from last season and there are a total of only 12 seniors on the roster, which includes 58 players with three or more years of eligibility remaining.
Last year?s defense hung tough through the embarrassing second half of the schedule and held five of their last six opponents to 17 points or less. Unfortunately three starters from that line and the entire secondary that ranked 8th in the country in pass defense, are gone.
The good news is that the Terps have an opportunity to get off to a good start with only one true road contest in their first five games and that is against Wake Forest against whom the Terps have won 13 of the last 16 meetings (11-5 ATS in those games).
North Carolina State Wolfpack
No bowl game last year for the Wolfpack for the first time since 1999 and the first time since Chuck Amato returned to his alma mater as head coach. Even though the defense was ranked No. 1 in the country, they still finished below .500 with a 5-6 record, despite the fact that they actually outgained every opponent they faced last season. The problem was the fact that the Pack could not hold on to the ball, finishing the season with a total of 32 turnovers (16 fumbles and 16 interceptions) and a turnover margin of -17.
Quarterback Jay Davis returns after completing 55 percent of his passes in 2004, but he also threw 15 interceptions with only 12 touchdowns. He will again have some good receivers in seniors Brian Clark and Tramain Hall but must play more consistently than he did last year. TJ Williams is also back for his senior season after averaging 12.3 yards per catch as the first tight end to lead the team in receptions (31) since 1967.
The defensive line is absolutely stacked with two preseason All-American defensive ends in Mario Williams and Manny Lawson who combined for 13 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and 36 quarterback hurries last season. Mario Pressley plugs the middle at tackle as the entire defensive line returns from last season and is arguably the best unit in the country. This defense should keep them in the game against most of their opponents.
The Wolfpack?s schedule includes non-conference games spread out through the entire season but they start out at home against Virginia Tech who they defeated in Blacksburg last season. Note that NC State is a perfect 11-0 ATS as a road dog since 2000, which includes an 8-0 mark in the ACC.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last year?s 4-7 record does not do much to impress but considering the Deacons lost two games in overtime (Clemson and NC State), two by seven points (Virginia Tech and North Carolina), one by six points (Maryland) and one by three points (Florida State), it seems that they were a point spread covering machine in a very tough conference. You have to tip your hat to HC Jim Grobe and the job he has done in turning this program around since taking over in 2001 when Wake had won only two games the prior year.
Nine players return on offense but that group finished 90th in the nation in scoring and managed only 14 points in its final two games. Wake should again have one of the best running games in the country with Chris Barclay who ran for 1,192 yards last season. The problem is that unless the Demon Deacons find a passing game, defenses will continue to put eight in the box and last year?s passing attack ranked 109th in the nation and the team managed only 14 points in its final two games.
A very young defense returns six starters but there are only three seniors in the entire two-deep squad. The front seven are going to have their hands full against some very good teams and which are capable of running right over these guys.
While Wake gets four of their first five games being at home, their one road game is at Nebraska and two of these home games are against very tough conference opponents. They are fortunate to start off with cupcake Vanderbilt so an early win might help this young team?s confidence before heading to Lincoln.
Boston College Eagles
Boston College?s farewell tour in the Big East ended with a regular season loss to Syracuse which cost them the outright Big East conference title and then they almost lost their bowl game to North Carolina before scoring 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Now they begin their inaugural season in the talent rich ACC against much stronger competition.
The Eagles return seven starters on each side of the line of scrimmage but that is from a team that, despite their 9-3 record, was able to only put up average numbers in 2004. They were within six points of a 10-0 start and BC has now won seven games in each of their last six seasons and is the only team in the country which has won five consecutive bowl games.
Senior quarterback, Quinton Porter, is said to run a 4.6, 40 yard dash and to possess a cannon for an arm. He will have an experienced front line to protect him with five returning starters and plenty of depth. A group of sophomores at running back offer some promise but the coaches need one of them to emerge as a go-to guy and the same holds true for two new wide receivers.
If you go strictly by the numbers, last year?s defense was top notch in allowing less than 17 points per game but that was while playing the 74th ranked schedule in the nation. This year?s squad is experienced but the level of competition will be increased significantly and the Eagles will need another season from DE Mathias Kiwanuka like he had in 2004 when he recorded 60 tackles with 19 of them being for a loss.
Despite having to host Miami for their home opener, Boston College has drawn a somewhat favorable schedule with non-conference games against BYU, Army and Ball State and home games against Florida State, Virginia, and NC State but traveling to Virginia Tech is never any fun, especially when you are the new kid on the block.
Clemson Tigers
Bobby Bowden?s squad started last year?s campaign at 1-4 but yet was able to finish strong with a final record of 6-5. He faded the heat from the alumni by firing his offensive and defensive coordinators and as a result both sides of the ball will be playing under new systems.
The offense looks good on paper with seven returning starters and big things are expected from QB Charlie Whitehurst. He will be working with most of his offensive line from last season as well as the entire receiving corp. Unfortunately, this is the same crew who ranked 90th in scoring last year. New coordinator Rob Spence from Toledo will allow Whitehurst more leeway in an effort to see if he can return to his form of 2003 when he passed for 3,561 yards.
The defense allowed only 12.2 per game in the last six games and this year?s squad will see six starters back from last season but their best linebacker in Leroy Hill and top cornerback in Justin Miller are gone to the NFL. Duplicating the success of last year?s 23rd ranked passing defense will be difficult without Miller, particularly with a new defensive coordinator.
The Tigers? schedule starts with an opener with Texas A&M at home but despite two tough road games at NC State and Florida State, it is easier than most in this conference and they do not have to play Virginia Tech this year.
Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles posted a 9-3 record last year but this is a school which expects better than that year in and year out. The best news to come out of Tallahassee in the off season was the announcement that talented RB Leon Washington had decided to skip the NFL draft and return to the Seminoles. Quarterback Chris Rix finally graduated thereby opening the door for Wyatt Sexton to take over but Sexton was diagnosed with advanced Lyme Disease this summer so Bobby Bowden will have to turn to a pair of freshmen ball handlers and it appears that Xavier Lee will be called on to improve over last year?s 61st ranked offense. That will be an extremely tall order with only four starters returning. At most schools, that would be a bigger obstacle but FSU has always been able to recruit gifted athletes and this squad is no exception.
The fact of the matter is that the defense is going to have to play extraordinarily well to keep FSU in the hunt for the ACC title but they are blessed with what is perhaps the best linebacking crew in the country. The remainder of the defensive squad will have to learn fast but the personnel looks promising. Their season opener will be at home against Miami so we will get an early look at how far the defense has come along. Keep in mind that although the Noles are 52-1 at home vs. ACC opponents, they have lost six straight to Miami going 1-5 ATS.
Papa Bowden is celebrating his 30th season at the helm of the Seminoles? team and that sets up an opportunity for the players to excel as they would love to give him an anniversary present to remember the occasion. He could use a good season in 2005 as the Seminoles have faded lately.
Maryland Tereapins
Terps? HC Coach Ralph Friedgen is recognized as an offensive guru so it must have been pretty hard for him to stomach last year?s disappointing 5-6 record after winning 31 games over the previous three seasons which include bowl appearances. The season started with a lot of promise and after a 55 point performance against Duke it began to look as if Friedgen had worked his magic again but things went south fast as the Terrapins scored only 56 points in their last seven games.
The Terps averaged just 2.9 yards a carry last season and this year they do not seem to even have a running game after loosing both of their top two rushers to graduation. Only six offensive starters are back from last season and there are a total of only 12 seniors on the roster, which includes 58 players with three or more years of eligibility remaining.
Last year?s defense hung tough through the embarrassing second half of the schedule and held five of their last six opponents to 17 points or less. Unfortunately three starters from that line and the entire secondary that ranked 8th in the country in pass defense, are gone.
The good news is that the Terps have an opportunity to get off to a good start with only one true road contest in their first five games and that is against Wake Forest against whom the Terps have won 13 of the last 16 meetings (11-5 ATS in those games).
North Carolina State Wolfpack
No bowl game last year for the Wolfpack for the first time since 1999 and the first time since Chuck Amato returned to his alma mater as head coach. Even though the defense was ranked No. 1 in the country, they still finished below .500 with a 5-6 record, despite the fact that they actually outgained every opponent they faced last season. The problem was the fact that the Pack could not hold on to the ball, finishing the season with a total of 32 turnovers (16 fumbles and 16 interceptions) and a turnover margin of -17.
Quarterback Jay Davis returns after completing 55 percent of his passes in 2004, but he also threw 15 interceptions with only 12 touchdowns. He will again have some good receivers in seniors Brian Clark and Tramain Hall but must play more consistently than he did last year. TJ Williams is also back for his senior season after averaging 12.3 yards per catch as the first tight end to lead the team in receptions (31) since 1967.
The defensive line is absolutely stacked with two preseason All-American defensive ends in Mario Williams and Manny Lawson who combined for 13 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and 36 quarterback hurries last season. Mario Pressley plugs the middle at tackle as the entire defensive line returns from last season and is arguably the best unit in the country. This defense should keep them in the game against most of their opponents.
The Wolfpack?s schedule includes non-conference games spread out through the entire season but they start out at home against Virginia Tech who they defeated in Blacksburg last season. Note that NC State is a perfect 11-0 ATS as a road dog since 2000, which includes an 8-0 mark in the ACC.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last year?s 4-7 record does not do much to impress but considering the Deacons lost two games in overtime (Clemson and NC State), two by seven points (Virginia Tech and North Carolina), one by six points (Maryland) and one by three points (Florida State), it seems that they were a point spread covering machine in a very tough conference. You have to tip your hat to HC Jim Grobe and the job he has done in turning this program around since taking over in 2001 when Wake had won only two games the prior year.
Nine players return on offense but that group finished 90th in the nation in scoring and managed only 14 points in its final two games. Wake should again have one of the best running games in the country with Chris Barclay who ran for 1,192 yards last season. The problem is that unless the Demon Deacons find a passing game, defenses will continue to put eight in the box and last year?s passing attack ranked 109th in the nation and the team managed only 14 points in its final two games.
A very young defense returns six starters but there are only three seniors in the entire two-deep squad. The front seven are going to have their hands full against some very good teams and which are capable of running right over these guys.
While Wake gets four of their first five games being at home, their one road game is at Nebraska and two of these home games are against very tough conference opponents. They are fortunate to start off with cupcake Vanderbilt so an early win might help this young team?s confidence before heading to Lincoln.
