If you can figure out how and why these divisions were set up they way they were, you should get a cookie. The ACC finally adds Boston College this year, but not to add the recruiting hotbed of Chestnut Hill, MA to its territory. BC was added just to get the ACC up to 12 teams and a championship game. You’ll notice that Florida State and Miami are in separate divisions, with the fervent hope (amongst TV execs, anyway) that they will meet for the championship in December.
The best ACC teams this year should be Miami and Virginia Tech, both of whom are in the Coastal Division (Blacksburg is right the coast you know). Florida State is right behind, followed by a pack of mid-tier teams looking to break though. A serious challenge could come from Clemson, NC State, Virginia, Boston College, Maryland or Georgia Tech. Or any of those teams could finish at home for the holidays.
Lost in the hoopla over the division split is the actual talent level of the league. Miami, Virginia Tech and possibly Florida State fancy themselves national title contenders, despite problems at quarterback. The real talent in the ACC is at linebacker. The NFL could –and eventually will- restock with talents like UVA’s Ahmed Brooks, FSU’s Ernie Sims and a host of others.
Atlantic Division
1. Florida State Seminoles
Offense
The Noles need to find a quality quarterback. After four years and zero improvement from Chris Rix, and with the medical woes of junior Wyatt Sexton, FSU is down to 2 redshirt freshman, Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford. Both are athletic and highly regarded, but their combined experience is about nil. Whoever wins the job will have two excellent backs to hand off too. Both Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington are honors candidates. The offensive line and wide receivers are young, but since this is FSU, they are talented.
Defense
If all you needed were linebackers, the Seminoles would never lose. Ernie Sims, AJ Nicholson and Buster Davis are physical and fast. The rest of the defense is hurting though, with star CB Antonio Cromartie and DT Clifton Dickson out for the year. Florida State does sport a couple of nice senior safeties in Kyler Hall and Pat Watkins, but freshman will have to step up at corner.
Overview
How much has this program slipped and how much has the ACC caught up? Bobby Bowden hasn’t lost anything in recruiting, but since longtime coaches Mark Richt and Chuck Amato left the results haven’t been there. Jeff Bowden, Bobby’s son and offensive coordinator, has come under fire recently for his unimaginative play-calling and stagnation of the quarterbacks.
2. Boston College Eagles
Offense
Coach Tom O’Brien took a big risk last year, redshirting starting QB Quinton Porter. Now Porter is back as a fifth-year senior. He was moderately effective in 2003, and O’Brien is counting on improvement. The defenses he’ll face in the ACC are markedly more complex and athletic than he faced in the Big East. Save for Miami and VT, of course. While the Eagles failed to have a 1,000-yard rusher last year, they do return two capable tailbacks in sophomores LV Whitworth and Andre Callendar. BC is thin enough at WR to consider making CB Will Blackmon a 2-way player. The O-line wasn’t great last year, but all 5 starters return.
Defense
The Eagles feature three defenders who would start at just about any program in the nation, chief among them is All-America DE Mathias Kiwanuaka. Kiwanuaka, who could have turned pro and been drafted in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, is a speedy edge rusher who is sometimes overpowered at the point of attack. Sophmore MLB Brian Toal, perhaps the most heralded recruit in BC history, played well as a true freshman. He is a fine young player who could be forgotten in the ACC’s avalanche of NFL-quality linebackers. Blackmon is a big (6-0, 202) and fast corner who the Eagles envision as a poor-man’s Ted Ginn. If he starts at wideout, look for him in nickel or dime packages.
Overview
The Eagles are going to deal with the transfer to the ACC better than some think. The offense has some holes, but O’Brien and coordinator Dana Bible should figure out ways to get the ball in Blackmon’s hands and either of the RB should give the Eagles a quality runner. On defense, the Eagles match up well after finishing 12th in the nation in scoring defense in 2004. This is a dangerous team that gets FSU early.
3. Clemson Tigers
Offense
Is Charlie Whitehurst the best QB in the ACC, like he was at the tail end of 2003? Or will he continue to be the mediocrity on display for most of 2004? Coach Tommy Bowden, who has been on the hot seat too many times to count, hired Rob Spence away from Toledo to serve as offensive coordinator. Spence, who built some dynamite offenses for the Rockets, has a lot to work with in Whitehurst. He doesn’t have much around him though, as the receivers have been decimated. The running game wasn’t much either, but Spence has made it a priority. A young O-line was pushed around last year, but shows improvement behind young LT Barry Richardson.
Defense
Another new coordinator here, this time former Wyoming coach Vic Koenning. He inherits some talent, but holes as well. The Tigers best defenders, MLB LeRoy Hill and CB Justin Miller both left to the NFL. Koeninng runs a complex system with hybrid DE/OLB and OLB/SS types. Despite the loss of Miller, the defensive backfield is talented, with CB Tye Hill and stud safety CJ Gaddis.
Overview
The hiring of Spence is a masterstroke by Bowden. Spence’s offenses as Toledo were among the most innovative and dangerous in the country. If he can rehabilitate Whitehurst’s psyche, the Tigers will be dangerous. The Tigers may start slow, but will be the team no one wants to face in November.
Just like 2003.
4. North Carolina State Wolfpack
Offense
Boy did the Pack miss Philip Rivers. Jay Davis took over at QB and was mediocre at best, tossing 15 INTs to go along with his 2100 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’ll be pressed by sophomore Marcus Stone. New offensive coordinator Marc Trestman will also coach the quarterbacks. He’ll have much to do, along with installing his West Coast Offense. He’ll mix in a healthy dose of power running, better to play to State’s strength with tailbacks Tremain Hall, Bobby Washington and incoming frosh Toney Baker. TA McClendon started as a true freshman, and Baker might too. The Wolf Pack will need to improve their receivers, as Hall and TE TJ Wiliams are the best returning pass-catchers.
Defense
In a league with NFL talent, their might not be a better one than DE Mario Williams. Williams, a first-team All-ACC performer as a sophomore, has an NFL ready body (6-7, 285, 6% body fat) and the game to match. He’s paired with Manny Lawson and a tackle rotation of John McCargo, Tank Tyler and DeMario Pressley. This is the best d-line in college football this season. Unfortunately, there isn’t much left at other positions. The secondary is decimated, with no returning starters. Marcus Hudson will start at corner, after bouncing between CB and safety his previous three seasons. He will need to be a leader.
Overview
As befits a Chuck Amato team, the Wolf Pack has a monstrously talented D-line, with some young talent in the back seven. The offense is a bit of mess though, as Trestman has a lot to work on. Like most of the teams in mid-pack ACC, if things break right, this team could contend for the division championship. If the offense doesn’t improve, things could get ugly, and NC State could find themselves losing a lot of games 10-6 or 13-3.
5. Maryland Terrapins
Offense
Ralph Friedgen’s offense seriously stumbled last year, as none of his three quarterbacks –Joel Statham, Jordan Steffy and Sam Hollenbach- played very well. Statham was the starter most of the year, and then Steffy, who gave way to Hollenbach, replaced him. Hollenbach will enter the year as the starter, with Statham his backup. Steffy could miss the season with injury. To make matters worse, starting tailback Josh Allen will miss the season after tearing his ACL in the season finale last year. The Terps do have a couple nice options catching the ball. Receiver Derrick Fenner is a quality possession-type, and both tight ends, Derek Miller and Vernon Davis, have starting experience.
Defense
Maryland lost Charger first-round pick Shawne Merriman, and most of his supporting cast. Three of four line starters will need to be replaced, along with the entire secondary. The linebackers, thankfully, are quality. Led by middle ‘backer D’Qwell Jackson, all three starters return. Jackson will get All-America consideration, and he should be busy this year. There is young talent on defense, as Friedgen has recruited well.
Overview
This looks like a growing-pains year for the Terrapins. The offense was awful last year, and the defense has been decimated. Friedgen has this program on track, but it will be at least another year until they get back to the 10-win plateau.
6. Wake Forest Deamon Deacons
Offense
The Deacons will continue to run Jim Grobe’s innovative, misdirection-based running attack. Finding a QB will be the first priority, as both sophomore Ben Mauk and senior Cory Randolph started at times last year. Chris Barclay returns at running back, if healthy he should become Wake’s all-time leading rusher this year. Four starters return on the line.
Defense
The Deacs are still smaller and slower than most ACC teams on defense, but they are closing the gap. Middle linebacker Jon Abbate is a physical player who could start on just about any team in the ACC. Considering the astonishing quality of ACC linebackers, that’s really saying something. Wake has dropped the 3-3-5 stack this year, switching to a more traditional 4-3.
Coastal Division
1. Miami Hurricanes
Offense
Like most ACC teams, they Hurricanes have serious questions at QB. How a program like Miami could get down to only 2 scholarship quarterbacks is stunning, but both Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman have talent. Wright, the probable starter, was a heralded recruit from California who draws comparisons to former USC Heisman winner Carson Palmer. Freeman is more a dual threat. Whoever wins the job will have plenty to throw too, as Lance Leggett, Ryan Moore and Sinorice Moss constitute a deadly three-wideout attack. The running game is questionable, and may fall to incoming freshman Derron Thiomas. The line is solid, especially if future NFLer Eric Wintson is healthy.
Defense
All you need to know about the potential of Miami’s defense is that two of their most gifted players, CB Devin Hester and LB Willie Williams, are not starters at this point. Hester is currently the third corner behind Marcus Maxey and honors candidate Kelly Jennings. Willie Willams, the heralded and controversial recruit from 2 years ago, backs up senior Leon Williams. The front seven, led by Leon Williams and ends Bryan Peta and Thomas Carroll, are athletic. The line is slightly undersized, but should make up for it in speed.
Overview
Miami is still Miami and they as much pure talent as anyone not named USC. If Wright can solidify the QB position, this team will be very, very dangerous. They start off with a bang, at Clemson and FSU. Win those two games and its smooth sailing until they head to Blacksburg on November 5.
2. Virginia Tech Hokies
Offense
After some starts and stops, this is finally Marcus Vick’s team. After loosing out to Byron Randall two years ago and finding himself suspended all of last year, Vick is the starter despite not having thrown a pass in anger since November of 2003. Viick’s athleticism matches that of his older brother Michael, but he remains unproven. The talent is around him for this to be a special offense if he can come through. Stumpy Mike Imoh is a proven tailback, and the wideouts are young, fast and talented. Three starters return on the line.
Defense
Considering the talent on this defense, along with that of Miami, Boston College, NC State and others, it will be a miracle if any ACC team can ever score. Stop me if you’ve heard this before: this defense is fast, physical and talented, led by senior cornerback Jimmy Williams and speedy edge rusher Darryl Tapp. Throw in a young linebacking corps led by sophomore Xavier Adibi, and VT will wreak havoc in 2005.
Overview
Everything depends on Vick. The fans have been clamoring for him since he was in high school, and they may not realize how much Randall brought to the table. Vick certainly has the physical tools. If he plays okay, the Hokies will challenge for the ACC championship. If Vick becomes a star, they could play in Pasadena in January.
3. Virginia Cavaliers
Offense
Marques Hagans returns at quarterback after a fine debut season. Despite spending most of 2003 at wide receiver, Hagans acquitted himself well, throwing over 2000 yards, but only 9 touchdowns. Part of that was due to difficulties at wide receiver, as now-departed TE Heath Miller was Hagans’ only reliable pass-catcher. That should change with the return of WR Ottowa Anderson, who was ineligible in 2004. The Cavs are loaded at RB, with Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson, the fastest player on the team. The line is excellent, led by All-America (and All-Name) D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
Defense
Speaking of linebackers… They don’t get much better than Ahmed Brooks. Despite some inconsistency at times (He was just a sophomore) the NFL-prototype ‘backer terrorized opposing offenses last year. Throw in talented mates Kai Parham, Clint Sintim and Vince Redd, as this is as good a combo as you’ll find, even after Darryl Blackstock left early for the NFL. The line is a little thin, as only Brennan Schmidt returns, but the Cavs have high hopes for Howie Long’s son Chris and maybe even one-time heralded recruit Kwakou Robinson. The secondary is shaky, except for corner Marcus Hamilton, who has locked down the left CB spot.
Overview
Last year at this time, the Cavs were on the verge of something big. They still might be, if a little slower now. The Cavaliers overall team speed, especially at WR and DB, isn’t up to par with the titans of the ACC. If coach Al Groh continues to recruit like he has, that will be fixed soon.
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Offense
Freshman Reggie Ball was probably better than sophomore Reggie Ball. Now, as junior Reggie Ball, the Jacket’s QB has to improve. The pieces are there around him to make this a quality offense if he can improve his decision-making. PJ Daniels is a workhorse tailback, and sophomore receiver Calvin Johnson is a dynamic wideout as well as the most talented player at his position in the conference. Only two starters return on the offensive line and GT may have to rely on freshmen at LT. That will not make Ball’s life easier.
Defense
Who was paying attention when Tech’s defense became one of the best in the country? Head coach Chan Gailey is an offensive guy, and leaves coordinator Jon Tenuta to his own devices. Tenuta has set up an ultra-aggressive and gambling defense that will give up the occasional big play. Tenuta returns six starters, but lost star tackle Darryl Richard to injury during spring practice.
Overview
Gailey is in his fourth year of a five-year deal, and he needs to show some improvement. The Jackets have the skill position talent to excel, assuming Ball can improve. If he does, and the line holds, Tech will have a nice offense. The defense should be much the same: big plays on both sides.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
Offense
Coach John Bunting was on a seriously hot seat this time last year, but was saved by the performance of QB Darian Durant. Durant, who had an up-and-down career as a Heel, played a brilliant senior season and propelled UNC to the Continental Tire Bowl. Now, Bunting and veteran coordinator Gary Tranquil will face life without out Durant, and longtime backup Matt Baker will take over. Baker, a senior, does have good talent around him. The Heels have a good returning tailback in Ronnie McGill, but he will be pushed by LSU transfer Barrington Edwards. The Heels also have nice receivers, led by Jawarski Pollack and Jesse Holley.
Defense
The Heels simplified their defense and improved it by doing so in 2004. They are in a rough position, losing two of their best players, tackles Isiaiah Thomas and Terry Hunter to drug suspensions. The back seven is competent, but makes very few big plays. The Tar Heels will have to be a bend-but-don’t-break defense in 2005.
Overview
Bunting survived the Steve Spurrier rumors, but he may find it more difficult to survive life without Durant. The offense is okay, as long as Baker comes through, but the defense needs some work.
6. Duke Blue Devils
Offense
The Blue Devils imported new coordinator Bill O’Brien from Maryland, so look for some distinctly Ralph Freidgen-esque wrinkles this year. Mike Schneider returns as the starter at QB, but he will be pushed by Nebraska transfer Curt Dukes. The running game is a mess, as Cedric Durgan, while a quality ballcarrier, has been plagued with injuries. A talented group of receivers took a hit when sophomore Chancellor Young, a Seattle native, announced he was leaving the program. The line loses four starters. That may not be a bad thing; the line was awful last year.
Defense
Tackle Vince Oghobaase is the Devils’ best recruit in ages, maybe ever. He’ll start as a true freshman, barring injury. He is also a basketball recruit, which is how Duke landed him. If he lives up to the hype, Oghobaase will provide a much-needed difference maker. End Phillip Alexander, provided he returns from injury, is a quality player as well. The secondary is okay. Corner John Talley locks down his side, and Deonto McCormick will have to deal with additional work on the other side. The linebackers are weak.
Overview
When does basketball season start? Actually, Ted Roof has this team (slowly, very slowly) heading in the right direction. Duke doesn’t have to be this bad. The school is bigger than Wake Forest, and won the ACC title as recently as… okay, it was 16 years ago.
ACC Champion: Miami Hurricanes
Posted by Frinklin at August 14, 2005 08:00 PM | TrackBack