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2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview
Note: The PiRate Ratings are not meant to be used to predict the outcome of future games. They are usable only as a basis for the current week’s games. We do not use these ratings to make our selections. They are only a starting point. The predictions given below, as for every college conference and NFL division, are not taken from the ratings themselves.
Predictions
| Pos | Atlantic | ACC | W-L |
| 1 | Florida State | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| 2 | Boston College | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| 3 | Clemson | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| 4 | Maryland | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| 5 | Wake Forest | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| 6 | North Carolina State | 1-7 | 4-8 |
| Pos | Coastal | ACC | W-L |
| 1 | Miami (Fla) | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| 2 | North Carolina | 6-2 | 10-2 |
| 3 | Virginia Tech | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| 4 | Georgia Tech | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| 5 | Duke | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| 6 | Virginia | 0-8 | 3-9 |
ACC Championship Game: Miami over Florida State
BCS Bowl (Orange): Miami
Chick-fil-A Bowl: North Carolina
Champs Sports Bowl: Clemson
Sun Bowl: Florida State
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Virginia Tech
Music City Bowl: Georgia Tech
Independence Bowl: Maryland
Eagle Bank Bowl: Boston College
Team By Team Breakdown
Atlantic Division
| Team | Boston College Eagles | ||||||
| Head Coach | Frank Spaziani | ||||||
| Colors | Maroon and Gold | ||||||
| City | Chestnut Hill, MA | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-5 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 109.1 | ||||||
| National Rating | 40 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-4 | ||||||
Offense: Coach Frank Spaziani won eight games in his debut in Chestnut Hill last season. He did it with a lackluster offense that averaged just 63 scrimmage plays and 324 yards, relying on a defense to win four close games. His 2010 offense will look similar; the Eagles will score just enough to win more close games.
There’s a greybeard operating at quarterback with 26-year old sophomore Dave Shinskie taking over for a full season. In 10 starts, the 6-year Minor League baseball veteran tossed for 2,049 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he has to cut down on his 14 interceptions (4.9%).
Shinskie’s stats may not look all that much better this year, because somebody has to catch his strikes. Last year’s primary receiver, Rich Gunnell, caught 60 passes, which was 31 more than anybody else. Wide out Colin Larmond caught just 29 passes, but he averaged better than 20 yards per catch. BC always has good tight ends, and Chris Pantale should catch as many as 40 passes this year. He will prove invaluable in the 3rd and medium situations, where his 6-6 frame will be a great target at the first down marker.
The running game has a dominant player but little quality depth. Montel Harris finished second in the league with 1,457 yards rushing, finding paydirt 14 times. He will have to carry the load and carry the pigskin 20-30 times per game this year, or BC may struggle on this side of the ball.
Chances are good that Harris will continue to churn out consistent gains thanks to the return of four starters to the offensive line. Tackle Anthony Castonzo was a 1st Team All-ACC pick last year, and we believe he is the best OL Prospect for the next NFL Draft.
The Eagles won’t generate highlights for ESPN on this side of the ball, but they will rush for 175-200 yards and pass for 150, putting up about 25 points a game for the third year in a row.
Defense: For five years in a row, BC has been very tough against the run, giving up 91, 108, 76, 91, and 103 yards per game. These stats have not been inflated (or deflated depending on how you look at it) due to a high number of sacks. BC has consistently great run-stoppers, and that should continue again this season.
Three experienced starters return to the front four. End Alex Albright met and dumped enemy ball carriers on their side of the line seven times last year. Throw in a sack and ¼ of all his tackles went for lost yardage.
It would have been one of the best stories of the season if linebacker Mark Herzlich could have played and contributed after missing all of last year with cancer. He was ready to play, but he suffered a stress fracture in his foot. He might be able to return later in the season. The Eagles still have talent at linebacker with Luke Kuechly, the tackling monster. Kuechly led the ACC with 158 tackles, including 13 for losses. He broke up four passes and picked off one other.
Because the run defense was so effective, opponents took to the air against BC. The Eagles gave up 224 passing yards at a 62% completion rate, but the secondary did intercept 15 passes (29 broken up). Two starters return including free safety Wes Davis, but the two new starters saw considerable action last year.
This year’s defense will be much like last year’s defense. Expect 18-22 points and 300-325 yards allowed. Boring is okay when it is successful.
Schedule: Boston College gets their off-week at the best possible time. After opening with “gimme” games against Weber State and Kent State, the Eagles get two weeks to prepare for a home game with Virginia Tech. They follow it up with a fourth consecutive home tilt, hosting rival Notre Dame. We expect the Eagles will be 3-1 or possibly 2-2 at this point. They play at Syracuse to end the season, and there is a chance that the ‘Cuse could be 5-6 playing for bowl eligibility.
The Eagles lack that extra oomph to get them to the next level. They need a Doug Flutie or Matt Ryan for that. Call it another 5-3/8-4 regular season.
| Team | Clemson Tigers | ||||||
| Head Coach | Dabo Swinney | ||||||
| Colors | Orange and Purple | ||||||
| City | Clemson, SC | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 9-5 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 113.7 | ||||||
| National Rating | 25 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-4 | ||||||
Offense: The Tigers won the division title last year with a powerful, multi-dimensional offense that made the most of the yardage it gained. CU averaged 362 yards a game. One player was responsible for 123 of those yards and 16 touchdowns. He also scored five return touchdowns. C J Spiller is now a Buffalo Bill.
Many people will think Clemson’s offense will fall off quite a bit this year due to the loss of their superstar. They are wrong. CU might even gain more total yards this year. Quarterback Kyle Parker is a two-sport star. He is a home run hitter with an offer on the table from the Colorado Rockies. He could be the next Todd Helton. Coach Dabo Swinney does not have another Peyton Manning on his roster, so he hopes Parker continues to play football. Expect better numbers from the sophomore after he passed for 2,526 yards and 20 touchdowns as a freshman.
Replacing Spiller’s 1,200+ rushing yards may not be impossible. CU will use a two-man tandem, and both are solid players. Andre Ellington will start; he has good speed, and he has good hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. Jamie Harper has more power and can gain the tough yards.
The offensive line returns four experienced starters; this unit takes a back seat to no other OL in the conference. Tackle Chris Hairston and guard Antoine McClain will compete for 1st Team All-ACC accolades.
The Tigers have a lot of depth but untested talent at wide receiver. Swinney will take advantage of this depth with Xavier Dye, Marquan Jones, Javon Brown, and Bryce McNeal all scheduled to see playing time. McNeal is a burner who can get open deep in a hurry. He may catch only 25-30 passes, but he should average 20+ yards per reception. Dye and Jones can burn defenses as well, so we expect the Tigers’ yards per catch to be among the highest in the nation.
Clemson will gain more yards this year, but their points per game average will drop due to the elimination of all the special teams’ touchdowns. Call it 375-400 yards and 24-28 points per game
Defense: CU lost five starters, including star linebacker Kavell Conner, but they have even more talent on this side of the ball than on the other. Three starters return up front where the Tigers had a league best 36 sacks (tied with Virginia Tech). All four of this year’s projected starters have all-conference potential. Tackle Jarvis Jenkins made 10 tackles for loss and one sack. No ACC rival can rival this line.
The Tigers have some holes to fill at linebacker. Only one starter returns. Brandon Maye recorded 103 tackles with three sacks and four others for loss. True freshman Justin Parker has cornerback speed, and he should start from game one.
As good as the front four are, the back four could be better! Strong safety DeAndre McDaniel intercepted a league-best eight passes last year. Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist registered 107 tackles.
If Clemson can get adequate play from their linebackers, they will be tough on this side of the ball. Expect opponents to use a lot of play-action and misdirection, trying to exploit the inexperience in the middle unit. We look for Clemson to give up 18-22 points and 300-325 yards per game.
Schedule: The Tigers play two easy marks and two tough SEC teams outside of ACC play. CU hosts North Texas and Presbyterian to start the season, before visiting the Loveliest Village on the Plains and Auburn. They close at home with in-state rival South Carolina where they will be looking for revenge.
In ACC play, CU draws both North Carolina and Miami from the other division. They have the talent to repeat as Atlantic Division champions, but we think they will come up one game short; they must play on the road against Boston College and Florida State.
| Team | Florida State Seminoles | ||||||
| Head Coach | Jimbo Fisher | ||||||
| Colors | Garnet and Gold | ||||||
| City | Tallahassee, FL | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 4-4 | ||||||
| Overall | 7-6 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 119.0 | ||||||
| National Rating | 17 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-4 | ||||||
Offense: When was the last time Bobby Bowden was not patrolling the sidelines at Florida State? Do you remember the year the Cincinnati Reds beat the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, the one where Carlton Fisk willed his long fly ball to stay fair as it sailed over the Green Monster at Fenway Park? Yes, it was 1975 when the Seminoles were coached to a 3-8 season by Darrell Mudra.
Enter Jimbo Fisher. He has been the coach in waiting the last couple of years. He inherits the controls of a dangerous offense capable of reminding Seminole fans of past great FSU teams.
Start at quarterback, where Christian Ponder has to be considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. Ponder completed 69% of his passes for 2,717 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago (8.2 yards/attempt), despite missing four games last year to injury. E.J. Manuel could start for many teams, but he will see mop-up duty for FSU.
Ponder will miss the services of two great receivers. Rod Owens graduated, and Jarmon Fortson was dismissed from the team. Two quality holdovers return in Bert Reed and Taiwan Easterling. Look for these two to combine for 120-140 receptions this year, because there is very little experience on the bench.
Florida State’s running game began to re-emerge as a power last year, as the Seminoles improved to 150 rushing yards per game. Jermaine Thomas moved into the starting lineup at the end of September and rushed for 832 yards and nine scores. He could become the first 1,000 yard rusher since Warrick Dunn’s senior season. If Thomas fails to rush for 1,000 yards, it will be because he had to share the position with several other quality runners.
The offensive line returns intact, and it is on par with the offensive line at Clemson. Guard Rodney Hudson has 1st Round draft potential.
FSU topped 30 points and 420 yards per game in 2009, and we believe they will improve a bit more this year. Look for 32-36 points and 425-450 yards.
Defense: The once proud defense in Tallahassee fell apart last year, as FSU gave up 30 points per game for the first time since 1973, when the ‘Noles went 0-11. Three of the top five tacklers graduated, but there is hope for considerable improvement. Mark Stoops, younger brother of Bob and Mike, takes over at defensive coordinator.
Stoops must work his magic up front, where FSU gave up 205 rushing yards (5.4 avg.) per game last year, including 401 to Georgia Tech. Sophomore tackle Jacobbi McDaniel started two games last year after coming here as the number one d-line recruit. He joins three holdovers in the trenches, but none of the other three will challenge for all-conference honors. End Markus White is a plus though.
2009’s top tacklers Nigel Bradham and Kendall Smith combined for 178 tackles; they return at linebacker and should team with outstanding true freshman recruit Jeff Luc.
The secondary gave up 230 passing yards, and considering that teams could run the ball with ease against them, this is a large amount of yards. The ‘Noles should be okay at cornerback with Ochuko Jenjie and Greg Reid starting and Dionte Allen seeing a lot of time.
There is only one way to go with the amount of talent Stoops has on defense. Expect FSU to improve to 22-26 points and 375-400 yards allowed.
Schedule: Fisher will get off to a good start at Doak Campbell Stadium. The ‘Noles host Samford. The following week, they venture to Oklahoma and then host BYU a week after that. If they are 3-0, then we’re looking at a team that could be on its way to the BCS Championship Game. We believe they will be 2-1 and on their way to the ACC Championship Game. The season finale at home with Florida is a tossup before the season begins.
In conference action, FSU avoids Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech from the Coastal Division and hosts North Carolina. They must play at Miami. We believe they will get a chance to revenge the loss Miami will give them in a rematch on December 4.
| Team | Maryland Terrapins | ||||||
| Head Coach | Ralph Friedgen | ||||||
| Colors | Red, White, Black, and Gold | ||||||
| City | College Park, MD | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 1-7 | ||||||
| Overall | 2-10 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 95.7 | ||||||
| National Rating | 70 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-4 | ||||||
Offense: Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle. That sound is Coach Ralph Friedgen starting to simmer on a very hot seat. It is now or never for Fridge in College Park. Following a 2-10 season which was his fourth losing season in six year, the Terps must win in 2010, or a new coach will be coming in.
The biggest criticism with Friedgen has been the difficulty of his offense. New quarterbacks tend to struggle learning it all. Junior signal caller Jamarr Robinson returns after seeing some action under center last year, so he has just enough experience to move the Maryland offense.
Robinson has a nice group of receivers, led by the top four pass catchers from last year. Torrey Smith was a 1st Team All-ACC pick last year after making 61 catches for 824 yards. Adrian Cannon, Ronnie Tyler, and running backs Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 98 receptions, so there is a lot of experience here.
UM’s running game was weak last year. Scott and Meggett were more valuable as receivers than runners. Scott was injured most of the year, and when he was healthy in 2008, he topped 1,000 yards. Look for something closer to 2008 than 2009.
The offensive line was a weak spot last year, and there must be improvement here for the offense to turn it around. Three starters return, but nobody in this unit will make honorable mention All-ACC.
We don’t know if the Terps can improve enough to please the fans and administration, but UM will post better numbers on this side of the ball. Look for 24 points and 350-375 yards.
Defense: Maryland was one of three ACC teams to give up more than 30 points per game last year, and the Terps lost six starters from that group. This will be Friedgen’s downfall if UM fails to win enough games.
Problems start up front where three new starters must be found. Tackle A.J. Francis is the lone returnee. He had just one sack.
The second line of defense is much better than the front four, but they will have to shed a lot more blocks this year in order to replicate that 2009 effort. Middle linebacker Alex Wujciak was a 1st Team All-ACC performer after leading the Terps with 131 tackles and 8 ½ for losses.
Three starters must be replaced in the secondary. Lone holdover Cameron Chism could make all-conference at cornerback. His counterpart could be a freshman. Safeties Kenny Tate and Antwine Perez combined for 92 tackles as reserves last year, so they should perform adequately this year.
This defense will not be confused with Jerry Claiborne’s old defenses from the Randy White days in College Park, but it will be better than last year. Look for 24-28 points and 360-380 yards allowed.
Schedule: We believe the opening game could decide Friedgen’s fate. Maryland plays Navy in Baltimore, on Labor Day. Their other three non-conference games are against Morgan State and Florida International at home and West Virginia on the road. They must win three of those four to go bowling this year.
In ACC play, they draw both Duke and Virginia from the other division, and they host North Carolina State and Wake Forest. They couldn’t ask for a better schedule, and they should win six games. Whether or not that is enough to save Fridge, we don’t know.
| Team | North Carolina State Wolfpack | ||||||
| Head Coach | Tom O’Brien | ||||||
| Colors | Red and White | ||||||
| City | Raleigh, NC | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 2-6 | ||||||
| Overall | 5-7 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 97.9 | ||||||
| National Rating | 64 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 0-8 | ||||||
| Overall | 2-10 | ||||||
Offense: Coach Tom O’Brien hasn’t been able to work his magic in Raleigh like he did at Boston College. Except for a four-game stretch in November of 2008, when the Wolfpack climbed from 2-6 to 6-6 by defeating Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Miami, the ‘Pack has gone 12-21 in the rest of their games.
The offense will be the bright spot for this team this season. Coming off a year in which they topped 30 points and gained close to 400 yards per game, they return their starting quarterback and most of his favorite targets from a year ago.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has been a little rusty in practice so far. He spent the spring and early summer playing minor league baseball (he hit a low .230), so it may take a few weeks before he is back in a groove. Wilson tossed for better than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Backup Mike Glennon was one of the top QB prospects three years ago, and he saw some action last year as a redshirt freshman.
There is abundant talent at receiver where the top four return from 2009. Tight end George Bryan nabbed 40 passes and scored six times. Wideouts Owen Spencer, Jarvis Williams, and Darrell Davis combined for 100 catches and 18 touchdowns. Spencer is a deep threat every time he touches the ball. He averaged 25.5 points a catch to lead the nation in that department a year after he averaged 21.2 per catch. There is experienced depth behind this group.
The running game has not been a strong point for several years, and we don’t see it getting much better this year. Curtis Underwood and James Washington will split most of the carries.
The offensive line took a major hit to graduation losses. Three starters, including an NFL draft, have used up their eligibility. This will keep the Wolfpack from moving north of .500 this year.
We believe that State will take a small move backward this year with less pass protection and another so-so running game. Call it 23-27 points and 350-375 yards per game.
Defense: O’Brien has not been able to put together solid defenses in his three years in Raleigh. NCSU gave up 31.2 points per game last year, and they lost six starters from that squad.
The entire defensive line must be replaced (including NFL draftee Willie Young), and in a league with really good offensive lines, this is major trouble. Senior end Michael Lemon is the best of this lot, but he won’t be confused for Robert Quinn or Alan Bailey.
Too bad, State cannot play a 1-7 defense, because they have talent and depth at linebacker. Terrell Manning, Nate Irving, and Audie Cole make a great trio, and former starter Dwayne Maddox leads an excellent second group.
As weak as the front four is, the back four could be weaker. One full-time starter and one part-time starter returns from last year, but neither intercepted a pass. Safeties Brandon Bishop and Earl Wolff were better as run-stoppers than pass defenders.
The Wolfpack could repeat last year’s dismal performance. We will call for them to yield 28-32 points and 350-375 yards per game.
Schedule: There is a chance for a 4-0 non-league mark, but we will call for one team to nip them. State hosts Western Carolina and Cincinnati and plays at Central Florida and East Carolina.
In league play, the ‘Pack faces Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech from the Coastal Division. That’s three losses before you factor in their own tough divisional opponents. It looks like a last place finish for the third time in four years, but this time they will own it by themselves (tied for last the other two times).
| Team | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | ||||||
| Head Coach | Jim Grobe | ||||||
| Colors | Black and Old Gold | ||||||
| City | Winston-Salem, NC | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 3-5 | ||||||
| Overall | 5-7 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 103.6 | ||||||
| National Rating | 49 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 2-6 | ||||||
| Overall | 5-7 | ||||||
Offense: The Demon Deacons lose their all-time leading passer and three starting offensive linemen, so 2010 is going to be a work in progress.
Coach Jim Grobe enters his 10th season here, and he has proven to be quite adaptable, changing his offensive game plan to match the talent he has. This year, look for Wake Forest to revert back to a run first philosophy after using a 50-50 run-pass approach with Riley Skinner at quarterback.
The Deacs may go to a two-quarterback rotation this year. Junior Skylar Jones is more of a running quarterback, while sophomore Ted Stachitas is more of a pure passer. Redshirt freshman Brendan Cross and true freshman Tanner Price are getting a lot of reps in practice, so apparently Grobe is not 100% decided on which player will start the first game.
Running back Josh Adams won’t appear among the ACC rushing leaders, but he is a dual threat back. He rushed for 541 yards and four touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 307 yards. Backup Brandon Pettigrew added 399 yards on the ground.
Three talented receivers return, but their catches are sure to drop some if Jones plays more than Stachitas. Chris Givens, Devon Brown, and Marshall Williams teamed for 166 receptions and 20 touchdowns. All three can get yards after the catch.
The offensive line is the problem this year. Both tackles and one guard must be replaced, and with an inexperienced quarterback, the team’s interception and sack percentages are sure to rise. Grobe may counter this by going back to more of the zone blocking schemes he used earlier in his tenure at Wake and at Ohio U.
There is no way Wake Forest can match last year’s offensive output. Look for the averages to fall to 21-24 points and 360-390 yards.
Defense: The Demon Deacons are undersized and inexperienced up front, and that could lead to teams running the ball at that all day. Wake gave up 164 rushing yards per game last year; that number could top 200 this season.
Ends Kyle Wilber and Tristan Dorty do not have the size to take on a one-on-one drive block from an offensive tackle. They are better pass rushers. The tackles will have the beef, but they lack experience.
Three linebackers with playing experience return to the second line of defense, but they will not get much help up front. Expect more blitzing by this group, and that will leave holes open in pass coverage.
The secondary has experience and talent. Cornerback Kenny Okoro excelled in his freshman year with three interceptions and 11 passes knocked down. Wake won’t give up 219 passing yards per game last year, and we expect that number to drop—partly because the secondary is good and partly because opponents will run the ball more.
We believe opposing teams will control the ball for more plays this year. Last year, the Deacons enjoyed a scrimmage play difference of +4; that number could be reversed this year. Look for the Deacs to give up 28-32 points and 375-400 yards.
Schedule: The Deacons play four private schools out of league play, and they could win three of those games; they could also lose three of them. They host Presbyterian and Navy, and they play at Stanford and Vanderbilt.
In the league, they get Duke, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech from the other division. They face North Carolina State and Maryland on the road, so those games are not sure wins. Wake will have to pull off two or three upsets to become bowl eligible, and we don’t see it happening.
Coastal Division
| Team | Duke Blue Devils | ||||||
| Head Coach | David Cutcliffe | ||||||
| Colors | Royal Blue and White | ||||||
| City | Durham, NC | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 3-5 | ||||||
| Overall | 5-7 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 95.0 | ||||||
| National Rating | 75 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 2-6 | ||||||
| Overall | 4-8 | ||||||
Offense: Coach David Cutcliffe is known as an offensive genius who has helped develop talented quarterbacks into Super Bowl ring-holders. Two brothers named Manning can thank him for making them better than they were. Thaddeus Lewis enjoyed playing two seasons for him here, and he departs as Duke’s all-time leading passer.
Welcome Sean Renfree. He becomes the next star pupil for Professor Cutcliffe. Renfree suffered an ACL injury last year, so his mobility will be a question. Don’t expect Lewis-like numbers, but he should have some success in his first year as a regular.
Almost every receiver from last year returns, so Renfree will benefit from this experience. Donovan Varner led the ACC with 65 catches for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns. Conner Vernon and Austin Kelly both caught more than 50 balls and proved to be able to break off a long gain.
Duke ran the ball only about 25 times a game last year and averaged just 64 yards per game (only 80 with sacks removed). True freshman Josh Snead and Juwan Thompson are expected to contribute immediately this year and challenge projected starter Jay Hollingsworth and Desmond Scott for playing time. Expect some improvement here.
The offensive line welcomes the return of four starters from last year, and they will give Renfree ample time to locate his receivers. Tackle Kyle Hill will protect Renfree’s blind side.
We believe the Blue Devils will rush for 100 yards this year, which may not sound like much at first. Duke has only topped 100 yards rushing once in the four years. Add about 225 to 250 passing yards, and the Blue Devils should score 21-25 points per game.
Defense: Duke will add some 3-4 fronts to their regular 4-3 defense this year. A lack of talent up front will force Cutcliffe to rely more on a three-man line. Nose guard Charlie Hatcher has the size to occupy multiple blockers.
Two starters return at linebacker, but there isn’t a star player in this group. Middle linebacker Damian Thornton could be the leading tackler this year.
If Thornton isn’t the leading tackler, strong safety Matt Daniels will be. He made 83 stops and broke up five passes last year. Cornerback Chris Rwabukamba batted away seven passes. Former receiver Johnny Williams moves over to the secondary, and he should see a lot of playing time at cornerback.
The defense will keep Duke from gaining bowl eligibility. Look for the Blue Devils to give up 28-32 points and 375-400 yards per game.
Schedule: Duke should win two non-conference games. They begin the season with Elon and play host to Army. They host Alabama on September 18, and I give Duke a lot of credit for keeping this game at Wallace Wade Stadium rather than take a huge payout to move it to a neutral site (Wade coached at both schools). The Devils play at Navy at the end of October.
Duke draws Boston College, Wake Forest, and Maryland and doesn’t have to face Florida State or Clemson. They could win three ACC games, but they will probably need a 4-4 league mark to get that elusive sixth win.
| Team | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | ||||||
| Head Coach | Paul Johnson | ||||||
| Colors | Old Gold and White | ||||||
| City | Atlanta, GA | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 7-1 | ||||||
| Overall | 11-3 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 119.9 | ||||||
| National Rating | 14 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-4 | ||||||
Offense: Coach Paul Johnson and his magic spread option offense continues to fool defenses wherever he takes it. Football pundits were skeptical that the option could win a BCS conference championship, but Tech proved them wrong last year. Of course, Iowa stopped them cold in the Orange Bowl. Expect every team on the Yellow Jackets’ schedule to closely examine the tape of that game.
The spread option requires a few important things to work. The fullback (B Back as Johnson calls the position) must be strong enough to create his own hole and not go down on first contact. The quarterback must be smart enough to read the defense and react appropriately without losing ground as he runs laterally. Surprisingly, for this offense to work, there has to be one receiver who can get open deep and command the respect from the secondary. If he requires double coverage, then there are not enough defenders left to stop the option.
Notice that outstanding blocking was not mentioned. Sure, blocking is important, but most of the plays provide for double-team blocking near the first point of attack.
Let’s cover each of these points. At fullback (B back), beefy Anthony Allen should satisfy the requirement and be tough to bring down on first contact. He rushed for 618 yards and six touchdowns last year playing in the slot (A back), but he should get 200-225 carries this year and should top 1,000 yards on the ground. Slotbacks Roddy Jones and Embry Peeples will be the recipient of option pitches and should combine for about six to seven yards per carry. Sure, Tech will miss Jonathan Dwyer and his nearly 1,400 yards rushing, but the Jackets will rush for about the same amount of yards this year.
Quarterback Josh Nesbitt was the 1st Team All-ACC quarterback last year. He ran for 1,037 yards and 18 touchdowns and passed for 1,701 yards and 10 more touchdowns. Even though his passing percentage was just 46.3%, he averaged 10.5 yards per attempt.
Tech loses star receiver Demaryius Thomas (46 catches, 25.1 avg., 8 TD). Thomas caught almost 60% of the passes last year. The slotbacks (A-backs) have the quickness to get open and in the clear, so Nesbitt should once again top 10 yards per attempt.
The offensive line returns just two starters, but we are not overly concerned for the reasons we discussed previously. Yes, there will be a little drop in blocking ability because both graduated guards were all-conference performers. However, the new linemen will learn and become effective much sooner than pass blocking linemen could learn.
Georgia Tech will throw in a few new wrinkles to counter the defensive maneuvers they faced in the Orange Bowl. Expect the Techsters to top 30 points and 400 yards once again this year.
Defense: Georgia Tech gave up almost 25 points per game last year. They return eight starters from last year, but those three players were stars.
Johnson hired Al Groh as defensive coordinator. Groh knows the rest of the league well, having been the head coach at Virginia. He brings the 3-4 defense to Atlanta.
The defensive line lost Derrick Morgan to the NFL. Morgan recorded 12 ½ sacks (50% of the team’s total) and six other tackles for loss. This year’s starting trio up front averages about 285 pounds, so they will force opposing offenses to use double team blocks at the line. That will give the linebackers room to roam and pursue.
The linebackers will be charged with two three tasks. They will have to make most of the tackles, most of the QB sacks, and play pass defense as well. Brad Jefferson is the star of this unit. He led Tech with 95 tackles and got into the offensive backfield eight times for stops. Anthony Egbuniwe will be the lead rush linebacker, and his ability to get to the quarterback will determine how successful the new defense becomes.
The secondary loses a 3rd Round NFL Draft choice, and it is not as strong as last year. The returning starters are much better at run support than pass defense. Cornerbacks Mario Butler and Dominique Reese combined for just three interceptions and five passes broken up.
Tech’s defense may take a turn south in their first year in the new system. They will be fine against the run, but a weak pass rush and mediocre secondary will give up too many yards through the air. As quick as the offense scores points, the defense will give them up. Look for about 26-30 points and 375-400 yards allowed.
Schedule: Tech should win three of their non-conference games. They begin the season hosting South Carolina State. The following week they play at a rebuilding Kansas team. They host Middle Tennessee, and they conclude the regular season facing Georgia between the hedges.
In the ACC, they get Clemson, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest from the other division. Clemson will be out for revenge after falling twice to the Jackets last year in games they could have won. Road games with North Carolina and Virginia Tech will be trouble, and a home game with Miami won’t be easy. Call it a 5-3 league mark this year. If they can win one more, it just may be enough to get a piece of the division flag.
| Team | Miami Hurricanes | ||||||
| Head Coach | Randy Shannon | ||||||
| Colors | Royal Purple and Gold | ||||||
| City | Coral Gables, FL | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 5-3 | ||||||
| Overall | 9-4 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 120.9 | ||||||
| National Rating | 12 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 9-3 | ||||||
Offense: The Hurricanes are close to returning back to the dominating team they were when they earned five national titles and just missed on three or four others. Coach Randy Shannon has a couple of holes to fill, but this team is loaded with talent and ready to ascend to the top of the ACC.
Quarterback Jacory Harris has a live arm. He can throw a 50-yard bomb with what looks like little effort. He played much of last year with a thumb injury, and that led to several bad throws. He still managed to gain 3,352 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he tossed 17 interceptions too. If he stays 100% healthy, look for Harris to top 3,500 yards and maybe approach 4,000. If his TD/Int. ratio is something like 30/10, the “U” is going to compete for their next national championship.
Harris will get a chance to have a Heisman Trophy type of season because he has a loaded group of receivers on hand. The Hurricanes return their top five pass catchers, including three guys who can get open deep. Leonard Hankerson is the best of the group. He caught 45 passes for 801 yards (17.8 avg./c) and six touchdowns. Travis Benjamin and Aldarius Johnson also topped 17 yards per reception.
The running back position is a question mark as the season begins. The question is not about talent; it is about determining how many backs will contribute. Shannon has five talented backs competing for time. Expect a running back by committee approach. Damien Berry appears to be the starter, but Graig Cooper and Mike James should get a lot of attempts. Lamar Miller is a burner with sprinter’s speed, and true freshman Storm Johnson could work his way into the mix.
The one real concern on this side of the ball is the offensive line. Three starters, including an NFL Draft pick, are gone. The Hurricanes’ starting tackles, Joel Figueroa and Orlando Franklin, will be the stars of this unit, and how the other three inside players perform may determine just how far this team can go. Southern Cal true freshman transfer Seantrel Henderson will be eligible to play this year, and he could contribute immediately; he was the top offensive lineman recruit in the nation.
We will call for Miami to score 31-35 points and gain 415-430 yards per game. They should explode against the weaker teams on their schedule, but there are three or four teams with defenses strong enough to hold them to 24 points or less.
Defense: Some Miami fans believe this year’s defense has the potential to be as good as the 2001 team. We are a bit skeptical. This will be a better defense than last year, but we don’t see them holding teams to 250 yards and less than 10 points per game.
The ‘Canes may have the best defensive line in the conference. We say “may” because we don’t know for sure what will happen with North Carolina. At worst, this is the second best DL in the ACC. Shannon has a lot of talent here and can play two units. That will help when Miami has to play a home game in hot and humid weather. Three of the four down linemen could earn 1st or 2nd Team All-ACC accolades this year. End Allen Bailey dumped enemy quarterbacks seven times last year and made four other stops behind the line.
The linebackers are not as talented as the front line, but they are still one of the four best in the league. Colin McCarthy and Sean Spence return as starters and will man the outside spots. Kylan Robinson gets first crack in the middle. McCarthy was a star last year with 10 ½ stops for loss.
The secondary is as talented as the linebackers. Cornerback Brandon Harris practically shut down his side of the field last year. He intercepted just two passes, but he batted away 15 others to lead the league in passes defensed.
Miami gave up 22 points per game last year. Florida State, Clemson, and North Carolina scored 36 points per game against them, while the other 10 teams averaged just 18 points per game. Look for the ‘Canes to lower their defensive numbers to 18 points and 300-325 yards allowed.
Schedule: We believe the schedule is just hard enough to keep Miami from challenging for a spot in the National Championship Game. We do believe they are the favorite to play in the Orange Bowl. Outside of the ACC, the Hurricanes have two tough road games, and we don’t think they can beat both Ohio State and Pittsburgh on enemy turf. Home games with Florida A&M and South Florida will be different.
In league play, the Coastal Division has four tough teams, and they will beat up on each other. We think 6-2 will earn part of a piece of the title, and we give Miami the nod to win the division in a tiebreaker.
| Team | North Carolina Tar Heels | ||||||
| Head Coach | Butch Davis | ||||||
| Colors | Carolina Blue and White | ||||||
| City | Chapel Hill, NC | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 4-4 | ||||||
| Overall | 8-5 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 121.1 | ||||||
| National Rating | 11 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 10-2 | ||||||
Offense: Imagine if Florida had to enter fall drills any of the last three years wondering if Tim Tebow was going to play. Imagine if the Miami Heat had to wonder if Lebron James and Dwayne Wade may or may not be able to play. That’s what North Carolina faces, and it greatly interferes with our ability to make our picks here.
The best offensive player to play in Chapel Hill since Amos Lawrence will probably be declared ineligible to play. Wide receiver/running back Greg Little attended a Memorial Day weekend party in South Beach, Florida, hosted by a professional agent, and he apparently did not pay for the trip. That is a violation of NCAA rules and can lead to his being declared ineligible (see the defense for more bad news). Little was going to be used all over the field this year, running, catching, and maybe even throwing the ball. Without him, North Carolina’s offense goes from dominating to just better than average.
Our ratings above do not factor his (and the defensive player to be mentioned below) being ineligible, so we will have to lower that rating when and if the time comes.
Let’s continue with what we do know. Quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Bryn Renner find themselves in a media-inspired controversy over which player should start. Whether Coach Butch Davis considers it a controversy, we don’t know. Yates was the starter last year and completed 60% of his passes for 2,136 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, he threw 15 interceptions. Renner redshirted as a true freshman.
Without Little, the receiving corps goes from a strength to a concern. Wideouts Erik Highsmith and Jheranie Boyd will be asked to shoulder the load. They shared in receiving 49 passes last year, but they were never doubled with Little in the lineup. Tight end Zack Pianalto caught 33 passes, and he may become a key alternative now. He could top 50 receptions this year.
Three players should see action at tailback. Shaun Draughn missed a third of the season with a shoulder injury, and he managed just 567 yards. Ryan Houston led the Tar Heels with 713 yards and nine touchdowns (three more than Little). Senior Johnny White could work his way into the rotation. A.J. Blue saw some action in the Wildcat formation.
With four starters back, the offensive line will be one of the two best in the division. Guard Alan Pelc could hear his name called in next year’s NFL Draft.
Without Little, we will call for the offense to score about 21-24 points and gain 320-340 yards per game. If he survives the scandal and actually gets to play, add about four points and 30-40 yards to that amount.
Defense: Little was not the only Tar Heel at that party. Not only was the best offensive player on the team there, the best defensive player on the time attended as well. Tackle Marvin Austin is the one of the best inside defensive linemen in college football and a sure 1st Round pick in the next NFL Draft. He made four sacks and two other tackles for loss last season. He got a hand on three passes as well. He would have anchored the best defensive line in the league and one of the five best in the nation. Without him, UNC still has an exceptional unit, but it drops below Miami in talent. End Robert Quinn finished second in the league with 11 sacks and first in total tackles for loss (19).
All three 2009 starters return at linebacker including two all-conference performers. Quan Sturdivant led the ‘Heels with 79 tackles, 12 for loss. Bruce Carter added 7 ½ stops for loss.
The secondary may actually be the best unit on this side, but some of their great results must be attributed to a great pass rush. Cornerback Kendric Burney picked off five passes a year ago, earning 1st Team All-ACC honors. Safety Deunta Williams one-upped Burney, picking off six passes and knocking away eight others to earn a spot on the all-conference first team as well.
Even without Austin, this is one of the best defenses in the country. Look for the Tar Heels to give up about 17-21 points and 275-300 yards. If Austin can play, shave off three points and 25 yards.
North Carolina has another weapon. Kicker Casey Barth connected on 21 of 25 field goal attempts, including 4-5 from 40 yards or more.
Schedule: The opening game in Atlanta against LSU will reveal a lot. We expect something like a 14-10 game either way. We tend to favor the Tar Heels for the moment, but that could change before game night. If UNC can get by the Tigers, they should go 4-0 outside of the league. They travel to a weaker Rutgers team and host East Carolina and William and Mary.
UNC gets both Florida State and Clemson from the other division. They host Virginia Tech and play at Miami. We think they will lose twice in league play, but one of those will be to the Hurricanes. That’s why we pick Miami in a tiebreaker.
| Team | Virginia Cavaliers | ||||||
| Head Coach | Mike London | ||||||
| Colors | Blue and Orange | ||||||
| City | Charlottesville, VA | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 2-6 | ||||||
| Overall | 3-9 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 95.3 | ||||||
| National Rating | 73 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 0-8 | ||||||
| Overall | 3-9 | ||||||
Offense: Virginia suffered through losing seasons three of the last four years, and it cost Coach Al Groh his job. Enter former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London as new coach. London won an FCS National Championship at Richmond in 2008.
Bill Lazor takes over as the new offensive coordinator. The veteran NFL assistant has scuttled the former shotgun spread formation for the under-center pro offense.
The Cavaliers might have been better running the single wing, because they are thin on talent at quarterback. Senior Mark Verica started nine times two years ago, but he was very ineffective throwing 16 interceptions to just eight touchdowns. True freshman Michael Rocco could eventually take over the reins of the offense. It will be a long year in Charlottesville, as the Cavs struggle to pick up yards through the air.
To make matters worse, Virginia lost three of their top four receivers from a year ago. Leading receiver Kris Burd returns after catching 31 passes for 413 yards and just one score. Tight end Joe Torchia didn’t get many opportunities in the old offense, but he could actually become the leading receiver this year.
With the passing game bound to have some growing pains, it would be great if the running game was really good. That isn’t going to happen. Virginia rushed for less than 100 yards per game last year, and their leading returnee had just 73 yards! Keith Payne started one game in 2008. He quit before the 2009 season began. He may become the starter by default.
Also by default, the offensive line becomes the best part of the offense. There are no all-conference performers in this unit, but at least there is some experience. Three starters return, and one of the new starters is a highly recruited freshman.
You have to learn how to crawl before you can learn how to walk. Virginia will crawl a lot this year on this side of the ball and struggle to score points. Look for just 14-17 points and 250-275 yards per game.
Defense: There will be more growing pains on this side of the ball. London scrapped Groh’s 3-4 defense and installed a 4-3 in the Spring. Former outside linebacker Cam Johnson was moved to end, where he is much better suited to play. The tackles should hold their own and keep blockers away from the middle linebacker.
That middle linebacker is Steve Greer, who earned Freshman All-American honors last year. Greer posted a team-leading 92 tackles with 6 ½ for loss. He may make as many as 130 tackles this season, but many will be for good gains by the opponent. There isn’t much experience or talent on the outside.
Considering it got very little help from the pass rush, the secondary performed quite well last year. Two starters from that unit return, including Ras-I Dowling. Dowling earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors after intercepting three passes and batting away eight. He should be used on the corner blitz more this year as well.
Virginia gave up 26 points per game last year but just 353 total yards. Look for the Cavaliers to give up a little more this year due to the change in schemes and the offense not being able to control the clock. We’ll call it 28-31 points and 370-390 total yards.
Schedule: How ironic! UVa opens the season with Richmond. London will have a great scouting report, and the Cavs will open the season 1-0 with a hard-fought victory. The following week, they serve as the home-opening opponent for Lane Kiffin and his Southern Cal Trojans. After a week off, they host VMI and should move to 2-1. A home game with lowly Eastern Michigan should give them a third win.
Don’t expect the Cavs to win an ACC game, and if they do, London should get some votes for ACC Coach of the Year. It will be a tough transition for the Cavs in year one.
| Team | Virginia Tech Hokies | ||||||
| Head Coach | Frank Beamer | ||||||
| Colors | Maroon, Orange, and White | ||||||
| City | Blacksburg, VA | ||||||
| 2009 Record | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 10-3 | ||||||
| PiRate Rating | 121.8 | ||||||
| National Rating | 7 | ||||||
| 2010 Prediction | |||||||
| Conference | 6-2 | ||||||
| Overall | 9-3 | ||||||
Offense: Virginia Tech has won 10 or more games nine times in the last 11 seasons. Coach Frank Beamer has won with great offenses, great defenses, and great special teams. He’s won with mobile quarterbacks and with drop back passers.
He’s got a great mobile quarterback in Tyrod Taylor. At 6-1, he might be a little too short for the NFL, but he is certainly talented enough to contend for top honors in the ACC. Taylor threw for 2,311 yards and 13 touchdowns last year with just five interceptions. His 56% completion rate didn’t look great on paper, but he’s more of a vertical passer. His completions averaged 17 yards, and he averaged 9.5 yards per attempt.
Taylor has three great targets returning at wideout, each of whom can go deep. Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale, and Dyrell Roberts teamed for 92 receptions and 1,839 yards (20 yds./catch).
The Hokies have two running backs capable of rushing for 1,000 yards, as both have done it before. Ryan Williams raced for a league-leading 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Darren Evans rushed for 1,265 yards in 2008 before missing all of last year with an ACL injury. He’s fully healthy now.
Tech lost two all-conference offensive linemen from the left side of the line. That is the only concern on this side of the ball, but it is a big one, as that is Taylor’s blind side.
Virginia Tech should come close to matching last year’s offensive numbers. If they drop a little, it will be because the Hokies rely a little more on their excellent running game. Look for 26-30 points and 375-400 yards.
Defense: The reason we don’t have the Hokies penciled in as ACC Coastal Division Champions and legitimate contenders to advance to the National Championship Game is because they lost too much on this side of the ball. Nine of the top 13 tacklers are gone. We aren’t about to predict that defensive coordinator Bud Foster will not be able to mold a fine defense with the holdovers, but the Hokies have just enough holes for a couple of teams on their schedule to exploit.
The defensive line returns just one starter. Tackle John Graves made just 15 tackles last year. The Hokies sacked enemy quarterbacks 36 times in 2009, and that number will fall by as much as 10 this year.
The Hokies have limited experience returning at linebacker, and they lost an All-American in Cody Grimm. Barquell Rivers is equally good against the run and the pass, but he will have new partners on either side of him.
Two starters return to a better than average secondary. Cornerback Rashad Carmichael intercepted six passes and knocked down six more.
It may take a couple of games for the defense to gel, but by October, the Hokies should be challenging for the top stop troops in the conference. Look for Tech to give up 17-21 points and 300-325 yards per game.
Schedule: Virginia Tech opens the season with what could be the Game of the Year. They face Boise State at the Washington Redskins Stadium on Labor Day Monday. So many pundits are calling for Tech to not only beat the Broncos, but do it in convincing manner, all because Boise State lost big to Georgia five years ago. Five years ago, Barack Obama was unknown to 99% of the country. Tech’s other three non-league games include home games with James Madison, East Carolina, and Central Michigan.
In the ACC, the Hokies draw Boston College, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. They miss Florida State and Clemson. Their league fate will be decided in back-to-back games in November at North Carolina and Miami. We felt that they would lose both of these games, and show that in the predictions above. However, the UNC loss of their top two stars was not figured into that equation. Tech’s game with Miami should decide the Coastal Division title.
Coming Tomorrow: The Pac-10 Conference prepares to expand to 12 teams next year. With Southern Cal ineligible for the Rose Bowl, will it be just Ducky again in 2010?
The Pi-Rate Ratings 