2015 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

The Atlantic Coast Conference has undergone more changes than any other Power Five conference.  Here’s how it once looked:
Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina St., South Carolina, Virginia, and Wake Forest.  South Carolina left more than 40 years ago, while Maryland left just two years ago.  Georgia Tech, Florida St., Virginia Tech, Miami, Boston College, Louisville, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh have joined the league throughout the period, meaning that of the 14 teams (15 if you include Notre Dame, which plays in all other sports while facing an ACC football slate of six games), only six remain from 1970.

Florida State’s recent three year return to greatness, and Clemson’s recent three year ressurection gave the league a shot in the arm, but 2015 may see the prestige take a small hit.  It’s not that the league has weakened.  No, it’s the other way around.  Both divisions should be wide open this year, and unlike the SEC where seven competitively balanced teams means seven teams in the top 15 of the nations, in this league, it will bring the top teams down far enough to be out of the playoff picture this season.

The PiRates stand strong in their support that if the FBS is going to crown a champion through a playoff, then every Power 5 Conference champion should have a guaranteed spot in those playoffs.  The NFL is the king of the sports universe because every team in the league has an equal opportunity to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.  Imagine what would happen if the 11-5 Pittsburgh Steelers were not given a bid to the NFL playoffs after edging out 10-6 Cincinnati and 9-7 Baltimore, while 12-4 Denver made the playoffs when their schedule included two games against 2-14 Oakland, 6-10 San Diego, and 8-8 Kansas City.  Could you see Condaleeza Rice going on ESPN toexplain to Steeler Nation that their team should have won that week 17 game over Cleveland?

Back to the ACC, we have plugged our preseason numbers into the computers, and both divisions show ties in the predicted standings.  It was not this way earlier in the summer, but the team we had pegged to be the clear-cut favorite lost two key players and came back to the pack.

That team that took a direct hit across the bough was Clemson.  The Tigers would have been our pick to win the Atlantic Division and the overall conference championship, but the Tigers will go to battle without key stars on both sides of the ball.  Defensive back Korrin Wiggins tore his ACL and is out for the season, while dominating offensive left tackle Isiah Battle decided to make himself available for the NFL Supplemental Draft and was selected by the St. Louis Rams.  Those two player losses is enough to drop CU back into a four-way logjam in the Atlantic.
Coach Dabo Swinney still has top notch talent.  Quarterback Deshaun Watson returns after missing time with a torn ACL last year.  If healthy, the true sophomore has the potential to be the top offensive player in the league.  He has a talented crew of receivers led by the outstanding duo of Mike Williams and Artavis Scott.  Last year, this pair of speedsters with flypaper hands combined to catch 133 passes for almost 2,000 yards.

The biggest unknown in the offense is in its leadership.  Former offensive coordinator guru Chad Morris has now pulled up stakes in Dallas at SMU.  As a comparison, after Gus Malzahn left Auburn to become the head coach at Arkansas State in 2012, the War Eagles dropped to last place in the SEC with an incompetent offensive attack.  We don’t see Clemson’s offense dropping off like this, but we do believe there will be some effect.

Defensively, CU must rebuild with only two returning starters from last year.  The front seven begins anew with all new starters, and this is enough cause for concern to bring Clemson back to the pack.

If Clemson is not our choice to win the Atlantic Division, then most people would quickly predict that Florida State would be our clear-cut choice.  These people are right and wrong.  Yes, they are our choice, but no they are not clear-cut.  In fact, as you will see in our predictions below, we believe a tiebreaker will put the Seminoles back in the ACC Championship Game.

While Clemson will be dealing with an inexperienced defense, FSU will be rebuilding on the attack side.  Losing the first pick in the NFL draft usually means the replacement for that player will never replicate what the team lost.  However, the Seminoles got the top “free agent” in the market when former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson ended up in Tallahassee.  Golson is not another Jameis Winston and most likely will not be an NFL QB, but as a college quarterback, he has the talent to lead FSU to a New Year’s Six Bowl and even a playoff spot.

The Seminoles lost their top two receivers from last year, but Golson will have some exceptional talent on the other end of his passes this year.  Keep an eye on the player we believe will become a breakout superstar in Ermon Lane.  As a true freshman, Lane showed flashes of greatness in a backup role.  Watching him catch a short pass in the flat against Miami and then putting a move on Hurricane DB Deon Bush, leaving him in his dust was enough to make our PiRate scouts move him up into the company of receivers like LaQuoun Treadwell at Ole Miss.

Defensively, Florida State returns enough talent to believe that their 2015 defense will come in statistically somewhere in between the numbers the 2013 and 2014 defenses put up.  Jalen Ramsey is a complete defensive back.  The cornerback is equally strong containing an outside run, blitzing into the backfield to break up a play, breaking up a pass in the short zone, and shutting down the deep threat on the perimeter.  Reggie Northrup and Terrance Smith should both hear their names called in the 2016 NFL Draft.  The defensive line is the only question on this side of the ball.

In times of yore, Florida State lost key games with poor placekicking.  It can be said that missed short field goal attempts kept this school from winning two national championships.  This will not be a problem in 2015, as the ‘Noles have one of the best kickers in America.  Roberto Aguayo has few peers.  If we were asked to name a better placekicker, we might have to go with Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts.

Two additional teams should contend for the Atlantic Division title this year, Louisville and North Carolina State.
Bobby Petrino’s return to Derby City resulted in Louisville’s competing immediately in their first year in the ACC.  The Cardinals had to replace an NFL caliber QB and a majority of its top flight defense from 2013, but Petrino has UL just a few precious points away from winning the division and running the table in the regular season.  Against Virginia, the Cardinals had the lead late before UVa kicked the winning field goal.  They were about five feet away from the winning touchdown when time ran out against Clemson, and they blew a large lead against Florida State in their other loss.

The Cardinals lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but Petrino has a lot of talent returning.  Quarterback Will Gardner looked like the next star to play at Papa John’s Stadium before an injury cut his season short.  A healthy return gives UL a chance to shine.  The offensive line and receiving corps will be green this year, but there is enough talent there to forecast offensive success.

Defensively, the secondary is brand new, and this will probably be the liability that keeps UL out of the ACC Championship Game.  The front seven is competent enough to put pressure on enemy passers and try to limit the liability of the back four.

A killer schedule might be the nail in the Cards’ coffin.  UL starts with a kickoff classic game against Auburn and continues with home games against Houston and Clemson (played with just four days off).  The first half of the schedule concludes with back-to-back road games against North Carolina State and Florida State (with a bye week in between).  If the team comes out of the first half without a lot of injuries, then the Cards could easily run the table in the second half.

North Carolina State is our surprise team in the Atlantic this year.  The Wolfpack have steadfastly improved under third year coach Dave Doeren, and after an 8-5 season that saw NCSU improve by a good 10-14 points by November, this team is ready to growl on the hunt in 2015.

Former Florida quarterback Jacoby Brissett was a different player in November, when he began to scramble and add the threat of the run to his passing.  It led to the ‘Pack scoring 121 points and gaining 1,376 yards in their final three games.  Brissett may not have an all-star contingent of receivers, but there is quality and depth here.  The same can be said about the running attack, as Doeren can call on a double-headed monster in Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes.  NCSU will pound the ball inside to set up the passing game.

Defensively, look for State to continue to shave off points and yardage from what they gave up last year.  This team could give up as little as 24-25 points per game and 350 yards per game, which will put the Wolfpack in the race in the Atlantic.  End Mike Rose will force opponents to double team him after the big and quick pass rusher made 14 stops behind the line last year.  Safety Josh Jones makes it hard for opponents to throw the skinny post pass, and he led the team with four interceptions last year.

NCSU has an easier schedule than Louisville, as the Wolfpack’s September slate should allow the team to host the Cardinals on October 3 while sporting a 4-0 record.  The following week sends the ‘Pack to Virginia Tech, where an upset could possibly put State in the driver’s seat in the division. The second half of the schedule brings Clemson to Raleigh, while State faces Florida State on the road in November.  This should be North Carolina State’s best season since 2010 and maybe best since the 1990’s.

Boston College faces an uphill battle trying to become bowl eligible for the third consecutive year.  Third year coach Steve Addazio has a rebuilding job to do on offense, and we believe the Eagles will take a step back in 2015.  Only three starters return on the attack side, none of whom are on the interior line.  None of the quarterbacks on the roster have the talent of the top four teams in the division, and in this day and age of college football, teams do not succeed without exceptional QB play.

Defense has been the key for BC in the Addazio years.  The Eagles were not very generous last year, giving up just 21 points and 325 yards  per game.  However, it was a feast or famine affair on this side of the ball.  BC stopped cold teams like Maine and Syracuse, while Louisville and Penn State found little resistance moving the ball.

Because the Eagles bring Notre Dame back on the schedule, it is like playing nine ACC games.  The Eagles must win three to gain bowl eligibility, and one of those other three non-conference games comea against MAC power Northern Illinois.  BC must win this game and win at Duke to have any shot of going 6-6, but we believe the team will come up short.

Wake Forest has seen its win total drop by one from six to five to four to three over the last four seasons.  Dave Clawson came on board last year, and the Demon Deacons found the going tough trying to implement a very complicated offense.  The results in year one were less than stellar, as Wake averaged less than 15 points per game and just 216 yards per game.  Considering the offense was on the field for just 50 plays per game, the defense did an admirable job, giving up 26 points and 369 yards per game.  Enough starters and backups return on both sides of the ball to believe that the Deacons will show some improvement in 2015.  John Wolford has a year of the Clawson offense in his mental databanks, and he should perform much better in year two, as the game begins to slow down for him.  It isn’t impossible that the Deac could sneak up on a team or two and flirt with bowl eligibility this year, but we believe they are a year away.

Syracuse brings up the rear this year in our PiRate Ratings.  The Orangemen did not compete in the ACC last year, and the team looks to be a little weaker to start this season.  The offense has gone the wrong way since Ryan Nassib graduated in 2012.  Last year, the ‘Cuse averaged just 17 points and 330 yards per game, while the defense played above their talent level and prevented games from becoming major blowouts.  This year, the defense has been decimated by graduation, and the offense is not going to be much better if at all.  An early game against Wake Forest is vital to this team’s hopes of competing for bowl eligibility, but we cannot see a situation that will bring six wins to this team this year.  Repeating last year’s 3-9 record will be an accomplishment with this squad.

The Coastal Division promises to be just as competitive as the Atlantic.  No team is a clear-cut favorite.  Georgia Tech is a nightmare for other ACC foes to prepare for in one week, as the Yellow Jackets’ offense is completely different than all other offenses among the Power 5 conferences.  Coach Paul Johnson’s spread option offense (the 21st Century Wishbone) is a throwback to the 1970’s, where teams ran and ran and ran the same basic series over and over until surprising defenses with a quick long pass to a wide open receiver.  Last year, Tech ran this offense like clockwork, rushing for more than 340 yards per game and averaging north of nine yards per pass attempt.  The keys to making this offense unstoppable are a quarterback who can read and react on the move, and a receiver contingent that forces defenses to keep four secondary players guarding against the pass first.  If defenses cannot bring a dedicated eighth player into the box to play the option, then theoretically, this attack cannot be stopped.

Quarterback Justin Thomas can handle the first key.  He is an expert at reading defenses on the run.  Thomas topped 1,000 yards rushing last year, while throwing for more yards and touchdowns than any Johnson-coached QB.
The question this year is whether there will be receivers that can keep that eighth defender out of the box.  DeAndre Smelter was that man last year.  This may be what keeps the Jackets from competing for a playoff spot in 2015.

Defensively, look for GT to be better this year than last when they surrendered more than 400 yards per game.  A 30-50 yard drop in yardage allowed could lead to Tech giving up around 22-24 points per game, putting them in contention to cop the Coastal.

What hurts Tech’s chances to compete for a playoff spot is their schedule.  Road games against Notre Dame, Clemson, and a home game against Georgia means this team will have no fewer than two losses and probably three in the regular season.

Virginia Tech was less than two minutes away from suffering its first losing season in eons last year.  A late comeback win over Virginia followed by a Military Bowl win allowed the Hokies to finish 7-6.  Of course, VT pinned the only loss on Ohio State last year, holding the Buckeyes to just a hair over 100 rushing yards.  Coach Frank Beamer is ready to return this team to glory with talent and depth on both sides of the ball, but that opening game on Labor Day brings the defending national champs to Blacksburg looking to punish the Hokies for 2014.

Inconsistent offense has been VT’s thorn since Tyrod Taylor departed Lane Stadium in 2010.  Michael Brewer is not a Taylor or a Logan Thomas, but the second year starter should cut down on his picks and become a better game manager.  Brewer has capable receivers at his disposal, including the league’s best tight end.  Bucky Hodges grabbed 45 passes and scored seven times last year and should top 50 this year.

The only possible thorn in the offense’s side this year is an offensive line that lacks the experience of last season’s line.  This could also slow down the running game and once again cause the offense to be inconsistent, or more correctly, to do okay against weaker defenses and bog down against better defenses.

The Hokie defense has consistently surrendered 17-22 points and 300-350 yards per game under famed coordinator Bud Foster.  Foster is to Beamer what Bill Gutheridge was to Dean Smith on the hardwoods at North Carolina.  Look for the 2015 edition of stop troops to be among the best in the nation once again.

Up front, VT has the best interior in the league, led by end Dadi Lhomme Nicolas and tackle Luther Maddy.  Nicolas posted nine sacks and 18 1/2 total tackles for loss last year, but those numbers do not accurately reveal how good he was.  He might have registered 15 sacks had his partner on the other side had not also recorded Ken Ekanem had not been just as successul dropping QBs on their tushes.  Ekanem had 9 1/2 sacks and 19 QB hurries.  While different stats-keepers may have different interpretations about QB hurries, Nicolas’s 36 hurries looks like a pitcher winning 30 games in today’s Major Leagues.  Maddy was not used for rushing the QB; he shone by plugging the middle and keeping blockers away from the linebackers.

The back seven of the Tech defense is almost as talented as the front four, with free safety Chuck Clark leading the way.  He plays all over the field, stuffing the run and clogging the middle of pass protection.
The only reason we are selecting Georgia Tech over Virginia Tech is because when these top two contenders face off for what should decided the division winner, it will be in Atlanta on Thursday night, November 12.  Both teams will have byes the week before, and as of today, we show GT winning a very close game.

North Carolina has been overlooked in the preseason of many other publications.  We do not agree with this assessment.  The Tar Heels have gone from eight to seven to six wins in Larry Fedora’s three years in Chapel Hill, but that trend will cease in 2015.  UNC has a scary offense with the return of 10 starters to an attack that averaged more than 33 points and 430 yards per game.  Quarterback Marquise could contend for All-ACC honors after putting up some gaudy numbers last year (3,000+ yards passing, 21 TD, leading rusher with 13 TDs).  There is depth behind Williams, as Mitch Trubisky may be the top backup in the league.

Williams well recognize his receiving corps, as his top five targets from 2014 are back to give pass defenses nightmares. The tandem of Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins ranks only behind Williams and Scott of Clemson.  Throw in Quinshad Davis and Bug Howard, and UNC probably has the best quartet in the league.
Now, add the return of the entire starting offensive line and most of the second five, and it is obvious that the Tar Heels are going to score a lot of points this year, maybe close to 40 per game.

Can their be a problem with scoring 40 points per game?  Unfortunately for this team, yes it can.  Last year, UNC gave up 39 points and almost 500 yards per game, but we will go on record and state that this will not happen again if for no other reason than the fact that offensive juggernauts Clemson, Notre Dame, and East Carolina are off the schedule (UNC gave up 170 points and 1,833 yards in these three games).

When a defense has one possible star, it is advantageous for that star to be the Mike linebacker, and UNC’s lone star player is Jeff Schoettmer, who led the Heels with six tackles for loss while adding six passes defended.  The defensive backfield is average at best, while the front line leaves a lot of room for improvement.  Carolina may still surrender more than 30 points and 400 yards per game this year, but this team can go 8-4 with that lack of production.  And, if the ball bounces their way, it would not surprise us if Fedora’s troops pull off an upset of one of the two teams picked ahead of them in the ratings.

Pittsburgh has consistently been better than average but not great for several years.  The Panthers have earned seven consecutive bowl bids, but in this day and age where a big school gets a bid with a 6-6 record, this is not a major accomplishment.  Regular trips to December bowls does not lead to great rewards, especially when you lose to Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl and to SMU in the Birmingham Bowl.

The Panthers might have been our darkhorse pick to contend for the Coastal Division title this year, but Coach Paul Chryst return to Badgerland to take command of Wisconsin, and his replacement, Pat Narduzzi, has zero head coaching experience.  While Narduzzi is one of the best defensive coordinators in the game, we frequently see defensive coordinators needing a year or two of learning when making that step up to the head job of a major program.  Thus, we have dropped Pitt a few points in their ratings, as opposed to new head coaches that were offensive coordinators (Chad Morris, Tom Herman, and Mike Bobo).  Oftentimes,  defensive masterminds tend to play too conservatively, believing their defense will eventually win the game, when in actuality, this has not been true in college football in decades.

Pitt actually has enough talent on hand to win eight regular season games.  The Panther offense returns its chief weapon in bruising tailback James Conner.  Conner led the ACC in rushing with 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, while averaging close to six yards per carry.  Having a quarterback that can fake the handoff and keep the ball for a nice game helps keep defenses from totally focusing on Conner, much like the fullback in the I-formation of the 1980’s and 1990’s did for the I-Back.  QB Chad Voytik is just that man.  As a passer, he is serviceable, but add his running ability, and you have an effective signal caller.

Look for Conner to run to his left a lot this year, as the Panthers’ left side of the blocking wall features stars in guard Dorian Johnson and tackle Adam Bisnowaty.

Pitt’s receiving unit is not among the tops in the league, but the Panthers do have one star. Tyler Boyd caught 78 passes for 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns last year, while earning 1st team All-ACC honors.
Defensively, you would expect Pitt to make forward strides under Narduzzi’s watch, but that has not always been the case when defensive coordinators take over as head coach, especially if they do not remain the defensive coordinator.  We expect the Pitt defense to stay in the same range it has been for the last few years, giving up about 25-27 points per game and less than 375 yards per game.  It’s impossible to identify the star of this side, as the sum of Pitt’s parts is not equal to the whole.  All three Panther units are credible but not sensational, but the team plays hard on this side of the ball and seldom gets embarrassed, except when facing Georgia Tech’s offense.

You can gauge Pitt this year on how the Panthers perform in game three at Iowa.  This should be a blue collar type of game like two big heavyweights going at it in the ring.  If Pitt can leave Kinnick Stadium with a win, the Panthers will believe they can take out Virginia Tech, especially since they will have an extra week to prepare.  If they lose this game, then Narduzzi may have a tough time keeping the team on track to remain bowl eligible.  It is one of those truly critical non-conference games this year.

Al Golden proved his competency as a head coach by leading Temple back to respectability after inheriting a winless program.  At Miami, he has been tasked with trying to bring the Hurricanes out of a major probation with numerous penalties.  His four year record is 28-22 with consecutive bowl appearances  once bowl eligibility was restored.  However, Miami fans and alums expect the Hurricanes to always be in contention for national honors, and Golden’s seat has been pre-heated for this season.  Unfortunately, we do not see a turnaround for this program in 2015, just more mediocre results.  And, another season similar to the previous four will probably send Golden out of Coral Gables.

The UM offense lost its big star when Duke Johnson left early for the NFL.  Johnson led the ‘Canes and finished second overall in the ACC with 1,652 yards, while averaging close to seven yards per carry and scoring 10 times last year.  New starter Joseph Yearby has talent but will not approach 1,600 rushing yards.

Quarterback Brad Kaaya returns, but his top three receivers must be replaced (Johnson was #3).  There are no adequate replacements for Phillip Dorsett and Clive Walford.

Defensively, Miami has improved for three consecutive seasons, but too much talent was lost to expect further improvement in 2015.  The strength of this unit is at linebacker where Raphael Kirby and Jermaine Grace return after combining for 114 tackles a year ago.  The secondary has experience but tends to get beaten a few too many times.

The ‘Canes will have a tough road staying bowl eligible this year, but we actually rate Golden as one of the most affective coaches at winning close games.  Thus, we are going to move his expected wins total up to six to give Miami bowl eligibility.  Having to play Nebraska and Cincinnati outside of the league, as well as both Clemson and Florida State from the Atlantic Division immediately eliminates the 2015 Hurricanes from returning to their glory days.  Our advice to Miami fans: would you rather have Larry Coker as your head coach?  Stick with Golden like Virginia Tech stuck with Beamer, or your 2016 team may look more like the other Miami playing in the MAC.

The job that Duke coach David Cutcliffe has done in Durham cannot be overstated.  This was a program basically given up for dead in the ACC prior to his arrival at Wallace Wade Stadium.  It had been 18 years since Duke’s last bowl game when he broke through with the Belk Bowl bid in 2012.  It had been 24 years since the Blue Devils had owned a title when Duke won the Coastal Division in 2013.  Duke was not expected to come close to replicating that 2013 season last year, but Cut produced a nine-win season, missing out on another division crown by one game.
2015 brings another situation that looks like Duke will take a step back to the wrong side of .500, but you can never count out Cutcliffe to find a way to win a few games Duke should not win.  What gives us cause for concern with this Devil edition is the breaking in of a new quarterback combined with the loss of the top two receivers and a pedestrian running game.  We cannot see how Duke can replicate or closely approach their offensive successes of the last three years, where they topped 30 points per game each year.  A return to 21-24 points per game is possible, while 25-27 is probable.  And, that little drop is enough to turn nine regular season wins into five.  A win over Northwestern in September is a must if Duke is to find a way to scratch and claw its way to six wins without signing a pact with that other Devil.

Pity poor Mike London.  The Virginia Cavaliers’ head coach is a dead man walking on the Charlottesville campus.  In a year, where he must win over face dismissal, he must face a non-conference schedule that opens at UCLA, hosts Notre Dame and then after a supposed breather that could be anything other than that  against William & Mary, Boise State comes to town for a Friday night game.  UVa will be 1-3 at the best by this time, and if the Tribe upsets the Cavs (they did so in 2009, 26-14), London might not make it to October.  Virginia has a week off on October 3, and it isn’t out of the realm that London would not make it to the October 10 game at Pittsburgh with homecoming coming the following week.

London is a quality coach, but recruiting to Virginia has never been easy.  With the ACC getting tougher every year, it is hard for this school to keep up with the Clemson’s, Florida State’s, and Louisville’s, let alone having a powerhouse in-state rival in Virginia Tech.

The fact that a quarterback that will be attending his fourth college in four years (Connor Brewer) could compete for a starting bid shows how far this program has to go to catch up with its rivals.  Another experienced player transfering in is running back Albert Reid who could help the Cavs in power running plays up the gut. something this team has lacked in the past.

Defensively, there are not many stars, and because this team competed with talent on this side of the ball last year, you can expect a regression to a statistical result more similar to 2013 (33 ppg) than 2014 (24 ppg).

Here is how the ACC Media predicted the league for 2015.

Atlantic Coast Conference Media Poll
Pos.	Team	1st Place	Total	Champ. Votes
Atlantic Division
1	Clemson	101	1032	84
2	Florida St.	56	992	41
3	Louisville	1	746	0
4	North Carolina St.	0	673	1
5	Boston College	0	473	0
6	Syracuse	0	291	0
7	Wake Forest	0	217	0
Coastal Division
1	Georgia Tech	96	991	20
2	Virginia Tech	44	841	7
3	Miami	7	632	2
4	Duke	4	615	0
5	North Carolina	4	590	3
6	Pittsburgh	3	535	0
7	Virginia	0	220	0

Here is the Media’s preseason All-ACC team.

ACC Preseason All-Conference Team
Offense	Player		School
Quarterback	Deshaun Watson		Clemson
Running Back	James Connor		Pittsburgh
Running Back	Shadrach Thomas		North Carolina St.
Wide Receiver	Tyler Boyd		Pittsburgh
Wide Receiver	Mike Williams		Clemson
Wide Receiver	Artavis Scott		Clemson
Tight End	Bucky Hodges		Virginia Tech
Tackle	Roderick Johnson		Florida St.
Tackle	Adam Bisnowaty		Pittsburgh
Guard	Landon Turner		North Carolina
Guard	Eric MacLain		Clemson
Center	Matt Skura		Duke
Defense	Player		School
End	Dadi Lhomme Nicolas		Virginia Tech
End	Shaq Lawson		Clemson
End	Sheldon Rankins		Louisville
Tackle	Adam Gotsis		Georgia Tech
Tackle	Luther Maddy		Virginia Tech
Linebacker	Terrance Smith		Florida St.
Linebacker	Brandon Chubb		Wake Forest
Linebacker	James Burgess		Louisville
Cornerback	Jalen Ramsey		Florida St.
Cornerback	Kendall Fuller		Virginia Tech
Safety	Jeremy Cash		Duke
Safety	Quin Blanding		Virginia
Special Teams	Player		School
Punter	Alex Kinal		Wake Forest
Kicker	Roberto Aguayo		Florida St.
Return Specialist	Ryan Switzer		North Carolina

Here are the PiRate Ratings beginning ratings and averages for 2015.

Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Division
Team	PiRate	Mean	Bias	Average
Clemson	113.5	114.6	113.4	113.8
Florida St.	114.4	114.1	112.9	113.8
Louisville	109.6	112.1	110.0	110.6
North Carolina St.	109.7	112.1	108.8	110.2
Boston College	100.9	106.0	99.4	102.1
Wake Forest	97.1	101.9	96.7	98.6
Syracuse	94.1	98.1	93.0	95.1
Coastal Division
Team	PiRate	Mean	Bias	Average
Georgia Tech	119.2	110.4	118.6	116.1
Virginia Tech	114.2	111.1	114.3	113.2
North Carolina	112.1	112.1	111.5	111.9
Miami	108.2	109.1	108.7	108.7
Pittsburgh	105.3	107.1	106.8	106.4
Virginia	102.3	99.6	101.4	101.1
Duke	100.0	100.4	99.7	100.0
ACC Averages	107.2	107.8	106.8	107.3

These are our preseason won-loss predictions and bowl projections.

PiRate Ratings Predicted Records
Pos	Team	Conf.	Overall	Bowl
Atlantic Division
1	Florida St.	6-2	10-3 *	New Year’s 6
2	Clemson	6-2	9-3	Gator
3	Louisville	6-2	9-3	Sun
4	North Carolina St.	6-2	9-3	Pinstripe
5	Boston College	2-6	5-7	None
6	Wake Forest	2-6	5-7	None
7	Syracuse	0-8	4-8	None
Coastal Division
1	Georgia Tech	7-1	9-4 ^	Belk
2	Virginia Tech	7-1	10-2	Russell Athletic
3	North Carolina	4-4	8-4	Independence
4	Pittsburgh	4-4	7-5	Military
5	Miami	2-6	6-6	Quick Lane
6	Duke	2-6	5-7	None
7	Virginia	2-6	3-9	None
*	Wins Title Game
^	Loses Title Game

Coming Next: The Big Ten

How high up will the obvious preseason number one team begin the 2015 season?  Where will this rank in the annals of the PiRate Ratings?

 

2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

The Atlantic Coast Conference has not had a National Champion since Florida State won the title in 1999 (defeating future ACC rival Virginia Tech).  The league suffered through several down years with teams playing in the conference championship game and finishing with three, four, and even five losses.  Just last year, conference champion Clemson gave up 70 points in the Orange Bowl.

 

Prospects look brighter this season as the sports “experts” believe Florida State is a strong national title contender once again.  Clemson and North Carolina State are improved enough to reach double digit wins.  The other three Atlantic Division teams will compete for bowl eligibility.  In the Coastal Division, North Carolina is not bowl eligible this year, and the Tar Heels could finish in first place in the division.  There is a chance a 5-3 and definitely a 6-2 team could face the Atlantic Division winner at the end of the year.

 

Here is the league’s official preseason media poll.

	ACC Atlantic	Votes
Rank	Team	1st Place	Total
1	Florida State	72	543	(60)
2	Clemson	17	470	(13)
3	North Carolina State	5	402	(1)
4	Wake Forest	0	241
5	Boston College	0	181
6	Maryland	0	148
	ACC Coastal
Rank	Team	1st Place	Total
1	Virginia Tech	83	558	(18)
2	Georgia Tech	10	421	(3)
3	North Carolina	2	341
4	Virginia	0	326
5	Miami (Fla.)	0	245
6	Duke	0	104
Numbers in ( ) are votes to win ACC Championship Game

 

 

The PiRate Ratings and PiRate Vintage Ratings vary only slightly from the media poll.

 

PiRate Ratings
Rank	ACC Atlantic	PiRate
1	Florida State	120.0
2	Clemson	115.0
3	North Carolina State	103.1
4	Boston College	102.9
5	Wake Forest	98.6
6	Maryland	95.6
Rank	ACC Coastal	PiRate
1	Virginia Tech	111.8
2	North Carolina	109.0
3	Georgia Tech	107.4
4	Virginia	100.0
5	Miami (Fla)	99.3
6	Duke	98.4
	Vintage Ratings
Rank	ACC Atlantic	Vintage
1	Florida State	115
2	Clemson	113
3	North Carolina State	110
4	Boston College	107
5	Maryland	100
6	Wake Forest	99
Rank	ACC Coastal	Vintage
1	Virginia Tech	109
2	Georgia Tech	109
3	North Carolina	108
4	Virginia	105
5	Miami (Fla)	103
6	Duke	103

 

 

Team	Boston College Eagles
Head Coach	Frank Spaziani
Colors	Maroon and Gold
City	Chestnut Hill, MA
2011 Record
Conference	3-5
Overall	4-8
PiRate Rating	102.9
National Rating	54
Vintage Rating	107
National Rating	39
2012 Prediction
Conference	3-5
Overall	5-7

 

Last year, the Eagles suffered through their first losing season since 1998, and it continued a pattern that has been developing for four years.  BC’s win total has decreased four years in a row from 11 to nine to eight to seven to four.

 

Fourth year coach Frank Spaziani will get a pink slip if this trend continues in 2012.  The pattern should end this year, because of the 22 starters that should take the field for the opener against Miami, 20 of them started at least one game last year.

 

Expect big changes on the offensive side, even though all 11 positions will have a player with starting experience.  Spaziani hired Doug Martin as his new offensive coordinator.  Martin is a passing specialist.  He couldn’t turn the corner as head coach at Kent State, but the Golden Flashes moved the ball through the air.  In Martin’s one season as the OC at New Mexico State, the Aggies improved by nine points and 100 passing yards per game.

 

Whether quarterback Chase Rettig is up to the chase is another story.  In two seasons, Rettig has thrown as many interceptions as touchdown passes, and his completion percentage has been just a tad over 50%.  Rettig is not a running threat, so the Eagles need a major jump by the junior this year if they are to challenge for a winning record.

 

All the key personnel returns at the receiver positions, but one key piece will be sidelined until late October.  Bobby Swigert led in receptions as a possession receiver, and Colin Larmond led in yards as more of a breakaway threat.  Alex Amidon is another deep threat, while tight end Chris Pantale continues the tradition of excellent play at that position by Eagle tight ends.  This quartet was responsible for about 70% of the pass receptions last year.  Pantale will miss the first half of the season with a broken bone in his foot.

 

Deuce Finch and Andre Williams return to share the running back position after Montel Harris was dismissed from the team in the early part of last season.  This duo combined for 1,222 yards and seven touchdowns, but they cannot match what Harris did.  With the new emphasis on the passing game, expect BC’s rushing numbers to stay around 100-120 yards per game.

 

Four full-time starters return up front, and the fifth started a game last year.  The left side of the line is strong and talented with guard Bobby Vardaro and tackle Emmett Cleary.  Ian White moves from guard to center.

 

We expect the Eagles to increase their points and yardage this season.  Of course, they have easy marks to better, as they scored 18 points and gained less than 300 yards per game in 2011.  Expect a jump by five points and 50-75 yards.

 

The defense would have been better if it didn’t have to stay out on the field so long.  BC’s opponents averaged seven more scrimmage plays per game than the Eagles averaged.

 

The strength of the 4-3 alignment is at linebacker, where weak side linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis returns after finishing second on the team with 74 tackles, including six for negative yardage.  Steele Divitto returns to the other outside position.  He finished third with 72 tackles and picked up a couple of sacks.  Sean Duggan started a trio of 2011 games as a true freshman, and he finished with 39 stops.  He has to replace Luke Kuechly, a first-round NFL draft pick.  Even without their all-American, BC is solid here.

 

The defensive front four suffered with injuries last season, and several youngsters saw extended playing time.  End Brian Mihalik was pressed into duty as a true freshman and now has game experience.  He will team with Kasim Edebali at the opposite terminal position.  The Eagles made just 11 sacks all season, and these two anchors need to approach that number by themselves for the Eagles to compete for a bowl bid.  Tackles Dillon Quinn, Dominic Appiah, and Kaleb Ramsey give the Eagles three quality players at the inside position.

 

The secondary never had a chance last year due to the weak pass rush.  The Eagles were repeatedly exploited in the underneath zones.  Two starters return this season, but the two new starters saw a lot of action as freshmen.  None of these four players will challenge for all-ACC honors, and if the pass rush is morbid again this season, BC’s defense will suffer through another long season.

 

Boston College has a history of producing some excellent kickers, but even this phase of the game suffered last year.  Nate Freese connected on a 52-yard field goal, but he was just 10-16 for the season. 

 

The schedule presents another obstacle in the Eagles’ path to bowl eligibility.  Outside the ACC, BC has just one guaranteed win, and that is against a really good FCS team in Maine.  The Eagles face Northwestern and Army on the road and host Notre Dame.  We can see BC winning two of the four non-league games.  The Eagles draw Miami, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech from the Coastal Division and of course must face the big three out of the Atlantic.  3-5 in league play looks like the ceiling, so BC could very well come up one game short.

 

 

 

 

Team	Clemson Tigers
Head Coach	Dabo Swinney
Colors	Orange and Purple
City	Clemson, SC
2011 Record
Conference	6-2
Overall	10-4
PiRate Rating	115.0
National Rating	20
Vintage Rating	113
National Rating	11
2012 Prediction
Conference	6-2
Overall	9-3

 

A season that included Clemson’s first ACC Championship in 20 seasons plus two wins over Virginia Tech and wins over Florida State and Auburn were almost forgotten after the debacle at the Orange Bowl.  CU lost to Geno Smith and West Virginia 70-33!  After an 8-0 start, the Tigers limped home at 2-4, and the fans in Clemson were not all that happy.

 

Coach Dabo Swinney took immediate action to improve the defense by luring away Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables.  Venables is going to make as much as some mid-major head coaches this year, and he will earn that if he can turn this defense around.  Defense is the definite Achilles ’ heel of this team.

 

CU gave up close to 30 points and 400 yards per game in 2011.  In the final eight games, they gave up 36.6 points per game and 423 yards per game.  Venables has not been all too pleased by what he has to work with so far.  He told the media that he was only comfortable with about a dozen players, and a defense cannot get by on that many.

 

The defensive line lost its top three players from last year, and it is the reason CU will not repeat as Atlantic Division champions this season.  End Malliciah Goodman is the lone holdover here.  He made 59 tackles and just two sacks, and his sack total should triple or even quadruple this year with the losses of Andre Branch and Brandon Thompson.

 

The second line of defense returns all three starters from a year ago.  Corrico Wright recorded 80 tackles with five for loss.  Jonathan Willard added 75 tackles.  Quandron Christian contributed 36.  Tony Steward is trying to come back from two torn ACL’s, and he had the potential to be an All-ACC player.  It looks like he could be forced to miss this year rehabbing the knee.

 

Rashard Hall led CU in tackles with 89.  It is never a good thing when your leading tackler is a safety, unless your team leads every game 14-0 after seven minutes.  Hall only recorded three defended passes.  Xavier Brewer starts at the other safety position.  Brewer picked off one pass and knocked away seven others.  There isn’t much depth in the secondary, and injuries will be a major problem here.  Hall had a minor surgery after last season.

 

The Clemson offense is in much better shape, and the Tigers can still win games in which they give up four touchdowns.  Tajh Boyd completed 60% of his passes with 33 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter.  He added five more on the ground.  Boyd quickly picked up offensive coordinator Chad Morris’s offense, and CU made a jump by almost 10 points and more than 100 yards per game.

 

Two of the ACC’s top receivers (possibly the two best) return this year, but one will miss the first two games of the season following an off-season arrest.  Sammy Watkins will be missed against Auburn.  He led CU with 82 receptions, 1,219 yards, and 12 touchdowns.  DeAndre Hopkins finished with 72 catches and 978 yards.  Tight end Dwayne Allen must be replaced, but the Tigers have a couple of talented replacements in Brandon Ford and Stanton Seckinger.

 

Clemson is not a one-dimensional team.  The Tigers can do damage on the ground as well.  Andre Ellington returns after gaining 1,178 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.  A concern is the loss of backup Mike Bellamy who failed to stay academically eligible.

 

Rebuilding is needed on the offensive line, the one possible liability on this side of the ball.  The Tigers must break in three new starters in the trenches.  Center Dalton Freeman has NFL potential.  He earned 1^st Team All-ACC accolades last year.  Brandon Thomas returns at one tackle position, while the new starting tackle figures to be Shaq Anthony.  The two new starters at guard are Tyler Shatley and David Beasley.

 

Chandler Catanzaro is one of the best placekickers since “Iggy kicked the piggy” back in the 1980’s.  He hit on 22 of 27 field goals, including 9 of 12 from 40 yards and out.

 

Clemson has seven sure wins on their schedule.  How well they perform in five key contests will determine if the Tigers can win 10 games again.  We think they can, but only if they win their bowl game this year.

 

 

Team	Florida State Seminoles
Head Coach	Jimbo Fisher
Colors	Garnet and Gold
City	Tallahassee, FL
2011 Record
Conference	5-3
Overall	9-4
PiRate Rating	120.0
National Rating	9
Vintage Rating	115
National Rating	8
2012 Prediction
Conference	7-1
Overall	12-1

 

The Seminoles have not competed for the national championship since 2000, when they fell to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.  The Seminoles are the media darling this season, as multiple media personnel are picking FSU to win all the marbles.

 

Third year coach Jimbo Fisher returns a load of talent, and the Seminoles have the horses on both sides of the ball to make the media look like geniuses.

 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seminoles may begin to resemble the great units produced by Mickey Andrews in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  FSU is loaded on this side of the ball, possibly the top line and set of linebackers in the league.

 

The defensive line is as strong as LSU’s or Alabama’s.  Ends Bjoern Werner and Brandon Jenkins remind us of Eric Curry and John Copeland at Alabama in 1992.  These two bookends teamed up for 15 sacks and 23 total tackles for loss.  Werner can drop back in pass coverage and defend like a linebacker.  Three excellent tackles return in the inside with Everett Dawkins and Anthony McCloud starting and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Timmy Jernigan backing them up.  FSU may actually see their excellent sack total of 41 going up this year.

 

Nigel Bradham led the ‘Noles in tackles for three years in a row, and he will be hard to replace.  However, Vince Williams and Christian Jones return after teaming for 110 tackles.

 

Safety Lamarcus Joyner led FSU with four interceptions and he joins cornerback Xavier Rhodes as the holdovers in the secondary.   If there is a concern, it is in the secondary, but FSU will have three games to break in the new starters before they face a quarterback that can exploit them. 

 

The offense was not quite up to standard at times last year, but numerous injuries made it difficult to stay consistent.  Quarterback E. J. Manuel was one of those players needing medical attention.  When healthy, Manuel completed 65.3% of his passes for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns.  He averaged better than 8.5 yards per attempt.

 

All of Manuel’s key receivers return this year.  Rodney Smith, Rashad Greene, and Christian Green teamed for 100 receptions and 1,607 yards; all three can take a five-yard pass and turn it into a 50-yard gain.

 

Devonta Freeman led the Seminoles with 579 rushing yards last year, but he will back up Chris Thompson this year.  This is one area where there is need for improvement.  A good pass defense may be able to slow the FSU offense down and produce an upset.

 

Several players saw time in the offensive line last year due to injuries.  Center Bryan Stork was the regular when he was healthy.  He can play anywhere on the line.  Tre Jackson and Josue Matias will start at guard, while Daniel Glauser and Cameron Erving get the nod at tackle.  If Jacob Fahrenkrug can return from an ankle injury at some point this year, he will provide a major boost.

 

Don’t get us wrong:  Florida State has its best team in a decade, and they can run the table with the talent they have.  However, we are not ready to coronate this team as the top team in the land.  Our ratings show the ACC Atlantic Division to be much improved overall this year.  The top three teams could possibly split the three games.  Outside of conference play, the ‘Noles begin the season against Murray State and Savannah State, so their Strength of Schedule will suffer.  Their other two non-league games are in-state, at South Florida and home with Florida.  If they have one loss, their SOS will not hold up against a one-loss Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, USC, or Oregon team.

 

 

 

Team	Maryland Terrapins
Head Coach	Randy Edsall
Colors	Red, White, Black, and Gold
City	College Park, MD
2011 Record
Conference	1-7
Overall	2-10
PiRate Rating	95.6
National Rating	74
Vintage Rating	100
National Rating	66
2012 Prediction
Conference	1-7
Overall	4-8

 

As so often happens, a school’s fan base and athletic administrators frequently believe they can do better and deserve better than they have.  They rush to making inaccurate decisions based on faulty logic by looking at their product through rose-colored glasses.  Such was the case with Maryland. 

 

Ralph Friedgen had just guided the Terrapins to a 9-4 season and 31-point win in the Military Bowl.  It wasn’t enough for the Terps.  They expected the ACC title in 2010, but they lost by 14 to Florida State.

 

Friedgen was probably only going to coach another season, and Maryland had a budding superstar coach-in-waiting.  The athletic administration not only dropped the ball when they dismissed Friedgen, they bungled the timing as well, allowing James Franklin to slip to Vanderbilt.  Maryland suffered through a 2-10 season with one of those wins coming against Towson State, while Franklin turned Vanderbilt into a bowl team in one year.

 

Coach Randy Edsall came to College Park with a solid reputation.  He turned Connecticut into the Big East Champion and Fiesta Bowl participant.  It took him 12 years to do it, and it he will not be given nearly that long to turn the trick here.  He faces an uphill climb, because there isn’t enough football talent in this general area, and there are many competitors from the Big Ten and SEC, as well as other ACC schools vying for said talent.

 

Edsall was further put behind the eight-ball with a major blow at the most important position.  Former quarterback Danny O’Brien did not mesh with Edsall’s philosophy of moving the ball.  After a subpar year in which O’Brien suffered a broken arm and missed the last two games, this after he had been previously benched for runner C. J. Brown.  O’Brien thus became the next Russell Wilson.  As a college graduate, he became eligible to transfer to another school and play immediately.  His first choice was to follow his former offensive mentor Franklin to Vanderbilt, but Maryland charged that Vanderbilt had illegally talked to O’Brien and filed a complaint against the Commodores.  O’Brien decided to pull a Wilson and ended up as the new starter at Wisconsin.

 

That left Brown as the obvious starter and only experienced quarterback on the roster.  Last week, Brown suffered a knee injury that forces him out of action for this season, and that leaves the Terps with two true freshmen to share the quarterback spot.  Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe have potential to be decent quarterbacks, but maybe not until 2014.  Starting in the much improved ACC in 2012 is not going to get the job done, and opposing defenses will crowd the box with the intent to stuff the run and force the rookies into throwing mistakes. 

 

Maryland has some talent at receiver.  Kevin Dorsey could start for any ACC team other than Florida State. He led the Terps with 45 receptions, 573 yards, and three touchdowns last year as the one of two bright spots on the offense.  Tight end Matt Furstenburg is one of the top two or three ACC players at his position.  He should become an even more important target this year (31 receptions 348 yds. 2 TD) because inexperienced QBs tend to throw to the biggest target they can find. 

 

Justin Pickett is a step down from Davin Meggett at running back, and he is going to find it hard to locate many running lanes if opponents bring an eighth player into the box and do not respect the quarterbacks’ throwing ability.

 

Maryland’s interior line is strong inside and mediocre on the outside.  Center Sal Conaboy and guards Bennett Fulper and De’Onte Arnett are credible, but tackles Justin Gilbert and Nick Klemm are not going to give the frosh QBs ample time to set up in the pocket and not get nervous feet.

 

Expect Maryland’s offense to stall at several times against the better teams.  Having three not-so-tough non-conference games and a home conference game against Wake Forest will allow the attack side to pad their stats and come close to replicating or even topping last year’s final numbers.

 

If the defense does not find itself on the field for 33-35 minutes a game this year, the Terps should be quite improved on the stop side.  Most of the key contributors return from a unit that gave up 34.3 points and almost 460 total yards per game, so improvement should be a given.

 

Up front in the 3-4 alignment, Maryland has one of the top tackle/ends in the nation.  Joe Vellano is not your typical defensive tackle.  He doesn’t just occupy blockers so his linebackers can make the headlines.  Vellano makes the tackles, and he did so 94 times last year including 7 ½ for losses.  He will be joined by nose tackle A. J. Francis and end Andre Monroe, the sack specialist.  As a freshman, Monroe led the Terps with five sacks.  If this group doesn’t have to stay on the field all day, they should give make new defensive coordinator Brian Stewart look like a genius.

 

The quartet of linebackers is led by the league’s leading returning tackler.  Demetrius Hartsfield was one of two Terps to top 100 tackles last year, coming in at 108.  Seven of those stops produced a loss of yardage.  Darin Drakeford, Kenny Tate, and L. A. Goree give the Terps four returning starters here.  Goree is imposing as a blitzer.

 

It’s the back line of defense that will keep this defense from shaving 10 points off the scoring average allowed.  Safety Eric Franklin recorded 106 tackles last year, but he picked off nary a pass.  Dexter McDougle is the top cover corner on the team, and he led the Terps with three interceptions and nine passes defended.  An untested Jeremiah Johnson is set to start at the opposite corner.

 

Maryland’s kicking game needs improvement as well.  Nick Ferrara handled both kicking and punting duties, and he tired during the season.  He only connected on 12-20 field goals, just 1-4 from 40 yards and out.

 

The only reason the Terps should improve in the win column is the easier schedule.  They open with William & Mary at home, Temple on the road, and Connecticut at home.  This gives them a legitimate shot at starting 3-0, but then the only real winnable game the rest of the way is a home tilt against Wake Forest.  We expect them to lose their final seven games.

 

 

Team	North Carolina State Wolfpack
Head Coach	Tom O’Brien
Colors	Red and White
City	Raleigh, NC
2011 Record
Conference	4-4
Overall	8-5
PiRate Rating	103.1
National Rating	52
Vintage Rating	110
National Rating	23
2012 Prediction
Conference	6-2
Overall	10-2

 

Tom O’Brien has been waiting eagerly for this season.  His Wolfpack appear to be better than the last two teams that finished 9-4 and 8-5 with back-to-back bowl wins.  In fact, North Carolina State may be one upset away from playing in the ACC Championship Game this year.  Fans in Raleigh anxiously await the big home game on October 6 against the Seminoles.

 

The offense is in capable hands with Mike Glennon at quarterback.  Glennon took over for Russell Wilson and by the end of the year, he was possibly the equal of Wilson.  O’Brien states that he has taken another step forward since the end of last year and could be primed for a season reminiscent of Phillip Rivers.  Glennon completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,054 yards and 31 touchdowns, and we expect him to approach 3,500 this year.  The question here is what happened should Glennon get injured, because it appears that a true freshman will back him up.  Manny Stocker is not the answer if he is forced into action in league play.

 

The Pack took a hit in the receiving corps with the loss of its top two pass catchers, including T. J. Graham who went in the third round of the NFL Draft.  Tobias Palmer will become the new top threat after catching 37 passes and scoring five touchdowns.  State has two quality tight ends in Mario Carter and Anthony Talbert, and O’Brien could use some two tight end formations in passing downs.

 

James Washington and Tony Creecy will split the running back duties, with Washington probably getting ¾ of the rushing attempts.  He could approach the 1,000-yard mark this year after gaining almost 900 last year.

 

Having a talented offensive line that can protect a quarterback can make an average passing game good and a good passing game great.  NCSU has a talented offensive line.  Center Camden Wentz is another great ball-snapper in a league full of great centers.  Zach Allen is set at one guard, and R. J. Mattes slides inside from tackle to man the other guard spot.  Rob Crisp and Andrew Wallace will be the new starting tackles.

 

Defensively, it all starts with the secondary, where the best pass defender not getting a paycheck resides at cornerback.  David Amerson is the NCAA’s Nnamdi Asomugha.  He ran away with the national interception title with 13, and he got his paws on five others.  The starting safeties, Brandan Bishop and Earl Wolff teamed up for eight interceptions and 172 tackles.  Some opposing quarterbacks will be apprehensive about throwing into this secondary and even intimidated, just like many batters are scared to dig into the batting box against Aroldis Chapman.  It will make the pass defense even better.

 

One reason the pass defense is so good is the pass rush up front.  As a redshirt freshman, end Art Norman posted seven sacks and an incredible 30 QB hurries.  Some of those rushed passes ended up producing a sudden change of possession.  The talent at end is so good, Norman will not start.  He will be used as a designated pass rusher.  Brian Slay and Darryl Cato-Bishop are the two starters, and both are excellent run-stoppers.  Cato-Bishop is almost the equal of Norman as a pass rusher. 

 

Linebacker is where State has troubles.  All three starters and the top reserve from a year ago are gone.  The three projected starters played in just one game last year, but two of the players missed the season.  Still, it figures to be the one reason why NCSU may not win the ACC Atlantic Division.

 

The Wolfpack open the season in Atlanta against Tennessee, and this game will be an excellent gauge of their improvement.  The Vols are now beatable thanks to the recent loss of their top offensive player.  If State gets by Tennessee, they should be 5-0 when the Seminoles invade Carter-Finley Stadium.  If they can pull off the upset, they get a week off to come down from the high before resuming the conference schedule.  Only a November contest at Clemson would stand in their way of maybe doing something memorable. 

 

We tend to believe that beating Florida State and Clemson is asking a bit too much for a team that will have three new linebackers.  However, this looks like a solid 10-win team.

 

 

Team	Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Head Coach	Jim Grobe
Colors	Black and Old Gold
City	Winston-Salem, NC
2011 Record
Conference	5-3
Overall	6-7
PiRate Rating	98.6
National Rating	66
Vintage Rating	99
National Rating	69
2012 Prediction
Conference	2-6
Overall	4-8

 

After going 28-12 between 2006 and 2008, Wake Forest has now suffered through three consecutive losing seasons, but at least they met that fate last year after losing their bowl game.  Coach Jim Grobe faces a minor rebuilding project in Winston-Salem this year, and the Demon Deacons must deal with a tougher Atlantic Division as well.  The non-conference schedule features the same two bowl teams that handled Wake last year, and both of those teams look to be better.  This does not look like a stellar year for Grobe and his Deacs.

 

Usually when a team returns its starting quarterback, there is a strong chance that the offensive numbers will improve.  However, we suspect that it will not happen here this season.  Tanner Price topped 3,000 yards passing last year with 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions.  He is saddled with an offensive line that suffered major graduation losses, as well as the loss of an NFL draft pick and the team’s best running back.  Opposing defenses are going to disrupt his rhythm this year, and Tanner will see his numbers regress.

 

The loss of Chris Givens is going to hurt more than just replacing his 83 receptions and 1,330 yards.  The other receivers found looser coverage on them because defenses had to devote two defenders to Givens.  Michael Campanaro will be the new go-to guy, but he will not command the same respect as Givens.  So, defenses will be able to play all the receivers a little tighter.  Redshirt Sherman Ragland has the potential to emerge as a starter and contribute.

 

Joshua Harris and Orville Reynolds will try to replace Brandon Pendergrass at running back.  The duo combined for 541 yards and an average of 4.2 yards per carry.  Don’t look for a major rushing average this year, as the offensive line will have to learn on the fly.

 

The only returning regular in the trenches is center Garrick Williams, and the best of the reserves from last year is tackle Colin Summers.  So guess which two offensive linemen were hurt and missed the Deacons most recent scrimmage?  You guessed it.  Williams is nursing a hamstring injury, and Summers sustained a calf injury.  Leg injuries to an offensive lineman is like an elbow injury to a pitcher.

 

Things are not dire on the defensive side of the ball, but then again, they are not peaches and cream either.  Wake gave up 27.4 points and 397.8 yards per game last year, and we do not expect those numbers to be much better if at all this season.

 

The Deacs are strongest in the secondary, thanks to two exceptional cornerbacks.  Bud Noel was the top defensive newcomer in the ACC last year.  He led the league in passes defended with 21, although unlike Amerson at NCSU, 19 of those were broken up passes and just two were interceptions.  Kenny Okoro had 10 passes defended, but like Noel, 90% of those were batted away passes and just one was an interception.

 

Three starting linebackers return, but none of them are stars, and two could be replaced by new starters.  Only Riley Haynes is guaranteed to keep his spot in the lineup.  Ziggy Allen and Mike Olson have apparently moved to number one on the depth chart ahead of Joey Ehrman and Scott Betros.

 

The Deacons play their 3-4 defense a little differently than most teams.  Usually the nose guard has to be big enough to blot out the sun in a day game, but Nikita is svelte for a 3-4 nose.  He is not a boulder that ties up space.  He is a disrupter who can get in the backfield and destroy an offensive play before it can develop.  Last year, he led Wake with 14 tackles for loss.  On either side of him are Kris Redding and Zach Thompson, two ends that will not show up on any media voter’s all-ACC teams.

 

Wake Forest has four winnable games at home this year (Liberty, Army, Duke, and Boston College, as well as another on the road (Maryland).  We may be generous in believing that they can win four of these five games, but Grobe always seems to find a way to get his teams to outperform.  

 

 

Team	Duke Blue Devils
Head Coach	David Cutcliffe
Colors	Royal Blue and White
City	Durham, NC
2011 Record
Conference	1-7
Overall	3-9
PiRate Rating	98.4
National Rating	67
Vintage Rating	103
National Rating	56
2012 Prediction
Conference	2-6
Overall	5-7

 

The Blue Devils have been much more competitive under David Cutcliffe than they were for the last several years prior to his arrival in Durham.  His four years at Duke show a 15-33 record compared to a 4-42 record the previous four years.  His 3-9 team lost four close games last year.  In 2010, Duke also lost four close games and finished 3-9.  The year before that, they needed just one more victory to become bowl eligible and lost two close games.

 

That is the problem with a team that never has enough depth.  They can get up and play close games with several opponents but come up short when they tire.

 

The same fate may strike Duke again this year.  The Blue Devils have several talented players, just not enough to win the close games in the final quarter in the sunny South, where heat and humidity demands teams to have depth.

 

The Duke offense is the better of the two sides, but unless a better running game emerges, the Devils will not be strong enough to beat three ACC opponents and contend for Bowl Eligibility.

 

Duke rushed for just 94.1 yards per game on 30.4 attempts for an average of just 3.1 yards per try.  Factoring out the 19 sacks, the Blue Devils still failed to reach 100 yards per game.

 

Juwan Thompson and Josh Snead will be called upon to take some of the heat off the Duke passing game.  Thompson rushed for 457 yards to lead the team, but it is Snead that holds the key to whether Duke will improve on the ground.  He has breakaway speed.  His development allowed Cutcliffe to move Desmond Scott to receiver.

 

Scott immediately solves a problem that was facing the Duke offense.  In the off-season, a tragic accident almost took the life of receiver Blair Holliday.  Holliday’s amazing recovery from a terrible accident will inspire his teammates this year.  Scott will be the starting wideout in Holliday’s place.  He will team with Jamison Crowder and Conner Vernon to give Duke three quality receivers that should team for 130 receptions.  Garrett Patterson moves over to the offensive side and teams with Nick Hill to be the principle reserves.

 

Throwing the ball to these receivers is an experienced senior with more than two years served as a starter.  Sean Renfree completed 65% of his passes for 2,891 yards last year.  His 11 interceptions were a bit high, and his 14 touchdown passes were a tad low.

 

One star does not make an offensive line exceptional, but at least it is better than no stars.  Guard Laken Tomlinson leads an offensive line that provides excellent protection for their quarterback but has trouble opening holes for their running back.  However, if the line can push the defense back just long enough to gain two yards on third and one, it will make this offense work.

 

This could be the year where Duke’s defense begins to show improvement.  The last time the Blue Devils had this much experience returning from the season before, they gave up 10 fewer points and almost 70 less yards per game and improved the won-loss record by three games.  Of course, improved does not necessarily mean dominant.  This is still probably the weakest defense in the league with no players on the all-conference radar screen.

 

Up front, Justin Foxx and Kenny Anunike are serviceable ends.  They teamed for six sacks and 9 ½ tackles for loss, but they were the top pass rushing threats.  Most teams third and fourth best pass rushers team for six sacks and 9 ½ TFL.

 

The expected best linebacker on the team would have been Kelby Brown, but he will not play this year because he never fully recovered from an ACL injury from last year.  David Helton was the leading candidate to replace Brown, but he was knocked senseless in practice and will miss some time with a concussion.  Remember, Duke cannot afford to go deep into their depth chart to find new starters, so this is a major concern.

 

Cornerback Ross Cockrell could be the best defender on the team.  He broke up nine passes and picked off another last year, and he finished the season with 56 tackles.  Safety Walt Canty had 87 tackles and defended six passes.

 

The non-conference schedule includes a trip to Stanford and three winnable home games against Florida International, North Carolina Central, and Memphis.  Duke tends to stub its toe in these “winnable games” every year.  Richmond beat them last year for the second time in three years (they didn’t play Duke in 2010).  The Blue Devils must go 3-1 outside of the ACC to even begin to think about finding three more wins.  As the injuries pile up, so goes the chances of finding those three wins.  We don’t see it happening this year.

 

 

Team	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Head Coach	Paul Johnson
Colors	Old Gold and White
City	Atlanta, GA
2011 Record
Conference	5-3
Overall	8-5
PiRate Rating	107.4
National Rating	39
Vintage Rating	109
National Rating	27
2012 Prediction
Conference	5-3
Overall	8-4

 

Here is a team that may be getting overlooked by the media.  Georgia Tech finished in a tie for second in the ACC Coastal Division last year, and the Yellow Jackets should field their best team in three years with an experienced quarterback and group of ball carriers.

 

In Coach Paul Johnson’s option offense, a cerebral quarterback who can think quickly on the run is as important as a passing quarterback having multiple years passing in the same offense.  Tevin Washington is not the best passer in the league or even on this team, but he knows how to operate the veer and all its sister plays.  Washington led Tech with 986 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last year.  He completed just 49.3% of his passes for 1,652 yards, but he averaged 11 yards per attempt!  That is because when Tech throws, a majority of those passes are deep routes off play-action.  Just the threat of having four receivers spread wide that can run deep, forces defenses to play the option with seven in the box.  When they did not respect it, Tech made them pay, as Washington threw a touchdown pass every 13.6 attempts.

 

The top two running backs return from last year.  Fullback David Sims forced defenses to assign more than one defender to bring him down, and he gained 698 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per attempt with seven scores.  Slotback Orwin Smith was even more deadly as the pitch back than he was as a receiver.  He took pitches off the option and made many of them long gainers.  Smith averaged better than 10 yards per carry, but he usually only received a pitch out when he had open space in front of him.

 

Smith is the leading returning receiver this year.  He caught 13 passes but averaged 23.5 yards per reception.  The rest of this unit will be used more for blocking ability than route running, as the playbook leads to their big play potential.

 

When this offense returns a lot of experience in the interior line, it spells trouble for opposing defenses.   Four starters return this year, and the new starter was headed toward cracking the lineup last year before he was lost to injury.  Guard Will Jackson and center Jay Finch have all-conference potential, while guard Omoregie Uzzi and tackle Ray Beno are better than average.  Morgan Bailey will slide into the vacant tackle position, and Tech will be off and running in 2012.

 

Critics of this offense say that these teams are too one-dimensional, but they are wrong on this.  How can you call a team that averages better than 11 yards per pass attempt not a passing threat?  Just put eight men in the box against this offense and watch how quickly Tech can pass the ball for six points.  You won’t see it happen, so there is your answer.  Look for the Ramblin’ Wreck to top 325 yards on the ground and 35 points per game for the first time in Johnson’s tenure.

 

The defense has slipped here the last few years.  From 2008 to 2011, Tech gave up 20.3, 24.8, 25.2, and 26.1 points per game.  If that trend continues this year, then GT will continue to fall short in the standings by a game or two.  However, if the numbers improve back to 24 points or less, the Yellow Jackets might sting the rest of the division and head to the conference title game.

 

No unit really stands out on this team, but the secondary is its top piece of the puzzle.  Unfortunately, one of the key starters here will be unavailable for the opener.  Louis Young is suspended for the first game, but he also has an arm injury.  He and fellow cornerback Rod Sweeting form a formidable tandem on the outside.  Safety Isaiah Johnson is equally talented at stopping the run and the pass.

 

Jeremiah Attaochu leads the four-man defensive line.  He led Tech with six sacks and 11 ½ tackles for loss last year.  The Jackets need a better showing from the opposite end.  Izaan Cross did not record a sack.

 

The middle of the defense has its opening game issues as well.  Expected starter Daniel Drummond is suspended the first game and one half of the second following his arrest for piloting a boat while intoxicated.  That leaves Quayshawn Nealy as the only truly experienced linebacker for the first game.

 

The first game is not your typical opener for a team in the ACC.  Georgia Tech does not play an FCS school in a guaranteed win game.  No, the Jackets play the one team that they have to beat in order to win the Coastal Division or at least finish second behind ineligible North Carolina.  Georgia Tech opens with Virginia Tech on the road on the Monday night game that substitutes for Monday Night Football.  They also have road games against Clemson and North Carolina as well as at rival Georgia.  So, it is a tough pill to swallow that they will not be at full strength for their most important game.  Also, Virginia Tech has had all year to prepare for stopping the option.  It puts Georgia Tech at a great disadvantage, and it gives Virginia Tech a great leg up.

 

 

Team	Miami Hurricanes
Head Coach	Al Golden
Colors	Royal Purple and Gold
City	Coral Gables, FL
2011 Record
Conference	3-5
Overall	6-6
PiRate Rating	99.3
National Rating	64
Vintage Rating	103
National Rating	52
2012 Prediction
Conference	2-6
Overall	3-9

 

Here is a program that never seems to stay out of trouble for long.  When they were winning national championships between 1983 and 2001, they had to deal with numerous off the field issues.  Just a couple of years ago, they had additional major issues which forced the school to self-impose a bowl ban and rule multiple players suspended for multiple games.

 

Miami is once again eligible to go to a bowl game, but the Hurricanes will not be bowl eligible in the won-loss record.  This could be their worst team since the 1977 went 3-8.

 

Second year coach Al Golden lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and Miami will be weaker on offense and defense.  The offense returns just four starters, but one of those four has been displaced on the depth chart.

 

Quarterback Stephen Morris started last year against Maryland, but he was benched in favor of Jacory Harris.  Morris completed a touchdown pass in the final minute of that game, but it was to the wrong jersey, as the interception led Maryland to victory.  Since Harris finished up his career with a decent season, look for UM to regress in the passing game this year.

 

Miami’s two outstanding receivers from 2011 are now playing in the NFL.  Tommy Streater and Travis Benjamin combined for 1,420 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.  That leaves Allen Hurns and Phillip Dorsett as their replacements.  This duo gained just 562 yards in receptions.  Miami should rely more on its tight ends this year, as the Hurricanes have two (Asante Cleveland and Clive Walford) that can get open over the middle.

 

The running game has to replace a game-changer as well.  Lamar Miller rushed for 1,272 yards last year and left early for the NFL.  Mike James and Eduardo Clements will not be able to make up the lost yards.  Look for UM’s rushing numbers to fall by at least 20 yards per game and possibly as many as 35-40.

 

The Hurricanes have issues in the offensive line, where two starters return.  Seantrel Henderson is not one of those starters, but he is without a doubt the best lineman on the team when he is healthy and not having to deal with personal issues.  He just was cleared to practice this week, and he spent time away from Miami dealing with two funerals.  He will not be ready for the start of the season, and Miami starts out with two tough road games.

 

Miami has further issues clouding its defense.  The best player on the team, safety Ray Ray Armstrong was dismissed from the team for the rules violations that forced Miami to sanction itself.  Expected starting tackle Curtis Porter has health issues and may not play following an appendectomy.  Linebacker Eddie Johnson was supposed to platoon with converted safety Thurston Armbrister at the Will linebacker spot, but he has been absent in practice.

 

The Hurricanes still have some quality talent on this side of the ball; they just don’t have enough.  End Anthony Chickillo returns after leading UM with five sacks.  Middle linebacker Denzel Perryman has the ability to record 100 tackles.  Safety Vaughn Telemaque has started 36 games in the secondary. 

 

The schedule does Golden and his team no favors.  They open with consecutive road games against Boston College and Kansas State and should be 0-2 when they face Bethune-Cookman in their home opener.  BCU will not be a pushover in this game, but you have to figure Miami will win.  It is the only game we are confident in calling a sure win for the Hurricanes this year.  If they get all the breaks (the healthy return of Henderson/Morris has a breakout season/defense gels), Miami could win four or five games.  If UM has to struggle to beat BCU to win its first game, it isn’t impossible that they could go 1-11.  We will split the difference and call for three wins.

 

 

Team	North Carolina Tar Heels
Head Coach	Larry Fedora
Colors	Carolina Blue and White
City	Chapel Hill, NC
2011 Record
Conference	3-5
Overall	7-6
PiRate Rating	109.0
National Rating	35
Vintage Rating	108
National Rating	32
2012 Prediction
Conference	6-2
Overall	9-3

 

The Tar Heels are in timeout.  There will be no bowl game for them this year due to multiple infractions.  Too bad for UNC; this is their best team since Mack Brown guided the Heels to an 11-1 season in 1997. 

 

New head coach Larry Fedora guided Southern Mississippi to the CUSA Championship last year.  He brings along his spread offense and 4-2-5 defense, and he believes he has the pieces in place to make both formations work immediately.

 

Bryn Renner led the ACC in passing efficiency last year.  He completed 68.3% of his passes for 3,086 yards and 26 touchdowns and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt.  He is not much of a runner, so it remains to be seen how well he will fit into the spread.  Fedora’s quarterback at Southern Miss ran the ball five or six times per game last year.

 

One player that should thrive in the new offense is running back Giovani Bernard, the league’s Rookie of the Year and a 1^st team Freshman All-American after he rushed for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 45 passes.

 

The receiving corps took a major blow when T. J. Thorpe broke his foot earlier this month.  Thorpe was a major weapon as a kick returner, and he was expected to be the Devin Hester of this team in 2012.  Still, UNC has two quality pass catchers in Erik Highsmith and Jheranie Boyd.  Boyd can take it to the house on just about any catch where he sees daylight.

 

The offensive line returns four starters, and they take up a lot of space, averaging almost 320 pounds.  The spread offense really needs more quickness than size, but you cannot go wrong with guards Travis Bond and Jonathan Cooper as well as tackle James Hurst.

 

The defense is not as strong and talented as the offense, and it could become a liability if the offense does not hold onto the ball for sustained drives.  Fedora’s USM team had to defend for an averaged of 74 plays last year, which is about eight more than average.

 

Up front, end Kareem Martin tries to make up for the loss of All-American Quinton Coples.  Martin finished third behind Coples’ 7 ½ sacks and 15 Tackles for loss (and All-American linebacker Zach Brown’s 5 ½ sacks and 13 ½ TFL) with four sacks and seven stops for loss.  Tackle Sylvester Williams is an excellent inside-out pass rusher, so the Tar Heels should still be able to pressure quarterbacks this year.

 

Brown was the top tackler on the team as well as top pass interceptor.  Middle linebacker Kevin Reddick now takes on the role of top defender.  He made 71 stops last year.

 

The new position in the defense is the “Ram.”  It is a hybrid linebacker/safety which will call on the player to blitz, provide extra run support, and play pass defense.  Gene Robinson will wear the horns this year.  Tre Boston and Tim Scott give Carolina two additional standouts in the secondary.

 

If Carolina was using the same offense and defense as last year, we might have been inclined to select this team as a surprise dark horse to run the table this year.  All the tough games are at home, and the non-conference slate is not that difficult with just one game against anybody good.  However, because they are on probation and must break in new formations on both sides of the ball, we expect UNC to lose three times, twice in the ACC.  They may still finish in first place in the Coastal Division.

 

 

Team	Virginia Cavaliers
Head Coach	Mike London
Colors	Blue and Orange
City	Charlottesville, VA
2011 Record
Conference	5-3
Overall	8-5
PiRate Rating	100.0
National Rating	62
Vintage Rating	105
National Rating	48
2012 Prediction
Conference	3-5
Overall	6-6

 

Mike London turned around the fortunes of Virginia in rapid time.  The former coach of the FCS National Champion Richmond Spiders, proved that he was ready to step up to the big time.  He must do a lot of reclamation work with his defense, but we believe he will keep the Cavs in contention for a repeat trip to a bowl.

 

Returning starting quarterback Michael Rocco may not be the best passer in the ACC, but he must be vastly improved this year.  That’s because he is expected to hold onto his spot after the Cavs landed former top high school recruit Phillip Sims.

 

There will be a two-man platoon at running back with Perry Jones and Kevin Parks form an impressive tandem.  The two men combined for 1,624 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

 

Replacing Kris Burd at wideout won’t be easy.  Burd led the Cavs with 66 receptions, twice as many as the next guy.  That next guy, Tim Smith, returns and looks to add on to a season where he caught 33 passes for 565 yards.  No other receiver on this roster caught more than 20 passes.

 

Three starters return up front, and one of them, Luke Bowanko, is making the switch from guard to center.  Tackle Oday Abousji is a mountain at 6-6 and 310 pounds, and the NFL scouts are gushing at his ability.  Morgan Moses gives UVA high quality at this position.

 

Virginia may score more points this year, but they are going to give up more points as well.  London has a lot of holes to fill with the loss of eight players that saw multiple starts in games.

 

One position that has experienced talent is at end, where Jake Snyder and Bill Schautz return.  The two were much better run stoppers than pass rushers, and London used designated pass rushers in obvious passing downs.  Cam Johnson led the Cavs with four sacks and 11 TFL, but he does not return.  Four players will share reps at the defensive tackle positions, but combined they bring one career start.

 

The top two tacklers return to the next unit.  Linebackers Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds teamed up for 191 tackles with 14 going for negative yardage.

 

It is the back line of defense that makes this team so vulnerable this year.  Only one regular returns to the secondary, and depth is a major issue here.  True freshman may be called on to play the nickel and dime backs.

 

Virginia opens the season at home against Richmond and Penn State.  They could be 2-0, but they could fall to 2-2 with back-to-back road games against Georgia Tech and TCU.  That’s the way we see this season going.  There will be happy days half the time and sad days the other half.  Of course if you win half your games, you get a bowl bid.

 

 

Team	Virginia Tech Hokies
Head Coach	Frank Beamer
Colors	Maroon, Orange, and White
City	Blacksburg, VA
2011 Record
Conference	7-1
Overall	11-3
PiRate Rating	111.8
National Rating	26
Vintage Rating	109
National Rating	26
2012 Prediction
Conference	5-3
Overall	9-4

 

Hokie coach Frank Beamer has been in this situation before.  He had to start over on offense with a team that returned the bulk of his defense back in 2006.  Tech’s offense struggled at times and scored more than 100 fewer points than in 2005, but the Hokies still finished 10-3 thanks to having the best defense in the nation.

 

Beamer’s offense returns just three starters, but fortunately one of them is his outstanding quarterback.  Logan Thomas is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football.  He is built like a defensive end, the modern day Joe Kapp if you will.  At 6-6 and 260, he could mow linebackers and safeties over.  Last year, Thomas passed for more than 3,000 yards and completed almost 60% of his tosses, and he rushed for 469 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

Receiver Marcus Davis is the only other returning starter at a skill position.  He was just number three in receptions last year, but he was number one in yards per catch.  He provides a big target for Thomas at 6-4 and oftentimes, he could jump higher than defenders for the ball.  D. J. Coles and Dyrell Roberts should both see their receptions increase this year.  Both have size and quickness, and opposing teams will have a hard time playing cover two zones on this team.

 

Perhaps the biggest shoes to fill in the entire league are those worn by departed 1^st Round Draft choice David Wilson, who led the ACC with 1,709 yards rushing.  Redshirt freshman Michael Holmes will begin the season as the starter.  When VT uses a fullback, Joey Phillips is a bull as a lead blocker.

 

Andrew Miller is the only holdover in the offensive line.  This could be a problem early in the season, especially since the Hokies open with their most important game of the season.

 

The biggest and most important holdover on defense is coordinator Bud Foster.  Since he arrived in Blacksburg in the mid-1990’s, Tech has given up an average of 16.4 points per game and has made it to a bowl every year!

 

Having to replace six starters last year, VT gave up just 17.6 points and 304.6 yards per game.  12 of the top 15 tacklers return from that squad this year, so it is easy to surmise that this might be the top defense in the nation this year that isn’t a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference.

 

One of those top defenders will not be ready for the season opener.  Short-side linebacker Tariq Edwards just had a pin removed from his leg, and he is not expected to be ready for the important first game.  Edwards is a force against the run, as a pass rusher, and as a pass defender, and the Hokies are not as strong without him.

 

Everywhere else on the front and second lines, Tech is loaded with experienced players.  Ends J.R. Collins and James Gayle teamed up for 13 sacks and 49 QB hurries.

 

The back line is the only possible liability where two starters must be replaced.  The two returnees, Antone Exum and Kyle Fuller could both earn all-league honors. 

 

That first game is the Monday night opener at home against Georgia Tech.  It could be more exciting than any other Monday night game this year.  The winner will become the prohibitive favorite to represent the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship Game.  We know Tech will most definitely win this game (but which one?)  Tune in next Wednesday, August 29 to see our PiRate picks.

 

Coming Saturday evening, August 25: The Big Ten Conference Preview.  With 1/3 of the Leaders Division ineligible for the Big Ten Championship, can any team challenge Wisconsin?  The Legends Division race shapes up to be a spectacular three-team competition.

2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

 

Last year, Virginia Tech and Florida State met in the ACC Championship Game for the second time in the history of the game.  The Hokies won to advance to the Orange Bowl, where they ran into the new “greatest quarterback ever” in Andrew Luck and Stanford.

 

This year, it looks like a strong possibility that the two powers will once again meet in the ACC Championship Game.  Both teams are national title contenders as well.  Florida State appears to be the stronger team as the season starts, but Virginia Tech doesn’t have a Boise State or Alabama at the start of the schedule this year.  Two teams, North Carolina and Miami, were hit with summer news that could greatly affect their showing this season.  Butch Davis was fired at North Carolina, while Miami may be looking at a possible death penalty.  This could be the season where some of the former bottom feeders move up at the expense of programs in trouble.

 

ATLANTIC DIVISION

 

Florida State

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

E. J. Manuel takes over as starter for Christian Ponder.  He started twice last year and completed 70% of his passes and passed for an excellent 9.3 yards per attempt.  Manuel is also a much better runner than Ponder, so this position will actually be as strong or even stronger this year—as long as Manuel stays healthy.

 

Receivers

Had Taiwan Easterling not decided to become a future Chicago Cub, this might have been one of the 10 best in the nation.  It will still be one of the two best in the ACC.  Bert Reed is an excellent possession receiver; he led the Seminoles with 58 receptions.  Willie Haulstead is more of a deep threat; he led the ‘Noles with 15.4 yards per reception and six touchdowns.  Tight end Beau Reliford caught just 19 passes, but he should contribute more this season.

 

Running Backs

The situation is in limbo here.  Starter Chris Thompson has a bad back, and he is not getting many reps in practice and has missed multiple practices.  Last year, he led FSU with 845 yards while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.  Backups Ty Jones and Jermaine Thomas are both capable.  Jones has been a number one back in the past. 

 

Offensive Line

This is Coach Jimbo Fisher’s only concern on this side of the ball, and it really isn’t much of a concern.  Tackle Zebrie Sanders is recovering from a groin injury, and center David Spurlock has missed time and only recently began practicing in full pads.  Tackle Andrew Datko is the star of this unit.

 

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Simply, this is the best front four in the ACC and one of the top five nationally.  End Brandon Jenkins finished second in the league with 13 ½ sacks and 21 ½ tackles for loss.  If he goes pro, he could be the first defensive lineman taken in the 2012 NFL Draft.  Tackles Jaccobi McDaniel and Everett Dawkins make it difficult for enemy backs to run between the tackles.  As a unit, FSU led the nation with 48 sacks.

 

Linebackers

Nigel Bradham is the only returning starter to this unit.  Bradham led the Seminoles with 98 tackles and recorded five sacks and five passes defended.  Christian Jones has the potential to be an all-conference player in his sophomore season.

 

Secondary

All four starters return, but not all are guaranteed a starting spot this year.  The two-deep is hands down the best in the league.  Cornerbacks Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes teamed for 33 passes defended.  Lamarcus Joiner will start at one of the safety spots, meaning either Terrance Parks or Nick Moody will drop to second team.

 

OTHER

Punter Shawn Powell and place kicker Dustin Hopkins are the best in the ACC at their positions.  Hopkins has enough leg to connect from 60 yards.  Reid is one of the best punt returners in the nation.

 

SUMMARY

We believe FSU will score 35-40 points and gain 400-425 yards per game, while yielding about 17 points and 325-350 yards per game.  Their schedule has one big obstacle in it—a rematch with number one Oklahoma at Doak Campbell Stadium.  In league play, the Seminoles must visit Clemson and Boston College.  The finale with Florida may not be the tough game it has been in the past.

 

It is a big if to expect FSU to beat Oklahoma, but it is possible.  If they win that one, then their destination could easily be New Orleans, and we are not talking the Sugar Bowl.  11-1 headed into the ACC Championship is very possible.

 

Clemson

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Coach Dabo Swinney’s best recruiting effort may have taken place after the season.  Chad Morris comes in from Tulsa to take over at Offensive Coordinator.  So, expect a move to a no-huddle, hurry-up offense.  Can new starter Tajh Boyd impersonate G. J. Kinne?  Behind him are two true freshmen.  Boyd played in seven games and completed just 52% of his passes as a freshman.

 

Receivers

Wideout DeAndre Hopkins and Tight end Dwayne Allen give Boyd a couple of quality targets, but after that, the book is out on the rest of this group.  Hopkins led CU with 52 receptions, 637 yards, and four touchdowns.  Allen could compete for a final spot on the Mackie Award list.  True freshman Sammy Watkins could be the difference in making this a great unit or a better than average unit.

 

Running Backs

The Tigers lose Jamie Harper, who is now a Tennessee Titan.  Andre Ellington returns after starting six games and rushing for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns.  If he stays healthy, he could double that amount this year.

 

Offensive Line

The biggest concern here is the learning curve.  Four starters return from last year, but all the blocking schemes will be radically different.  Center Dalton Freeman has the talent to receive votes for the Rimington Award.  Guard Antoine McClain and tackle Landon Walker could appear on one of the postseason all-conference teams.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

This is going to be a liability and the reason why CU will not compete with Florida State for the ACC Atlantic Division title.  Da’Quan Bowers and his 26 tackles for loss is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.  Jarvis Jenkins is now a Washington Redskin.  The new replacements are not in their league.  The two returning starters are good ones, but neither will record 26 tackles for loss, and they probably will not combine for that many.  Andre Branch is good enough to become a star end in the ACC.  Brandon Thompson is a quality tackle, but this unit will take a big step backward.

 

Linebackers

Middle linebacker Corico Hawkins is the only returning starter to this unit.  He came up with 10 stops for loss last year, but he did not help much versus the pass.  A couple of true freshmen could see considerable playing time this year.  For now, sophomore Quandon Christian and Jonathan Willard will flank Hawkins.

 

Secondary

Xavier Brewer is the star of this unit.  The cornerback defended 10 passes last year.  Coty Sensabaugh was a late signee four years ago, and now the senior will finish his career as a starter.  Rashard Hall returns at one safety, while Jonathan Meeks will be the new starter at the other safety position.  Overall, this is an above average secondary but not a great one.

 

OTHER

Clemson’s schedule gives the Tigers an excellent chance to start 3-0 prior to hosting Florida State on September 24.  Home games with Troy, Wofford, and Auburn give CU a great chance to go 3-0.  Then, the Tigers host FSU and play at Virginia Tech in back-to-back weeks.

 

SUMMARY

Clemson averaged just 24 points per game and 335 yards per game last year.  With the new offense, CU should score 30-35 points per game and gain around 400 yards.  However, the new offense will make things harder for the green defense.  CU gave up just 19 points per game last year, but we see the Tigers giving up about a touchdown more in 2011.  Clemson should win eight or nine games and go bowling once again.

 

Boston College

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Chase Rettig is the clear number one this season, as the three quarterbacks that saw action last year all return.  Rettig passed for 1,238 yards and six touchdowns, but he threw nine interceptions and completed just 51% of his passes last year as a freshman.

 

Receivers

Boston College has been known for its tight ends, and Chris Pantale is the current star.  He caught 31 passes last year and could top that number this season.  Alex Amidon and Bobby Swigert return after combining for 55 receptions and six touchdowns.  There is a lot of experienced depth here, but it is not the most talented.

 

Running Backs

Montel Harris rushed for 1,243 yards and eight touchdowns last year, but he is going to miss some time at the start of the season due to a knee injury.  Backup Andre Williams is also a little banged up, so the Eagles are thin at this position as they start the season.  Rolandan Finch will get first crack at filling this spot until Williams and Harris are ready to go.  BC has averaged less than four yards per rush every year since Derrick Knight graduated as the all-time rushing leader in 2003.

 

Offensive Line

The Eagles have been known for developing excellent lines, but this year’s OL will be a liability for 3^rd year coach Frank Spaziani.  Only two starters return, and one of those two will miss the start of the season.  Guard Nathan Richman has a back injury and will not be ready for the start of the season.  Tackle Emmett Cleary is a titan at 6-07 and 300 pounds.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

The Eagles must start over almost from scratch in the trenches.  Three of the four starters from 2010 have left the building; BC gave up just a little over 80 rushing yards per game last year, and that number was not inflated by a lot of sacks.  Only tackle Kaleb Ramsey returns.  Ramsey made 7 ½ stops behind the line and finished with 39 tackles.  Max Holloway was a part-time starter last year.  He will start full-time at one end spot after leading the team with 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.

 

Linebackers

This is where the defense shines, and the reason the Eagles have a chance to repeat as the number two defense in the league.  It starts with return of consensus All-American Luke Kuechly, who led the nation with 183 tackles.  He also intercepted three passes and batted away three others.  Nick Clancy has been impressive in August drills, and he could become the new starter at the Sam position, while Kevin Pierre-Louis returns to the Will position.  Pierre-Louis was a Freshman All-American last year after recording 93 tackles.  If Clancy can repeat in games what he has done in scrimmages, this could become a top three unit.

 

Secondary

As optimistic as things are at linebacker, the secondary is almost as much pessimistic.  The dismissal of expected starting safety Okechukwu Okoroha and the back injury to cornerback Donnie Fletcher has left BC thin in the backfield.  Fletcher will miss the opening of the season.  The new safety figures to be Spenser Rositano, a true freshman.  Jim Noel started eight games last year and picked off four passes.  He will start at the other safety spot.  Cornerback Al Louis-Jean, a true freshman, will replace Fletcher until he is ready to return, while redshirt freshman Dominique Williams figures to start at the other corner spot.

 

OTHER

Boston College has yielded less than 20 points per game six of the last seven years and his not given up more than 333 yards in any of those seasons.  They have surrendered just 92 rushing yards per game in the last six seasons.

 

SUMMARY

This is a tricky season to predict Boston College’s outcome.  The Eagles could be as much as a touchdown weaker than normal to start the season due to key injuries, and their opener comes against Northwestern, a team that can beat them.  In week two, they have a trap game at Central Florida, before opening conference play in Chestnut Hill against an improved Duke team.  BC could be 3-0, 2-1, or 1-2 by this time, and that will give an excellent barometer for what will happen at the back end of the schedule.  Games four and five are as close to sure wins as they will have (hosting UMass and Wake Forest). The Eagles end the season on the road against Notre Dame and Miami.  Road games against Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Maryland will make for a tough October stretch.  If BC is to go bowling for the 13^th consecutive season, they need to start 4-1 at the least.

 

North Carolina State

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

There will be a drop-off from what they had to what they will get this year out of this position.  Russell Wilson left Raleigh with the thoughts of playing professional baseball.  He ended up playing college football in Madison, Wisconsin.  Mike Glennon takes over after completing nine passes for 78 yards last year.  Glennon saw action in three games last year, but he did play in seven as a freshman.  He won’t replicate Wilson’s numbers, but he will have some good games—and some bad games.  His mobility is a question at this point; he is not a dual threat like Wilson.

 

Receivers

The Wolfpack must replace their top two receivers from 2010.  Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams teamed for 112 receptions and 1600+ yards.  T. J. Graham should become the go-to guy this year.  He caught 25 passes and scored four touchdowns.  Coach Tom O’Brien is concerned with this position, because the talent level drops off quite a bit after Graham.  Tight end George Bryan will be called on to be a primary receiver after catching 35 passes last year.  Look for more dropped passes and fewer yards per reception.

 

Running Backs

Mustafa Greene led NCSU with 597 rushing yards last year, but a foot injury will keep him from playing until October.  O’Brien will choose from among four contenders to replace Greene for the first month.  James Washington, Brandon Barnes, Curtis Underwood, and Anthony Creecy could all see action.  Washington and Underwood have the most experience, but Creecy has the best moves.

 

Offensive Line

What was already a concern became something a bit more concerning after the ‘Pack saw one guard leave the program and two others suffer knee injuries that will keep them out for at least the first month of the season.  Nobody on the roster will earn an all-conference award this year.  Center Camden Wentz, guard Zach Allen, and tackle R. J. Mattes at least have experience on their side.  NCSU only averaged 3.5 yards per rush last year, and the OL gave up 39 sacks with a mobile quarterback under center.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

There’s more bad news on this side of the ball.  The one star in the trenches, J. R. Sweezy, is out six weeks with a foot injury.  That leaves end Jeff Rieskamp as the only player with real experience.  Rieskamp only picked up two QB sacks, but he did force 17 QB hurries. 

Linebackers

This trio is second in the conference in talent only to the group at Boston College.  Audie Cole recorded five sacks and picked up 10 ½ tackles for loss last year.  Terrell Manning added five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.  Rickey Dowdy figures to be the new starter after moving from defensive end.  The Wolfpack will miss Nate Irving, who led the team with 97 tackles and 20 ½ tackles for loss.

 

Secondary

All four starters return from 2010, but this unit is not a major plus.  Cornerback C. J. Wilson led the team with 10 passes defended, but his counterpart, David Amerson, only had one.  Safety Earl Wolff finished third on the team with 91 tackles and proved to be an effective safety blitzer.  Brandon Bishop led the team with four interceptions.

 

OTHER

O’Brien’s four years in Raleigh have seen his teams post 5-7 seasons in the odd years and advance to bowls in the even years.  The ease of the schedule could give him a chance to break that string.  After scoring almost 32 points per game and gaining more than 400, we do not see the Wolfpack matching those numbers this year.  Call it 22-26 points and 350-375 yards.  The defense could come close to matching last year’s record of 21 points and 340 yards. 

 

SUMMARY

Home games with Liberty, South Alabama, Central Michigan, and North Carolina plus a road games with Wake Forest and Virginia give NCSU a great shot for six wins.  A game at Cincinnati on Thursday, September 22, could be the best shot at a seventh win.  Do not expect another nine-win season.

 

Maryland

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

New head coach Randy Edsall brought in former BYU head coach and LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to run the Terp offense.  Crowton has an excellent quarterback to work with and an up and coming backup.  Danny O’Brien completed 57% of his passes last year for 2,438 yards and 22 touchdowns.  C. J. Brown shows promise, and if O’Brien falters or is injured, he is more than capable of playing for extended time.

 

Receivers

The Terps lost their top two receivers from a year ago, including Torrey Smith.  Smith caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns.  The new group of receivers should improve as the season progresses, but the road could be bumpy early.

 

Quintin McCree, Ronnie Tyler, and Kevin Dorsey combined for just 44 receptions and 524 yards.  There is some depth here with true freshman Marcus Leak a highly-prized recruit.  Tony Logan could challenge for a starting nod, and Kenny Boykins should contribute.

 

Tight end Matt Furstenburg added a dozen receptions but led the team with 17.2 yards per catch.

 

Running Backs

Davin Meggett takes over full-time here after splitting time with Da’Rel Scott last year.  Meggett rushed for 720 yards, seldom losing yardage.  He should go over 1,000 this year.

 

Offensive Line

Three starters return, but there are no stars on this unit.  The dismissal of guard Justin Lewis and the double broken legs of tackle Pete DeSouza from a motorcycle accident makes this a thin unit. Center Bennett Fulper, guard Andrew Gonnella and tackle R. J. Dill are the experienced veterans.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

All four starters from 2010 return this year, but end Justin Anderson has an injured foot.  He had lost his starting spot to Isaiah Ross.  The strength of this unit is at tackle.  A. J. Francis and Joe Vellano teamed for 107 tackles and 17 ½ stops for loss.  True freshman Keith Bowers could see the field early.

 

Linebackers

There is no depth at linebacker, so the three starters better stay healthy and be able to play for long stretches.  Kenny Tate moves to linebacker from safety after he made 100 tackles with 8 ½ for loss.  He intercepted three passes and broke up four others.  Demetrius Hartsfield finished third on the team with 88 tackles.

 

With no real depth here, Edsall moved Avery Graham from cornerback to a backup linebacker spot.  Graham is 5-10 and weighs just 195 pounds.

 

Secondary

Cornerbacks Cameron Chism and Trenton Hughes return after recording 18 passes defended, but only one interception.  Matt Robinson and Eric Franklin will not be able to match the efforts by last year’s safeties.

 

OTHER

Logan is an excellent punt returner.  In 2010, he took two punts to the house while averaging 18.1 yards per return.

 

SUMMARY

Edsall has a chance to send the Terps to a bowl this year, but the team will not match last year’s results.  The schedule offers them no favors.  Out of the league, the Terps host West Virginia, Temple, and Towson.  They face Notre Dame at Fedex Field (Washington Redskins home), which is basically a home game.  It looks like Maryland will go 2-2 in those games.  Maryland will have to break even in the league just to get to 6-6.

 

Wake Forest

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Tanner Price edged out Ted Stachitas in the spring.  As a freshman, Price led the Demon Deacons with 1,349 passing yards and seven touchdowns.  He completed 56.8%, but he only averaged 5.6 yards per attempt.  True freshman Kevin Sousa is the top incoming recruit, but he may not see the field this year.

 

Receivers

This unit is not all that strong, but it has to be an improvement over last year, when WF averaged just 144 passing yards per game.  Chris Givens returns after leading the Deacs with 35 receptions and four touchdowns.  However, Givens has a hamstring injury, and his status for the start of the season is unclear.  Danny Dembry (8 receptions) may start in his place.  Michael Campanero should more than double his number of catches in 2011, but he only caught 10 last year.  Tight end Andrew Parker is more of a run-blocker, while Cameron Ford is the better route runner.

 

Running Backs

The Demon Deacons averaged more than four yards per carry last year for the first time in five years.  Josh Harris returns after gaining 720 yards and scoring seven times.  He averaged 5.7 yards per rush.  Two quality backs will back him up.  Brandon Pendergrass and Nick Knott should both see action this season.

 

Offensive Line

Four starters return to the line, so this unit should fare better this year.  However, they are prone to giving up sacks.  Four of the five are seniors, so this unit will keep mistakes to a minimum.  Guard Joe Looney is the one candidate likely to appear on an all-conference ballot. 

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe switched the team from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in the middle of last year’s season.  It made Nikita Whitlock a nose guard instead of a defensive tackle.  Semantics aside, Whitlock recorded 10 ½ tackles for loss.  He got better as the season progressed.  Zach Thompson and Tristan Dorty will be the two new starters at end.  Dorty was a linebacker last year and made 7 ½ tackles for losses.

 

Linebackers

Kyle Wilber figures to be the star of this unit.  He comes off a season in which he led the team with 14 ½ stops behind the line and six sacks.  He also got his paws in on four balls to send them harmlessly to the ground.  Scott Betros, Justin Jackson, and Joey Ehrmann figure to make up the rest of the quartet.  Wilber has been nursing a sore hamstring, and in his absence, Zachary Allen has been subbing for him.  While not overpowering, this unit should improve this year if Wilber can get healthy.

 

Secondary

Three starters return, led by safety Cyhl Quarles, who recorded 71 stops last year.  Kenny Okoro and Merrill Noel will start at the corners, while Joe Bush starts at the other safety spot.  This unit has room for improvement after giving up 238 passing yards per game in 2010.

 

OTHER

Kicker Jimmy Newman was almost perfect last year.  He connected on all of his PAT attempts and was 12 of 13 in field goal attempted.

 

SUMMARY

The non-conference part of the schedule is Jekyll and Hyde.  Wake Forest plays at Syracuse and hosts Notre Dame, two games the Deacons figure to lose.  They host Gardner-Webb, the only sure thing on the schedule this year.  They host Vanderbilt in the season finale, and that game should be a close one.  Wake Forest will go 2-2 or 1-3 in those four games.  In the ACC, the Deacs host North Carolina State and Maryland, the two teams that figure to be just above them in the preseason polls.  Road games with North Carolina and Duke could be winnable based on how WF has performed leading up to those games.

 

There are not enough winnable games on the schedule to see any way Wake Forest could get to six wins.  Four wins seem about right.

 

COASTAL DIVISION

 

Virginia Tech

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Replacing all-time leading passer Tyrod Taylor will be tough.  Taylor passed for 2,743 yards with a 24/5 TD/int ratio, while rushing for more than 900 yards (sacks removed).

 

Logan Thomas is big and mobile.  At 6-6 and almost 250 pounds, he is built like a tight end and was recruited to Tech as an H-Back.  Thomas saw limited action as a freshman, completing 12 of 26 passes for just 107 yards, while rushing for 29 yards on five carries. 

 

Receivers

Coach Frank Beamer has three receivers capable of challenging for all-conference honors.  Jarrett Boykin leads the way after grabbing a team-high 53 receptions in 2010.  He averaged 16 yards per catch.  Danny Coale averaged nearly 19 yards on his 39 receptions, while former QB Marcus Davis added 19 receptions.  Chris Drager has moved from tight end to defensive end and back to tight end. Eric Martin shows promise and could be used in a double tight end formation.

 

Running Backs

David Wilson has 1,000-yard potential, and the Hokies will not miss much of a beat after losing two key backs, one of whom signed with the Arizona Cardinals.  Three players are competing for the backup position.  Josh Oglesby is the leader, followed by Tony Gregory and Michael Holmes.

 

Offensive Line

This shaped up to be one of the best in the country until injuries hit two starters.  Guard Greg Kosal suffered a shoulder injury, and tackle Blake DeChristopher went down with a pectoral injury.  Both players are well-ahead of schedule in their return, but neither may be ready for the season-opener.  David Wang is working as Kosal’s replacement, and Nick Becton, Michael Via, or Vinston Painter will fill in at tackle.

 

Center Andrew Miller takes over the starting role after seeing extensive playing time as a freshman.  He is a former high school state wrestling champion and the strongest player on the line.  Guard James Brooks made the 2^nd team all-conference squad last year.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has been at VT for a quarter century.  Last year, a young defensive line led to the Hokies giving up more than 20 points per game and 300 yards per game for the first time since 2003.  This year’s defensive line is a concern once again with three new starters.

 

The one holdover is tackle Antoine Hopkins.  His brother Derrick will start opposite him.  The new ends are James Gayle and J. R. Collins, with redshirt freshman Zack McCray and true freshman Luther Maddy backing them up.  The potential is there for this unit to be tougher to run on than last year and with an equal pass rush.

 

Linebackers

The Hokies have both quality and quantity here, as they can go two-deep with little drop-off in talent.  Bruce Taylor is a probably 1^st team All-ACC middle linebacker.  He led VT with 91 tackles and 15 ½ for loss last year with six sacks and 12 QB hurries.  He also showed his worth as a pass defender, separating the receiver from the ball four times.  Telvion Clark and Tariq Edwards are competing for one outside spot, while Jeron Gouveia-Winslow is competing with Nick Dew for the other spot.

 

Secondary

The Hokies have excellent talent, but they are not as deep here as Beamer would like to be.  Cornerback Jayron Hosley is the best in the league at his position.  He led the ACC with nine interceptions and finished tied for first with 17 passes defended.  Kyle Fuller replaces all-star Rashad Campbell; Fuller had six passes defended as a reserve last year.

 

Safeties Antoine Exum and Eddie Watley switched positions this summer, with Exum moving to free safety and Whitley moving to rover.  

 

OTHER

This is a much easier schedule for VT than the last two.  Appalachian State replaces Boise State and Alabama as the season opener.  Road trips to East Carolina and Marshall book-end a home game with Arkansas State.  The Hokies get Clemson, Miami, and Boston College at home and avoid Florida State.  They could easily run the table in the regular season.  One loss will eliminate them from any national championship talk.  They have to go 13-0 and hope two other big name teams do not do so as well.

 

SUMMARY

We believe Thomas will emerge as an excellent quarterback, but he will not be as consistent as his predecessor.  His percentage will be lower, but his yards per reception could be higher.  Look for VT to average 28-30 points per game and 375-400 yards per game.  On defense, the Hokies will recover from last year’s aberration and give up less than 20 points and 300 yards again.  A 12-0 regular season is a strong possibility, but remember this team has lost some early games to teams they should have beaten handily.  Remember James Madison last year and East Carolina in 2008?

 

Miami

Note: The PiRate Ratings have not been able to adjust for the recent news that emerged from Miami.  School President Donna Shalala revealed that 15 current players are being investigated for receiving illegal benefits from Miami booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro.  Those names were not release, but Shapiro implicated 12 players.  Since we do not know at this point just how involved things are, we cannot begin to deduct points from their rating.  We can try to put a number on the intangible destruction of the program as a whole, but for now, their PiRate Rating shows them as the second best team in the Coastal Division.

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Miami quarterbacks were a bit too generous with the ball last year, throwing 26 interceptions (2/game, almost 6% of all passes).  New head coach Al Golden faces an additional headache because the projected starter is one of the 12 current Hurricanes implicated by Shapiro.  Jacory Harris may or may not get to suit up this year for his senior season.  Harris has quite an arm, but he has not been accurate.

 

Sophomore Stephen Morris will inherit the position if Harris is declared ineligible.  Morris started the four times last year and posted stats similar to Harris—54% completions 6% interceptions.  He did average better than 15 yards per completion. 

 

Receivers

Again, it is unsure if this position will be decimated with ineligibility.  Travis Benjamin and Aldarius Johnson combined for 58 receptions and 900 yards last year; both were accused by Shapiro.  That would leave LaRon Byrd as the only experienced receiver.  He caught 41 passes, but Byrd does not have the elusiveness of the other two.  True freshman Phillip Dorsett could be thrust into action immediately.

 

The top two tight ends, USC transfer Blake Ayles and Chase Ford, have both missed practices with injuries.  Ayles was a 5-star recruit when he entered Trojanland four years ago.

 

Running Backs

Lamar Miller is a speedster, who can break open a long gain with the slightest of daylight.  He averaged six yards per carry and scored six times.  Mike James will back him up.

 

Offensive Line

This unit has a lot of depth, even with the loss of tackle Seantrel Henderson, who underwent back surgery and should miss the season.

 

Guard Brandon Washington made the 1^st Team All-ACC squad, while center Tyler Horn earned 3^rd Team honors.  Harland Gunn will start at guard.  Joel Figueora is a sixth year senior who can play either guard or tackle.  Redshirt Malcolm Bunche could start at tackle, while Jermaine Johnson and Jon Feliciano will provide depth.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

This area is going to take a major hit if its five implicated players are declared ineligible.  Projected starting tackle Marcus Forston, starting ends Marcus Robinson and Olivier Vernon, and key backups Adewale Ojomo and Dyron Dye are the heart and soul of the line.  Forston, Vernon, and Ojomo represent 114 tackles, 14 sacks, 30 tackles for loss.

 

Tackle Micanor Regis was not implicated by Shapiro.  He made 42 tackles with eight for loss.  True freshman Anthony Chickillo could join seldom used Andrew Smith at end.

 

Linebackers

One player was accused from this unit, but he is the best defender on the team.  Sean Spence finished second on the team last year with 111 tackles, 17 for loss.  Spence also knocked away six passes.  If he becomes ineligible, outside linebacker Ramon Buchanan will become the leader of this unit.  The vacant middle linebacker spot will go to Jordan Futch, with true freshman Gionni Paul providing backup.

 

Secondary

75% of the expected starting defensive backfield is on Shapiro’s List.  Cornerback JoJo Nicolas and Safeties Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque combined for 173 tackles and 15 passes defended.  This unit will become a major liability if these players are declared ineligible, and Miami will give up at least 100 extra yards through the air than they would have with the three starters in the lineup.

 

OTHER

Shapiro accused 12 players, but the university is investigating 15.  Aside from the possible loss of eligibility, the total repercussions are greater than just the loss of 12 or 15 players.  Others will “quit” on the team, and the situation will steamroller into a catastrophe.  The Hurricanes were in line to achieve 10 to 12 wins this year if the quarterbacks could cut down on interceptions.  It could get ugly in Coral Gables, and “The U” could be looking at a losing season.

 

SUMMARY

The schedule offers few breathers.  Miami begins the season playing at Maryland on Labor Day.  Then, the ‘Canes host Ohio State in what will receive some sarcastic billing as convicts vs. convicts.  A home game with Kansas State now becomes a losable game.  Bethune-Cookman is the only sure win if all the players are lost.

 

With all the players available, Miami could go 10-2.  Without them, the Hurricanes could finish with four or five wins.  They are somewhere between 17 and 25 points weaker per game if the players are declared ineligible.  Golden inherits a mess, and we would not be surprised if he leaves after just one season.

 

North Carolina

Here is another situation, but it pales in comparison to the one in Miami.  Butch Davis was fired as head coach late in the off-season, and defensive coordinator Everett Withers was appointed as interim head coach.

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Bryn Renner gets first crack at replacing T. J. Yates.  Yates completed 67% of his passes for 3,418 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, topping the eight-yard per attempt mark.  Renner threw two passes, completing one for 14 yards.  The Tar Heels passed for 264 yards per game in 2010, and it would be a stretch to think Renner can match that number.  Look for a considerable decline here.

 

Receivers

Renner has the top two receivers returning from 2010.  Dwight Jones led the club with 62 receptions and 946 yards.  Erik Highsmith finished second with 348 yards.  Jheranie Boyd is the wildcard here.  He took a pass from Yates and ran 97 yards for a score against LSU in last year’s opener, en route to a 221-yard night.  He was only 8 for 89 after that.  He also was used to run the wide reverse and gained 62 yards on 10 attempts.  This unit is loaded.

 

Running Backs

This unit loses its top three players from last year.  It welcomes back Ryan Houston, who missed last year with an injury.  Houston is not fast, but he requires two or more defenders to bring him down.  Houston will remind some fans of Jerome Bettis.  However, he has not participated in contact drills due to his shoulder surgery earlier this year.  The roster is thin after Houston with redshirt and true freshmen backing him up.

 

Offensive Line

This is where the Carolina offense needs to improve the most.  The Tar Heels’ line gave up 37 sacks last year.  Three starters return this year—center Cam Holland, guard Jonathan Cooper, and tackle James Hurst.  Cooper was a 2^nd Team All-ACC player, while Hurst earned Freshman All-American accolades.  Travis Bond started against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, and he will man the vacant guard position, while Brennan Williams will take over at tackle.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

What could have been the top DL in the nation last year turned into an average line due to the ineligibility of two top players.  End Quinton Coples took advantage of his chance to start and bankrolled it into a spot on the All-ACC first team.  He finished third in the league with 10 sacks and was credited with 12 QB Hurries.  Donte Paige-Moss starts at the other end spot.  Moss recorded 13 ½ stops behind the line.  Withers can count on three players to rotate at the tackle positions.  Tydreke Powell, Sylvester Williams, and Jordan Nix are all listed as 1^st string players.  While not as talented as what 2010 could have been, this is one of the best lines in the league.

 

Linebackers

Two starters return from last year; Kevin Reddick and Zach Brown finished one-two in tackles with 74 and 72 respectively.  Reddick has all-conference potential.  Darius Lipford will be the new starter.  This unit is about average for the ACC.

 

Secondary

A hand injury to expected starting cornerback Jabari Price will keep him out for at least all of September.  Charles Brown will miss the opener after having to sit out a game, so two new cornerbacks will start at the beginning of the season.  Safety Tre Boston might start at cornerback until Brown and Price are back.  Matt Merletti will start at one safety position.  Wide receiver Todd Harrelson moves to cornerback to fill in, and true freshman Tim Scott might start the opening game.

 

Brown is the star of this unit, but UNC will sorely miss Da’Norris Searcy and Deunta Williams.  Opponents will find holes in the Carolina secondary.

 

OTHER

There is only one cupcake on the schedule, and James Madison must be taken seriously; just ask Virginia Tech!  The remainder of non-league games include home games with Rutgers and Louisville and a trip to East Carolina.  UNC will be fortunate to go 3-1 in those four games.  UNC draws Virginia, Clemson, and North Carolina State from the Atlantic and avoids Florida State.  It looks like a 4-4 conference mark will be their limit this year; interim coaches are hit or miss.

 

SUMMARY

The Tar Heels will try to rely on more lengthy drives rather than trying to make quick touchdowns.  They averaged just 25 points per game but gained close to 400 yards per game.  The yardage definitely will drop, but the scoring could be about the same and not much less if any.

 

Defensively, the ‘Heels will go as far as their front four will take them.  The back seven is a little suspect, especially in the secondary.  Opponents will complete 60% of their passes and gain more than 200 yards through the air.  We believe UNC will surrender about as many points as they score.  It looks like another so-so season in Chapel Hill, but cheer up Carolina Fans—basketball season is not that far away.

 

Duke

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

If Harris is ineligible at Miami, Duke’s Sean Renfree will be the only returning quarterback in the Coastal Division.  Renfree is on the cusp of breaking out into Coach David Cutcliffe’s next star passer.  He tutored a couple of guys with the last name of Manning, so he knows how to develop passers.

 

Renfree threw for more than 3,100 yards and completed better than 61% of his passes last year.  14 of those passes went for touchdowns, but 17 went into the wrong pair of hands.  If he can reduce his mistakes this year, we could be looking at an All-ACC performer.

 

Receivers

Renfree has some quality players to pass to.  Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner could both finish in the top five in the league in receptions and yardage after combining for 133 catches for 1,709 yards last year.  Brandon Braxton will at least double his amount of receptions this year after grabbing 14 passes in 2010.  Tight end Cooper Helfet added 34 receptions, so this group has talent. Keep an eye on true freshman Jamison Crowder.

 

Running Backs

At Duke, 110 yards per game is an exemplary amount of rushing yards.  It was the most in five seasons in Durham.  Desmond Scott, Josh Snead, and Juwan Thompson all return after sharing the load last year, and the Duke running game should top 100 yards again this season.  The quartet will also top four yards per carry, making this unit abnormally strong in 2011—at least for Duke.

 

Offensive Line

This is the major question mark on this side of the ball.  The Blue Devils’ offensive line has been rather offensive in recent years.  The loss of starting center Brian Moore for an indefinite amount of time (fractured forearm) clouds the issue even more.

 

Cutcliffe has recruited well the last couple of years, and we have a sneaky suspicion that the offensive line will improve to mediocrity this season.  At Duke, mediocre is a milestone.

 

Dave Harding was an outstanding freshman last year in a part-time starter role.  He will move in from guard and take over at center.  Perry Simmons and Kyle Hill will protect the flanks and open up holes at their tackle positions.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

The biggest addition to the defensive line will not suit up once this season.  He is new defensive line coach Rick Petri.  Petri has over 30 years of successful experience.

 

Petri will mold a defensive line that improves on the 200+ yards allowed rushing and only 12 sacks.  Duke switches to a 4-2-5 defense this year.  Sydney Sarmiento and Charlie Hatcher return to the inside.  Sarmiento shows promise and could emerge as a star in the next couple of years, while Hatcher is a two-gap plugger.  He finished second on the team last year with 7 ½ tackles for loss.  End Kenny Anunike is nursing a bad ankle and could miss the opener, but redshirt freshman Dezmond Johnson could step in and produce for the Blue Devils.

 

Linebackers

This is the biggest liability on the team.  Mike linebacker Kelby Brown is smaller than some safeties, and he is coming back from a knee injury.  Austin Gamble will team up to form a rather weak two-man tandem. Brown hustles and makes a lot of plays, but frequently backs get an extra yard or two.

 

Secondary

Three starters return to a unit that is not that far from respectability.  Safety Matt Daniels is the star of this unit.  He played admirably against both the run and pass last year, coming up with six stops behind the line and batting away seven passes with an interception.  Lee Butler returns at a safety position after posting nine passes defended.  August Campbell will take on the new hybrid safety/linebacker position.

 

Ross Cockrell led the Blue Devils with three interceptions.  He returns at one cornerback spot, while Zach Greene figures to start at the other spot.

 

OTHER

Duke missed a seven-win season by a thin margin last year.  Close losses to Wake Forest, Maryland, Boston College, and North Carolina left Duke at 3-9 instead.  If the offense improves by four to five points, and the defense does the same, Duke could be looking at its first six-win season since 1994.

 

SUMMARY

We admit here at the PiRate Ratings that we have the highest esteem for Coach Cutcliffe and believe he will guide Duke back to a bowl game—if not this year, then next.  Duke can win six games this year.

 

The schedule has become somewhat easier since the start of summer.  Duke’s opening game against Richmond got a lot easier when the Spiders had to replace their coach following his DUI arrest less than two weeks before the game.  The Blue Devils also face Miami and North Carolina, two more teams facing dilemmas.

 

Add Tulane and Florida International as well as home games with Georgia Tech and Wake Forest and a road game with Virginia, and you can make a case for six wins.

 

Virginia

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Uh-oh!  Virginia is in a bit of a mess here.  It’s nice to have four options at quarterback, but Coach Mike London is having to choose from a weakness and not a strength.  The loss of Marc Verica will cause UVA to drop drastically in the passing game. 

 

Sophomore Michael Rocco appears to hold a slight edge at this point after throwing 25 passes last year.  True freshman David Watford could eventually be the man under center, while Michael Strauss and Ross Metheny are in the mix.  Whoever ends up playing, expect a possibility of 100 less passing yards this season.

 

Receivers

The Cavs must replace their top play-maker from 2010.  Dontrelle Inman averaged 18 yards on his 51 receptions, and there is nobody on the roster capable of matching those numbers.

 

Kris Burd actually led in receptions with 58, but he is the only receiver capable of becoming a breakaway threat.  True freshman Darius Jennings could emerge as a key player in his first season.

 

Running Backs

Perry Jones was a co-primary option last year and rushed for 646 yards and a touchdown.  The absence of Keith Payne and his ability to convert on third and short and at the goal line will cost more than his 750 rushing yards.

 

Offensive Line

The only reason for optimism on offense this year is a rather decent and experienced offensive line.  Four starters return, including tackle Morgan Moses, who stood out as a freshman last year.  Center Anthony Mihota, guard Austin Pasztor, and tackle Oday Aboushi are the other three returning starters.  This unit is the only real plus on the 2011 offense.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Virginia could not stop enemy backs last year and was torched for more than 200 rushing yards per game and better than five yards per rush allowed.  The pass rush only produced 19 sacks, so there is a lot of room for improvement.

 

London will play three tackles in a rotation.  Matt Conrath, Nick Jenkins, and Will Hill will split time inside.  At end, Jake Snyder and Cam Johnson will start.  Johnson is the stud of this unit; he led the Cavs with 6 ½ sacks and 14 ½ tackles for loss.  Expect some improvement in the trenches.

 

Linebackers

This is the major liability on this side of the ball, even though all three starters return from 2010.  Middle linebacker Steve Greer, Will linebacker LaRoy Reynolds, and Sam Linebacker Aaron Taliaferro are competent but not spectacular.  The trio made 161 stops last year but only 1 ½ sacks on blitzes.

 

Secondary

The back line is quite talented, and with the addition of some quality recruits, it will have depth this year as well.  Cornerback Chase Minnifield led the Cavs with 10 passes defended including six interceptions. Safety Rodney McLeod provided excellent run support, but he needs to improve in the passing game.  True freshman Tra Nicholson takes over at the other cornerback spot.  Three other true freshmen, cornerback Brandon Phelps and safeties Anthony Harris and Darius Lee will see playing time.

 

OTHER

Virginia’s schedule will give them a chance to top last year’s four wins.  The Cavaliers should be favored in three of their four non-ACC games.  They host William & Mary in the opener, but UVA lost to W&M two years ago.  The Tribe will be tough to beat.  Virginia travels to Indiana and hosts Southern Miss and Idaho.  It is a tricky non-league slate; the Cavs could win all or lose all, but we believe they should go 3-1 or 2-2.  In ACC play, Virginia must play at Miami and North Carolina, the two schools with predicaments. If those games had been at Scott Stadium, then UVA might be figured to win both. 

 

SUMMARY

The Cavaliers return 17 starters, but three of the four missing were the top three players on offense.  We believe the new offense will have a tough time exceeding last year’s offense.  The defense will definitely be better, but the question remains: how many more plays will the stop side have to defend if the offense does not gel?

 

We believe Virginia is looking a repeat of last year.

 

Georgia Tech

 

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Joshua Nesbitt was known only for his running skills, but he ran the option like a magician.  He was on pace for a 1,000-yard rushing season before he went out for the season against Virginia Tech in game nine.  Tevin Washington started the last three regular season games plus the bowl game, and he put up similar numbers to Nesbitt.  Look for Washington to lead the team in rushing, but his passing may be no better than Nesbitt.  Tech completed just 38.1% of their passes in 2010, numbers that sound like the 1940’s and 1950’s.

 

Receivers

The top four receivers return to the fold.  Okay, the top four receivers caught a grand total of 40 passes, so this position is more about downfield blocking and getting open deep when the defense thinks you will decoy or block yet again.  Stephen Hill got open and led the team with 15 receptions; he averaged close to 20 yards per catch.

 

Running Backs

The Yellow Jackets will miss Anthony Allen, who led the ACC with 1,316 yards.  The new B-Back (fullback) is former quarterback David Sims.  He has won the job after being fourth on the depth chart in spring.  Don’t expect 1,300 yards from this position, but Sims will get the job done and force an extra defender into the box to prevent him from gaining three, four, and five yards with consistency.

 

Both starting A-backs (slot backs) return this year.  Orwin Smith and Roddy Jones combined for 869 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, mostly on pitches from Nesbitt. 

 

Tech must cut down on the high number of fumbles this year.  They were -6 in turnover margin because of the numerous fumbles in the option plays.

 

Offensive Line

Even though option offenses can cover up liabilities in the blocking corps, this is still a big concern.  Two players expected to start will not be available at the beginning of the season.  Will Jackson and Phil Smith are out with injuries.  Jackson was selected as a Freshman All-American last year.  Backup guard Ryan Bailey is also out with an injury, so GT has some issues here. 

 

True freshman Trey Braun will start at one of the guard spots.  Omoregie Uzzi, the top blocker, will start at the other guard spot.

 

In the option offense, the line must make a lot of calls prior to the snap, and it requires a lot of thinking prior to reacting.  With the line in despair, this could be a problem early in the season.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

This is the only area on this side of the ball that does not have a lot of holes to fill.  As it is, the defensive line is average at best.

 

All three starters return.  Nose tackle Logan Walls can adequately plug the middle.  He only made 23 tackles, but he kept blockers away from the inside linebackers.  Ends Izaan Cross and Jason Peters combined for 11 ½ tackles for loss, and Cross knocked away four passes.  This group is not the best pass rushing trio, and they allowed enemy runners to average 4.5 yards per carry.

 

Linebackers

Two starters return, but it is new starter Jeremiah Attaochu that should become the star of this mediocre quartet.  As a freshman in a reserve role, the outside linebacker registered 23 tackles with three sacks.  Steven Sylvester will man the other outside linebacker spot, while Julian Burnett and Daniel Drummond will start on the inside.  Sylvester led the Techsters with 10 ½ tackles for loss.

 

Secondary

This unit is in shambles, and it is the reason the PiRate Ratings list them as the last place team in the Coastal Division to start the season.

 

Not having much depth to start with, GT lost two players that were expected to contribute.  Fred Holton tore his Achilles tendon and is done for the season, while Ryan Ayers transferred to Liberty.

 

Louis Young will start at one cornerback.  In limited action in 2010, he made 10 tackles.  Rod Sweeting takes over at the opposite corner after recording eight passes defended.  Safeties Rashaad Reid and Isaiah Johnson have some experience, but neither will be able to replace Dominique Reese, who was tough against both the run and pass.  Look for GT to give up more than 225 yards per game through the air.

 

OTHER

Tech’s special teams were not that special last year.  They had trouble covering punts, and there was virtually no help with punt returns.  Expected kick returner B. J. Bostic begins the season in street clothes and may be a medical redshirt.

 

SUMMARY

Georgia Tech led the nation in rushing with an averaged of 323 yards per game, and they could lead the nation again this season.  However, teams will put eight and nine in the box and force Tech to pass.  An option team needs to be able to average over eight yards per pass attempt to scare defenses into staying honest; Tech averaged just 6.5 yards and will more than likely do no better this year.  It adds up to some stagnation on offense, so we do not see the Yellow Jackets equaling their offensive production of 2010 (26 points and 407 yards).

 

Defense is going to be a sore spot, and second year coordinator Al Groh has a short fuse that could cause some dissension if early problems develop.  We do not like the prospects for this program in 2011.

 

Only an easy September schedule could save the season.  GT hosts Western Carolina to start the season and then visits Middle Tennessee.  They return to host Kansas and North Carolina to close out the month.  The Jackets need to be 4-0 if they plan on going to a bowl game, because the schedule is tough once October arrives.  If GT starts 2-2, then they will finish with four or five wins.

 

2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Media Poll
Team	1st Place Votes	Points
Atlantic Division
Florida State	65	420
Clemson	4	286
N. C. State		270
Boston College	2	224
Maryland		211
Wake Forest		80
Coastal Division
Virginia Tech	66	421
Miami	4	328
North Carolina		287
Georgia Tech	1	226
Virginia		132
Duke		96
ACC Championship
Florida State		50
Virginia Tech		18
Clemson		2
Boston College		1

 

 

2011 Big East Conference PiRate Ratings
Team	PiRate #	Prediction
Atlantic Division
Florida St.	123.3	8-0/13-0 *
Clemson	110.3	5-3/8-4
Boston Coll.	109.7	3-5/6-6
N.C. State	109.1	4-4/7-5
Maryland	106.5	4-4/6-6
Wake Forest	98.5	1-7/3-9
Coastal Division
Va. Tech	116.1	8-0/12-1
Miami	115.2	3-5/5-7 ^
N. Carolina	106.8	4-4/7-5
Duke	99.8	3-5/6-6
Virginia	97.9	2-6/4-8
Georgia Tech	97.5	3-5/6-6
* Florida State picked to beat Va. Tech
in the ACC Championship Game
^ This prediction based on possibility of 12
to 15 players being declared ineligible.
If they play, Miami is picked to win 9 games.

 

2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

Go to www.piratings.webs.com where we beat the spread 60.4% in 2009!

 

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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 10^th 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 1^st 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 3^rd 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 1^st or 2^nd 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 2^nd 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?

2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Preview

A PiRate Look

Four teams finished with 5-3 records in the ACC last year.  That’s not abnormal.  However, when 5-3 wins both divisions of a 12-team league, that’s a sign of real parity.  Unfortunately, it was a parity of mediocrity.  In 2007, Boston College won the Atlantic Division with a 6-2 record.  Wake Forest did the same in 2006.  This year, the parity should begin to wane some, but the races in both divisions should go down to the final week, and tiebreakers once again could determine the division title winners.  All 12 ACC members have exploitable liabilities, and many teams can take advantage of them.  However, no team has the tools to exploit all of those liabilities, so we expect no 8-0 conference records yet again.

Here are the preseason PiRate ratings for the league.  The ratings have been rounded to the nearest whole number even though we calculate them to two decimal places.  Thus, when you see multiple teams with the same rating, they are not actually exactly even.  To understand what the rating means, it is set so that 100 is average.  Thus, a rating of 90 means the team is 10 points weaker than the average team in the FBS.  The average of all 120 FBS teams should round to 100 if the math has been successfully calculated.

For those who have not followed the PiRate Ratings before and wonder about the home field advantage, we do not assign set in stone advantages.  These are assigned on a game-by-game basis.  For instance, when Florida State hosts Florida, the Seminoles only get about two points for home field advantage.  However, if a smaller school, such as Arkansas State comes to Tallahassee for Homecoming, FSU’s home field advantage jumps by several points. The PiRates think it’s ridiculous to issue a blank home field advantage for all teams or even assign a range of set home field advantages.

	Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason PiRate Ratings
			Prediction *
	Team	PiRate	ACC	Overall
	Atlantic Division
	Florida State	116	5-3	7-5
	Clemson	113	6-2	10-3	#
	Boston College	109	1-7	4-8
	North Carolina St.	108	3-5	6-6
	Wake Forest	106	4-4	8-4
	Maryland	98	2-6	4-8
	Coastal Division
	Virginia Tech	117	7-1	10-2
	Georgia Tech	115	7-1	10-3	#
	North Carolina	113	6-2	10-2
	Miami-FL	108	4-4	6-6
	Virginia	99	2-6	4-8
	Duke	97	1-7	3-9
	*  Predictions not based on PiRate Rating but
	on expected changes to rating during the year
	# Clemson to upset Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game

 

Atlantic Division

Florida State:  The Seminoles are no longer the beast they were for a quarter century.  They are simply an above-average team that doesn’t challenge for national honors any more.  While they begin the season highly ranked in the PiRate Ratings, we just don’t see any way that they will stay there.  By October 22, we see FSU sporting a record no better than 4-3 and possibly just 3-4 with three tough games to play.

The Seminoles, once one of the toughest defenses to crack, appear quite vulnerable against both the run and the pass.  The defensive line no longer has all-Americans manning the four spots.  This year, we don’t even see an All-ACC caliber player up front.  Look for FSU to surrender more than four yards per rush for the first time in ages.

With a weaker pass rush, the secondary will find the going tough against quality passers.  The Seminoles will be vulnerable to quick receivers coming across the middle of the field.

The one real star on this side of the ball is linebacker Dekoda Watson.  He made eight stops for losses last season, but he’s going to see an extra blocker headed his way this year.  We envision FSU giving up 25 points per game and 350 total yards per game.

The offense is in better shape, and if the ‘Noles can manufacture an above-average rushing attack, they will be able to outscore several opponents.  It all starts up front, where State has the top line in the conference.  Center Ryan McMahon will start in the NFL early in the next decade, and guard Rodney Hudson could do so next year.  They should make the running game look better than it normally would and protect the QB with great pass blocking.

The fortunate QB is Christian Ponder.  He threw for just a little over 2,000 yards last year and with a so-so 14/13 TD/INT ratio.  Those numbers will be much better this season.  Ponder can take off and run at any time and could even lead FSU in rushing in several games.

A mediocre receiving corps will look better because Ponder will have more time to look for an open receiver.  Give any college receiver and extra two seconds to get open, and they will most of the time.

The running attack is not strong and will need exceptional blocking to match last year’s numbers (179 yards per game and 4.8 avg. per run).  Expect a group effort here with Jermaine Thomas leading the way.

The schedule gives the Seminoles a couple of easy wins (Jacksonville State and Maryland), one for sure loss (Florida), and several tough games they could win or lose (Miami, BYU, USF, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Clemson, and Wake Forest).  There will be days where FSU can win by outscoring their opponent, but there are going to be defenses that can slow them or shut them down.  It adds up to another just above average season and lesser bowl bid. 

Clemson: The team that has been picked to break out and have a big season every year in recent memory has never done so.  Tommy Bowden never could reach that next level.  Now it’s Dabo Swinney’s turn to try.  He went 4-3 after taking over at mid-season.  Swinney is primed to return CU to its old way of playing football—using the run as the principle weapon to set up the pass as a surprise weapon.  The defense should be better because they won’t be on the field for 67 plays per game.  Five to eight fewer plays by the opponents could lead to 35 fewer yards and three fewer points per game before factoring in the improvement on that side of the ball.

The Tigers’ defense is strongest on the back line.  The secondary has two shut down cornerbacks who will take away a lot of opponents’ passing plans.  Chris Chancellor and Crezon Butler can both make the All-ACC team.  Last year they teamed up for 15 knocked down passes and eight interceptions.

All three of last year’s starting linebackers return, and Kavell Conner was the team’s leading tackler with 125.  Middle linebacker Brandon Maye is capable of having 100 tackles.  DeAndre McDaniel has moved to safety, and he’s going to put a hurtin’ on some poor receiver who tries to catch a weak pass.

Up front, Clemson’s line is among the best in the league.  Three starters return; Da’Quan Bowers, Jarvis Jenkins, and Ricky Sapp combined to record 23 tackles behind the line in ’08, and that number could improve this year.

Clemson gave up only 17.3 points and 300 yards per game last year, but we expect those numbers to be even better this year.  How about 15 points and 270 yards per game allowed?

The offense wasn’t a standout attack unit last year, and the Tigers might only match those numbers of 25 points and 329 yards per game, but it’s how those numbers will be accrued that counts.  We expect CU to run for 190 and pass for 140 yards per game, using three more minutes of clock time.

New quarterback Kyle Parker is not much of a passing threat, but he can run the ball like a fullback in the open field.  When CU must pass, Willy Korn could be the man doing so.

At running back, Clemson has super quick C. J. Spiller returning after finishing second on the team in rushing last year with 629 yards and seven scores.  He caught 34 passes out of the backfield and could be used on play-action and screen passes this season, as well as being a safety valve on other plays.

The receivers will take on less responsibility this year, and they will be required to block downfield more than last year.  Tight end Michael Palmer could see more passes thrown his way because Parker will command the linebackers to keep him in their sights lest he take off and run.

The offensive line returns intact from last year, and it is the equal of the OL at Florida State.  They will open holes for Spiller and protect Parker or Korn on passing plays.

The schedule presents a few bumps.  CU must play at Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina State, and South Carolina.  One of the non-conference home games is against TCU, who should be 2-0 and highly ranked when they visit on September 26.

Boston College: It may just be a hunch, but all of us here at the PiRate Ratings believe there’s going to be a collective BC headache this year in Chestnut Hill.  For the third time in four seasons, the Eagles have a new head coach.  Frank Spaziani has been the head coach at BC before—for the 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl against Navy (BC won 25-24).  In addition to the change at the top, the Eagles will have to go with a quarterback they didn’t plan on starting.  Dominique Davis couldn’t keep up his academic load and was dismissed from the team.

The new quarterback is yet to be determined, but freshman Justin Tuggle is in the lead with a week to go before the season begins.  Codi Beck, a former fullback, and Dave Shinskie are in the picture as well.  The BC passing game is going to falter some, and it wasn’t all that spectacular last year.  In the final three games against Maryland, Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game, and Vanderbilt in the bowl, Davis and Chris Crane completed just 43% of their passes.

Two of the top three receivers from last year return, but Rich Gunnell and Justin Jarvis are not going to be attracting the eyes of NFL scouts.

The running game will have to step it up a notch if BC is to score consistently this year.  Montel Harris and Josh Haden teamed up for 1,379 yards at a 4.6 average last year and could top that this year by 200 yards. 

A usually strong offensive line will not deviate from that statement this year.  However, they aren’t as good as either Florida State or Clemson. 

The defense was tough last year, giving up just 268 total yards per game.  The defense suffered a big blow when linebacker Mark Herzlich, was diagnosed with bone cancer.  We here wish him a speedy recovery and hope he is able to return to the field in 2010.  Herzlich was a one-man wrecking crew leading BC with 110 tackles, 13 behind the line, breaking up eight passes, and picking off six more.  He cannot be replaced by anybody on the roster.  Mike McLaughlin takes over as the leader of this side, and he could be considered a junior Herzlich.

The Eagles are going to regress some in the trenches following the loss of two NFL draftees at tackle.  B. J. Raji was a 1^st round pick and Ron Brace went in the 2^nd round.  Expect to see teams running line plunges for a few extra yards against the defense.

The secondary returns three starters who need to do a much better job this year in order to make up for a weaker trio of linebackers.  Wes Davis has a chance to shine from his free safety position.

After two easy games to start the season, BC opens conference play at Clemson, and it could be ugly.  Road games against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame could produce the same result.  The Eagles could split their four home conference games, but they could easily lose all their road games.  It looks like a year away from bowl competition in 2009. 

North Carolina State: This was a tale of two seasons a year ago in Raleigh.  The Wolfpack began the year 2-6 and looked to be headed to a possible nine loss season.  Then, Coach Tom O’Brien’s team acted like a switch had been activated.  NCSU demolished Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Miami to sneak into the Papajohns.com Bowl (where they lost to an even hotter Rutgers team).  The Wolfpack could be better this year as a whole, but the record may not be any better as teams remember the shellacking they received in November and seek revenge.

Quarterback Russell Wilson earned 1^st team All-ACC honors in his freshman season last year, and he is the leader in the clubhouse for repeating this year.  All he did as a freshman was pass for 17 touchdowns with just one little interception!  That’s got to be the greatest TD/INT ratio in a major conference ever!  Wilson can run the ball too, but our advice is for him to limit that this year.  Behind him, the reserves are much weaker, and Wilson is injury-prone.

Wilson’s top two targets are back in the fold this year.  Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams combined to catch 57 passes for 1,123 yards and nine scores.  Both can burn a secondary for a long touchdown, and both can win a jump ball in the end zone.  Tight end George Bryan provides a nice secondary target and must be respected by the defense.

The returning running backs are more of the plodding, power variety than the quick burst of speed variety.  That could present a small problem, because it takes a good line to hold their blocks long enough for the backs to hit the holes.  The offensive line is the weakest unit on the offense.  NCSU could fail to rush for 100 yards per game in conference play.

The defense showed little signs of improvement in O’Brien’s second year in Raleigh, and it will be hard to show much improvement this year as well.  The secondary was hit hard by graduation and defections.  Two projected starters quit the team and transferred elsewhere.  It leaves a huge hole, and the Wolfpack might give up more passing yards than last year’s dismal secondary (249 yards per game and 62.2% completions).

More problems abound at linebacker, where Nate Irving, a potential All-American, saw his 2009 season end in a summer car crash.  That leaves Ray Michel as the only holdover in the middle of the defense.  Michel led the team with 85 tackles, but he’s no Irving.

The defensive line will have to get the job done, or else State will give up a lot of yards and points.  Willie Young has the potential to be a star but not the next Mario Williams.  He should be a first day draft pick next year, but he will see some heavy double teams this year.

The Wolfpack will pick up some easy wins against some weak competition (Murray State, Gardner-Webb, Duke, Maryland), but they will get it handed to them against the top tier teams in the league.  Expect something like a repeat of last year, but the wins won’t all come in November.

Wake Forest: Jim Grobe ranks as the top coach in the Atlantic Division.  He gets more out of his talent than any other head man.  He will have to come up with one great accomplishment to keep his defense from imploding after losing his three starting linebackers and three starting defensive backs.  Replacing Alphonso Smith (seven INT and 13 PBU) will not be possible.

Wake surrendered 18.3 points and 297 total yards per game last year, but the Deacs could give up close to that in passing yardage alone this season.  Brandon Ghee is the only returnee to the back seven, and he’s anything but a star.

The defensive line returns three starters, but only nose tackle Boo Robinson will contend for All-ACC honors.

With the top five tacklers, including first round draft pick Aaron Curry and fourth round pick Stanley Arnoux, the Demon Deacons will be much more angelic to enemy offenses in 2009.

All is not lost in Winston-Salem, for the Wake Forest offense has a chance to be really good this year.  Quarterback Riley Skinner is a master at the quick passing game.  He can lead a team downfield with a long, time-consuming drive with short passes; call it five yards and a cloud of wind.

When Riley throws, he will see some unfamiliar faces.  He won’t have D.J. Boldin around this year, after Boldin led the Deacs with 81 receptions.  In this offense, receivers can acclimate quickly with short routes.  Holdover Marshall Williams can be a great change of pace wide out, as he can get open deep.

The running game is not the same as the Wake Forest running games of 2002-2004, when all the cut blocking was giving them a bad reputation.  Look for quite an improvement here this year, as the top three backs return and could combine for 1,200-1,400 yards on the ground.  Skinner can sneak by for a first down on a scramble.

The offensive line returns five players who have started in their careers.  The two tackles, Joe Birdsong and Chris DeGeare will protect Skinner like he’s gold.

Expect a season much like 2007 in Winston-Salem this year.  Wake Forest will outscore opponents much like Florida State, and much like Florida State, they will falter on offense a few times and suffer some tough losses.  Still, it looks like a fourth consecutive bowl bid.  As always, there will be some coaching changes at power schools, and Grobe will probably wind up on a few short lists once again.

Maryland: This figures to be a long year in College Park.  The Terrapins suffered more to graduation than any league foe, and they have been wiped out in the trenches on both sides of the ball.  When a team cannot block at the line and gets blown off the line on defense, they aren’t going to win many games.

Let’s start with the offense.  Coach Ralph Friedgen has some weapons back, but without decent blocking, those weapons can produce only so much.  Quarterback Chris Turner is an average signal caller for this league.  He threw 13 touchdown passes, but he also tossed 11 interceptions.  He has a tendency to have wild streaks and miss his receivers. 

Turner has lost his top two receivers from last year.  Darius Heyward-Bey took a lot of flak when Oakland made him their first pick in the NFL draft with Michael Crabtree still on the board, but he’s set to start for the Raiders while Crabtree is set to lose the year and return to the draft.  Heyward-Bey led the Terps with 42 receptions and 609 yards, and there isn’t a player on the team who can rival his speed.

Maryland has a tough running back tandem returning in Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett.  Scott rushed for 1,133 yards and eight TDs last year, but it will be difficult if not impossible for him to repeat that feat.

The offensive line lost four key contributors and will take a step back this season.  Only center Dave Cost, who moved to the middle from guard, and part-time starting tackle Bruce Campbell return this year.  Expect Maryland’s offense to falter many times and average only 18-19 points and 300-325 total yards per game.

The news isn’t much better on the other side of the ball, as the entire starting defensive line is gone.  Tackle Travis Ivey has the most experience, but he made just 26 stops last year in nine games.

Only one starter returns at linebacker, but he’s the best player on this side of the ball.  Alex Wujciak led the Terps and finished second in the league with 133 tackles, 8 ½ of which went for losses.  The two new starters cannot come close to equaling the production of last year’s starters who combined for 171 tackles and 17 for losses.

The secondary will have four senior starters, two of whom started a year ago.  Cornerback Anthony Wiseman broke up 10 passes, but he’s likely to see opposing quarterbacks pass away from him more this year.  That may be a mistake because Nolan Carroll has the potential to be better than Wiseman.  He broke up eight passes last year after starting four games.

The Terp pass defense will suffer if the pass rush doesn’t help it some.  Give any QB an extra couple of seconds to pass, and he can shred Florida and Southern Cal with completed passes.

The schedule is going to keep Maryland under .500 this year.  Out of the conference, the Terps must face California in Berkeley to open the season and Rutgers.  They will be looking up at the rest of the Atlantic Division and will be fortunate to win more than two conference games and more than four overall.

Coastal Division

Virginia Tech: If one team is going to break through the parity party and run away from the field, this one is the favorite to do so.  However, the Hokies still have some issues to be resolved, and we think they will suffer at least one conference defeat and one out of conference defeat.

The unexpected loss of one player brings Tech back to the pack.  Star running back Darren Evans may have been a Heisman Trophy contender with a big year.  He ran for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, but unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in practice.  It’s not like the backups who will come to the forefront are chopped liver, but they aren’t going to get into the Heisman Trophy picture either.  Instead of dominating in the running game, Tech will just be average here and rush for about 150-160 yards per game.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor could actually become the leading rusher by default.  He better have a stellar season afoot, because he isn’t going to strike fear in the opponents with his arm.  Tight end Greg Boone will get some snaps out of the wildcat formation, but Coach Frank Beamer limits its use to a couple plays.

Taylor has a wealth of talent to catch his passes this year.  Every player with double digit receptions last year returns this year, led by Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale, and the aforementioned Boone.  Taylor’s passing numbers will improve from about 130 to 175 yards per game.

The offensive line will give Taylor ample time to throw or run the ball, and they should be strongest in the off-tackle and wide running lanes on the left side where tackle Ed Wang and guard Sergio Render form an excellent tandem.

Beamer’s teams are noted for top notch defensive and special team’s play.  This year’s stop troops won’t disappoint, but they won’t live up to recent standards either.  Tech gave up 16.7 points and 279 yards per game last season, but those numbers will rise this year.  If they rise to 18 points and 300 yards, Tech will be okay and contend for another league championship.  If they top 20 points and 330 yards, then the Hokies might lose a key extra game that costs them the division title.

The question mark rests at linebacker, but we believe they will be okay there even though the two lost players were the top two tacklers.  Cam Martin and Cody Grimm platoon at the whip linebacker position, and they totaled 122 tackles with 19 ½ for losses. 

Up front, three starters return, including Jason Worlds at end.  Worlds will contend for 1^st team All-ACC honors after earning 2^nd team accolades last year.  He led Tech with 18 ½ stops behind the line including eight dumps of the quarterback.

The secondary returns three starters as well.  They were one of the best in the nation last year, but they should be even better in 2009.  Cornerback Stephan Virgil and safety Kam Chancellor will vie for all-conference honors.

Virginia Tech faces three out of conference foes expected to contend for division championships in their respective conferences.  The Hokies begin the season playing Alabama in Atlanta.  They also host Nebraska and make a visit to East Carolina with revenge on their minds.  They must make an even more important second trip to Atlanta on October 17 to face Georgia Tech.  The winner of that game could be the Coastal Division representative in the ACC Championship Game.

Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson is the nation’s top contrarian coach.  In an era where the spread passing game is all the rage, Johnson is still a proponent of the old option offense made popular by the Split-T in the 1940’s and 50’s and the veer and wishbone of the 60’s and 70’s.  The so-called football experts claimed a BCS conference team could not succeed running such an archaic and antiquated offense.  Let us let you in on a little secret folks: with the right personnel, the single wing offense from the 1920’s could devastate BCS defenses today. 

Johnson’s teams at Navy and Georgia Southern, as well as the days when he was an offensive coordinator at Hawaii and Navy the first go-around always made huge strides on offense in the second year of his implementing his package.  We expect year two at Tech to be more of the same.

10 starters return to an offense that averaged 24.4 points and 372 yards per game (273 on the ground).  It is our belief that the Yellow Jackets will top 300 rushing yards per game this year and score upwards of 30-35 points per game.  Start with an experienced Josh Nesbitt at quarterback, who rushed for 693 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season running the option.  Backup Jaybo Shaw showed promise as well, and it is required of this offense to have more than one capable quarterback.

Jonathan Dwyer thrived in the new offense, gaining 1,395 yards and scoring 12 times, while averaging an eye-popping seven yards per carry.  It earned him ACC Offensive Player of the Year.  His numbers could decline a little but for a great reason.  Former 1,000 yard rusher at Louisville Anthony Allen is now eligible after sitting out a year.  It wouldn’t surprise to see both Dwyer and Allen top 1,000 yards on the ground and wear out some defenses.  When defenses bunch up to stop those two, watch out for the pitch to two speedy slot receivers.  Lucas Cox and Roddy Jones combined to average 8.7 yards every time they ran the ball.  There could be a game where Jones,  Allen, and Dwyer all top 100 yards!

Cox and Jones are pass catching threats to go all the way every time they receive a surprise pass.  Demaryius Thomas caught 53% of Tech’s completed passes and accumulated 49% of the yards.  He will see more deep balls thrown his way this year. When Georgia Tech passed the ball last year, they averaged 7.8 yards per attempt and 17.4 yards per completion.  Those numbers could be more like 9.5-10 yards per attempt and 18-22 yards per completion this year.  If so, the Techsters will be almost impossible to stop.

The offensive line has four starters returning if you count tackle Nick Claytor a starter.  He started the final five games and played spectacularly against some very strong defensive opponents.  This unit is all about run blocking, and they will break down if Tech finds itself in too many obvious passing downs. 

Not to be overlooked is an experienced defense that returns its top five and eight of its top nine tacklers.  Tech will be much tougher this year against the pass, as six of the seven back defenders will return to the starting lineup.  The Jackets gave up 193 passing yards per game last year and picked off 17 passes.  Look for those numbers to improve to 170 yards and 20 interceptions in ’09.

The star of the secondary is rover Morgan Burnett, who intercepted seven passes and broke up eight more.  He found time to bring down seven runners behind the line as well.

At linebacker, all three 2008 starters return.  They weren’t stellar, but they were more than adequate.  None will make the All-ACC team, but they won’t be a liability either.

Up front, Tech has a little to worry about, and it will be their Achilles heel.   Three key players have used up their eligibility, and only end Derrick Morgan returns.  Tech could see its rushing defense numbers jump from 120 to 150 yards allowed per game.

The annual rivalry finale with Georgia is the only non-conference game for the Yellow Jackets to fret over, as they should handle the other three.  The schedule favors Tech in the Coastal Division race, as they host Virginia Tech and North Carolina.  Back-to-back Thursday night games against Clemson and Miami could decide whether the Virginia Tech game in October will be for the division title. 

North Carolina:  Coach Butch Davis has quickly rebuilt the North Carolina football program back to where it was during the Bill Dooley and Dick Crum days.  The Tar Heels may soon be as successful on the gridiron as they are on the hardwood.

Nine starters return to a defense that gave up 21.2 points and 365 yards per game.  Expect those numbers to improve to 18-20 points and 325-350 yards per game.

The strength of the defense is the line.  The front four could be one of the five best in the nation this year, as all four starters return to the fold.  Tackles Cam Thomas and Marvin Austin both top 300 pounds but have exceptional first movement on the snap of the ball.  All four of the second four return as well, so the Tar Heels will have the best depth in the nation outside of Gainesville, Florida or Norman, Oklahoma.

Two starters return at linebacker, and middle linebacker Quan Sturdivant will be playing for pay in a year or two.  Sturdivant led UNC with 122 tackles and played tough against the pass as well.

Three starters return in the secondary, and two of them should make the All-ACC team.  Cornerback Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams combined for 143 tackles, 8 ½ tackles for loss, six interceptions, and eight deflected passes.

The offense will struggle at times this year, and that’s why UNC will probably come up short in the Coastal Division.  The Tar Heels averaged 28 points on just 321 yards per game last year; the total yardage could go up, but the point total will drop.

T. J. Yates and Cameron Sexton were expected to split quarterback duties again this year, but Sexton transferred.  Yates has had problems staying on the field, even suffering a sprained thumb in spring practice.

Yates may not recognize his receivers when they line up before the first snap.  Five of the top six pass catchers are gone, leaving only Greg Little and his 11 receptions as a holdover.  Expect some drop in passes caught and yardage gained.

The running game should be able to make up for the lost passing yardage and maybe add a little more than that.  Shaun Draughn gained 866 yards last year, and we expect him to top 1,000 this season. 

The offensive line is the offensive question mark as three starters are missing from last year, including guard Aaron Stahl who had a year of eligibility left but decided to leave after graduating in May.

The Tar Heels’ schedule should allow them to win all four non-conference games (Citadel, Connecticut, East Carolina, and Georgia Southern).  Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are both road games, and that’s why we believe UNC will miss out on a share of the division title by a game.  This team is good enough to win the title if the passing game can make any hay.  

Miami-FL: Here is a program that should always have enough talent to compete for the ACC crown.  However, the Hurricanes have yet to make it to the ACC Championship Game.  Coach Randy Shannon guided Miami to the Emerald Bowl last year, and that’s about where we expect them to be this season.

Inconsistent quarterback play has kept this program from turning the corner the last few years, and that problem will repeat this year.  Sophomore Jacory Harris is the only experienced signal caller left after two players left the team after spring practice.  True freshman A. J. Highsmith may see significant playing time if Harris struggles or is injured. 

Harris has almost all of his receiving weapons returning this year, so he should have a lot of open looks when he throws.  10 players had double digit receptions, and nine of them are back, headlined by Aldarius Johnson.  However, if Harris gets injured, we can foresee a major drop in passing yards in the games he misses—down to as low as 100-125 yards per game.

Luckily for the Hurricanes, they have two very capable running backs.  Graig Cooper led the team with 841 yards, and Javarris James added 286.  Those numbers will increase by about 200-300 yards split between the two.  As a team, we expect to see UM run for 175 or more yards per game.

The offensive line is a work in progress.  Tackle Jason Fox has NFL potential, but he cannot block three defenders at once.

Miami’s defense was dominant when the Hurricanes were competing for national titles.  The past two seasons, the ‘Canes have ranked in the lower half in defensive statistics in the ACC.  If they are going to return toward a defense of dominance, it will start with the linebackers taking over.  Colin McCarthy, Darryl Sharpton and Sean Spence all have all-conference potential.  Add in three returning starters up front, led by tackle Marcus Forston, and opponents will not run the ball with much success.

The secondary has some holed to fill, but it should be at least as good as last year.  Opponents may pass the ball for more yards, but they are going to pass the ball several additional times.

The Hurricanes will know their fate on Monday night, September 7.  The opener against Florida State in Tallahassee should eliminate the loser from their respective divisional race.  UM gets 10 days to prepare for the home opener against Georgia Tech, and that could mean the difference in an upset win instead of a loss.  If they can open 2-0, then Miami’s players could start to believe they can win.  Nine days later, the ‘Canes play at Virginia Tech, who will have the regular seven days between games.  If they are 3-0 at this point, they have a legitimate shot at winning the Coastal Division.  If they are 2-1, they are still in the race.  If they are 1-2, they can still recover and get to a bowl.  If they are 0-3, they are in big trouble because regardless of the record after three games, game number four will be a bad loss.  Oklahoma comes to Miami.

Virginia: Al Groh is on the hot seat in Charlottesville, and another losing season could be the end of his tenure at UVa.  Coach Groh, it doesn’t look too promising for you, because you’re missing a lot of talent from last year’s 5-7 team.

The Cavs appear to be ready to begin the season with a 5’9 quarterback.  Vic Hall is a former starting cornerback who played admirably on short notice in the season finale against Virginia Tech.  Coach Groh has called him a “Kung Fu Fighter,” as he gives everything and leaves it all on the field.  However, at 5’9, he’s going to have a tough time passing over the line. 

To make matters worse, all the key receivers from last year are gone.  Jared Green is the leading returnee after catching just 12 passes for 144 yards.  No other player on the roster caught even 100 yards worth of passes nor averaged 10 yards per catch.

It’s almost as sad at running back, as the leading returning rusher, Mikell Simpson, gained 262 yards at three yards per rush.

The offensive line has four starters back, so it gives the new skill players a little bit of cushion.  We don’t see the Cavs matching their offensive output of last year, and they only averaged 300 yards and 16.1 points per game.

The defense isn’t going to bail out the offense.  In fact, they have as many problem areas as the offense.  The top four tacklers have departed, including three key linebackers.  Three starters return to the secondary, and two of three starters return in the trenches, but as a whole, this defense is a bit small and not all that quick.  Opponents will run the ball with more success this year, and they won’t have to throw at the Cavalier strength. 

Virginia hosts Duke and should exact revenge after getting slaughtered last year in Durham.  The Cavs also host Boston College.  Those two are the only winnable conference games as we see it.  Two of the four non-conference games are going to be tough and probably losses.  TCU and Southern Mississippi can beat UVa.  The sports talk shows in the Commonwealth and in DC will be creating a lot of coaching rumors as soon as it becomes apparent that the Cavs will not enjoy a winning season.

Duke: Seven games into the 2008 season, Coach David Cutcliffe appeared to be on the verge of guiding Duke to a possible winning season and bowl game.  The Blue Devils were 4-3 with wins over soon-to-be bowl teams Navy and Vanderbilt.  However, in game eight, Duke had a chance to get to 5-3, but lost to Wake Forest in overtime after missing a makeable field goal at the end of regulation.  As so often happens with young and unsuccessful teams, that was enough to drain out the extra energy.  Duke didn’t win again, losing the final four games by an average of 13 points per game.

The Blue Devils may have blown their best opportunity to break through with a winning record, because they are going to take a step backward this season. 

A defense that surprisingly played much better than expected last year will regress back to usual form and give up 30 points per game this season.  Seven of the top 10 tacklers from last year graduated, leaving Duke with several holes on that side of the ball.

Two starters are missing from all three units on the stop side, but the biggest loss of all is linebacker Michael Tauliili, who led the team in tackles for the third time in his career.

Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis returns for his senior season after passing for 2,171 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six picks.  Backup Zack Asack was switched to safety and then dismissed from the team. 

Re’Quan Boyette returns at running back after missing last year with an injury.  He rushed for 432 yards in 2007, and he should form a large platoon that could improve upon last year’s 106 rushing yards per game by 20-30 more.

Lewis has a couple of decent holdovers at receiver, but he lost top receiver Eron Riley and his 61 receptions.  Combine that with three lost starters in the offensive line, and Lewis could be running for his life more than he did last year.

We see one winnable conference game on the schedule this year.  Maryland comes to Durham, and the Terps have several issues themselves.  Outside the league, Duke better take care of business when they play Richmond, Army, and North Carolina Central.  Richmond, the defending FCS National Champion, beat Duke 13-0 just three years ago, and they are a better team now.

Next up: Will Southern Cal make it eight in a row in the Pac-10?  Can Cal challenge the Trojans?  Will the Washington schools make progress?  Can Stanford make it to a bowl?