ACC Atlantic Preview
The ACC will be as competitive as its been in quite some time this year. With 10 of the 12 teams returning their starting QBs(not counting Maryland's CJ Brown whose out for the year) and some high caliber defensive players this could be a banner year. The projections below suggest a huge ACC season.
Atlantic Division
1. Florida State-FSU is hoping that QB EJ Manuel will finally have the breakout year most have expected of him. The success of the
offense rests on his shoulders. With big targets in Christian Green and Rodney Smith and slot receiver Rashad Greene he should have a big year. The offensive line, which allowed 41 sacks last year, remains a question mark in addition to a subpar running game. On defense, the Noles are one of the best in the country
lead by their defensive lineman Brandon Jenkins and Bjoern Werner. The secondary will be lead by veterans Xavier Rhodes and Lamarcus Joyner but will have inexperience at the corner opposite of Rhodes due to the dismissal of Greg Reid. Look for sophomore Nick Waisome and Ronald Darby to fill that void. The special teams should once again be very good and will make a big difference in close games. Projection: 11-1(7-1)
2. Clemson-The defending conference champs hope to repeat some of their early success from last season but wish to finish the season off better. Quarterback Tajh Boyd would prefer to play the entire season like the first 8 games last season when he threw 24 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He should be more consistent throughout the year and young talented receiving corps will help his stats. Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins is one of the best playmakers in the country but will miss the first 2 games of the season due to eason. Expect DeAndre Hopkins, Charone Peake, and Martavis Bryant to step up in his
absence and carry the load. The O-line will be lead by Senior center Dalton Freeman but will have 3 new starters and could take time to develop chemistry. The defense, once again, has many question marks. Andre Branch and Brandon Thompson are gone from the defensive line that was a strength of the D leaving Mallicah Goodman to in a position to carry the D-line or make it their weakness. The linebackers looked confused at times last season but Stephone Anthony, Corico Hawkins, and Lateek Townsend have made strides to change that. The Tigers return 3 of their 4 starting DBs and also could get contributions
from freshman Travis Blanks when they use 5 defensive backs. Expect senior safeties Xavier Brewer and Rashard Hall to have huge years. Projection: 10-2(6-2)
3. NC State-The Pack look to use a strong finish last season to develop some momentum this year. NC State will be tested early against Tennessee but have potential first round draft picks on both sides of the ball that could lead to success. One of those players is 2nd year starting QB Mike Glennon. Glennon is tall and has and NFL ready arm. State returns only 1 of its top 4 receivers and will look to a 3 running backs to contribute throughout the season. The backfield will be lead by James Washington who provided consistency to their running game. Mustafa Greene should add some power back to the running after missing last year with injury. The starting offensive line will combine to have 113 starts before the season starts so blocking should not be an issue. On defense, David Amerson should be a top 10 draft pick and is as good as a DB as there is in the country after tallying and ACC record 13 interceptions last season. The D-line will be lead by Art Norman who had 7 sacks and 30 QB hurries last year. The weakness of the defense will be its linebacker play as it has been depleted and lacks experience. Projection: 8-4(4-4)
4. Wake Forest-Last year, Wake Forest was expected at the bottom of the division but went 5-3 while upsetting Florida State and giving Clemson all it could handle in a game that would determine the Atlantic Division Champion. This year's team will be lead by 3rd year starter Tanner Price who through for over 3000 yards last season. Michael Campanoro will lead the receivers and should be a 1000 yard receiver. The offensive line will be lack experience with Garrick Williams as the only returning starter. Josh Harris looks to bounce back from an injury filled junior season and should provide the consistency he showed as freshman. The defense will return 7 starters lead by nose guard Nikita Whitlock who amassed 10.5 tackles for loss last season. 3 seniors and 1 junior will fill the linebacker spots of Wake's 3-4 defense and hop to get improved contributions from Justin Jackson and Scott Betross. ACC Defensive Player of the Year Merrill Noel who lead the ACC with 21 passes defended. Projection: 7-5(4-4)
5. Boston College-BC returns 9 starters on offense but will have a tough road if it wants to make a bowl. JR QB Chase Rettig will be back for his 3rd year as a starter and look to improve his TD to interception ratio. The top 4 receivers return giving BC chemistry in the passing game. The backfield returns their top 3 rushers and should have a big year lead by Duece Finch. With 4 of their offensive lineman returning the Eagles should be capable of putting up points. On defense, Kevin Peirre-Louis will be expected to step up and fill the void left by 1st round draft choice Luke Kuechly. The defensive front will likely be the weakness of the team and will have to vastly improve. Last year the BC defense had only 6 sacks in their last 5 games. The secondary is questionable at best and lacks good talent. Projection: 3-9(1-7)
6. Maryland-The Terps appear headed to another disappointing year after starting QB CJ Brown went down with a knee injury. The offense will be lead by true freshman Perry Hills and his backup another true freshman in Caleb Rowe. Hills is accurate and also a good runner. He should be able to lean on their #1 WR Kevin Dorsey and one of the best freshman in the country Stefon Diggs. The rushing attack could be week as the top returning RB is Justus Pickett. The run game could get contributions from freshman Wes Brown. The defense returns 9 starters lead by Demetrius Hartsfield and Eric Franklin both of whom had over 100 tackles last year. The D line will have good experience as well. The defense may struggle to put up good numbers due to the offense putting them in bad situations. Projection: 3-9(0-8)
Coastal Division
1. North Carolina-North Carolina enters the 2012 season with a bowl ban and a new coach in Larry Fedora. Bryn Renner is returning as quarterback after starting every game last season. He should do well behind an offensive line that is as talented as any in the country lead by Jonathon Cooper and James Hurst. Erick Highsmith should have no problem stepping into the #1 receiver role. Giovani Bernard looks to avoid a sophomore slump after posting over 1600 total yards last year. The offense should be one of the most balanced in the ACC and the defense will be good as well. Kevin Roddick will be the unquestioned leader on a defense as middle linebacker. The secondary has good experience and should do well handling most offenses they will face. The Dline is the weakness of the team and will look to Sylvester Williams to step up and replace Quinton Coples. Projection: 11-1(7-1
2. Virginia Tech-Virginia Tech is on the door step of being a national contender. Another year with Logan Thomas at quarterback should provide the offense with veteran leadership after losing a wealth of talent on offense. The biggest question mark on this team will be at running back as the leading returning back, Daniel Dyer, only had 30 yards last season. Redshirt freshman Michael Holmes should compete for the starting running back position. Marcus Davis and DJ Coles will look to replace Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin at receiver. The offensive line only returns one starter and will depend on inexperienced players to develop early. On defense, the Hokies return 9 starters and will look to Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum to shut down opposing offenses. James Gayle, JR Collins, and Bruce Taylor should be able to pressure quarterbacks into making mistakes. The VT defense should be one of the best in the country. Projection: 11-1(7-1)
3. Georgia Tech-Paul Johnson always has his Yellow Jacket team well prepared and this year is no different. Not often does a college QB lead his team in rushing but Tevin Washington did so while totaling almost 1000 yard rushing. David Sims will once again be expected to carry the load up the middle as the B-back while Orwin Smith and his 10 yards per carry will look to get the ball on the outside. The receivers will be inexperienced but should do fine as Tech doesn't pass much but when they do wide outs are normally open. The offensive line returns all 5 starters and should once again should be at the top nationally in rush yards per game. The will be without last year's leading tackler Julian Burnett but returns the next 5 leading tacklers. Jeremiah Attaochu will expected to be one of the ACC's premiere defensive lineman if the Rambling Wreck hope to have a good defense. Projection: 10-2(6 2)
4.Virginia-The Cavs should once again finish in middle of the conference. 3rd year coach Mike London will look Perry Jones and Kevin Parks to lead as a good one two punch in the backfield. Michael Rocco is the returning starting QB but will have to earn his spot over Alabama transfer and former #1QB prospect Phillip Sims. Whoever earns the nod at quarterback will be behind a solid line that returns 3 starters featuring tackle Morgan Moses. Tim Smith will be expected to contribute at wide receiver but none of the top pass catchers are over 6 foot tall. The Cavs may have to lean on tight end Colter Phillips and 6-6 height as a red zone threat. Stever Greer will be the leader of the D after tallying over 100 tackles last year and LaRoy Reynolds should reek havoc as well after posting 8 tackles for loss. The defense could struggle against pass heavy teams as the secondary unit lacks much experience and UVA doesn't have a good pass rush. Projection: 6-6(3-5)
5.Miami-In his 2nd year as coach, Al Golden will have a difficult time with a tough schedule and a team that is still rebuilding. Stephan Morris didn't do very well in limited action last season and will be a surprise if he does well. At receiver, the Canes lost their top 2 pass catchers and will look to freshmen and sophomores to contribute. Left guard Jon Feliciano will anchor the offense after not allowing any sacks last season. And Mike James will have one last chance to live up to the hype he received when he first came to Miami. The defense loses its top tackler but Denzel Perryman should have as a sophomore at middle linebacker. The secondary lacks experience after dismissing troubled free safety Ray-Ray Armstrong. Anthony Chickillo should be a solid pass rusher for a questionable defensive front. Projection: 5-7(3-5)
6. Duke-David Cutcliffe has help the Blue Devils make strides in its football program but still hasn't been able to develop into many wins. The offense has been solid under Cutcliffe and will once again be lead by QB Sean Renfree. Renfree has combined with receiver Conner Vernon as a good QB WR combo but will need to have to do better than 14 tds and 11 interceptions if Duke hopes to compete for bowl eligibility. The run game should once again be questionable but RB Juwan Thompson averaged 4.2 yards per carry and Desmond Scott averaged 5.1 yards per carry last season. The Oline returns 4 of 5 starters and should help the Blue Devils to be a good offensive team. The defense returns 9 starters but ranked 90th in total defense last year. The defense has on one underclassman starter and should improve somewhat with experience. Projection: 3-9(0-8)
Championship Game
Florida State vs. Virginia Tech: This would be a rematch of a regular season game and could determine which team will finish in the top 5 nationally. Virginia Tech would benefit from UNC being ineligible for the post season and take their spot in the Championship. Florida State will have a tough time winning in the regular season at Blacksburg on a Thursday night but at a neutral site the advantage shifts to FSU. The Noles have a good enough offense to give them an edge and win the ACC Championship in Charlotte. Pick: Florida State
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