Atlantic Coast Conference
Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech Hokies
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-0)
Loss: at LSU (9/8)
Key Players: LB Vince Hall, LB Xavier Adibi, RB Brandon Ore, WR Eddie Royal, WR Josh Morgan, , T Duane Brown, CB Brandon Flowers, CB Macho Harris, DE Chris Ellis
QB Sean Glennon, DT Carlton Powell
Newcomer: OL Aaron Brown, redshirt freshman
Virginia Tech has the perfect blend for a championship season this upcoming year. Head Coach Frank Beamer’s team features a strong run game, excellent special teams which has been a trademark for this team (hence the name BeamerBall), and a stingy defense, which was best in the nation in 2006 in both passing yards allowed (128.2) and points (11.0) per game. Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall could both wind up being 1st team All-Americans. The only crutches for the Hokies may be the progression of junior quarterback, Sean Glennon (or sophomore Ike Whitaker if he is replaced) and a relatively young offensive line. Tech will be tested early on with a trip to one of the most hostile environments, “Death Valley” (Tiger Stadium) to face LSU – arguably the best team in the country – in the second week of the season.
Final Verdict: Ball control offense and a stout D is the recipe for success. Look for the Hokies to be in the BCS Championship talk come December.
2. Miami HurricanesProjected Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Losses: at Oklahoma (9/8), at Florida State (10/20), at Virginia Tech (11/17)
Key Players: DE Calais Campbell, S Kenny Phillips, DE Eric Moncour, G Derrick Morse, WR Lance Leggett, RB Javarris James, WR Sam Shields, CB, Glenn Sharpe, DT Teraz McCray, QB Kyle Wright/Kirby Freeman
Newcomer: RB Graig Cooper
The best thing to ever happen to the Hurricanes was the departure of Head Coach Larry Coker and the change of the lax Miami regime. Former Miami Defensive Coordinator Randy Shannon assumed the head role months ago has begun to change protocol with his no-nonsense attitude. Structure will be just what this talented team needs. The Canes enter the season with experience on the offensive line and depth in the running game with Javarris James, Charlie Jones, and Graig Cooper. They also return 7 players on a defense that finished 4th in the nation in rushing yards (67.9) per game. Kenny Phillips continues on the lineage of great safeties from “The U.” However, the quarterback position is still unsteady and has been ever since Ken Dorsey left. Once a top-rated prospect, senior Kyle Wright has to make good decisions or the more athletic Kirby Freeman will take his job.
Final Verdict: The Miami defense will keep them in most games. While the offense is improved from last year, three tough road games, each with strong defenses may prove to be too much for the Canes.
3. Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsProjected Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Losses: at Notre Dame (9/1), Boston College (9/15), at Miami (10/13), Virginia Tech (11/1)
Key Players: RB Tashard Choice, QB Taylor Bennett, OG Andrew Gardner, S Jamal Lewis, P Durant Brooks, DE Adamm Oliver, LB Philip Wheeler, WR James Johnson, S Djay Jones
Newcomer: LB Anthony Barnes
Similar to several ACC teams, Georgia Tech will be operating a predominantly ground-oriented attack. Senior Tashard Choice, a former transfer from Oklahoma, led the ACC in rushing yards last year and looks to have an even better season as 4 out of the 5 linemen return for 2007. While Calvin Johnson’s departure certainly hurts, James Johnson more than adequately fills the role as Tech’s #1 receiver. QB Taylor Bennett is less experienced than others, but has performed well in his short time in the limelight. Tech’s defense returns 8 including standout middle linebacker Philip Wheeler, an All-American candidate.
Final verdict: If the Yellow Jackets can get past Notre Dame and BC early in the season, their momentum could carry them a long way in the ACC.
4. Virginia CavaliersProjected Record: 7-5 (4-4)
Losses: Georgia Tech (9/22), Pittsburgh (9/29), at Maryland (10/20), at Miami (11/10), Virginia Tech (11/24)
Key Players: G Brandon Albert, DE Chris Long, RB Cedric Peerman, DE Jeffery Fitzgerald, CB Chris Cook, QB Jameel Sewell, C Jordy Lipsey, G Ian-Yates Cunningham, LB Jermaine Dias
Newcomer: RB Keith Payne
The loss of deep threat WR Kevin Ogletree in spring practices hurts this already sputtering offense. Quarterback Jameel Sewell is still recovering from wrist surgery. On the upside, Virginia has 18 of the 22 starters returning on offense and defense including standout defensive end, Chris Long.
Final verdict: The Cavaliers are capable of staying in games with their defense, but are not talented enough to play with the cream of the crop just yet. Nevertheless, expect an improvement on last year’s 5-7 squad.
5. North Carolina Tar HeelsProjected record: 4-8 (2-6)
Wins: James Madison (9/1), at Eastern Carolina (9/8), at NC State (11/10), Duke (11/24)
Key Players: WR Hakeem Nicks, K Connor Barth, G Calvin Darity, RB Johnny White, LB Durrell Mapp, S Trimane Goddard, DE Hilee Taylor
Newcomer: DT Marvin Austin
The signing of Butch Davis brings promise to Chapel Hill, but the team is grossly inexperienced to expect a great jump in performance this year. 11 of the 22 starters are freshmen or sophomores.
Final verdict: North Carolina will be a force in the Atlantic Coast Conference…in 2008 or 2009.
6. Duke Blue DevilsProjected Record: 1-11 (0-8)
Wins: Connecticut (9/1)
Key Players: QB Thaddeus Lewis, WR Jomar Wright, LB Michael Tauiliili, FB Tielor Robinson, DE Patrick Bailey
Newcomer – TE Danny Parker
Duke reached a low even for a program as lowly as Duke has been when it went 0-12 last year. The team has a little talent, especially at quarterback, but to predict Duke to win more than 2 or 3 games this year would be foolish.
Final verdict: Duke will win a game in 2007, which is more than the team did in 2006.
Coastal Offensive MVP – RB Brandon Ore, Virginia Tech
Coastal Defensive MVP – DE Calais Campbell, Miami
Coastal Newcomers of the year – RB Graig Cooper, Miami; DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina
4 comments:
Notre Dame will not beat Tech. ND's offense will not be nearly as good as GT's defense is always stiff. ND's defense is still pretty weak.
I was tempted to pick Tech over Notre Dame. I simply went with ND because they are at home and are tough to beat when there. I have ND winning maybe 7 games
Remember that Charlie Weis is pretty creative offensively. I site the reasonable job he did with New England's smallish receiving core. Notre Dame is going to run the ball down people's throat this year - which will result in a lot of big play-action completions to John Carlson (tight-end). We'll score points.
The defense isn't going to shut anyone down (except maybe G-Tech), but it'll be much improved.
Coming to South Bend the first game of the season and leaving with a W is not an easy task regardless.
whos gonna run the ball for ND? and Tech will shut down the Irish completely unless one of the Qbs makes an impact. despite home field, ND is breaking in too many new faces on O.
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