College Football Preview - ACC Part II

Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Division

1. Florida State Seminoles
Projected Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Losses: at Virginia Tech (11/10), at Florida (11/24)

Key Players: WR Greg Carr, RB Antone Smith, DT Andre Fluellen, S Myron Rolle, QB Drew Weatherford/Xavier Lee, WR De’Cody Fagg, S Roger Williams, CB Tony Carter, LB Geno Hayes
Newcomer – DT Paul Griffin (JUCO)

After a poor season in which Florida State finished 7-6 (3-5 in ACC), changes needed to be made especially with the offense. Bobby Bowden’s son and Florida State Offensive Coordinator Jeff Bowden resigned and the Seminoles brought in LSU offensive guru Jimbo Fisher. Fisher’s job will be to develop the two underachieving junior quarterbacks, Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford, and establish a running game that ranked 103rd in the nation last year. Although Florida State’s offensive line is inexperienced, they have an ample amount of playmakers with 6’6” receiver Greg Carr, RB Antone Smith, and WR De’Cody Fagg. On the defensive side, Andre Fluellen anchors a deep and talented front line which specializes in stopping the run. In the secondary, Roger Williams and especially Myron Rolle will make things difficult for an aerial attack. FSU’s only weakness may be in its group of linebackers, which are inexperienced due to the departure of Buster Davis and Lawrence Timmons.

Final verdict: Florida State has enough talent to win every game. If they are not wildly inconsistent like last year, this team should at least make it to the ACC Championship game.

2. Boston College Golden Eagles
Projected Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Losses: at Virginia Tech (10/25), Florida State (11/3), Miami (11/24)

Key Players: QB Matt Ryan, WR Kevin Challenger, OL Gosder Cherilus, DT B.J. Raji, RB L.V. Whitworth, RB Andre Callender, LB Jolonn Dunbar, LB Brian Toal, CB DeJaun Tribble
Newcomer – TE Jordon McMichael

Tom O’Brien’s defection to NC State may have signaled trouble in BC country, but O’Brien certainly left an experienced program in the hands of first year coach Jeff Jagodzinski. 16 starters return from last year’s 10-3 team including 9 on defense. BC is different from most programs in the ACC in that it has a proven passing attack. Led by preseason All-ACC quarterback Matt Ryan, who has shown poise and resiliency having played out a substantial part of the 2006 season with a broken foot, the BC offense should have no trouble scoring. The strength of the defense will be slightly contingent on the health status of star LB Brian Toal, but if his injured shoulder doesn’t heal, BC has the depth to replace him.

Final verdict: Boston College took advantage of a down year in the ACC in 2006, but other teams are improving. While the team has the experience to beat the likes of non-conference foe Notre Dame, they may have trouble against the more athletic Miami’s of the conference.

3. Clemson Tigers
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Losses: at Florida State (9/3), Virginia Tech (10/6), Boston College (11/17), at South Carolina (11/24)

Key Players: RB James Davis, RB C.J. Spiller, OL Barry Richardson, DE Ricky Sapp, QB Cullen Harper, LB Tramaine Billie, S Michael Hamlin, LB Nick Watkins
Newcomer – QB Willy Korn

Clemson only returns 3 of its offensive players and will be starting an inexperienced quarterback. However, the Tigers also have the best running back combo in the nation with the powerful James Davis and the quick, elusive C.J. Spiller. It will be hard to stop this tandem even without a proved QB. Speaking of which, Cullen Harper is the QB now, but the highly touted freshman Willy Korn is 2nd string already and will probably start as soon as Harper slips up. The defense returns 6 players, including the heir apparent to Gaines Adams at defensive end, Ricky Sapp.

Final verdict: The same thing happens every year with Tommy Bowden’s Clemson Tigers. They get off to a quick start, but lose important games down the stretch of the season. Clemson is good, but I see them continuing this trend and losing to BC and SC late in the season.

4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4)
Losses: at Boston College (9/1), Nebraska (9/8), Florida State (10/11), at Virginia (11/3), at Clemson (11/10)

Key Players: QB Riley Skinner, WR Kenneth Moore, RB Micah Andrews, K/P Sam Swank, CB Alphonso Smith, LB Aaron Curry, S Kevin Patterson, C Steve Justice
Newcomer – RB Josh Adams

Wake should have a more conventional offensive scheme, as it has a proven quarterback in Riley Skinner and a true tailback in Micah Andrews. WR/RB/PR Kenneth Moore is back as well, but the Demon Deacons lost several key players including OL Steve Vallos, LB Jon Abbate, and DB Josh Gattis. Like BC, Wake benefited from a depleted conference last year, but unlike BC, the team has much less experience now. It is hard to imagine Wake Forest beating Florida State again, but if Wake beats Nebraska on national TV anything is possible.

Final verdict: The dream season of 2006 has past. Wake Forest will be competitive as it could have one of the best offenses in the ACC, but I don’t see an Orange Bowl appearance again this year.

5. Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 4-8 (2-6)
Wins: Villanova (9/1), at Florida International (9/8), Virginia (10/20), at North Carolina (11/3)
Key Players: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, G Andrew Crummey, C Edwin Williams, TE Joey Haynos, LB Erin Henderson, RB Lance Ball, RB Keon Lattimore, S Christian Varner
Newcomer – QB Josh Portis (Florida transfer)

Ralph Freidgen was on the hot seat after consecutive 5-6 seasons, but redeemed himself last year with a 9-4 record, finishing second in the ACC Atlantic. This year the Terrapins face a tough non-conference schedule (including West Virginia and Rutgers) with a few gaping holes in its lineup. Competition has emerged between Jordan Steffy and Josh Portis for the quarterback position, but neither of which have performed particularly well in camp. Whoever starts will get to throw to sophomore Darrius Heyward-Bey, one of the best receivers in the ACC. The running game is solid with two senior running backs at the helm. The front 7 on defense was atrocious in stopping the run, finishing last year 96th in the nation in that category. Middle linebacker Wesley Jefferson left early – not for the draft but to be a state trooper – but weak side backer Erin Henderson remains as a steady force.

Final verdict: Having a poor run defense and facing running backs like Steve Slaton (not to mention Pat White), Ray Rice, Tashard Choice, James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Antone Smith, Andre Brown, Toney Baker, and L.V. Whitworth is an unfortunate combination. Ralph will be on the hot seat again after this season.

6. NC State Wolfpack
Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7)
Wins: UCF (9/1), Wofford (9/15), at East Carolina (10/20), Maryland (11/24)

Key Players: WR/KR Darrell Blackman, RB Toney Baker, RB Andre Brown, TE Anthony Hill, DT DeMario Pressley, S Miguel Scott, QB Daniel Evans, OL Curtis Crouch
Newcomer – QB Harrison Beck (Nebraska transfer)

Tom O’Brien’s strict regime should pay dividends to the Wolfpack down the road. He is known for getting the most out of his players, which is interesting because NC State has a lot of potential. Darrell Blackman is an excellent return man who could improve as a receiver (he was converted from a running back a few years ago). Andre Brown and Toney Baker could quietly end up being one of the best RB duos around. Former high school All-Americans DeMario Pressley and Harrison Beck have yet to reach their full potential as well. Tight End Anthony Hill was due for a promising season but recently had reconstructive knee surgery and is ot for the season.

Final verdict: Potential doesn’t always translate into wins. Give Tom O’Brien a year or two to implement the system and recruit his type of guys and NC State will be in contention with the others. Expect the Wolfpack to play some of these better squads tough this year; just don’t expect them to win.

Atlantic Offensive MVP – QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
Atlantic Defensive MVP – S Myron Rolle, Florida State
Atlantic Newcomer of the year – QB Willy Korn, Clemson