2008 ACC Football


July 18, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

ACC Atlantic Division:

1.)  Clemson Tigers

The Tigers return the league’s best offensive weapons and the core of the top passing defense.  Their offensive linemen and linebackers are inexperienced so they’ll have to grow up in a hurry to compliment these weapons.  Coach Tommy Bowden will finally toss the monkey off his back and make it to a BCS Bowl game in 2008.

2.)  Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles have added more weapons, they’ll have a better grasp of Jimbo Fischer’s offense and seven home games to boot.  The lines are paper thin on both sides, and three-game suspensions to several key players to start the year will effect each.  FSU is more talented and tougher and they are ready to reverse the recent trend of narrow losses.

3.)  Wake Forest Demon Deacons

QB Riley Skinner is great and nine defensive starters return.  The Deacons must replace Kenneth Moore’s 98 receptions and three starters on the offensive line.  Jim Grobe has built the program to the point of being perennial contenders as they are in ’08.

4.)  Maryland Terrapins

Maryland has the league’s best offensive line and a QB with experience to go along with a talented receiver.  A potentially poor secondary and lack of a proven pass rush will hurt defensively.  Three division home games and an easier non-conference slate will assure a winning season.

5.)  Boston College Golden Eagles

B.J. Raji and Brian Toal are back to improve on a tough defensive front seven.  True freshman RB Josh Haden will likely start behind a spotty offensive line, with no Matt Ryan at quarterback.  Chris Crane will be a solid replacement for Ryan and likely keep the Golden Eagles’ bowl streak alive.

6.)  NC State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack feature a talented trio of running backs and a second season under coach Tom O’Brien will help.  Four returning starters from the ACC’s 11th-rated defense is not necessarily a good thing.  It will take a while for N.C. State to stock the cupcoard with talent through recruiting and learn to win again.

ACC Coastal Division:

1.)  Virginia Tech Hokies

Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor are proven quarterbacks behind a veteran offensive line.  Seven starters are gone from a defense and there’s no experience at tailback or wide receiver.  The Hokies have come to expect winning seasons, even during a reloading phase.  Playing in a weak ACC Coastal Division will help the Hokies win again.

2.)  Miami Hurricanes

Several early enrollees from a heralded recruiting class will be ready to contribute to the Hurricanes, now.  No quarterback with experience and a lack of talent up front won’t help.  The Hurricanes should be better, but a testy schedule doesn’t look promising in Miami.

3.)  North Carolina Tar Heels

QB T.J. Yates has an improved offensive line and an emerging tailback in Greg Little to work with.  They must replace their three best defenders and extraordinary kicker Connor Barth.  Division instability helps Butch Davis lead UNC to its first winning season since 2001 this year.

4.)  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Vance Walker, Michael Johnson and Darryl Richard give the Yellow Jackets yet another solid defensive front.  Their triple-option spread on offense hasn’t worked at a BCS level since Switzer, Osborne.  Too much change on the horizon has little expectations at Georgia Tech for coach Paul Johnson in 2008.

5.)  Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers offer one of the best linebacker corps in the league with Clint Sintim, Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby.  The QB spot is a mess and Chris Long is no longer around to bail the offense out.  Talented backs and receivers won’t be able to produce without a quality QB or a proven O-line this season.

6.)  Duke Blue Devils

David Cutcliffe certainly knows how to build an offense in his first year at Duke.  Cutcliffe has to teach these guys how to win after the Blue Devils have suffered 25 consecutive ACC losses.  There’s enough offensive talent for quick improvement on last year’s 1-11 campaign.

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