ACC Conference Preview

Staying on the East Coast, let's take a look at the ridiculously unbalanced ACC. On the one hand, there is the Atlantic Division, which features a bunch of teams that aren't bad, but few that are going to be very good. On the other hand, the Coastal Division probably has this year's four best teams, but one of them could end up having to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl or some other shitty bowl game due to their tough schedule. On to the forecasts:

Atlantic Division:

1. Florida St: The Seminoles have to be considered the favorite in this weaker division, although it will be interesting to see how the team changes now that it is completely under the leadership of new coach Jimbo Fisher. QB Christian Ponder is being touted as a dark-horse Heisman candidate, and despite playing a brutal non-conference schedule that includes Oklahoma, BYU, and Florida, the team gets the top division competitors (Clemson and Boston College) at home. Playing at Doak Campbell stadium is always a huge advantage. If the defense returns to even a semblance of how it was during the 90s or early 2000s, this team is going to be the one team from the Atlantic that can win the ACC. But again, wouldn't be surprised if there aren't some bumps in the transition from Bobby Bowden to Fisher.

2. Clemson: Ah...how difficult it must be to be a Clemson fan. Every year, the Tigers are one of the most talented teams in the entire ACC, but there's always some kind of game mid to late season that either throws the season down the drain or proves to come back to bite them big time. Last year, the Tigers finally managed to get to the championship game, but lost a heartbreaker to Georgia Tech after already having done so in the regular season. But when QB Kyle Parker decided to postpone his professional baseball career for one more season, Tigers fans finally had something go their way. Parker's return gives the Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney crucial experience now that stud RB C.J. Spiller has moved on to the Buffalo Bills. And with the way this team recruits, they should manage to still be fine. The defense, led be stud DE DaQuan Bowers and SS Deandre McDaniel, should be the anchor of the team this year.

3. Boston College: While Clemson always seems to underperform, the Eagles always seem to exceed expectations. Despite being in the Northeast, an area without much high-level football talent, the team is always in the discussion to win the division. Usually, the reason why is a tough defense and physical grind-it-out offense, and this year should be no different. Linebacker Luke Kuechly was a beast last year, and if inspiring cancer survivor Mark Herzlich can reproduce his stats from two years ago, BC could have the best linebacking corps in the country. The offense revolves around RB Montel Harris, and for good reason, as he is one of the top RBs in the country. Besides games against Virginia Tech and at Florida State, the Eagles also got lucky and have a ridiculously easy schedule. If QB Dave Shinskie is even just capable, I think BC rather than Clemson is the most likely team to take down FSU.

4. North Carolina St.: The Wolfpack are always going to be dangerous as long as QB Russell Wilson stays around. But they just don't have that much talent around him to make some big noise this year. It's kind of ironic that coach Tom O'Brien left Boston College for a better chance at big-time success, and BC has done better since the move. The defense is always athletic and talented, but there aren't really any new playmakers on offense for a team that struggled to score last year. If someone has made the next step within the program, then there's a chance, but the schedule and inexperience at most positions puts a lot of pressure on Wilson to lead the team.

5. Maryland: Despite being absolutely awful last year, the Terrapins still have some talented players on their team. RB Da'Rell Scott and LB Alex Wujciak are two of the best players at their position in the country, and if new QB Jamarr Robinson can minimize big mistakes, this team could pull of a surprise or two. The schedule sets itself up so that back-to-back to games against Clemson and BC will determine how the team does in the division. Hopefully they do well enough that coach Ralph Friedgen keeps his job. There aren't many ridiculously overweight coaches left in the biz after Weiss and Mangino left.

6. Wake Forest: Now that QB Riley Skinner has graduated, this has to be considered somewhat of a rebuilding season for the Deamon Deacs. RB Josh Adams is talented, but to be honest, I know next to nothing about this team, and that fact alone makes me think that the Deacs will have a rough year. But coach Jim Grobe is one of the best at pulling talent out of nowhere, so who knows, maybe Wake Forest won't have as rough a transition as I think they will.

Coastal Division:

Virginia Tech: We're gonna find out if the Hokies are for real quickly, as they play in the marquee opening-week game against Boise St. It's somewhat of a surprise that the offense is the strength of this team this year, with the dynamic RB duo of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans complementing potential star QB Tyrod Taylor. So if the defense can slow down the prolific Boise St. offense, I would say it's a good bet that barring some kind of injury, this team will win the tough Coastal division and play not only for an ACC championship, but possibly a BCS one as well. Tough late-season games at North Carolina and Miami might prove to be too much though.

Miami (FL): The Hurricanes are starting to come back guys. Coach Randy Shannon is protecting his turf in the South Beach area, and the result is that the talent level is getting back to how it was at the turn of the century. QB Jacory Harris should develop into one of the nation's best QBs, but the Canes better pray he doesn't get hurt, as they have no experience behind him. On the one hand, I applaud Miami for having the balls to play tough non-conference opponents Ohio St. and Pitt, but if the team struggles out of the gate, will they be able to regroup in time for conference play? I don't think they will too much. RB Graig Cooper is a force when healthy, and P/K Matt Bosher is one of the nation's best at both positions. This team is ready to make a statement, and that might happen this year. They also get Va Tech at home too.

Georgia Tech: Don't expect too much of a drop-off from Paul Johnson's option attack now that stud RB Jonathan Dwyer has moved on to the NFL. Anthony Allen is ready to pick up where Dwyer left off, and there are too many other talented pieces of the puzzle returning to count out this team. Like Miami, Georgia Tech needs QB Josh Nesbitt to stay healthy, as he is a perfect QB for the option, while also being the only QB with experience. The defense lost stud DE Derrick Morgan, and that puts a lot of pressure on other defensive linemen to pick up the slack. The Yellow Jackets are the reigning ACC champs and have one of the best coaches in the country in Johnson, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to being the hunted instead of the hunter.

North Carolina: Before this offseason, the Tar Heels were one of my picks nationally to make some noise in the BCS championship picture. But it's been a rough past couple of months for not only the team, but also potentially the school. Numerous allegations of academic fraud have surfaced, as well as potential contact between some standout players and agents. Heck, even coaches are being investigated for improper communication with agents. And then there was also the infamous situation of stud DT Marvin Austin, who may have violated NCAA rules by traveling all over California with former teammates and partying it up in South Beach. All of these scandals have ruined any chance the Tar Heels had at winning the ACC this year. Even if none of North Carolina's star players end up missing any games, the controversy surrounding the program will be too much overcome. And it's a shame, because the Heels had the most talented defense in the country.

Duke: Make no mistake, the Blue Devils are and will always be a basketball school. But slowly, coach David Cutcliffe has been increasing the talent level in Durham. They still aren't going to go bowling, and I actually couldn't name one player on their roster without looking at a list, but they are no longer a lock to finish last in the conference. Virginia might have more talent, but Cutcliffe seems to have Virginia's number, winning the past two years. Plus, the game is at home.

Virginia: I think new coach Mike London will bring the Cavaliers back to respectability, but it sure as hell ain't going to happen this year. There are a few good pieces, such as CB Ras-I Dowling (how do you even come up with this name?!), but the team has a brutal schedule, and there are no big-time playmakers on offense. All these question marks will lead to a rough first go of it for London in Charlottseville.