Ranking the ACC: Coastal Division

Will Frank Beamer and his crew roll to another Coastal Division title?

That is the question everyone is asking.

The ACC Coastal division will build off of its youth and inexperience last year. This division has a lot of star power. Teams vary their attacks from Spread offense to air it out all the way to I-formation and run it down your throat and even Georgia Tech's wacky and wild option offense.

The Coastal has proven great coaches including legendary coach Frank Beamer and winner Butch Davis. Also, it has up-and-coming coaches David Cutcliff (Duke), Randy Shannon (Miami), and Paul Johnson (Ga. Tech). Also, Al Groh is feeling the heat on his seat and needs a productive season.

6. Duke

Thaddeus Lewis will have to have a superb senior season to lead the Blue Devils to their 2009 goal: a bowl game.

Duke only returns four offensive starters and will miss Eron Riley, one of Duke's most productive WRs in school history. Duke will return star quarterback Thad Lewis who threw for over 2,000 yards and had a very respectable 15 TDs to 6 INTs.

Duke returns three of their top four rushers from last season, but they will need to be much more productive. Last year, they combined to rush for only 830 yards and just 2 TDs. That has to be significantly better this year for Duke to establish itself as a serious ACC football member.

On defense, Duke loses star LB Michael Tauiliili who totaled 140 tackles. They return only three from last season. Look for DT Vince Oghobaase and senior LB Vincent Ray to take control and lead this defense which should feature some of Dukes latest recruiting gets.

Final Prediction: 0-8

Duke should do OK out of conference, but they will have some trouble competing in conference. Right now, they cannot compete with the big boys, but they can still sneak up on middle-of-the-pack ACC teams that don't consistently bring their "A" game.

5. Virginia

Al Groh's job security is seems to be lessening by the minute. He needs to have at least a respectable season, and I'm not so sure this is the year they can accomplish that.

They return only four returning starters from last years team on offense—all lineman. They do lose top draft pick Eugene Monroe which could hurt. Virginia will feature a spread offense this year under OC Brandon Gregg.

At QB, either Vic Hall, a 5'8" converted CB or Jameel Sewell, the QB of the '07 Gator Bowl team will be the starter this year. Sewell was kicked off of the team last year for grade issues. Mikell Simpson is an experienced RB who will start this year. Look for UVA to run the ball a lot this year, with both the QBs and RBs.

On defense, UVA will have to replace LBs Clint Sintim and Jon Copper. They return four starters and Chris Cook, a corner who was also ineligible from last year's team. Virginia will be strong in its secondary, but may be weak in the 3-4 up front.

Final Prediction: 1-7

Al Groh will have to look forward to the even out of conference games he plays this year such as games vs TCU, Southern Miss, and Indiana. It will be tough pickins for Virginia to win three games in ACC play.

4. North Carolina

Butch Davis has a potentially scary mix of returning talent and new, incoming talent at his arsenal in Chapel Hill. T.J. Yates is returning from a disappointing year due to injuries. He looks to further improve UNC's ACC status.

On offense, North Carolina returns seven starters, but are losing play-makers Hakeem Nicks, Brooks Foster and Brandon Tate (top three WRs from last year). They are losing 80 percent of last year's receiving totals, including top passer Cam Sexton, who decided to transfer. T.J. Yates is plenty capable to lead this team, though.

On defense, the Heels return nine starters, including all of their D-Lineman and six of their front seven. They lose ball-hawking safety Trimane Goddard, but should be stout stopping the run, especially if once prized recruit Marvin Austin can plug up the middle. This would allow stud LBs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant more time to track down opposing runners.

Final Prediction: 5-3

Under Butch Davis, North Carolina has its ups and downs, but in the end, fall short of another Coastal crown. Look for UNC to take a lot of time trying to progress its young, inexperienced WRs along, and also struggle a little in pass coverage. Getting better, and 5-3 is something to hang your hat on if your UNC.

3. Miami

Is tha "U" finally back? Will Miami be able to bounce back from a damn near impossible first month and recover its coveted "swag?"

We think so. And here's why.

On offense, team cancer Robert Marve is gone and there is no more QB controversy. This is Jacory Harris' team now. Miami returns its top two rushers Graig Cooper and Javarris James and its top four pass catchers: Aldarius Johnson, Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier and Dedrick Epps. Miami also returns stud LT Jason Fox and two other lineman.

Defensively, the "U" will have to punish "U" up front with its nasty LBs. Miami returns vicious hitter Sean Spence and reliable Mike linebacker Darryl Sharpton. They return six starters in total and lots of experience from a team who featured 21 true freshman last year.

Final Prediction: 5-3

Miami really grows up after beating FSU, then dropping three straight two GT, VT and Oklahoma. Miami has the make or break potential after the first month to either be something special or fall apart and even cost Shannon his job. We think they'll bounce back with that swag.

2. Georgia Tech

The dynamic trio of Josh Nesbitt, Jonathan Dwyer and Roddy Jones returns again this season as well as tough B-Back Lucus Cox and newcomer Anthony Allen.

Georgia tech exceeded expectations and caught everyone by storm last year. Not this year. Now, they will have to be the big dogs. They return nine starters of last years offense, including talented Louisville running back transfer Anthony Allen and three returning offensive lineman.

Defensively, Georgia Tech has big shoes to fill... literally. Michael Johnson, Darryl Richardson and Vance Walker are all gone from last years team and now play in the NFL. Top safety Morgan Burnett will try to lead GT and its seven returning starters to an ACC title game appearance.

Final Prediction: 6-2

Georgia Tech finishes as the runner up again in the coastal division. But, the locals in Atlanta should have much to be happy about, especially with a win versus arch rival Georgia and two other SEC foes.

1. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer have won the league three of the five years it has been a member—good for 60 percent. Also, Virginia Tech has appeared in the title game all but one year. Tech has a very legit chance to get back—again.

Tech fans better hope their service doesn't run out on their T-Mobile. Tyrod Taylor must stay healthy for the Hokies this season. He returns for his junior season along with freshman phenom Ryan Williams and established star Darren Evans.

Ryan Williams had an amazing spring and the redshirt freshman will serve nicely as a one-two punch with pounder Darren Evans who rushed his way to All-ACC honors and an Orange Bowl MVP last season with over 1,200 rushing yards and 11 TDS.

Tech also returns all of its WRs and wild turkey QB, 280 pound TE Greg Boone. VA Tech will return three starters from a line that is hoping to improve off of last year.

Bud Foster always has top ten defenses. Same for this year. Seven returning starters, including standout safety Kam Chancellor, lockdown corner Stephen Virgil and freakish end Jason Worlids. Bud Foster always stops the run and VT should also have one of the top secondaries in the nation this year.

Final Prediction: 7-1

We have VA Tech slipping up on a tricky road game versus Georgia Tech. Tech plays a tough out of conference schedule that includes Alabama (in Atlanta), Nebraska, and at ECU on a Thursday night. Virginia Tech is the class of the ACC so far and they are a prime candidate to not only repeat, but also be a darkhorse national championship contender.