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ions will have any affect on the coaching staff and team.Virginia Tech is coming off a 10-4 year, an Orange Bowl win over Cincinnati, and has won three ACC titles in the last five years.
After East Carolina upset them early last year, they settled down and became a quality football team. They bring back dual threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor, 1,000 yard running back Darren Evans, and there are all indications this year's defense will be as good as last year's, which finished in the top 10 in total defense.
Georgia Tech finished 9-4. When Coach Paul Johnson came over from Navy, a year ago, he brought the triple option running game with him and it's worked. Last year they finished fourth in the country in rushing offense.
What can you say about Oklahoma? They bring back the Heisman winner at quarterback, two 1,000 yard running backs and tight end Jermaine Gresham, who totaled 950 yards in receiving.
They might have some growing pains on the offensive line but their expected to reload on defense.
The schedule does get easier. The Canes next two games are against Florida A&M and Central Florida. Florida A&M is the one Football Championship Subdivision team on this year's schedule and the road shouldn't be a factor in the Central Florida game.
That's because Central Florida is not a good football team. They bring back ten offensive starters but last year's offense produced the fewest yards/game of any team in the country.
The schedule picks up again as the Canes host Clemson, a team that disappointed enough last year to get Tommy Bowden fired, but finished the season winning four of their last five regular season games. They finished 7-6.
Clemson has to replace quarterback Cullen Harper and they'll have a new starter at running back, but C.J. Spiller had a lot of carries as a back up last year. Clemson has the talent to challenge everyone in the ACC.
What about Wake Forest? The game's on the road and Wake brings back quarterback Riley Skinner and the whole offensive line from last year's 8-5 team. They have to replace the fourth pick in this year's NFL draft, Aaron Curry, but any team coached by Jim Grobe is dangerous.
Virginian doesn't appear to have enough weapons to threaten the top half of the conference. They finished 5-7 last season and the defense will be weak at linebacker. In addition, their quarterback position is still up in the air.
North Carolina is coming of an 8-5 year. Butch Davis has done some serious recruiting in the last two years and his young team is ranked no. 23 in pre-season. They'll have two experienced quarterbacks-T.J. Yates and Cam Sexton.
Miami has to travel to Chapel hill to play the Tar Heels and this won't be easy.
It's hard to say much about Duke. They finished 4-8 last year and have been pretty much of a three quarter team the last couple of years. They just don't have the depth.
The last game of the season will see Miami traveling to Tampa to play USF, another team with a pre-season ranking-Rivals has the Bulls no. 24
Quarterback Matt Grothe has been around for a long time. He can beat you with his arm or his legs. The defense is loaded with speed and is led by All American defensive lineman George Selvie.
This game is scheduled the same day of the FSU/Fla game and will be a chance for USF to show that they belong with the "Big Three". It should also have an effect on recruiting within the state.
No matter how you cut it, Miami's 2009 schedule is brutal. Is it the toughest in the country? It's right up there. There are six teams ranked in the pre-season plus Clemson and Wake Forest.
The Hurricanes have no choice. They have to be ready. Randy Shannon has a very tough assignment in the coming football season.
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