Clemson Tigers
Key Games: TCU, at Miami, at North Carolina State
Some people have running back C.J. Spiller pegged as the top running back in the country. Clemson Tiger fans should hope that Spiller is the best back in the country, as he will be the anchor of the Tigers' attack in the '09 season.
It should be interesting to see how Spiller transitions into the role of feature back. He has shared the spotlight the past two seasons with teammate James Davis.
The Tigers could have a bit of a battle for the starting quarterback with Willy Korn and Kyle Parker battling for reps all spring.
Korn stepped in last season to take some snaps when stud QB Cullen Harper apparently went off the reservation for a while.
Korn has the experience and the talent to be the Tigers' starting quarterback. Parker was a redshirt last season, and he is looking to figure into the mix this year. Parker is a strong-armed quarterback who is more than capable of stepping in if Korn should stumble.
The key for the Clemson Tigers will be getting off to a fast start. Football reigns supreme down in Death Valley, and the fans will turn on their team in a heartbeat if things fail to go their way.
Tommy Bowden discovered this last season when his highly regarded team dropped three of its first six games, including an embarrassing season opener against Alabama.
This is Dabo Swinney’s first full season as head coach. Last year he was able to get the fans behind him, and the Tigers found some success on the field.
He will need to make the most of his early schedule to keep the fans on his side, or else Swinney will find himself suffering the same fate his predecessor did last season.
Record: 6-6
Boston College Eagles
Key Games: at Notre Dame, at Virginia
Just a few years ago Boston College was one of the top teams in the country. Hell, they have played (and lost) in back-to-back ACC Championship games. It was a good run for the Eagles, but all of that will come to a crashing halt this year.
Boston College lost a lot of talent on the field and in their coaching staff during the last offseason. Frank Spaziani is a very loyal man, and Boston College rewarded him by naming him as head coach.
Unfortunately for Boston College, Spaziani is not head coach material, and the Eagles will suffer for it.
On the field Boston College has sported a strong defense the past few seasons, but many of their top players have moved on to the NFL, and there is no one left to fill the shoes of a B.J. Raji. College football is all about adjusting to change and dealing with turnovers in personnel.
Boston College does return 13 starters between their offense and defense. However, the players that are missing will leave too big of holes to plug.
Record: 5-7
Maryland Terrapins
Key Games: at Wake Forest, Virginia
It amazes me that year after year Ralph Friedgen continues to be employed. He, along with Virginia’s Al Groh, should sell his secret for keeping a job despite underachieving year after year. Friedgen will have to earn his paycheck this season, that is for sure.
Maryland lost 30 players to graduation this offseason, and they now feature 61 scholarship players who have at least three years of eligibility left. That means the Terrapins are young and inexperienced. Judging by the recent inconsistency with this program, a young team could prove to be wildly entertaining.
What Maryland does have going for themselves is a pretty good offense that ranked third in the ACC last season, averaging just over 350 yards a game.
The Terps lost Darrius Heyward-Bey to the NFL, and his speed will be missed. What the Terps do have is Chris Turner returning at quarterback, and he is a big game performer.
In addition, the Terps also have Da’Rel Scott at running back, who should be able to carry the load provided his offensive line can open some holes for him.
Record: 4-8
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