2009 ACC Preview and Prediction: Coastal Division

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So far, our 2009 college football previews and predictions have covered the ACC Atlantic Division. We pick Florida State as our favorite to win the Atlantic.

The Demon Deacons from Wake Forest will push the ‘Noles all season long. The rest of the Atlantic will be playing for a bowl bid.

The ACC Coastal Division will be our focus next. The Coastal, in my eyes, has two teams that could make a case for either a BCS or national title slot.

One team has been a traditional ACC powerhouse for more than the last decade. The other could be going back in time offensively to make some noise now in the future.

So here are my ACC preview and predictions for the 2009 Coastal division in alphabetical order.

Duke Blue Devils: Prediction 4-8

After last season’s 4-8 record, some think that Duke could be getting close to turning the corner in football. The Blue Devils were more relevant last season than they have been in years.

As fans of the SEC can tell you, David Cutcliffe will always have his team ready to play. He will use the talent he has to best of their ability.

Two things will keep Duke from becoming a middle-of-the-road football program. Like Vanderbilt, Duke will always have problems getting top talent because academically, it is hard to go after every player you might want.

Secondly, the Blue Devils will have to upgrade their football facilities. The best way to get recruits is to have top-notch stadiums and training facilities.

Until at least the facilities get better, Cutcliffe will always behind in the race for the best players. Now translating the 2009 season for Duke is easy.

Things look to be rough for the Blue Devils. All but one of the out-of-conference games look winnable.

Duke should get wins against Richmond, Army, and NC Central. The lone out-of- conference lost will come on the road against Kansas.

In conference, things do not look so good for the Blue Devils. They get all the great ACC teams at home.

The home schedule has Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest all coming to Durham, and will all beat Duke. The one winnable in-conference game could be Maryland, and that is because it is at home.

The road schedule does not look daunting, but it’s hard to win on the road. Games at NC State, Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina are not the toughest a team as ever faced.

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