With the College Football Season, I’ve decided to present an 11-part series on the 11 major conferences, previewing their teams and how I see the 2008 conference season panning out. I'll start with the ACC.
Boston College
My prediction: 7-6 (2-6 in ACC, fifth in ACC Atlantic Division)
Jeff Jagodzinzski almost lived up to his pledge of taking the Eagles “to the next level” in his first year as BC’s coach.
The Eagles came close last year to earning a Bowl Championship Series berth, but reaching that lofty objective this season will prove difficult with an offense that must replace virtually its entire backfield, save the fullback, and a defense that, while strong against the run, has been deficient against the pass.
If BC has any intent of extending the nation’s longest active bowl winning streak (eight games), it will be important for Chris Crane, who has no proven backup, to survive the season, which ends with a tough stretch against four Atlantic Division rivals: Clemson, at Florida State, at Wake Forest, and Maryland.
Bowl Game: loses Congressional Bowl to Navy
Clemson
My prediction: 14-0 (9-0 in ACC, first in ACC Atlantic Division, wins ACC Championship)
89 yards. That’s the combined rushing output—including lost yards for sacks—for Clemson last year in regular season games against Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Boston College.
The Tigers lost all three games, and that was the difference between a great team and a good one. Against physical defenses, Clemson’s offensive line was simply not good enough to move people off the ball.
If the Tigers improve in this area, they’re a good bet to finally win the Atlantic Division and play for their first ACC title since 1991. If not, don’t be surprised if they’re yet again bemoaning how close they came to glory.
Bowl Game: defeats Auburn in Orange Bowl
Duke
My prediction: 1-11 (0-8 in ACC, sixth in ACC Coastal Division)
Duke and football have been synonymous with losing for the better part of 40 years. But with 14 returning starters, seven home games, a palatable schedule, and a declining ACC, David Cutcliffe has a real chance to win four games—and with the right bounces, maybe more.
For Duke to make the leap from a pattern of 1-11 and 0-12 finishes, it has to have the confidence to turn “almost” efforts into wins. The Blue Devils have to do that early with their first four games at home.
That confidence has to come from an improved special teams and offense, which is Cutcliffe’s speciality. With Cutcliffe’s help, Thaddeus Lewis has the potential to go from good to great and make the Blue Devils competitive.
With the right improvements and luck, Cutliffe could make do on his promise to rebuild right now, at least in the relative sense.
Bowl Game: none
Florida State
My prediction: 9-4 (5-3 in ACC, third in ACC Atlantic Division)
Though Bobby Bowden has repeatedly mentioned that he would like to reach 400 wins before turning the program over to Jimbo Fisher, there’s always the possibility that he has overseen his final spring practice.
A favorable schedule that starts soft (while the 'Noles are coping with suspensions) and includes home dates against ACC Atlantic contenders Wake Forest, Clemson, and Boston College, as well as Virginia Tech and Florida, could pave the way for marked improvement.
Bowl Game: defeats Iowa in Champs Sports Bowl
Georgia Tech
My prediction: 4-9 (2-6 in ACC, fourth in ACC Coastal Division)
Paul Johnson says he’s willing to throw more (his Navy team last season attempted only 10 passes per game) if that’s what it takes to win. Even with some defections, the Jackets would appear to have the talent to be a more effective passing team than last season, when the air attack was so skittish.
It’s a good bet that Tech will need to score a lot, much as Johnson’s Navy teams so often did, because the defense is so inexperienced past the line. Special teams don’t figure to factor in Tech’s favor as often as last year.
Fortunately Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb are on the schedule, because games at Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Georgia, plus a return to the schedule of Florida State, will offer quite a run of tests.
Bowl Game: none
Maryland
My prediction: 6-7 (3-5 in ACC, fourth in ACC Atlantic Division)
Maryland has enough weapons offensively to consistently score points, provided players quickly adjust to the system implemented by James Franklin, who had been Ralph Friedgen’s wide receivers coach before moving on to the Green Bay Packers, and most recently Kansas State.
An experienced offensive line should offset inexperience at running back. Friedgen has plenty of playmakers offensively—he just needs someone to get them the ball. The return of Franklin will enable Friedgen to spend more time strengthening relationships with players and acting as the chief executive of the program.
If Maryland avoids the string of injuries that decimated the team last season, it should be a good year in College Park.
Bowl Game: loses to UCLA in Emerald Bowl
Miami (FL)
My prediction: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC, third in ACC Coastal Division)
A top-rated recruiting class has generated excitement after Miami’s first losing season in a decade. But there may be more bumps in the road before the program can climb back into national contention. There are questions throughout the lineup, especially at quarterback, receiver, and defensive line.
With a schedule that includes trips to Gainesville and College Station in the season’s first three weeks, a roster that will be made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores will have to grow up in a hurry.
Bowl Game: defeats Connecticut in Meineke Car Care Bowl
North Carolina
My prediction: 11-2 (7-1 in ACC, second in ACC Coastal Division)
Brighter days lie ahead in Chapel Hill, but the question is how much further ahead. In terms of their schedule this season, the Tar Heels finally catch a break. A tough non-conference slate features Rutgers, Connecticut, and Notre Dame, but they miss Clemson, Florida State, and Wake Forest in conference play.
If the Tar Heels can crank up their running game, take better care of the ball, get solid play at linebacker, and find consistency in the kicking game, they’ll find themselves in position to make a run at a plus-.500 record and contend for their first bowl game berth since 2004.
Bowl Game: defeats Mississippi State in Music City Bowl
NC State
My prediction: 3-9 (1-7 in ACC, sixth in ACC Atlantic Division)
Tom O’Brien has things headed in the right direction at NC State, but the talent pool on the roster is probably too shallow right now for the Wolfpack to take a step forward from last season’s 5-7 mark.
Having non-conference games against South Carolina and South Florida—to go with league games against Clemson, Florida State, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Miami—doesn’t help matters either.
Expect O’Brien to keep the Wolfpack competitive, but don’t expect miracles. And if the injury bug bites, watch out.
Bowl Game: none
Virginia
My prediction: 2-10 (1-7 in ACC, fifth in ACC Coastal Division)
Virginia was one of the feel good stories of 2007, winning all those close games and playing in a January bowl for the first time in the Al Groh era.
It didn’t take long for the good feelings to fade, though, after a rash of unexpected player departures. The biggest losses were Jameel Sewell and Jeffrey Fitzgerald, expected to be the leaders on their respective sides of the ball.
So mentally tough a year ago, the Cavaliers are saying all the right things about moving on, but the program doesn’t have the depth to overcome so much attrition. Questions at quarterback and on the offensive and defensive lines make it difficult to envision this team approaching the success of last year.
Never mind another January bowl—a winning season could be a lot to ask.
Bowl Game: none
Virginia Tech
My prediction: 13-1 (8-1 in ACC, first in ACC Coastal Division, loses ACC Championship game to Clemson)
Tech’s offense must be better, especially the line, which was dreadful at points last season. With seven defensive starters gone, the Hokies can’t lean on that unit as much as they did last year. Regardless of the quarterback situation. Tech must be able to run the ball, long a key to its offensive success.
Sure, no team in the Coastal Division seems imposing, but the Hokies have too many uncertainties to bank on a return trip to the conference championship game.
Bowl Game: defeats South Carolina in Chick-fil-A Bowl
Wake Forest
My prediction: 11-2 (7-1 in ACC, second in ACC Atlantic Division)
There’s no reason to think Wake’s streak of two consecutive bowls will end. If the line holds up, Wake’s backfield has the talent to change games. If not, the defense and kicker Sam Swank are good enough to carry the team in most weeks.
Jim Grobe will continue to rely on his proven formula: under-recruited players with chips on their shoulders, an offense that’s tough to prepare for, and a team that doesn’t beat itself with turnovers or penalties.
Bowl Game: loses to South Florida in Gator Bowl
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3 months ago
This is a really good article. Great predictions. The only one I'm going to argue with is Wake Forest finishing with 11 wins, only because it's Wake Forest and I'm not ready to admit that they are a good team. I also don't think Virginia Tech will win 13 games. They had a lot of great defenders lost to the draft, and they were inconsistent last year in big games. North Carolina, 11 wins??? That's all I have to say about that. I think Clemson going 14-0 is a good prediction, but I'm not going to agree with it happening. Clemson seems to always screw something up, let's see if they can make it through an entire season without choking.
from 3 months ago
thanks daniel! as you can see i really go into depth with my predictions, unlike alot of other predictions ive read so far... like i said in the article, if Wake Forest can eliminate the turnovers and penalties, they could really be a contender for the ACC Atlantic Division title with Clemson. VA Tech has alot of uncertainties, but they could get those cleared during the coarse of the year and jump in the ACC title game...I see North Carolina improving alot this year, just a few more fix-ups and theyve got another top two finish in the Coastal Division. again, thanks for the input...i'll be reviewing more conferences in the coming days.
3 months ago
I enjoyed those predictions. Just one question: You have Clemson going undefeated and winning the conference title game. Why then wouldn't they be playing for a national championship? Other than Ohio State, nobody in America has an easy road to an undefeated season. The SEC won't produce a team that's undefeated, simply due to the brutal strength of schedule. If Clemson wins every game, it would mean the Tigers won at Florida State, Wake Forest, Boston College, & Virginia, then beat VA Tech in the ACC title game. That sounds like a national championship caliber resume to me.
from 3 months ago
you are so right, william...in most cases, i do see this team become legit contenders for the National Championship Game...however there are better teams who i also think could also go undefeated up to early January. you'll have to wait and see who these teams are. i plan on reviewing every major conference over the week. I do believe the SEC will have an undefeated team. but again you'll have to wait and see which one...comment anytime youd like...take a look at my list of topics i plan on covering over the coming days located at my profile page.
3 months ago
I believe all this talk about Virginia going 2-10 and not winning a conference game is very premature. Lets atleast wait and see what this squad looks like after its summer camp. If the quarterback situation doesn't improve, I'll painfully buy into this prediction. However I still think the virginia defense is better than some writers seem to think. Also if Lalich some how wakes up and realizes that he is no longer in highschool and starts to live up to his billing, then he could single handedly blow all these predictions and talk of a horrible year for Virginia away. Lalich could see his career take off in a moments notice, and become a premire Quarterback in this conference. I'm holding out hope that this may happen. He needs to grow up in a hurry and I'm betting that he will. If Al Groh has anything to do with it he will! No one gave Marques Hagans a chance nor Virginia doing that period, and he delivered. Not to compare the two but they both have there own styles and can bring success to the table.
2 months ago
Couple thoughts -
Boston College prediction seems fine
I think Clemsons losses 1 or 2 along the way, but if they go 14-0 they are probably in the National Championship. Sure, teams like OSU and any of the SEC probably make it first, but I don't know if the SEC will have any unbeaten teams this year.
Duke won't be good but I think they win more than 1 game
FSU pick seems fine
GT may pick up another win or 2 but that seems fine
I think Maryland does better than 6 wins, I would go 7-8 but that seems fine also
Miami could be where you have them or maybe a little better, but once again seems fine for them
UNC should be better but I don't know about 11 win good. Sure they return a lot and lost a bunch of close ones but those are not wins, and even there wins they barely pulled off.
NC St. maybe pulls out another win or so but that seems fine
UVA will be worse than last season but I don't think it is that big a drop off. But, with Al there who knows
VT will be good but just like UNC I think people might be over stating how good, I guess we will see
and Wake should also be good but I don't think that good.
Overall, a nice look at the teams. I think you over and under state a few but nice article
2 months ago
I like your predictions.Being that I'm a huge Tar Heel Fan,I love the UNC prediction,but 11 wins might be a stretch.I think you are on the money with the rest of predictions!
from 2 months ago
a thousand thank yous derek! I believe the Tar Heels cathc a break this season, just a few more fix ups and they could be one of the top teams in the ACC.
2 months ago
how can uva and duke both go 0-8 in the acc?? they're playing each other
2 months ago
UNC winning 11 games is laughable, this is not 1997 and Butch Davis is no Mack Brown
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