College Football: My Preseason Top 25, Part 2

I love the ACC (I went to UVA undergrad).  Now this may not be breaking news, but the ACC has not been all that great recently.  Clemson actually has an easier slate overall than any other team in my top ten.

Also, Clemson is by far the cream of the crop in this year’s ACC and will punish the likes of Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Boston College.  Can they beat Wake Forest and Jim Grobe on October 9 in Winston-Salem?  Maybe.

Clemson is known for a lot of things: Howard’s Rock, Death Valley (II), bright orange, Tiger in the Tank (greatest drink ever), etc.  They are also known for tragic and catastrophic meltdowns later in the season.

If I could predict the weekend where the perpetually ticking time-bomb that is Clemson explodes, I would tell you.  But to be honest, I am not sure.  It may be Wake Forest, Florida State, South Carolina, or even Virginia (really).

Mark my words—Clemson cannot win the national championship because they have not found a way to finish a season strong since 1982.

While I still think they will get to the Orange Bowl, they have to prove to themselves that they can win consistently before they believe in themselves enough and have the confidence to get to a national title game.

In the end, Tommy Bowden’s coaching job will be saved by an ACC title over Miami.

Prediction: 11-2, ACC Title, Orange Bowl Berth

10. Florida (Athlon No. 1, Phil Steele No. 1, SI No. 7, ESPN No. 5)

Overall: There are always one or two teams that the media hypes beyond the bounds of common sense and decency.  This is one of them (Virginia Tech and Penn State are the others).

Did anyone else actually watch the Capital One Bowl?  I am not going to believe that the Florida secondary has improved until I actually see it improve.

Tim Tebow, Heisman winner and dual-threat quarterback extraordinaire, returns as the undisputed leader of this team.  While he probably will not get another Heisman (that has not been accomplished since Archie Griffin in 1974-1975, and Emmanuel Moody and Percy Harvin will probably have too many carries), he will certainly be a force to reckon with.

If Tim Tebow gets hurt, this team will go the way of Oregon quicker than you can say Dennis Dixon.

Percy Harvin at receiver/offensive weapon and Emmanuel Moody (USC transfer) will give Tebow more options than his one-man offense last year.  Last year’s “offense” (give the ball to Tebow) produced enough quarterback carries to lead me to believe that Tebow is tempting fate.

Also, I read at ESPN that Percy Harvin has not been 100 percent since his heel surgery.  If Tebow and Harvin can remain healthy this season, they certainly have a shot at the SEC championship.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?