Expect that group to make or break the season.
The defense should remain solid with plenty of athletes to go around.
FSU has shown signs of greatness (winning at B.C. last year), so the potential is there to have a big year.
The schedule doesn’t look very daunting either, as the 'Noles get Clemson and Florida at home. The toughest road games will be at Miami and Maryland.
3. Wake Forest (9-3, 5-3)
This looks like another big year for the Demon Deacons, as they have the most talent in program history.
Quarterback Riley Skinner’s big job is to cut down on INTs and give Josh Adams the ball as much as possible on the ground.
Expect to see teams gang up on the run with the loss of Wake’s top receivers.
The passing game will be the difference between a good and great season.
Much of last year’s defense returns, which could lead to a great amount of success on that side of the ball.
You can’t overlook the best coach in the conference in Jim Grobe.
Wake has a pretty easy schedule with Clemson at home and trips to FSU, Miami, and Maryland. All the other games should be wins.
4. Maryland (8-4, 4-4)
The Terrapins have been stuck in mediocrity the past few years, and I expect that to continue this year.
The passing game should be the strength of this year’s team, with transfer Josh Portis and two quarterbacks who split duties last year.
They will be throwing to one of the best in the conference in Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Last year’s strength was the running game, but the Terps lose both Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball, leaving the unit a big question.
The defense loses leader Erin Henderson, but as a whole it should be better with plenty of depth returning from last year.
It should be a fast start for Maryland, as the toughest of its non-conference games is at home against California.
The Terps travel to both Clemson and Virginia Tech, but get FSU and Wake at home.
The potential and schedule are there for a solid season, although visiting the top two teams in the conference will keep them from a conference championship.
5. N.C. State (5-7, 3-5)
The Wolfpack are in year two of rebuilding under coach Tom O’Brien and appear to be a year away after losing many players.
Daniel Evans and Harrison Beck both return at QB, while Andre Brown looks to remain healthy in the backfield. The offensive line has several experienced players, making it better than it has been over recent years.
The big problem will be on the defensive side of the ball, where the Wolfpack lose five of their top six tacklers.
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