The non-conference slate isn’t easy, with an opening trip to South Carolina and home games with East Carolina and South Florida.
N.C. State also has to travel to Clemson, Maryland, and North Carolina.
6. Boston College (6-6, 2-6)
It is a good thing the Eagles have some wide receivers returning, as that is the only group not hit hard on offense by graduation.
Life after Matt Ryan will be tough, but at least they have a senior signal caller in Chris Crane to throw to the receivers.
The offensive line and running backs will have to do a much better job to keep the pressure off the passing game.
Last year’s defense was one of the best against the run, and there is still a decent amount of returning talent. B.C. will also get back Brian Toal at linebacker.
It is a good thing the Eagles have an easy non-conference schedule, because that is their best hope to reach another bowl game.
The Notre Dame game on Nov. 8 will likely be the make-or-break game for the Eagles’ bowl chances.
Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech (10-2, 6-2)
This is a down year for the Hokies, but a decent schedule and bad conference will keep them around the top 10 yet again.
The two-quarterback system of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor was inconsistent last year, but another year of experience could help greatly.
Va. Tech will be looking for playmakers this year to make up for the losses of Branden Ore and the top four receivers from a year ago.
It will also be a different look on defense as many key players have left the program.
However, this defense is known for reloading, so that side of the ball shouldn’t be a problem.
One may wonder how a team with this many questions wins 10 games, but there is no game on the schedule that screams loss.
Road trips to UNC, Nebraska, B.C., Florida State, and Miami won’t be easy, but it's almost certain that the Hokies will win at least two of those games.
The toughest home game will probably be against Maryland, which shows how easy the home schedule is.
2. North Carolina (8-4, 5-3)
This is the year to beat Virginia Tech for the Coastal title, but it appears that UNC is a year away under Butch Davis.
There are plenty of returners on both sides of the ball, particularly on offense, to make the Tar Heels a much better team.
If T.J. Yates can get the ball out to Hakeem Nicks often, this could be a dangerous offense.
After having a great defense in the late '90s, the Heels have struggled on that side of the ball, but they should be good enough to keep the team in games this year.
The Heels have a tough three-game stretch early with trips to Rutgers and Miami surrounding a home game with Virginia Tech.
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