As of July 21st, the preseason selections have been made at the 2008 ACC Football Kickoff. The standings are shown below.
Atlantic Division Points Coastal Division Points
Clemson [59] 383 Virginia Tech [58] 383
Wake Forest [5] 304 North Carolina [4] 288
Florida State [1] 265 Miami [1] 253
Boston College 154 Georgia Tech [1] 195
Maryland 147 Virginia [1] 161
Today's Must Reads
NC State 112 Duke 85
* Virginia Tech and Clemson are predicted to be in the ACC Championship game, with Clemson winning the game.
Living in a suburb of Atlanta, it's very difficult to meet people who truly appreciate ACC football.
Coming off a huge win against Hawaii, UGA is predicted to be one of the nation's best football teams this year. As UGA's shining future is continually discussed, people around me ignore the ACC until basketball season begins.
I think this is completely unfair.
Now don't get me wrong—I don't dislike the SEC. The SEC is, in my opinion, the nation's toughest and most competitive football conference. I cheered as I watched Arkansas defeat LSU on my 50" HD television—but I don't think it's fair to let the ACC go completely unnoticed.
For example, I believe that this year is completely up for grabs. Clemson and Virgina Tech are both ACC powerhouses, but as we discovered last year in their bowl losses, both teams have weaknesses.
In both divisions, I suggest watching out for the number five spot: my team, the Maryland Terrapins, and their rivals, the Virginia Cavaliers.
With new staff addition James Franklin, Maryland could upset some teams this year that are ahead of them like Florida State, Boston College, and Wake Forest.
Some people are not aware that Maryland has hired an offensive coordinator, but I can't stress its importance enough. Previously, head coach Ralph Friedgen did both duties, but since he was replaced at offensive coordinator, he's had more time to spend with his players.
"I had a situation with one of our players this year after I made the change that kind of made a statement to me. He said, `Coach, we never knew you were like this,'" said Ralph Friedgen as he addressed the media at the ACC Football Kickoff. "That kind of hit me in the face. `Why wouldn't you know I was like this?' It's because I never had the time to spend with my players."
Maryland's newly adapted "West Coast" style offense will incorporate more passing plays, something Maryland needs to do if they're ever going to win.
On the other side we have Virginia, a team that finished 9-4 and second in their division.
Virginia has an outstanding rushing offense in Mikell Simpson, Hall Simmons, and Keith Payne. Together, they combined for 1,325 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
I believe that this team will be a major threat during conference play.
Well, enough of me—I want to know what you think, Bleacher Report. I want to hear your opinion of who should be ranked No. 1 in the ACC and who will be once the season is over.
Let the Bleacher Report Community know.
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about 1 month ago
Nice article, I am a Maryland fan, but also agree Maryland is too far under the radar on most peoples predictions. The team and the offense in particular is loaded with talent. Franklin is a good coach also and with Ralph not having to spend so much time there hopefully he can pull up a few other areas. Cosh is tweaking the defense also, and hopefully it is better vs. the run this season.
Even looking back at last season Maryland blew the game with Wake, blew it (with the refs help- haha) against UVA, and a couple others they should have done better in.
Virginia was good last season and I don't expect a giant drop off, but I don't think they will be as good. 4th or 5th probably suits them right for an average season. They need to get Al Groh out of there
about 1 month ago
I am an ACC fan also, but I did tell the truth in my latest article. THE ACC - Totally UnACCeptable Part One.
about 1 month ago
According to the pic above, it has Chan Gailey as GT's head coach. Did he get re-hired?
about 1 month ago
Ted Roof at Duke?
from about 1 month ago
nope, paul johnson is tech's new head coach and david cutcliffe is the new coach for duke.
I was going to put the classic acc logo, but then I found this funny pic and thought I'd use it instead, even though it's a out dated
from about 1 month ago
It must be that your from Michigan and can't read.... it clearly says "ACC Coaches South Park 2007"... still don't get it.... read the 2007 part and then tell me what year it is.
from about 1 month ago
Ha oh Adam you crack me up
about 1 month ago
It's going to be another parity galore year in the ACC - not one team stands out as instant conference champion in my eyes. There are a lot of good teams, but who will be great?
No surprise that Clemson and Virginia Tech were the overall favorites for winning their respective divisions, but the Tigers always seem to let that one important game slip and subsequently a chance at the ACC title. Tech is very consistent and it's pretty much a gimme they'll take the Coastal, if not the ACC crown.
As for the Atlantic, it's really a crapshoot. I wouldn't sleep on Wake, and FSU will be improved over last year. Clemson probably has the best shot taking the Atlantic but Wake and perhaps Maryland are potential contenders as well.
I'm sick of the UNC love-fest already. Yes, they'll be better than last year, but does anyone honestly expect them to finish second in the division? Then again, the only two teams that could take their place would be Miami and maybe Virginia. It's crazy how much of an afterthought Miami has become lately.
As a Maryland fan I may be a bit biased, but the Terps are once again under the radar (which is fine with me). James Franklin brings new energy to the team with his west coast offense and their receivers corp is stacked. My only concern is D-line so I'm curious how we'll fare against run-happy teams.
from about 1 month ago
EXACTLY, THANK YOU!!!!
people don't understand how great maryland's WR corp is. It's because they ran way too much last year and didn't give the ball to heywerd-bey, oquendo, and williams enough. Maryland will be able to win much more games with this new offense, I love it.
from about 1 month ago
I'm a Big 10 guy myself being an Ohio State fan.. but I have always been a UNC fan in both football and basketball. I'm not trying to get on here and say they will win the ACC or anything but looking at what Butch did in just 1 year last year was pretty amazing. Sure the record wasn't great but the fact that they lost 6 of the 8 games they lost by 7 points or less can kind of tell you how they will be this year. Not to mention they did it with a freshman qb... I don't think they will win the coastal division over Va. Tech but I do think they will be a tough team for everyone in the ACC.
On top of that I've been one to say that the Terps are definitely due for a good season... coaching there is too good for them to have another so-so year.. I for sure don't think Boston College will finish above them and don't see Florida State doing squat this year either... or ever until Bowden is gone... I wouldn't be shocked at all to see them finish 2nd in the Atlantic or even first once Clemson starts falling apart mid-season like always.
about 1 month ago
Klimpsen has all the talent in the league except for a handful of people at Ga Tech.. Maybe they'll win the national championship. Maybe they'll go 8-4 like usual.
about 1 month ago
Thank you Baby, for another insightfull comment......... as usually without merit or thought... now to the real comments........
Maryland returns 13 staters from a 6-7 team... They should have been 8-5 at worst in 2007. This Maryland team has a huge offensive line with many players returning who got playing time last year. The running back position is a question but Portis who transferred from Florida give the Terps depth at quarterback. The Terps look good on the offensive side. The other side of the ball is where i see a weakness. Let's face it, Maryland gave up a lot of points last year (with the exception of the season ending game against the Pack) and this team returns just five starters from last year. I would think the Terps would do better to take their big O-Line and try to eat up clock. I am not sure spreading the ball out would be wise this year.
I am on the UNC bandwagon. A wonderful coach, good talent, great facilities and 18 returning starters. But this team may be a year away. Still, this team should finish third at the very worst in their division. And with a little help could easily be in second. They do get the Hokies at home this year, a team they lost to by just seven points last year.
I am not sure Clemson or Va. Tech will win their respected divisions. Clemson does not have ONE linebacker with substantial playing time. Crittenton was suppose to be a rare JC for the Tigers who would step right it. But Clemson refused him admission. Atonio Clay quit the team (he never recovered from his sister's death) Vincent was kicked off the team. McDaniel's career is now in question. That leaves the Tigers with one, Cooper, linebacker with any expierence. Teams should be able to pick on Clemson the whole season, much like the 2006 season when Walters and Billie were lost early.
Va. Tech returns just 10 starters. Now those ten starters did go 11-3 last year. I am not sure if the Hokies can fill all of those holes and repeat. i really only see one team that could stand in their way, UNC. I suppose Miami could spoil things for the Hoikes. The game is in Miami this year and the Canes have a week off to prepare. The week before the Hoikes play Maryland.
Two teams no one is really talking about, FSU and Miami. My how times have changed.
about 1 month ago
i'd say week 3 may be the most tell tale game for the atlantic as wake travels to fsu...if wake can knock off the noles again they have a good shot to take down the atlantic as they get boston college and clemson at home...a lot of people are sleeping on this wake forest team that returns starting qb riley skinner and running back josh adams
p.s. many seminoles will still be serving suspensions week 3
27 days ago
um Hall Simmons has never played in a game at UVa. I really hope you meant Cedric Peerman. And Keith Payne hasn't done much of anything. But I think the UVa vs Maryland game will be a good one just like last year and it may determine the seasons for both of them.
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