2010 BCS Conference Profiles: Atlantic Coast Conference

This is the first in a series of conference profiles as part of BCS Know How's season preview.

Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Active Since: 1953

Current Member Schools

Boston College Eagles, Clemson Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, North Carolina Tar Heels, North Carolina State Wolfpack, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons. (12)

Bowl Affiliations

Orange Bowl (BCS) , Independence Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, EagleBank Bowl, Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Sun Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl. (8)

2009 Results

Conference Champion - Georgia Tech (Coastal Division)
Conference Runner-up - Clemson (Atlantic Division)
BCS Bowl Result: 2010 Orange Bowl - Iowa 24 vs. Georgia Tech 14
Overall Bowl Record: 3-4
Heisman Vote Recipients: Clemson RB CJ Spiller (6th Overall)

2010 Outlook

Georgia Tech's reign as ACC champs may be short lived after losing four of their top-flight players from last season's conference champion squad. This may end up being a year of the return to the strength of the ACC, as traditional powers Miami, Boston College, and Florida State all look to be on the way up.

For the Seminoles, a new era could begin with a division title, as this will be coach Jimbo Fisher's first season at the helm of FSU, taking over for Bobby Bowden.

Clemson loses its star back from last season, CJ Spiller, to the NFL, but expect to contend for the Atlantic Division crown once again.

The surprise however could come from Tobacco Road—a traditional basketball power strip—with North Carolina a serious contender for the division and conference crown and a BCS bowl bid to boot. Duke could also begin making noise in the conference.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls

Miami (FL) QB Jacory Harris; Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams.

BCS Know How's 2010 Predictions

Conference Champion - Virginia Tech Hokies
Conference Runner-up - Florida State Semionles
BCS bids - One: Virginia Tech - Orange Bowl
Heisman Finalists - None