Why the ACC is Better than You Think

The ACC has been rated as one of the worst of the BCS conferences. There is no question that the last couple of years the competition level has dropped.

Teams like Florida State and Miami, who used to be national championship contenders, are now just trying to win the conference.

The ACC has January blues. The brand of ball being played from August to December is very good, but the ACC has failed in major bowl games.

The last time an ACC team won a BCS bowl game was Florida State in 1999. They defeated Virginia Tech.

The trend is at QB. When BC was added to the ACC and the divisions were created, the teams that were successful were ones with strong QB play. BC, Clemson, Wake, and Virginia Tech have all gotten very strong QB play and all have competed for the championship.

Look for things to return to the way that they were several years ago in the ACC. Look for Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Clemson to dominate in the ACC.

Recruiting Roundup

1. Miami 
2. Florida State
3. Clemson
4. Virginia Tech
5. NC State
6. North Carolina
7. Boston College
8. Georgia Tech
9. Maryland
10. Virginia
11. Wake Forest
12. Duke

All ACC Offense

QB- Drew Weatherford

RB- James Davis

RB- CJ Spiller

OT- Andrew Gardner

OG- Sergio Redner

C- Edwin Williams

OG- Rodney Hudson

OT- Jason Fox

TE- Ryan Purvis

WR- Preston Parker

WR- Aaron Kelly

All-ACC Defense

DE- Michael Johnson

DT- Vance Walker

DT- Ron Brace

DE- Alex Albright

LB- Dave Philstin

LB- Clint Sintim

LB- Aaron Curry

CB- Alphonso Smith

CB- Victor Harris

S- Myron Rolle

S- Michael Hamlin 

All-ACC Special Teams

K- Sam Swank

P- Graham Gano

Projected Order of Finish

Atlantic

1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. Boston College
4. Wake Forest
5. NC State
6. Maryland

Coastal

1. Miami
2. Virginia Tech
3. North Carolina
4. Virginia
5. Georgia Tech
6. Duke

Florida State

Florida State is returning 16 starters from a team that won just seven games last year. Florida has been a team that has underachieved the past four seasons for their programs standards.

Drew Weatherford will lead this team in his senior year. Drew has one thing that many ACC players don't have, experience. Weatherford will have a breakout year. The third-year starter will lead this team to the ACC Championship game.

Florida State has great talent and experience at the skill positions. The Seminoles will prove they are for real early by defeating Wake Forest with authority.

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)

Clemson

Clemson has a very strong team this year, returning 17 starters from a team that was one game from the ACC Championship. They are very talented at the skill positions with Cullen Harper, CJ Spiller, and James Davis.

Clemson's problem is closing games. They have trouble shutting the door on the other team, and I don't think that will change.

Clemson is a first-half home team. When they play at home, they come out firing in the first half and then they lose it in the second half. History repeats itself for Clemson. The only way Clemson wins an ACC title is if they lose Bowden.

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)

Boston College

Life without Matt Ryan. Well, its more than just Ryan who is gone. Andre Callendar and LV Withworth are out, too. The two four-year starters at halfback are gone. On defense, Jamie Silva and DeJuan Tribble are out.

Silva and Tribble combined for 11 interceptions last year. However, BC is bringing back Brian Toal and BJ Raji on defense. BC is also returning all starters at wideout. BC has a very inexperienced team, but they will open some eyes.

Chris Crane is bigger, stronger, and faster than Matt Ryan, but lacks the experience. Crane could make a name for himself. BC will surprise alot of people by winning 10 games this year. Coach Jags is for real.

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2) 

Wake Forest

I can't see Wake Forest doing anything big this year. Riley Skinner makes too many bad decisions with the ball.

They are returning 16 starters. Wake faces a tough schedule. They have to play at FSU and Miami. They also have to play Clemson, BC, and Vanderbilt.

Wake will go to a bowl game, but it will be a lower-tier bowl. Wake Forest will be good, but not as good as last year.

Projected Record: 8-4 (4-4)

NC State

Tom O'Brien will improve this team, but he still needs more time for his recruits to grow through his program. When he started, the program was in bad condition and still is.

I think next year will be the year the NC State becomes a solid ACC title contender. This is a building year as was last year for O'Brien. Look for Daniel Evans to have a strong Senior year at QB.

Projected Record: 3-9 (2-6) 

Maryland

Maryland will be worse than last year. They struggle to play defense and after all, defense and special teams will win you an ACC Championship. 

Projected Record: 2-10 (0-8)