Bird's the Word: Virginia Tech Hokies Top the 2009 ACC Rankings

Over the last several weeks, we've been looking at and ranking the different units for each ACC team. Now we are going to rank the teams going into the 2009 season.

It should be a great season, as I can see as many as eight ACC teams spending time in the AP and Coaches' Top 25 polls. Can anyone stop the recent conference dominance by the Virginia Tech Hokies?

Check out the already completed rankings:

Running Backs
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
Full Team

With the season soon approaching (thankfully!), keep an eye out for a roundtable discussion of the upcoming season with some of the great ACC Bloggers and ACC Football Bleacher Report Contributors out there.

1) Virginia Tech Hokies

Why they may go 11-1: Frank Beamer has produced the ACC's most consistent team over the last five years, earning three ACC Titles in five years and four Championship game appearances.

Bud Foster's defenses are always athletic and physical. The running game with Darren Evans should be powerful, and the receivers/tight ends unit is the best in the ACC.

Why they may go 8-4: If Tyrod Taylor doesn't develop into the quarterback the Hokies hope they have, the offense will again struggle to score points and move the ball. If the Hokies play poorly against Alabama and get run out of the Georgia Dome, a la Clemson Tigers last year, their confidence will be shot.

2) Florida State Seminoles

Why they may go 10-2: The offensive line is outstanding and should be able to dominate most opponents. Christian Ponder has shown tremendous potential at quarterback and gives the 'Noles their best returning QB since Chris Weinke.

When has Mickey Andrews produced a defense that wasn't at least pretty good? Florida State always has an abundance of athletes.

Why they may go 7-5: Simply put, the schedule is brutal—at BYU, South Florida, Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, at Clemson, at Wake Forest, and at Florida.

The Seminoles showed flashes of their previous dominance last season, but I don't care who you are, that schedule is a nightmare. If the Seminoles go 10-2, that's a top 10 team.

3) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Why they may go 11-1: The offense is going to get better, with all the major skill players returning. The running backs, highlighted by Jonathan Dwyer and Roddy Jones, are among the best in the country.

Last year was only a junior version of the triple option, as Paul Johnson is planning to add elements of the run and shoot during the offseason. Morgan Burnett is one the best safeties in the nation.

Why they may go 7-5: The offense won't be a problem—Georgia Tech will put up points and yardage—but there are two big question marks on this year's team.

First, the defensive line has three new starters. Last year's team gave up 80 points their last two games with three NFL draftees on the defensive line.

Also, Scott Blair was inconsistent at kicker. If he doesn't improve, Georgia Tech could find themselves on the wrong side of the close games.

4) North Carolina Tar Heels

Why they may go 10-2: North Carolina has the strongest defensive front seven in the ACC, and with one of the ACC's best linebackers in Quan Sturdivant, the defense has the potential to dominate opponents.

On offense, T.J. Yates could be the best drop-back passer in the ACC. If he stays healthy, the Heels could make a run at the ACC title. North Carolina also has a soft start to the schedule. They should only be an underdog in one of their first six games, a road game against Georgia Tech.

Why they may go 7-5: The Tar Heels don't appear particularly explosive on offense. Yates has been injury-prone throughout his career, and there are big shoes to fill with the losses of Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate at wide receiver.

A two-game stretch of Florida State at home and Virginia Tech on the road could make or break the season.

5) North Carolina State Wolfpack

Why they may go 10-2: Russell Wilson, Russell Wilson, and Russell Wilson. Seventeen touchdowns and one interception in 275 attempts is all you need to know about Wilson, and he's only a sophomore. You will see Wilson singlehandedly take over games this season. He's a great one in the making.

Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams give the Wolfpack a pair of very solid wide receivers, making Wilson's job even easier. If Nate Irving can return from his offseason car accident early in the season, that will really help the Pack's defense.

Why they may go 6-6: If Irving is out for a prolonged period, the defense has young talent, but you just don't replace a player like Irving. The 'Pack also lost Dominique Ellis, a quality starting cornerback.

The end of the season is rough, as NC State finishes with Clemson at home, Virginia Tech on the road, and North Carolina at home. Losing all three is not out of the question.

6) Clemson Tigers

Why they may go 9-3: Coach Dabo Swinney made two nice offseason moves. He convinced dynamic running back C.J. Spiller to return to school, and he hired an experienced well-respected defensive coordinator in Kevin Steele.

If Rickey Sapp returns from his ACL injury 100 percent, he and Da'Quan Bowers will form the most athletic pair of defensive ends in the ACC.

Why they may go 6-6: Now that Swinney has full reign of the program, how will he perform? A win over South Carolina bought some good will, but Clemson fans won't be patient if the Tigers get off to a slow start.

The Tigers need to get behind a quarterback soon. Swinney has yet to decide if Kyle Parker or Willy Korn will be the starter. A quarterback controversy is not what he needs with games at Georgia Tech and a pivotal game with TCU among the Tigers' first four contests.

7) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Why they may go 9-3: Is any one willing to bet against Jim Grobe and Wake Forest anymore? Every time you doubt Wake Forest, they up and just beat you. Riley Skinner is one of the ACC's best quarterbacks, and the schedule is conducive to a fast start. Wake Forest only has one road game in their first six games, and that's a winnable one at Boston College.

Why they may go 6-6: The Deacs lost several players to the NFL draft. LB Aaron Curry and CB Alphonso Smith are going to be very tough players to replace. Sam Swank, the solid kicker and punter, is also gone. His replacement, Shane Popham, struggled from distances over 40 yards.

8) Miami Hurricanes

Why they may go 9-3: Jacory Harris is a young, talented, and raw quarterback. If the switch is flipped, you might see one solid quarterback in the making.

The Hurricanes have one of the conference's best group of wide receivers, with Aldarius Johnson set to be a future star. Miami got rid of offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, who is now credited with running two ACC offenses into the ground—the Hurricanes' and Georgia Tech's.

Why they may go 5-7: Jacory Harris is a young, talented, but raw quarterback. If the switch is flipped the wrong way, the Hurricanes will struggle big time on offense.

The opening stretch might be too much for the young Harris. The early season set of games might be the most difficult in the nation—at Florida State, Georgia Tech at home, at Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma at home. 0-4 is a real possibility.

I never have a problem with tough scheduling, but that's just ridiculous for a team trying to return to prominence.

9) Maryland Terrapins

Why they may go 8-4: The Terps return underrated quarterback Chris Turner for his senior season. Turner doesn't wow you with his natural ability, but he did throw for over 2,500 yards last year.

Running back Da'Rel Scott one is of the ACC's better backs and will keep defenses from keying on Turner. Alex Wujciak is the best linebacker you've never heard of.

Why they may go 5-7: Coach Ralph Friedgen hasn't recruited all that well the last few years, and the Terps are falling behind most of the ACC in terms of talent.

The schedule is a challenge. A road game at California to start the season could set the tone for the season. The Terps could be 2-4 after playing at Wake Forest Oct. 10. A stretch in November of NC State on the road, Virginia Tech at home, and a game at Florida State could cost the Terps a bowl bid.

10) Boston College Eagles

Why they may go 8-4: Don't underestimate Boston College. Last year, much wasn't expected of BC, and they only ended up one game from the Orange Bowl.

The young running back tandem of Montel Harris and Josh Harris will give the Eagles a solid one-two punch in the backfield. Sure-handed wide receiver Rich Gunnel is also back.

Why they may go 4-8: The quarterback situation is a mess. Dominique Davis is gone, and the Eagles have no significantly experienced player to take the position. Redshirt freshman Justin Tuggle or junior Codi Boek may end up with the job.

The loss of Mark Herzlich, and possibly Mike McLaughlin, decimated a previously strong linebacking crew.

11) Virginia Cavaliers

Why they may go 8-4: Nobody knows what to expect from Virginia's new spread offense. If the Cavs can settle in on a quarterback from the trio of Jameel Sewell, Vic Hall, and Marc Verica, they could catch the rest of the ACC by surprise.

Mikell Simpson is a talented running back that could thrive in this offense. CB Ras-I Dowling is an All-American candidate

Why they may go 3-9: If the offense doesn't take it, 2009 could be coach Al Groh's last season at Virginia. The Cavaliers are decent on defense, but if they can't score, the defense is not the shutdown variety.

The offense last year failed to score more than 17 points in any of the Cavs' last four games—all Virginia losses.

12) Duke Blue Devils

Why they may go 6-6: The Blue Devils were seven points from a 6-6 season last year. David Cutcliffe is a good coach who made Duke competitive in 2008.

Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has another year to learn from Cutcliffe, and that should help the talented player. Contests against Richmond, Army, and North Carolina Central give Duke three games right off the bat they should win.

Why they may go 2-10: If the Blue Devils lose any of the three games above, the season could spin out of control really fast. The Blue Devils just don't have enough talent to compete week in and week out in the ACC.

Home games at Wallace Wade usually bring in more opposing fans and offer virtually no home field advantage. When you have a history of losing like Duke, it's hard to change that mentality. That's another obstacle for Cutcliffe.

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