ACC Round Table Part 1: Florida State Seminoles the Atlantic Division Favorite

With the college football season fast approaching, it’s time to take a look at how the ACC is shaping up for 2009. ACC Media days start this Sunday, if you can believe that. 

I’ve pulled together some of the ACC’s best bloggers and Bleacher Report contributors to get their opinions on the upcoming season. Please check out their websites and Bleacher Report profiles, for more great ACC analysis and updates.

Meet your ACC Round Table.

Clark Nelson: Currently the No. 1 ACC writer on Bleacher Report. Covers SEC sports as well as ACC sports on his site: http://www.accsec.blogspot.com/

Also check out Clark's Bleacher Report Profile.

Harlon Jordan: On his site http://www.accblitz.com/, Harlon exclusively writes about ACC Football. In addition there are weekly links to news around the ACC on his site.

Also Check out Harlon's Bleacher Report Profile .

Allen Lopp: Has written 45 articles on Bleacher Report, and is one of the most knowledgeable writers on NC State and ACC Sports. He is a future writer for http://www.fanhuddle.com/.

Also Check out Allen's Bleacher Report Profile.

Ben Gibson: He is the community leader for Virginia Cavalier football on Bleacher Report. He’s written for Cavalier Dailey, and for one of the Cavaliers top sport sites http://www.thesabre.com/.

Also Check out Ben's Bleacher Report Profile.

And then me…

Jeffrey Fann: I am the community leader for ACC football on Bleacher Report, and I run my own site http://www.allsportsdiscussion.blogspot/.

Also Check out my Bleacher Report Profile.

This will be a three part series.

Part 1
Round Table Introduction
Which team is the favorite to win the Atlantic Division?

Part 2
Which team is the favorite to win the Coastal Division?
Which team is the mostly likely to surprise in the ACC this season?

Part 3
Which team is most likely to disappoint in the ACC this season?
What are your final thoughts on the ACC this year?

Now the introductions are over, on to the round table. Enjoy and please comment away!

1) Which team is the favorite to win the Atlantic Division?

Clark Nelson:
The Atlantic Division is wide open. The only team I would bet on not to win is Maryland. BC and Wake have too many questions for me so that leaves Clemson and FSU. Clemson doesn't have Tommy Bowden leading the way and that looks to be a positive so far, but Bowden's spirit could be broken if he doesn't get the wins back. The cross division schedule is pretty similar. I think the winner of the matchup at Clemson will win the Division and I will go with FSU (for now).

Harlon Jordan:
Florida State—Despite questions in the backfield, a steady defense, revamped line, and what should be stability in the QB spot give the Seminoles an edge over everyone else in the Atlantic. Quarterback Christian Ponder didn't exactly shine in '08, I do have him ranked as my fourth best QB in the league. He has pretty good arm strength and possess' the ability to pick up a few yards if the pocket breaks down.

Keep in mind that Ponder should have plenty of time for the passing game to open up this season seeing as the Seminoles have one of, if not the best, offensive line in the conference. If running back Jermaine Thomas can establish a decent ground game, all should be well. The only downfall is the conference schedule. They start the season against Miami, which as history shows, can go either way.

They catch a break by getting Georgia Tech and NC State at home, but do have to travel to North Carolina, Wake Forest and Clemson.

Allen Lopp:
The Atlantic Division is full of potential contenders, but I think the NC State Wolfpack will win the Division. The Wolfpack have a very potent offense with dual-threat quarterback Russell Wilson behind center, and a ever improving receiving core of Jarvis Williams, Owen Spencer, T.J. Graham, Donald Bowens and tight end George Bryan. They have one of the best and deepest defensive lines in the ACC consisting of Willie Young, Marcus Khun, Shea McKeen, Leroy Burgess, and Alan-Michael Cash.

Ben Gibson:
I have to go with the Florida State Seminoles. I think FSU has the best combination of talent and experience of any of the Atlantic teams this year and having what happened to Bobby Bowden might actually become a rallying point for these players. I know the trendy pick is NCSU but I still need to see more of them and one injury to Russell Wilson like last year and they will be on the outside looking in come championship time.

I think FSU will beat the Pack at home but November could be interesting with two of their last three ACC games on the road.

Jeffrey Fann:
What I really like about FSU, whom I'm picking to win the Atlantic, is their offensive line. They are anchored by All-American candidate Rodney Hudson, and return all five starters. Christian Ponder returns at quarterback giving the Noles a year they don’t enter with QB question marks for the first time since Chris Weinke was a Seminole.

As usual, Mickey Andrew’s defenses should be tough. Though replacing defensive ends Evertte Brown and Neefy Moffett won’t be easy. NC State looks great on offense with qb Russel Wilson, but I’m not ready to anoint any team coming off a 6-7 season division champs. Clemson has nice playmakers in RB C.J Spiller and WR Jacoby Ford, but they still haven’t settled on a quarterback.