2009 NCAA Football Conference Previews: ACC Atlantic Division

2009 will be a year of triumphs and tragedies for the ACC, a conference of plentiful talent yet no dynasty to lead the conference into national title contention.

Like 2008, the ACC will continue its run as a balanced, middle-tier conference, with plenty of stars yet not enough concentration on a single team to support a top-five program. However, there will be plenty of changes in the Atlantic Coast Conference from '08 to '09, as well.

Superstars will emerge, like the one pictured on your right (Russell Wilson, QB, N.C. State), and recruits will turn out as immediate impacts.

But with that come the busts, disappointments, and failures of college football, and it is inevitable that at least one ACC team will fall from the top to the bottom (enter Boston College).

So, without further introduction, here is my 2009 football preview for the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division. For the Coastal Division preview, just follow this link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/228581-2009-ncaa-football-conference-previews-acc-coastal-division

1. Florida State Seminoles

Florida State enters this season as a favorite in the division, but they have plenty to prove to the country.

The Seminoles' defense was devastated by the NFL draft and graduation last season, and it will take a huge effort to pull it back from mediocrity.

However, QB Christian Ponder looks to be poised for a big year. With a balanced receiving squad and powerful offensive line, a lot of the team's success relies on Ponder, who appears ready to shine.

Schedule-wise, FSU opens with conference rival Miami and ends with rival Florida. The Seminoles will be able to avoid Tech—at least during the regular season—but also have key games with UNC and Georgia Tech. The non-ACC schedule includes an FCS creampuff in Jacksonville State as well as sizeable opponents in South Florida and BYU.

Predicted Record: 8-4 (6-2 ACC)

Projected Bowl: Music City Bowl (vs. Auburn)

2. North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack enter the 2009 season having posted a losing record in 2008. However, the team goes in as confident as ever after going on a great run to reach a Bowl at 6-6.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is among the ACC's best, and he will have a solid line to protect him passing the ball.

The defense is also likely to overperform, as they have few holes and a good reputation of holding opponents to low points.

The Pack also have an easy non-conference schedule, hosting all four. The only two decent opponents are Pitt and South Carolina, both of which would be easy to overcome. However, key road trips to Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Wake Forest will toughen up the schedule.

Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4 ACC)

Projected Bowl: Emerald Bowl (vs. Arizona)

3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Offense is what the Deacons want, and it is what they have. Riley Skinner is yet another elite ACC QB, and he has a talented WR core. A three-way race is currently going on for the RB position, but all three would be solid players.

However, the defense is young, inexperienced, and star-lacking. The defensive line is serviceable, but a poor secondary and linebacker unit will hurt Wake Forest's ACC title chances.

The good news for WF fans is that the schedule is pathetic. A road trip to Navy is the hardest non-conference game they have, with home affairs with Baylor, Stanford, and Elon also planned.

Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4 ACC)

Projected Bowl: Gator Bowl (vs. Pitt)

4. Clemson Tigers

Last year's preseason favorite started bad, and never returned.

Head coach Dabo Swinney has turned Clemson from a decent program into a team in ruins, and the outlook doesn't look good.

Coaches and players are leaving left and right, and the lineup is in shreds. Thankfully, though, they still have enough depth to compete.

A powerful offensive line will try to protect a mediocre offense, and a well-recruited defense will hopefully keep the Tigers in games.

The schedule is also manageable, with a home affair versus TCU being the only tough non-conference game.

Predicted Record: 6-6 (4-4 ACC)

Projected Bowl: Meineke Car Care Bowl (vs. Cincinnati)

5. Maryland Terrapins

Despite a succesful 2008 season, 12 players lost to eligibility termination will make another bowl season hard for the Terrapins.

A potent backfield will keep the Terrapins on the ground during most games, and an unnoticeable quarterback unit will try to produce a sub-par player. The departure of Darrius Heyward-Bey will deplete the receivers somewhat, yet talent still remains.

On defense, Maryland is bound to struggle. New coordinator Don Brown will hope to re-align a scattered defense that doesn't appear to have any strong group to its benefit.

The schedule is also hard, with key games versus non-conference foes Cal, Rutgers, and James Madison, as well as big matchups against Clemson and Virginia Tech at home and Wake Forest, N.C. State, and Florida State on the road.

Maryland has a possibility of returning to a Bowl, but a tighly-packed conference will eventually keep them out.

Predicted Record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)

6. Boston College Eagles

Boston College will have high hopes entering the 2009 season after coming off a 9-5 season.

However, a Bowl loss to usual-creampuff Vanderbilt will sober things somewhat, and a total team makeover will likely knock the Eagles out of Bowl contention entirely.

Steve Spaziani is in as the new head coach, and some doubt them for that alone. However, there are worse parts of this BC squad. The defense was hammered horribly this offseason, losing what may be four of the top six players. However, there is still enough depth there to remain decent.

On offense, things are worse. Offensive coordinator Steve Logan left for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers this spring, and he leaves behind a wreck of an offense. There is no QB that appears skilled enough to play at this level, and whoever the Eagles find, he will not have many options at WR, despite the bright future for WR Rich Gunnel.

At RB, sophomore Montel Harris appears talented, but he lacks experience. The offensive line also holds nothing special.

For the Eagles, this is bound to be a majorly disappointing year. However, it is also a rebuilding year, and before you know it, Boston College will once again be at the top of the conference.

Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7 ACC)