2009 College Football Picks: ACC Predictions

Over the years, the ACC has slowly become known as a basketball conference. However, contrary to popular belief, there is some good football being played here as well.

In recent years, perennial powerhouses like Miami and Florida State have fallen into mediocrity, while other contenders have emerged as the teams to beat in the conference.

How will the ACC play out this season? Let’s take a look at what to expect with these free football picks for the 2009 ACC football season

1. Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech has quickly become the dominant team in the ACC. Despite not having a Vick on their team for a few years now, they’re still somehow able to win a lot of games.

Current quarterback Tyrod Taylor is the best thing to hit the quarterback position at VT since Michael himself. He’s fast, can throw the ball, and is a great leader. This is his first year to get all of the playing time and he won’t disappoint.

Prediction: 11-1 or 10-2

2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Coach Paul Johnson has brought the Yellow Jackets back to the cusp of greatness in college football. They should compete with Virginia Tech for the conference championship. They are just a little less talented than VT, but not by much.

Defending against the triple option is a dicey proposal for most teams and that’s exactly what you have to do against Tech. They’ve got some top-notch recruits running the system now and they should be golden this year.

Prediction: 10-2 or 8-4

3. North Carolina Tarheels

Just a few years ago, the North Carolina football program was a joke. They were a clear second fiddle to the basketball program and everyone knew it. While they still haven’t completely emerged from the huge shadow of the basketball dynasty, they’re getting closer.

Under Butch Davis’ coaching, the Tarheels have been transformed into a legitimate contender. Despite the loss of Hakeem Nicks to the first round of the NFL draft, they will still be extremely talented.

Prediction: 9-3

4. Florida State Seminoles

This has been a terrible offseason for the reputation of Bobby Bowden and Florida State. They are mired in an academic cheating scandal that could cost the Seminoles some past wins as well as hurt recruiting.

However, for this season, they actually look like a pretty good team. They return quarterback Christian Ponder and a great offensive line.

They have playmakers at key positions and should have a strong defense as well. If they live up to their potential, they could do better than this ranking.

Prediction: 9-3

5. North Carolina State Wolfpack

While the Wolfpack didn’t quite live up to expectations last year, they look to rebound this season with almost the same team. They’re a year older, a year more experienced, and they’re ready to roll.

Their best player is quarterback Russell Wilson who was first team All-ACC last year. He should be a stud this year as well as a potentially high draft pick. They’re resting all of their hopes on his strong throwing arm and hoping that he can deliver.

Prediction: 8-4

6. Clemson Tigers

The 2008 season was the ultimate in letdowns for the Clemson Tigers. They were actually in the conversation for National Title contention before the season.

Then they actually played the games and things didn’t quite work as planned. They stumbled to a 7-6 record and never really got going.

This season they should be pretty solid behind tailback C.J. Spiller.

Prediction: 8-4

7. Boston College Eagles

The 2009 season will be one of adversity for Boston College. They’re not exactly coming into the year with the best of expectations. They kicked their quarterback, Dominique Davis, off the team and they don’t really have a great replacement.

They also lost the best defensive player in the conference to a battle with cancer. Hopefully Matt Herzlich will be able to overcome that battle, but the team won’t find a replacement so easily.

Expect them to battle adversity to a solid, if unspectacular, season.

Prediction: 7-5

8. Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes are always one of the most talented teams in the country. Over the past few years, they haven’t quite lived up to the hype surrounding “The U.”

While they do put out some good pro players, they never quite seem to put it all together.

This year will be no different as they open the season against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma. This represents a killer schedule that I don’t think they’ll emerge from in the best shape.

Prediction: 6-6 or 10-2

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest has had a pretty good team the last few years. However, this year will probably be a little different. They have relied heavily on their defense in the last few years, and most of the talent from that unit is now gone.

They do return quarterback Riley Skinner, so all hope is not lost. However, the rest of the offense doesn’t look that great. Expect an up and down year for the Demon Deacons.

Prediction: 5-7

10. Duke Blue Devils

For the longest time now, the Duke football program has been the conference doormat. They’ve been a running joke in the ACC, and they only won one game during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

However, new coach David Cutcliffe managed to somehow pull out four wins last year. While that might seem terrible, it takes a lot to turn around a program that is mired in a losing culture.

They’re hoping to get into a bowl game this year, and anything is possible.

Prediction: 5-7

11. Maryland Terrapins

The Maryland program is actually now expected to do worse than Duke this year. That’s how bad it’s gotten in Maryland. They do return their quarterback and running back, and both have some talent.

However, their defense has the potential to be terrible, as does the offensive line. They just don’t have enough talent.

Prediction: 4-8

12. Virginia Cavaliers

The Virgina Cavaliers don’t have a lot to look forward to this year. They are very underwhelming in the talent department and the coaching isn’t anything to write home about either.

Expect them to lose and lose frequently.

Prediction: 3-9

Check out all of Vernon Croy's Expert College Football Picks for this week.