ACC Football's Regular Season Ending Report

It was an exciting season in the ACC in 2009. Georgia Tech wins the conference in just Paul Johnson's second season. Clemson's C.J. Spiller made a run at the Heisman. The Miami Hurricanes had a resurgent season, and Virginia Tech still won nine games in a relative down year. That shows how good the Hokies have been in recent years.It's college coaching great Bobby Bowden's last season at Florida State. He will be missed.

The ACC didn't make the national splash I had hoped for, but there's still the bowl season to get some big wins.

Here's how I saw things in the ACC at Mid Season and how they look now.


Best Team: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

There's no question about this one. The Yellow Jackets won the ACC Championship over Clemson, and went 11-2. Their only ACC loss this year was an early season game at Miami. The rushing offense finished 2nd in the country. Paul Johnson's triple option is here to stay.

Biggest Surpise: Boston College Eagles

I also considered the Miami Hurricanes here, but Boston College just overcame so much. They had transfers, injuries, and the loss of Mark Herzlich for the year. They won eight games and contended for the ACC's Atlantic Division late into the year.

Montel Harris was the ACC's best running back that you've never heard of. Frank Spaziani did a fantastic job with the Eagles this year. They really got a screwed being forced out West to play the USC Trojans.

Biggest Disappointment: Florida State Seminoles

I picked the Noles as my Atlantic Division favorite when the year began. The offense played well most of the year, but the defense was absolutely horrendous. QB Christian POnder suffered a season ending, Mickey Andrews retired, and then Bobby Bowden was forced out as head coach.

This was a forgettable year to say the least for Florida State. The Noles didn't draw a good bowl matchup playing an explosive West Virginia Team. The Mountaineers could embarass them. Florida State doesn't belong in the Gator Bowl, but I hope they win, so Bobby Bowden can go out a winner.

NC State was also a particularly disappointing team. A pre-season darkhorse ACC contender the Wolfpack didn't even make a bowl game.


Best Win: Miami Hurricanes 21 Oklahoma Sooners 20, Wake Forest 24 Stanford 17

At the time the Miami victory over the Sooners looked like a landmark victory. It was still a very good OOC win, but Oklahoma struggled down the stretch and lost 5 games on the season to take a little luster off the win.

An early season win by Wake Forest over Stanford didn't seem like much, but by the end of the end of year it looked really good. Stanford boasts Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart and finished the year 8-4 with wins over Notre Dame, USC, and Oregon, but they couldn't beat the Deacs. Virginia Tech had a nice win over Nebraska as well.

Worst Loss: William & Mary 26 Virginia 14

This marked the beginning of the end for former Virginia head coach Al Groh. This was a humiliating loss for the Cavs and the ACC.

Offensive MVP: C.J Spiller, Clemson Tigers

Spiller was spectacular down the stretch and nearly led the Clemson Tigers to the ACC Title. His performance against Miami put him in the Heisman discussion and he was nearly unstoppable in the ACC Championship game. Spiller should have been invited to New York, but all of his All-America awards will have to suffice. He could score from any position on the field running, receiving or returning kicks.

Defensive MVP: Robert Quinn, North Carolina Tar Heels

Quinn was a dominant defensive force conference's best defense. He led the ACC in tackles for loss, second in forced fumbles and second in sacks. He's just finished his sophomore season, so he'll be around for while wreaking havoc on ACC offenses.

Derrick Morgan on a poor injury riddled Georgia Tech defense faced double teams all year, and he was the conference's leader in sacks. I'd list him as defensive MVP 1b.

Best Newcomer: Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech Hokies

Williams has tremendous natural instincts as a running back. He's a future All-American, and led the ACC in rushing with over 1,500 yards. What's scary is he's only a freshman.

Most Improved Player: DeAndre Mcdaniel, Clemson Tigers

McDaniel literally came of nowhere to become an All-American this season. He's always been known as solid player, but this year he took it took another level. He led the ACC in interceptions and was in the top 20 in tackles from his safety position.

Coach of the Year: Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Dabo Swinney of Clemson and Frank Spaziani of Boston College also did great jobs, but Johnson putting together the ACC's Best team gets the nod.

The defense suffered multiple season ending injuries through out the year, that Johnson had to find a way to navigate through. He did so with a dominant offense and fearless playing calling that has gotten Georgia Tech to its first major Bowl in over 30 years.

Quick Bowl Outlook:

Virginia Tech vs Tennessee, Miami vs Wisconsin, and Georgia Tech vs Iowa provide some great chances for the ACC to get some marquee wins.

If Boston College could somehow beat USC that would really raise some eyebrows.

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