2010 College Football Predictions: ACC Season Preview

Going into the 2010 ACC season, there are many storylines that will get a ton of attention.

Bobby Bowden is no longer at Florida State, Miami is coming back to its prime, North Carolina is under investigation by the NCAA, and Virginia Tech is still flying under the national radar.

In this slideshow, these are just a few of the main storylines going into the ACC season.

Headlines To Watch

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles tries to get the crowd going in the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeat

The ACC this season possesses many eye-catching storylines. Here are just a few:

The changing of the guard at Florida State with Jimbo Fisher taking over as head coach.

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich's inspiring comeback from cancer.

The resurgence of Miami is starting to gain more attention with Jacory Harris being tabbed as a surprise player by some national analysts.

But, the biggest developing story is the emergence of the investigation by NCAA of North Carolina.

Tough Road Non-Conference Games

Three of the favorites to win the ACC (Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech) all have tough non-conference games early in the season.

North Carolina visits Atlanta to face LSU in SEC country on Saturday.

Virginia Tech opens at FedEx Field against Boise State on Labor Day.

Florida State goes to Norman to face Oklahoma on September 11th.

That same day Miami visits Columbus, Ohio to face the Buckeyes.

Clemson takes a trip to Auburn the next week for a primetime matchup.

On September 23rd, Miami has to travel to Pitt for a Thursday night game.

Also, Georgia Tech faces Georgia in Athens this season.

Miami Hosts Three Major Title Contenders

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Travis Benjamin #3 and linebacker Darryl Sharpton #50 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami defeat

The Hurricanes have a big advantage in their chances of winning the ACC title.

Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech all visit Miami in conference play.

The Seminoles come in on October 9th for the newest edition of their rivalry.

North Carolina is next to visit on October 23rd and the Hokies came in for their annual end of the season matchup with the Hurricanes.

Who Replaces C.J. Spiller?

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: C.J. Spiller from the Clemson Tigers holds up a Buffalo Bills jersey after he was selected #9 overall by the Bills during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by J

Former Clemson RB C.J. Spiller is just that, the former running back for the Tigers.

Coach Dabo Swinney has too find a replacement and it might come in the form of two different ball carriers.

Junior Jamie Harper and sophmore Andre Ellington will be two players that Swinney turns to.

Both Harper and Ellington ran for over 400 yards each last season but will have to put in way more production to replace the over 1,200 yards Spiller ran for last season.

How Will Jimbo Fisher Fare In Year One?

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Offensive coordinator and future head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles walks the sidelines while taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonvi

Jimbo Fisher has been the offensive coordinator at Florida State since 2007 and knows how the program runs but now Fisher must run the program that Bobby Bowden ran since 1976.

Fisher does have an experienced quarterback in Christian Ponder, who seems like he has been with the Seminoles forever, is in his senior season and needs to avoid being replaced by E.J. Manuel for another season.

North Carolina Investigation

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Instead of the press being positive going into the promising season for Butch Davis and the Tar Heels, it has all turned to negative publicity after the NCAA launched an investigation into rules violations by players.

Two seniors, DT Marvin Austin and WR Greg Little are under investigation after accusation came about that they accepted improper benefits from agents.

Austin and Little have had limited time with the first team and it will affect the Tar Heels if both of them can not play.

Ralph Friedgen Under Pressure

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Ralph Friedgen of the Maryland Terrapins watches his team take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Champs Sports Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl December 29, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. Maryland defeated Purdue 24-7. (Photo

The Maryland coach is entering his tenth season with the Terrapins and is on the hot seat after going 2-10 last season.

There is no doubt that Friedgen has done good for the program but in his last six seasons he is 35-38 which gives cause for concern.

With a big game to start off the season with Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Friedgen's Terps can get on the right track with what would be considered an upset.

Can Georgia Tech Repeat?

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: A male cheerleader from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets waves a giant flag in support of his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The simple answer to that question is no.

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is back to run the triple option offense but the competition has gotten better this season in the conference.

An early road game at Kansas, one week before an away matchup with North Carolina, the Yellow Jackets could slip up looking ahead to play the Tar Heels.

Road games at Clemson and Virginia Tech could derail the hopes of the Yellow Jackets in the stacked Coastal Division.