College Football 2011: Predicting Miami, Maryland, Clemson, Virginia and The ACC

The ACC is losing a lot of talent this year.

Da'Quan Bowers, Robert Quinn, Brandon Harris, Anthony Castonzo, and Allen Bailey are first round talents who will enter the NFL Draft this spring.

All the great talent on the North Carolina defense in Quinn, Quan Sturdavant, Bruce Carter, Deunta Williams, and Marvin Austin are also NFL bound.

The faces of the ACC: Tyrod Taylor, Christian Ponder, Josh Nesbitt, and Mark Herzlich are gone as well.

What players will step up and fill the big shoes of the men before them?

What team will come out on top after the implosion of many coaching staffs?

Here is an early look at the 2011 ACC Standings:

6. Wake Forest

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Chris Givens #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in action against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Marshall Williams, Hunter Hayes, Matt Woodlief

Quick Take: Wake Forest had a rough year in 2010 as they started both a freshman quarterback and running back on offense.  They'll improve in the coming years as those two develop.

Record: 2-6

5. Boston College

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mike Marscovetra #16 of the Boston College Eagles fakes the handoff in the fourth quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Virginia Tech defeated B

Key Losses: Anthony Castonzo, Mark Herzlich, Rich Lapham

Quick Take: Boston College is losing a lot of talent on the offensive line this year.  How Chase Rettig improves will dictate how much the team improves, or regresses.

Record: 3-5

4. NC State

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack passes the ball during the Champs Sports Bowl against the West Virginia Mountineers at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mik

Key Losses: Russell Wilson, Nate Irving, Owen Spencer

Quick Take: It's impossible to give a fair prediction on NC State with Russell Wilson's future up in the air.  If he heads to the baseball diamond, they'll struggle to improve, but if he stays, then they'll compete for an ACC title.

Record: 4-4

3. Clemson

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Landon Walker #72 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Da'Quan Bowers, Kyle Parker, DeAndre McDaniel

Quick Take: Clemson is losing some big names including quarterback Kyle Parker.  They always are a talented football team, but may be in "rebuilding" mode if they can't recover from their losses.

Record: 4-4

2. Maryland

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Danny Oquendo #17 of the Maryland Terrapins walks off the field late in the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeated

Key Losses: Da'Rel Scott, Kenny Tate, Torrey Smith

Quick Take: They were expected to be in rebuilding mode this season but exceeded most expectations.  How Danny O'Brian and the rest of the Terrapins respond to the coaching change will dictate their ceiling.

Record: 6-2

1. Florida State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: EJ Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Christian Ponder, Rodney Hudson, Markus White

Quick Take: They may be losing Christian Ponder but, E.J. Manuel has the experience and athleticism to keep the Seminoles from taking a step back.  They'll always have some of the very best athletes in the ACC.

Record: 6-2

6. Virginia

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 09: Quarterback Marc Verica #6 of the Virginia Cavaliers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Ras-I Dowling, Marc Verica, Dontrelle Inman

Quick Take: The Cavaliers had a really down year finishing tied for last in the ACC.  Losing their starting quarterback and much of their defense isn't going to help their improvement.

Record: 1-7

5. Duke

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 25: Sean Renfree #19 of the Duke Blue Devils drops back to throw a pass against the Army Black Knights during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Image

Key Losses: Patrick Egboh, Bryan Morgan, Abraham Kromah

Quick Take: Duke took a step back after improving for a couple years.  They're a young team and should be on the rise again next season.

Record: 2-6

4. North Carolina

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Johnny White #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Key Losses: T.J. Yates, Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdavant

Quick Take: North Carolina is losing a ton of talent on defense but, the fact is they played without many of those players last season anyway.  T.J. Yates will undoubtedly be the most missed Tar Heel next season.

Record: 4-4

3. Georgia Tech

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Allen #18 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Joshua Nesbitt, Anthony Allen, Mario Butler

Quick Take: Telvin Washington may not be as highly thought of as the other quarterback who will take over the reins for their squads in 2011 but, this past season he averaged over 17 yards a carry in limited action.  The triple option offense is almost impossible to stop when executed to perfection so a good Georgia Tech squad will always be a tough out.

Record: 4-4

2. Virginia Tech

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Wide receiver Jarrett Boykin #81 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled while running with the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/G

Key Losses: Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Williams, Steven Friday

Quick Take: After losing Tyrod Taylor people may look past the Hokies but, they have another freak athlete quarterback lined up to step in right away in Logan Thomas.  The defense and special teams are always at its best, so how the offense responds to its losses will determine how far VT can go.

Record: 6-2

1. Miami

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Hyundai Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Key Losses: Brandon Harris, Allen Bailey, Leonard Hankerson

Quick Take: Miami has arguably the most talent in the ACC.  No matter how good they look on paper, the key for the Canes is how Jacory Harris and the quarterback position bounce back next season.

Record: 6-2

ACC Champion

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 18: Sean Spence #31 of the Miami Hurricanes stands on the field during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Remember that number one recruiting class in the nation Miami had?  Well, they're all seniors now.

Everyone in the nation saw the Hurricanes blow off their last two bowl games.  Wisconsin wrecked and Notre Dame dominated the lackadaisical Canes.

It's hard to believe the Miami Hurricanes, of all teams, could sneak up on people but, they're still being overlooked in 2011.

Look for Miami to take the ACC Championship crown for the very first time.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter or at One Yard Short.com.