2011 Spring Football Preview: ACC Atlantic Division

March is all about spring football practices (and some basketball tournament). To help you prepare for the spring practice season, Examiner previews each conference—starting with the ACC and the Atlantic Division.

Boston College Eagles

Begins: March 15

Spring Game: April 16

2010 Record: 7-6 (4-4 ACC)

Boston College started slowly in 2010, but ended up finishing very strong in the ACC, winning their final five games of the regular season. This late surge was capped by a season ending victory over Syracuse, and though the Eagles dropped their final game against Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, there is certainly reason for optimism in Chestnut Hill.  

With this strong finish to the 2010 season, head coach Frank Spaziani is hoping that the momentum can carry over into 2011. Last year, this momentum was much harder to come by and after two wins to start the season, Boston College ended up losing five straight games. Boston College will have to be much less streaky to make a run in what may be a tough Atlantic Division in 2011.

On defense the Eagles will have to replace senior and emotional leader Mark Herzlich at linebacker. The good news is that Luke Kuechly and Kevin Pierre-Louis are both returning starters at linebacker, and look for Nick Clancy to make a push for the final starting job left vacant by Herzlich.

Clemson Tigers

Begins: March 7

Spring Game: April 16

2010 Record: 6-7

There are encouraging signs of hope within the Clemson program after a very successful recruiting season. Even though it may take some time for theses new players to grow into position and make an impact on this team, the 2011 Tigers will be fortified by having all but two starters return on offense and seven starters come back on defense.

Almost the entire starting offensive line is back in 2011, which will be key as Clemson will be breaking in new starting quarterback, Tajh Boyd. Boyd has officially taken over for the baseball-bound Kyle Parker, and Clemson fans got a glimpse of the future late last year when Boyd replaced an ineffective Parker versus South Carolina in the regular season finale.

If any team is going to challenge the Florida State Seminoles in the Atlantic Division, it will be Clemson.

Florida State Seminoles

Begins: March 21

Spring Game: April 16

2010 Record: 10-4, Atlantic Division Champions

Florida State is coming off their first 10-win season since 2003, and will be going for their first back-to-back double-digit win seasons since ending a streak spanning from 1987 through 2000. The pressure is on, but head coach Jimbo Fisher has handled it well to date and confidently raised the bar for the Seminoles.

While Clemson's recruiting class was impressive, Florida State's was even better. But this spring will focus on new quarterback E.J. Manuel, who will step in after Christian Ponder's departure. A positive for Seminole fans, Manuel will enter 2011 with some game experience and has actually played in 16 games (starting four) dating back to the 2009 season.

Florida State does not have many question marks on their roster and returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense. If there is a key area to watch in spring it may be at the linebacker position, which loses two starters in Mister Alexander and Kendall Smith. Having Nigel Bradham return will help stabilize the position a bit, and Vince Williams and Christian Jones will lead the competition for the other two starting spots.

Maryland Terrapins

Begins: March 29

Spring Game: April 30

2010 Record: 9-4

Maryland is coming off of one of their more successful seasons in recent years, but will enter a transition at head coach with Randy Edsall taking over the program from Ralph Friedgen. So what will Coach Edsall have to work with in 2011?

To begin with, he'll have plenty of senior leadership on offense including four returning starters on the offensive line. That is great news for an offense that will be led by the ACC's Rookie of the Year, quarterback Danny O'Brien. In addition, running back Dave Meggett will look to grow into more of an every-down running back in the backfield and having that veteran offensive line in front of him should help.

There are a few positions to keep an eye on with the defense though, including two spots at linebacker. Junior Darin Drakeford and sophomore David Mackall will compete for the two new vacancies at linebacker. Up front, the defensive line returns three starters with Joe Vallano, A.J. Francis and Justin Anderson—leaving one defensive end position open.

Special teams will also be a concern for Edsall, as he needs to find a new place kicker and a new punter.

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Begins: March 17

Spring Game: April 16

2010 Record: 9-4

The Wolfpack came close to playing their way into the ACC Championship Game last season and will look to improve even further in 2011. The big story at North Carolina State over the past month has been the fact that they are preparing for 2011 without last year's starting quarterback Russell Wilson, who is pursuing a baseball career. Tom O'Brien says "we have to move forward" and Mike Glennon will be the new starting quarterback in 2011.

Glennon will have four returning starters blocking for him on the offensive line and the backfield will also be experienced with fullback Taylor Gentry and running back Dean Haynes behind him. Glennon will have to adjust to new primary receiver targets running routes in the open field.

The secondary appears to be set for the Wolfpack, but there will be some competition for starting jobs on the defensive line, where one end and one tackle position appear to be up for grabs.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Begins: March 15

Spring Game: April 16

2010 Record: 3-9

This could be another rough season for the Demon Deacons, who will play nine games against schools that played in bowl games in 2010. Challenging home games against Florida State, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame highlight the schedule.

Things got more complicated in just the past few days with defensive coordinator Brad Lambert taking the head coaching opportunity for the upstart University of North Carolina-Charlotte football program, starting play in 2013. In addition, Wake Forest switched to a 3-4 defense in 2010 and if that style is to continue as their scheme moving forward, it limits the options to fill the role.

As for the players, look for quarterback Tanner Price to continuing growing after starting nine games in his freshman season in 2010. Price started earlier than many expected and threw more interceptions (eight) than he did touchdowns (seven), but the offensive line could be much better in front of him this season with the addition of three red-shirted freshmen to the depth chart.

Four starters will return on the O-line in 2011, but also watch for Daniel Bilitch, Dylan Heartsill and Colin Summers to compete for starting jobs or significant playing time. The question remains whether this competition will elevate the game of the entire O-line in 2011.

Originally posted on Examiner.com by Kevin McGuire.