2008 ACC Football Preview

With senior James Davis and junior C.J. Spiller, the Tigers boast one of the best tailback tandems in the country, and quarterback Cullen Harper (2,991 yards, 27 touchdowns in 2007) isn't bad either. The defense is a bit more of a question, as the Tigers appear a bit thin at linebacker, but in a relatively weak ACC, Clemson has the look of a 10-win team (at worst). Coach Tommy Bowden has a new contract and the kind of job security that just might let him relax -- and become a better a coach. Clemson has rightfully earned the reputation of an underachieving program. This season represents a great opportunity to put that rep to rest.

Prediction: 11-1 (1st Place, Atlantic)

It's not easy to pick the second-best team in the ACC. Even the Hokies aren't all that impressive on paper -- it's just that they're impressive enough to beat out their relatively weak competition (Miami, Boston College, Wake Forest) for that No. 2 spot. Coach Frank Beamer's squad will, as always, be solid on defense and potentially spectacular on special teams. The offense, meanwhile, is a huge question mark. There's not a single proven wideout or tailback on the entire roster, which means quarterback Sean Glennon (or, potentially, run-pass threat Tyrod Taylor,) is going to have to carry the burden. This is not one of Beamer's best teams. But it should be good enough to win the Coastal Division.

Prediction: 9-3 (1st Place, Coastal)

The post-Matt Ryan era has begun in Chestnut Hill. Fittingly, with Ryan off to the NFL, the 2008 Eagles are going to be carried by defense. Linebacker Brian Toal is back for 2008 after missing all of 2007 to injury, and he will key a defense that may be the conference's best. Of course, there are legitimate questions about the offense, where senior Chris Crane is expected to take over for the Ryan and where there is no star power at tailback. Things are so dire at that position, in fact, that coach Jeff Jagodzinski may have to give the job to a true freshman. Maryland native Josh Haden, who had offers from Florida, Ohio State and other powers, seems the most likely choice.

Prediction: 9-3 (2nd, Atlantic)

There is no secret to success in college football. If you recruit well, you win. Butch Davis -- former head coach at the University of Miami and the Cleveland Browns -- almost immediately established North Carolina as a recruiting powerhouse upon his arrival in Chapel Hill, and this year, his efforts figure to pay off. Tailback Greg Little and defensive tackle Marvin Austin are budding stars, and they'll lead a team that returns 19 starters from 2007. The 'Heels have speed and talent like they haven't had since the Mack Brown years, and should have every opportunity to challenge for the division title. They have more proven talent at more key positions than any ACC team except for Clemson.

Prediction: 8-4 (2nd, Coastal)

Is there a better coach in America than Jim Grobe? I don't think so. Grobe has accomplished in his short tenure at Wake what many would have once considered impossible: Turn Wake Forest -- tiny Wake Forest -- into one of the ACC's best teams. In other words, he has out-Greg Schiano'd Rutgers coach Greg Schiano (whose results really don't compare to Grobe's, though the Rutgers-crazy New York media would never admit as much). This year, nine defensive starters return from a Wake team that finished 9-4 in 2007, and the offense gets back both its leading rusher (Josh Adams, who picked up 953 yards last year) and quarterback (the crafty Riley Skinner, who threw for 2,204). Another good season looks likely.

Prediction: 8-4 (3rd, Atlantic)

Eventually, the Miami Hurricanes have to start being Miami again. Right? Well, that's one theory. Certainly coach Randy Shannon certainly has been doing well on the recruiting trail, and given that the league is so down right now, one might the 'Canes might finally make a run at regaining their lost elite status. But if this year is going to be that year, several young players are going to have to make a real leap. The team returns just four offensive starters from an offense that wasn't exactly tearing it up in 2007, so one has to wonder where the points are going to come from. Then there's the fact that the 'Canes no longer have the intimidating Orange Bowl to play in, which is no small loss. Really.

Prediction: 7-5 (3rd, Coastal)

Drew Weatherford may well be the most embattled quarterback in the nation. 'Noles fans unhappy with Weatherford's numbers (he threw for 2,049 yards and nine touchdowns last year) are hoping Christian Ponder might take the job away. But even if Ponder were to prove himself to be a big upgrade over Weatherford, the 'Noles would still have question marks are several key spots (including head coach, where Bobby Bowden is facing the same kind of criticism being endured by Penn State's Joe Paterno). The 'Noles lose six projected starters to suspensions for half the season and will have possibly the greenest offensive front in the conference. That won't make Weatherford's -- or Ponder's -- job any easier.

Prediction: 7-5 (4th, Atlantic)

Let's give credit to the Cavaliers for this much: They open the season against USC. Think they'll win that one? Yeah, not so much. This shouldn't be a bad team, as 11 starters return from a squad that finished 9-4 in 2007. But defensive end Chris Long is gone to the NFL and starting quarterback Jameel Sewell has been lost to academic troubles, so the Cavs aren't nearly the same team that surprised the ACC in 2008. A Week 3 trip to Connecticut could prove trickier than coach Al Groh might like, and with new starters all along the defensive front, stopping anyone with a decent running game could prove difficult.

Prediction: 6-6 (4th, Coastal)

Anyone who's watched new Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson's triple-option offense up close knows the system works. In fact, it's one of the most effective (and underrated) offensive sets in the country. But while Johnson will almost certainly enjoy success at Tech with this system eventually, this year could be challenge. That's because, frankly, Johnson probably doesn't the right guys to run it. Presumed starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt has the talent to run the show; he just hasn't proven anything yet. Tailback Tashard Choice won't be easy to replace, nor will kicker Travis Bell and punter Durant Brooks. In other words, Tech fans, this is a transition year. Don't expect much.

Prediction: 5-7 (5th, Coastal)

Take a look at the Maryland roster and it quickly becomes apparent just how average this program has become. At tailback, coach Ralph Friedgen can't decide between the average Morgan Green and equally average Da'Rel Scott. At quarterback, the average Chris Turner is hoping to hold off a challenge from slightly-better-than-average one-time starter Jordan Steffy. And while wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey has the potential (thus far unrealized) to be an elite gamebreaker, the Terps offense isn't exactly bursting with star power. Wasn't coach Ralph Friedgen supposed to be an offensive genius? If so, what happened?

Prediction: 5-7 (5th Atlantic)

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly Tom O'Brien saw in N.C. State that made him think it would be a better place to coach than his old home -- Boston College. Maybe now, though, after a disappointing first season with the Wolfpack, O'Brien understands just what he's gotten himself into. N.C. State is not the kind of program that reloads (or even loads in the first place) quickly and easily, so if O'Brien is going to win there, he's got quite job on his hands. The 2008 'Pack suffers big losses along the defensive front and at wideout. Quarterback is a concern, too. Sad but true, N.C. State fans, but your program is suddenly the third-best in the state.

Prediction: 4-8 (6th, Atlantic)

It's tempting to believe that new Duke coach David Cutcliffe might actually make Duke decent again. But until we see results, it's probably safer to assume the Blue Devils will continue to be the ACC's punching bag. This is a team that returns 17 starters, so in theory, they shouldn't be all that bad. But the reality is, those 17 starters have comprised one of the worst teams in the country the last couple years. Tailback Re'quan Boyette has potential to be really good, and linebacker Michael Tauiliili is probably one of the ACC's best. Duke will beat James Madison in the season opener. Beyond that, well, who knows?

Prediction: 2-10 (6th, Coastal)