ACC Preview - College Football News

ACC Preview
By Jeff Zell
Posted: 4:30 am PDT 2006-08-07

Miami, Virginia Tech and Florida State have been the powerhouses of the ACC since the reconfiguration. Clemson, Boston College and Georgia Tech are all programs that have knocked on the door to success but have not been able to break through. The ACC looks to be getting more competitive in 2006. Will this be the year where the ACC champion plays for the national title? The best bet appears to be Miami, assuming the Hurricanes get through two early tests. (ACC teams listed here in projected order of team strength, not by division):

1) Miami (9-3, 6-2)
Coach: Larry Coker
Key Players Lost: Sinorice Moss (WR), Eric Winston (OL), Kelly Jennings (DB)
2006 Key Players: Kyle Wright (QB), Tyrone Moss (RB), Brandon Meriweather (FS)
Key Games: vs. FSU (9/4), @Louisville (9/16), vs. BC (11/23)

Summary: The NCAA's winningest team since 2000 (64-10) returns 11 starters, including standouts QB Wright and RB Moss. Those two will have to perform behind a new offensive line after four of five starters departed. Wright's favorite target is TE Greg Olson, who has great hands and above-average speed. The defense returns six starters and will be one of the best in the ACC. Defensive end Baraka Atkins has started 35 games and will provide leadership along with Meriweather, and LB Jon Beason could be a big-time star this year. The Hurricanes' secondary should have a little fall off from its No. 1 passing defense ranking in 2005, but not too much.

Prediction (11-1): Wright has the experience now to be a good quarterback; he just needs to play like it against the better teams. Question marks surround Moss and how he will bounce back from his 2005 injury.The defense will shut down opposing ACC ground attacks, and the secondary will be fine. Defeating Florida State at home is a must, and then heading to Louisville will be tough. If Miami comes out with a bang out of the gate, it's a good bet that the 'Canes are in the national championship game.

2) Virginia Tech (11-2, 7-1)
Coach: Frank Beamer
Key Players Lost: Marcus Vick (QB), Jimmy Williams (CB), Darryl Tapp (DE)
2006 Key Players: Vince Hall (LB), Branden Ore (RB)
Key Games: @BC (10/12), @Miami (11/4)

Summary: The Hokies lose 12 starters from last year's 11-win squad. Beamer's No. 1 priority should be finding a starting quarterback. Sophomores Sean Glennon and Cory Holt have some game experience, but they will have to hold off freshman Ike Whitaker (as long as Whitaker stays out of trouble). Ore missed the spring while rehabbing from shoulder surgery, which gave 2004 top recruit George Bell time to shine in spring drills. The top five receivers all return, but only one is a senior. Three starting offensive linemen departed from the 2005 season. Hall and Xavier Adibi make up one of the best linebacking tandems in the nation. The secondary always seems to take advantage of opponents' mistakes; last year the defense returned five interceptions for touchdowns. Aaron Rouse and D.J. Parker are the two in the secondary who will make the greatest contributions.

Prediction (11-1): After nine Hokies were drafted (not including Vick), most would expect some sort of a drop off in wins.This is college football, and as Virginia Tech has learned, the Hokies can always schedule non-conference cupcakes. Non-conference games against Northeastern, Cincinnati, Kent State and Southern Miss are all pretty much guaranteed wins. Two tough road games, Miami and Boston College, will determine the season. The Hokies have a solid running game and an elite group of receivers at the disposal of whomever wins the starting QB job.

3) Florida State (8-5, 5-3)
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Key Players Lost: Brodrick Bunkley (DT), A.J. Nicholson (LB), Kamerion Wimbley (DE)
2006 Key Players: Drew Weatherford (QB), Lorenzo Booker (RB), Buster Davis (LB)
Key Games: @Miami (9/4), @NCST (10/5), vs. Fla. (11/25)

Summary: After winning their 12th ACC title in 14 years, the Seminoles lose 14 starters, including a ton on defense. The offense rides on sophomore QB Weatherford's shoulders, and while he will be asked to make the big plays, he does have quality tools around him. The three big, speedy wideouts return from last year, and RB Booker would like to improve his draft status his senior year after many considered his first three years a bust. Three of five offensive linemen return. The defense is anchored by returning tackler leader Davis. DT Andre Fluellen should fill Bunkley's shoes and Scout.com No. 1 overall prospect in the nation DB Myron Rolle likely will make an instant impact.

Prediction (10-2): Despite the anemic offense in 2005, the question for the Seminoles in 2006 is the defense. Losing five talented players to the NFL is tough to recover from, regardless of school. Weatherford was a quality quarterback at the end of last season but must learn to get rid of the ball (32 sacks) in 2006. Booker will not share carries and should turn into a good NFL prospect. I'm still not a fan of the early Miami game now that they're conference rivals, but the winner is a favorite to win the ACC.

4) Clemson (8-4, 4-4)
Coach: Tommy Bowden
Key Players Lost: Charlie Whitehurst (QB), Tye Hill (CB)
2006 Key Players: James Davis (RB), Chansi Stuckey (WR), Gaines Adams (DE)
Key Games: @BC(9/9), @FSU (9/16), vs. SC (11/25)

Summary: The Tigers return 16 starters, including nine on offense and bring in four freshmen All-Americans. The offense returns five big offensive linemen to block for ACC Freshman of the Year Davis, who possesses great speed and good hands out of the backfield. Senior Will Proctor takes over for Whitehurst under center and has returning first team All-ACC threat Stuckey (64 receptions in 2005) and Aaron Kelly (47 catches in 2005). Defensively, the Tigers return their top three tacklers -- Anthony Waters, Tramaine Bille, Nick Watkins (all linebackers) -- as well as their leader in sacks, Adams. The question on defense will be the secondary as only one starter returns.

Prediction (9-3): Three wins over top 20 teams last year combined with 16 starters returning is promising. If asked to throw the ball, Proctor must limit mistakes. After a fantastic freshman year, Davis has the playmaking ability to carry this team on his back. The combined total of points the Tigers lost by in their four defeats was 14. Two tough early road games against Boston College and Florida State will set the tone for the season.

5) Boston College (9-3, 5-3)
Coach: Tom O' Brien
Key Players Lost: Mathias Kiwanuka (DL), Will Blackmon (WR)
2006 Key Players: Josh Beekman (OL), Matt Ryan (QB), Brian Toal (LB)
Key Games: vs. Clemson (9/9), @ FSU (10/21), @Miami (11/23)

Summary: Coach O' Brien needs only three wins to become Boston College's all-time winningest coach. The ACC's best offense in 2005 (387.8 yards per game) loses a pair of second-team All-ACC linemen but has three returning with two full seasons of experience, led by Beekman. Likely to split carries again is L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. Quarterback Ryan was 5-0 as the starter in 2005 and looks to be as efficient in 2006 as he was in 2005 (62 percent completion percentage). Ryan's two top receivers are gone, but the team leader in touchdowns, WR Tony Gonzalez, is the go-to guy. The defense loses a key pass-rusher, Kiwanuka, but gets a healthy Toal who constantly played through a shoulder injury last year. While Toal is the only linebacker returning, the secondary returns three of four starters.

Prediction (9-3): Although this team lacks a big-time playmaker, it does return veteran players who have a chance to make younger players shine around them. The running game should be just as good as last year, and Eagles fans should be confident in an undefeated quarterback under center. It will be impossible to replace Kiwanuka, but the guys filling in at that slot as well as linebacker will produce a normal, tough Eagles defense. Win an early conference game at home against Clemson (Week 2) and momentum could be built to have a memorable season.

6) Georgia Tech (7-5, 5-3)
Coach: Chan Gailey
Key Players Lost: P.J. Daniels (RB), Eric Henderson (DE)
2006 Key Players: Reggie Ball (QB), Calvin Johnson (WR), KaMichael Hall (LB)
Key Games: vs. ND (9/2), @VT (9/30), @UGA (11/25)

Summary: Ball has started every game in his career at Georgia Tech and has the most talented wide receiver in the nation at his disposal. Johnson, a first-team All American as a sophomore, has the speed, size, and strength to be a receiver at the next level. Four offensive linemen return to block for a transfer from Oklahoma, RB Tashard Choice. Three starters return on the defensive line, anchored by senior Joe Anoai, who collected three sacks in 2005 despite being hampered by injuries. The Yellow Jacket linebackers should be some of the best in the ACC as senior Hall led the team in 2005 in tackles for loss, and sophomore Philip Wheeler has the size to play linebacker and the speed to play defensive back. Georgia Tech has three new starters in the secondary.

Prediction (8-4): The offense has the talent to be one of the best in the ACC. The defense has holes in the secondary, but everywhere else is solid. The schedule is vigorous. The Yellow Jackets open with a top-five opponent in Notre Dame and have to travel to Virginia Tech, Clemson, N.C. State and Georgia. Don't forget Miami at home. With those tough road games, it's a good thing Georgia Tech has a senior quarterback with 36 starts under his belt.

7) Wake Forest (4-7, 3-5)
Coach: Jim Grobe
Key Players Lost: Chris Barclay (RB), Ryan Plackemeier (P), Cory Randolph (QB)
2006 Key Players: Jon Abbate (LB), Micah Andrews (RB)
Key Games: vs. Clemson (10/7), @Maryland (11/25)

Summary: Wake Forest returns a league-high 19 starters, including 10 on defense. However, the Demon Deacons do not return their starting quarterback or running back. Andrews will run behind an experienced offensive line. Ben Mauk lost the team's starting quarterback gig last year after starting out 1-3, but holds the reins for Coach Grobe again this year. Abbate will anchor an experienced defense and looks to become the first linebacker in school history to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons. The secondary lacks size and could be at a disadvantage against teams with adequate passing attacks.

Prediction (6-6): Lots of experience returning for Wake Forest is a plus. The schedule is even more of a plus. Starting off with Syracuse, Duke, Connecticut, Ole Miss and Liberty means this squad could possibly be 5-0 heading into a home game against Clemson. The Deacons only lost by four points at Clemson a year ago, so could Wake go to a bowl game in 2006? It very well could happen.

8) Virginia (7-5, 3-5)
Coach: Al Groh
Key Players Lost: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (OL), Wali Lundy (RB), Marques Hagans (QB)
2006 Key Players: Marcus Hamilton (CB), Deyon Williams (WR), Christian Olsen (QB)
Key Games: @Pitt (9/2), @GT (9/21), @VT (11/25)

Summary: Under Groh, the Cavaliers have experienced four straight winning seasons. This year, they must do it with a new quarterback, running back and three new offensive linemen. Unlike his predecessor Hagans, QB Olsen is a pure passer and has the top two receivers returning. Tailback (and converted fullback) Jason Snelling is pegged No. 1 on the depth chart. The defense has only one returning senior starter, Hamilton, and will use 2006 as a building block for 2007. Defensive end Chris Long and LB Clint Sintim will be asked to make significant contributions. Prediction (5-7): This looks like a team that is a year away from being really good. Senior QB Olsen has the pressure of keeping everything together coming into the season. Opening the season at Pittsburgh and ending with the treacherous stretch of Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech means a successful season would be a bowl season.

9) North Carolina State (7-5, 3-5)
Coach: Chuck Amato
Key Players Lost: Mario Williams (DE), Manny Lawson (DE), T.J. Williams (WR)
2006 Key Players: Andre Brown (RB), A.J. Davis (CB)
Key Games: vs. BC (9/23), vs. FSU (10/5), @Clemson (11/11)

Summary: Three Wolfpack defensive linemen were first-rounders, so expect a little bit of a drop off from the eighth-ranked defense in the country. Defensive tackles Demarcus Tyler and DeMario Pressley should be strong up the middle, and Littleton Wright is the Juco transfer taking over for Lawson. Davis is speedy and will anchor the secondary. The offense will rely on QB Marcus Stone, who must improve on his 49-percent completion rate. Three new offensive linemen will block for RB Brown, who emerged as the starter over Toney Baker in the final games of 2005. The top three receivers from 2005 are gone.

Prediction (5-7): The season is on Stone's shoulders. If he can be efficient and productive, the Wolfpack could have a breakout season. On defense the secondary is the strength, but opposing quarterbacks will have more time to throw due to the loss of the stud defensive linemen. Amato's squad most likely will be 3-0 heading into a pair of tough home games against Boston College and Florida State.

10) Maryland (5-6, 3-5)
Coach: Ralph Friedgen
Key Players Lost: Vernon Davis (TE), D'Qwell Jackson (LB)
2006 Key Players: Josh Wilson (CB), Sam Hollenbach (QB)
Key Games: @GT (10/7), @Clemson (11/4), @BC (11/18)

Summary: Maryland loses eight starters from 2005 including All-Americans Davis and Jackson. Senior Hollenbach played better at the end of the season but has an entirely new receiving corps this year. Five offensive linemen return who have started at least one full season to open holes for RBs Lance Ball and Josh Allen. Allen is a senior who missed the entire 2005 season with a knee injury. Defensively, the Terps lose a pair of talented linebackers but return their entire defensive line, albeit a weak one. The linebackers should have enough depth to fill in, and the secondary, which only allowed four passing touchdowns in 2005, has two spots to fill.

Prediction (5-7): There's nothing on paper that puts this team over the top. With the four returning offensive linemen and quality running backs, Hollenbach should have time and a chance to get it to the young receivers. The defensive line must shut down the strong running attacks that ACC opponents provide. The Terps should win three of their first four, but then it's all a crap shoot.

11) North Carolina (5-6, 4-4)
Coach: John Bunting
Key Players Lost: Matt Baker (QB), Tommy Davis (DE)
2006 Key Players: Jesse Holley (WR), Larry Edwards (LB)
Key Games: vs. Rutgers (9/2), vs. NCST (11/18)

Summary: There's a QB controversy at Chapel Hill, although most likely to win it is Nebraska transfer Joe Dailey over freshman Cameron Sexton. Whomever wins the job, Holley is an honorable mention All-ACC performer last year that proved he could be a playmaker. The center point of the Tar Heel offense is the 1-2 running back punch of Ronnie McGill and Barrington Edwards. The defense improved from 2004 to 2005, and look for it to make similar strides in 2006. Edwards led the team in tackles as a junior, and along with FS Kareen Taylor should lead the defense. The front four is an issue after losing Davis and DT Chase Page, but North Carolina has four upperclassmen who are projected to start.

Prediction (4-8): Playing in the ACC, along with a tough non-conference schedule isn't the formula for North Carolina to make steps in the right direction. Putting aside Notre Dame, the South Florida and Rutgers games are winnable, but with those programs being solid, they can also easily be lost. The offense must be able to produce a solid running game to be successful in 2006.

12) Duke (1-10, 0-8)
Coach: Ted Roof
Key Players Lost: Brendan Dewan (LB), Brian Greene (DB)
2006 Key Players: Michael Brown (LB), John Talley (CB), Justin Boyle (RB)
Key Games: vs. Richmond (9/2)

Summary: Eleven starters return including seven on defense for third-year coach Roof. Expected starting QB Zack Asack was suspended the entire season for plagiarism. Converted receiver from 2005 Marcus Jones will likely be the starting quarterback. Four of five offensive linemen, so running for Boyle will be limited. Defensively, Talley was a first team All-ACC selection a year ago, and Brown led all freshmen in the nation with 84 tackles.

Prediction (1-11): Despite their starting quarterback being suspended, the truth is that the Blue Devils really can't get any worse. The Devils have a chance to beat Division I-AA Richmond in Week 1, but that still is a long shot as Richmond was 9-3 and advanced to the I-AA semifinals. Duke is completely overmatched in this major conference.

College Football Betting Line, Upcoming Game Previews & More

Online College Football Betting Sites