ACC Preseason Poll

Not an ACC fan at all. Just a college football fan. I think Virginia is the real deal. As a die-hard Gamecock fan, I think they'll beat us...and win the ACC as well.

1. Virginia
2. FSU
3. NC State
4. Maryland
5. Wake Forest
6. UNC
7. Clemson
8. Georgia Tech
9. Duke

Take it to the bank.

 

I remember saying it here at TBR last season that I thought UVA would win the ACC this year. But I'm kinda hedging on that prediction now. I can make a decent case that maybe they overachieved a good bit last year. 2 monster comebacks saved them from losing to both Wake and UNC. They should have lost both of those games.

Statistically, they were awful. Bottom 5th of the country on both sides of the ball. And their schedule does them no favors this year. Maybe a year of improvement will make a big difference for them, but they have struggled with stopping the run for years now.

If they win at USC like Freakshow thinks they will, watch out. Only places they won last year were Duke and Wake.

 

All of the USC boards have the UVA game down as a WIN. No problem. I just don't see why they get no respect. WVU was a GOOD team last year. UVA destroyed them. They are only older now.

NC State and FSU are the only possible losses in the ACC IMO. I say they win 1 of the 2 and win out in the ACC.

 

I have a guess as to why. You guys had - what - 6 turnovers in that game at UVA? Hold on to the ball and you win that game. Also, it appeared that WVU was too busy crying about being left out of the Gator Bowl to show up for the Charlotte game.

No way UVA wins at MD this year. Especially after playing at State the week before. I doubt UVA will have much left in the tank. They crushed MD last year. Revenge sucks.

Hey - I might be wrong. Even though I am a VT grad I kinda like Groh and what they are doing in C'ville. And I still believe what I said before about there not being a sliver of difference between the four teams that got first place votes - although FSU and State probably have better players at the skill positions than MD.

For the most part, I just like to argue/debate football and try to look at all sides.

 

i think virginia got lucky in a few games last year. but i still think they are good, i just feel like they're in for a little bit of a letdown. of course, i've been wrong before and i'm sure i will be again one day. those top 4 teams can go in any order right now, but i really do think fsu will win the conference again. they return 10 of 11 starters on defense, some very capable wr's, the BEST rb in the acc, and chris rix may not be a heisman candidate but he doesn't have to be for them to win. their front 4 is going to be scary this year.

i like it like this:

1)fsu
2)maryland
3)ncstate
4)uva
5)gtech
6)clemson
7)unc
8)wake
9)duke

 

actually we had 7. 2 of them were forced, 5 of them were unforced. it was pitiful.

 

UNC is definately better than Clemson.

Also, I see Va and NC State fighting it out to see who wins the ACC. FSU is third.

 

wager?

 

Not sure your basis for this statement other than if it's just a like for UNC and a dislike for Clemson. The Tigers problem, imho, is summed up in one word.....Toughness. The program used to intimidate by being stronger in the 4th quarter on both sides of the ball. The last couple of years the team has seemingly gone soft. By the 4th quarter they are being blown off the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense. If that is not corrected is could very well be a long season.

However, in terms of player talent and UNC, lets not forget that even a "soft" Clemson team last season defeated UNC 42-12. Charlie Whitehurst will be the clear starter. How good he can be is tough to judge. You can point to his very good overall stats for a Freshman quarterback in the ACC, or you can say his stats are padded against weaker teams and he did not fair so well against stronger opponents. Whitehurst is a smart quarterback, I expect him to be in the upper 1/3 of the ACC in terms of rating. At receiver Ariese Currie, Derrick Hamilton and Kevin Youngblood make a good threesome, with Hamilton one of the most dangerous kick return men in the league. I am not sure of the status of Roscoe Crosby (6-3, 200) or Ty Zimmerman (6-4, 205), but if Crosby returns this season, and Zimmerman has actually become eligible then that group of 5 will be as strong as most any group of receivers in the Country. Crosby, Zimmerman and Curie were all top 10 receivers in the Country when recruited out of High School, and I believe Youngblood was also very highly rated.

The running game needs to improve, but they do have some talent. Yusef Kelly will likely be the starter and he did average 4.2 yards per carry last season on 125 carries. Duane Coleman adds a speed compliment to Kelly's power. Cliff Harwell is a great blocking fullback, and lets not forget Sophomore Ty Hill who gained 105 yards on 14 carries against.........yes, UNC....last season.

The kicking game has to be improved simply because Klopp is no longer punting for the Tigers.

Clemson is a real tough team to evaluate. They could be very good, mediocure, or even lousy depending on many factors. IMHO the Tigers will win 7 or 8 and make a fourth straight bowl appearance at the worst, or win 10 and finish 2nd or 3rd in the Conference at the very best. I don't see them finishing behind UNC though.

My picks for the top 2 would be NC State first, and Florida State second. NC State has it all going for them this season. Heisman candidate quarterback and running back, good receivers, and a good defense. This is their year to make something happen. I see a very exciting college season in the ACC...can't wait to get it started.

 

State's young up the middle, but maybe more talented. Secondary is loaded. Offense will be awesome, I hope.