ACC Preview 2010

The ACC preview is next, not because it is the 2nd strongest conference (not even close), but because my Seminoles reside in the Atlantic division. There are some really good teams in the ACC, but first let me weigh in on the Bobby Bowden situation. Maybe I can get it out of the way and not have to “go there” anymore this season. Bobby is whining to the media that he was pushed out as head coach last December. Duh! He should have been pushed out about 5 years ago, before he let the program slip to mediocrity. He always said he would quit when the losses piled up, but he just stuck around and embarrassed himself. Kudos to T K Wetherel for having the nads to give Bobby the pink slip. Now Jimbo Fisher has a chance to make FSU relevant again. Don’t know if he will do it, but it is his chance.

In the same way that the Gators benefit from being in the weaker side of the SEC, the Noles are in the weaker side of the ACC. The Coastal will be a knock down drag out brawl between Va Tech, Georgia Tech, Miami and maybe North Carolina. Frank Beamer is a terrific coach. He has built the Hokies into a national program. They were not on the map before he arrived in Blacksburg. Georiga Tech’s Paul Johnson is another terrific coach. His option oriented offense is scoffed at by pundits, but it works. Miami has sick (really hip term) athletes and Randy Shannon has instilled discipline in Coral Gables (a small miracle). Shannon is tapping into the south Florida talent pool, which has no equal, and landed loaded recruiting classes. The problem is that I don’t think Randy is a good game day coach and I expect the Canes to lose a game or two that they should not. I will add that his OC (Whipple) is a serious play caller! The Tarheels are stocked with NFL defensive players, but I’m not “buying” UNC stock. Butch has built them into a contender, but I don’t see them elbowing the Jackets, Hockies or Canes out of the picture. I should mention that David Cutcliff is a great coach and Duke should be thrilled to have him. He just has an uphill battle to get football players to Durham. NC State has disappointed me in that they progress has been slower than I expected when Tom O’Brien took over. Virginia is a mess and now Mike London gets a chance to try to build them back up.

Miami and Va Tech have the horses and the hype, but I just get the feeling that Paul Johnson will find a way to win the Coastal! No real crystal ball, but my gut. Miami and Va Tech could clearly win the coastal and probably should…

Now for the Atlantic, since Tallahassee is right on the ocean . Boston College is solid and well coached. Clemson got a gift when Kyle Parker put off MLB to play another season of football, and Wake Forest may have one of the best coaches in the country. Maryland started off great under Ralph Friedgen, but have regressed for several seasons now! Even with great coaching, I don’t expect Wake to make noise, so it comes down to BC, FSU and Clemson. I think it is FSU’s division to lose. I know “homer” rides again, but the Noles get BC and Clemson in Tally. If they have ANY defense to go with what I expect to be a potent offense, then FSU should find a way into the poorly attended ACC championship game.

Key non conference games for ACC teams include:

Virginia Tech opens with Boise State on Labor Day night.
Miami goes to the Horse Shoe to play Ohio State in week 2, and like the Gators, play South Florida’s Bulls this year.
North Carolina opens with LSU in Hotlanta and plays Rutgers later in September
Georgia Tech plays at Kansas in week 2 and closes with Jawja
Duke plays Alabama and Virginia plays Southern Cal. They should call in sick…
Florida State goes to Oklahoma in week 2 and then hosts BYU the following week, and of course closes with the Gators at Doak the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Boston College hosts a revived Notre Dame team on Oct 2.
Clemson tackles two SEC teams, at Auburn and hosting rival South Carolina.
Wake Forest plays Stanford (great QB) and Navy.
The NC State Wolfpack come to Orlando to visit UCF at Brighthouse stadium and then host the offensive minded Cincinnati Bearcats.