Painted faces, lots of beer, cheerleaders and the sounds from the school band have already started. This defines the beginning of another highly anticipated season of college football. In this preview, we decipher what to expect from the 12 teams that call the Atlantic Coast Conference home. Grab some paper and a pen, or just turn on your printer and get ready to discover the ins and outs of this highly volatile conference in the wonderful world of college football.
Atlantic Division
Boston College
Coming out of a 9-3 campaign last year, BC has a tall order to fulfill after losing some fundamental players. We can surmise that head coach Tom O’Brien has increased confidence in returning quarterback Matt Ryan, who posted his best numbers last season against conference rivals. The running game will play a powerful role in how the Eagles approach their week by week schedule. With the combined force of running backs L.V. Whitworth and Andre Calendar (both combined for 1,515 yards running and 8 TDs) the ground attack will be essential for any success in making a bowl game.
The defensive pack has suffered the brunt of last years graduating class, in particular, losing all-star defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who totaled more than 400 tackles in his college stint.
If BC can live up to its performance as it did in 2005, then the last two games of the season (VS. Maryland and then in Miami) may make or brake the teams chance to make a bowl appearance.
Florida State
Reigning ACC champs of last year, the Seminoles come into this season with many questions to be answered. Most importantly, can the Noles’ remain that same cool and collective team that reinvented itself last year? Offensive tackle David Overmyer will need to lead a dubious offensive line into the heat of battle, while trying to stay healthy throughout the season. Injuries plagued blocking ability last year, and the absence of any consistent running game, through top back Lorenzo Booker, magnified the plan of pass first and ask questions later.
The first game of the season pits the Noles’ in the infamous Orange Bowl against the rival Hurricanes, then finishing the season against the Gators. Beginning to end, FSU will need to muster its best effort and skill in order to hang with the rest of the competing class in the ACC.
Clemson
The Tigers have been one of those teams that seem to impress by beating great competition, only to find themselves giving away near guaranteed wins.
A positive trend that Clemson has going for it is the return of many of its now talented sophomores. With its O-line fully intact, the offense will now have to rely on the running game since Charlie Whitehurst has left for the pros.
The defense looks solid with defensive end Gaines Adams coming back to school accompanied by some of the younger talent, but keep an eye on the secondary as inexperience and the loss of CB Tye Hill may spell “burnt rubber” in coverage situations.
North Carolina State
Defensive end Mario Williams made headlines across football nation as he moved from campus life to being picked No. 1 in the NFL draft. Even with Williams and a total of five defensive starters moving on to the big league, the Wolfpack resumes its motivation for competitive play.
Many would argue that the key players from last year are a missing void which may not be able to be filled this season. In support, the Pack is still top heavy on defense where names like CB A.J. Davis, safety Garland Heath and defensive tackle DeMarrio Pressley can rain destruction on its opponents.
One large question looming over North Carolina State campus is how signal caller Marcus Stone can orchestrate the offense over division and conference rivals. The speed and size is there, but is the arm and accuracy enough to take advantage of the athleticism?
Watch out for the Wolfpack as road underdogs. During Chuck Amato's six-year tenure, N.C. State owns an incredible 13-1 spread record as a road 'dog.
Maryland
Injuries, weak defense and overall underachieving can best describe the situation Maryland has faced since they snapped a successful three seasons under head coach Ralph Friedgen. Moving away from the past, the Terrapins are actually looking forward to getting down and dirty in 2006.
With RB Josh Allen making his debut return from missing all of last season, the running game is creating a huge buzz around Maryland fans. Offensive Tackle Stephon Heyer and Jared Gaither should have the ability to open the whole as well as add much needed pass protection for shaky QB Sam Hollenbeck( 13 TDs and 15 INTs in 2005), who at the moment, is the predicted starter.
Coupled with CB Josh Wilson, DT Conrad Boiston and LB Wesley Jefferson, the “D” should be able to keep the Terps in competition, just don’t expect an immediate run for a Bowl game.
Wake Forest
In their last three years of play, the Demon Deacons have posted 21 losses by eight points or less. As amazing as that sounds, Wake Forest has just as good of a chance to start the 2006 season than many of its rivals in the division.
Looking at their schedule, the Deacons, theoretically speaking, have a solid opportunity to start the season at 5-0. After that, this Wake squad will have to prove that they can stand toe-to-toe with the best.
Fans and bettors of the like can look towards a concrete defense that should have the ability to stop the run right off the bat. LB John Abbate, Aaron Curry and FS Josh Gattis are among the premier stoppers that Wake Forest has in its defensive arsenal.
The Deacs are 19-12-2 as underdogs during Jim Grobe's five-year tenure. On the flip side, Wake has an abysmal 5-16-1 spread record as a favorite the last five years.
Coastal Division
Virginia Tech
QB Marcus Vick will no longer be hurling the pigskin for the Hokies, which may be difficult in utilizing the talent of the wide receiver core. The offensive line is big but unproven, after losing much of its cohesion to graduation. RB Brandon Ore’s future is very uncertain given the health problems that continue to plague the bread and butter of the running game.
The schedule seems to be on the Hokies side, as the team will only travel four times this year. The Miami Hurricanes will play host to Virginia Tech on Nov. 4, where in the last three games the Canes have dropped two. Tech knows real well that the schedule can make or break a successful season, and the team is banking on a hot start.
Miami (FL)
Head Coach Larry Coker (53-9) and his Canes seem to be heading into a transitional period, as a lot of its productive offense has matured past the collegiate days. The defense seems, for the most part, to be intact, holding its opponents to an average of 14 points per game in 2005. The big question is can QB Kyle Wright lead his troops to a big dance and what offensive line will show up this season?
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| Can QB Kyle Wright step up and lead his team to glory? (AP Images) |
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Miami will have to prove from game one, that they can beat quality teams in its own division. UM must stay sharp on both sides of the ball. The schedule is feasible, with home games versus Florida State, Virginia Tech and BC. However, a road battle on Sept. 16 against Louisville will be a telling tale.
Georgia Tech
QB Reggie Ball may hold the key to unlocking the door of success for the Yellow Jackets this season. With one of the best wideouts in the game, WR Calvin Johnson will rely on Ball to step up and improve on his TD to INT ratio (37/41 in three years as the starter) this season.
With a great pass rush to help out a much weaker secondary, Georgia will need all hands on deck in the defensive department. With Notre Dame coming into the Yellow Jackets’ nest for the very first game of the season, the secondary will be tested from the very beginning.
Posting a 7-5 record last year, including a melt down at the Emerald Bowl against Utah (38-10), it's very possible that GT can marshal an improved performance this season.
North Carolina
Balance has been the affliction of the Tar Heels since 2004, when the offense was unstoppable but the “D” couldn’t prevent teams from scoring at will. Then, 2005 came and went and the complete opposite result took form, great defense but no scoring.
The 2006 campaign has raised some similar questions with different faces. Two new QBs have moved on campus, which include Joe Dailey (transfer from Nebraska) and redshirt Cam Sexton. How they perform is really a crap shoot, but one thing is for sure, the running game will need to shine.
Games at Miami, Clemson and Notre Dame will prove as a bench mark and flashpoint for the Heels, who will by then know how competitive they really are in the 12-team conference.
Virginia
The Cavaliers are looking at a transitional period in the football program. Virginia has churned out some quality stars in the recent past, losing 13 players to the NFL in the past two years. But with the absence of these prominent players (D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Heath Miller, Kai Parham and Darryl Blackstock) Virginia is looking at a green team ready to take, head-on, the best that the ACC has to offer.
With new QB Christen Olsen taking the helm, the old run and gun offense looks like a fad of the past. Tight ends Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar will now serve as the small to mid-range passing targets which should characterize how the offense will look to move the ball. Defense looks to be a major problem, as defensive end Vince Redd, safety Tony Franklin and others were given their walking papers for team misconduct.
Duke
Going 1-10 last season, the Dukies may just be going in that same direction. Yes, there are some positives, including the return of one of the best cornerbacks in John Talley and the expected production from the defensive line, but there just is not enough depth to warrant a legitimate shot at being on top of the ACC.
A new offensive line (which is probably a good thing), questionable quarterback skill and a team lacking overall speed will hold the Blue Devils from captivating a winning record above .500. Expect another year of reconstruction and building. A foundation is needed before the house can be erected.
Josh Jacobs can be reached at jacobs@vegasinsider.com.
