ACC Pre-Spring Preview - What Needs Work?

From Miami protecting the ball, to Virginia Tech stopping the run, to Georgia Tech's Tevin Washington trying to get a passing game going, the ACC has plenty of work to do his spring. In the 2011 CFN Pre-Spring Preview, here's a quick look at what every team needs to do to improve. Also check out all the ACC team pre-spring lookbacks and lookaheads, and much, much more.

2011 Pre-Spring Preview   

What To Work On - ACC

Click for each team's pre-spring lookback and lookahead
Atlantic Boston Coll | Clemson | Florida St | Maryland | NC St | Wake Forest
Coastal Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami | North Carolina | Virginia | Virginia Tech

2011 ACC Pre-Spring Preview
- ACC Pre-Spring Rankings
- Why Every Team Should Be Excited
- Why Every Team Should Be Grouchy
- What Every Team Needs To Work On
 
Atlantic

Boston College
The passing game. The entire offense needs an overhaul, but particularly the passing attack. The Eagles ranked 104th in passing efficiency and were picked off 21 times, but at least top WR Colin Larmond is expected back from a season-ending injury.

Clemson
Igniting the offense. Clemson finished below .500 largely because of this group, which ranked 10th in the ACC in both scoring and total offense. With the defense set to regress a bit, even after the phenomenal recruiting class, it’s time for the offense to begin pulling its weight.
 
Florida State
The passing game. The attack lacked consistency for reasons that extended beyond just the quarterbacks. The Noles need more from a receiving corps that’s been a little short on big plays the last two seasons. The firepower should be there to do far, far more.
 
Maryland
Blocking. The Terrapins need to do a better job of controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. For the new staff, that’ll require improved coaching and and more recruiting classes like the first one. Randy Edsall likes to run the ball and likes a strong front five, and the one he inherits is fine, but hardly special.

NC State
The offensive line. A perennial problem in Raleigh, Tom O’Brien and his staff have to do a better job with this group considering a new quarterback will likely need time to figure out what he's doing. Jake Vermiglio needs to be replaced at left tackle, but a handful of other regulars return with experience. This has to be a strength early on.

Wake Forest
Defense. Run. Pass. You name it. Wake Forest has to get much tougher at the line of scrimmage and do a better job in coverage because it's missing the offensive firepower to win shootouts. The stocks weren't quickly refilled after the talented class of a few years ago.

Coastal

Duke
Defense. This and the running game are on-going problems that need to be addressed. Whether it’s run defense or pass defense, Duke lacks the consistency and toughness to hold up in the improved ACC on a week-to-week basis.
 
Georgia Tech
The passing game. Yeah, obvious Tech is a run-dominated team, but it’s doubly dangerous when there’s even a hint of an aerial game on play-action. After ranking 12th nationally in passing efficiency in 2009, the team plummeted to 113th, which hurt more than most expected.

Miami
Protecting the ball. Where might Miami have been had it not led the country with 36 turnovers, including 27 interceptions? Al Golden plans to find out, knowing that progress isn’t possible unless his team does a better job at holding on to the ball. The defense was great at taking the ball away, but not enough came of the big plays.

North Carolina
The running game. Carolina has to do better than 125 yards a game and 3.7 yards a carry, especially with a young quarterback being broken in. To further complicate matters, last year’s top three rushers were seniors and the O line could use some work. More consistency on the ground will be a big key early on.

Virginia
Stopping the run. Sure, the offense has its own headaches, but the defense has shown a spark over the last several years - at least once in a while - and it has the potential to be terrific with a little more time and a lot more consistency. Last year’s squad was one of just a handful nationally to yield more than five yards a carry.

Virginia Tech
Stopping the run. Believe it or not, yes, this really is an issue for Tech. This became a major concern last fall, especially against physical teams not afraid to go north-south. Out of character for the Hokies, they way too often, getting blown off the ball and allowing 4.6 yards a carry.

Click for each team's pre-spring lookback and lookahead
Atlantic Boston Coll | Clemson | Florida St | Maryland | NC St | Wake Forest
Coastal Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami | North Carolina | Virginia | Virginia Tech

2011 ACC Pre-Spring Preview
- ACC Pre-Spring Rankings
- Why Every Team Should Be Excited
- Why Every Team Should Be Grouchy
- What Every Team Needs To Work On