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Offenses
1.
Florida State
There's way too much speed and way too much returning talent to not be
more consistent. It all stems from the offensive line, which was never
healthy last year but has just about all the key parts returning. The
receiving corps should be fantastic if Greg Carr and De'Cody Fagg end up
being consistent home-run hitters while Chris Davis makes plays like a
number one target. Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith might be the fastest
backs in the country, but they need holes to run through. QB Drew
Weatherford had a tremendous freshman year and should be even better now
that he knows what he's doing.
2. Clemson
3. Miami
4. Virginia Tech
5. Georgia Tech
6. Maryland
7. Boston College
8. Virginia
9. NC State
10. Wake Forest
11. North Carolina
12. Duke
1.
Florida State
Everyone raise your hand, including the FSU coaching staff, if you
thought Drew Weatherford was going to start every game and arguably,
turn into the ACC Player of the Year. He's a tough, confident passer who
became a better decision maker as the year went on. Xavier Lee is a
multi-talented playmaker who might not settle for being the second
banana for too long. He'll get a shot to make more of an impact this
fall when he comes back from a shoulder injury.
2. Miami
3 Georgia Tech
4. Clemson
5. Boston College
6. Maryland
7. Virginia Tech
8. Virginia
9. NC State
10. Wake Forest
11. North Carolina
12. Duke
1.
Clemson
Is this the ACC's best backfield? If not, it's close with three
great options and a true freshman in C.J. Spiller that might turn out to
be the best of the bunch. James Davis is a 1,000-yard back waiting to
happen with the hands and moves to do everything for the offense, while
Reggie Merriweather is a productive, experienced number two back who can
handle the starting job if needed. Demerick Chancellor is one of the
team's fastest players and should be used as a big play back throughout
the year. Alex Pearson is a big blocking fullback who should be a fine
replacement for Cliff Harrell.
2. Maryland
3. Miami
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State
6. Boston College
7. North Carolina
8. Wake Forest
9. NC State
10. Georgia Tech
11. Virginia
12. Duke
1.
Florida State
The receiving corps is loaded with size, speed, talent, and now,
experience. Chris Davis is a nice veteran to serve as a go-to target,
while Greg Carr and De'Cody Fagg are big, lightning fast deep receiver
who'll led Drew Weatherford bomb away. Joslin Shaw is a rising playmaker
after converting from running back, and track star Kenny O'Neal will
bring even more speed. The concern, at least early on, will be at tight
end needing true freshmen Brandon Warren and Caz Piurowski to push
Charlie Graham.
2. Virginia Tech
3. Miami
4. Clemson
5. Virginia
6. Georgia Tech
7. Maryland
8. NC State
9. Boston College
10. North Carolina
11. Wake Forest
12. Duke
s
1.
Clemson
The line is very big and very, very experienced with all five
starters returning and several other quality reserves that can step in
without missing a beat. Consistency will be the key needing to be better
in pass protection. Having a mobile quarterback like Will Proctor will
help. It'll be a dominant run blocking unit that should pave the way for
well over 2,000 yards on the ground. Roman Fry earned all-star honors at
left guard last year, and he won't be the only All-ACC performer this
season with tackle Barry Richardson and center Dustin Fry sure to get
attention.
2. Georgia Tech
3. Florida State
4. Maryland
5. Boston College
6. Virginia
7. Virginia Tech
8. Miami
9. Wake Forest
10. NC State
11. North Carolina
12. Duke
1.
Miami
The defense will once again be among the best in the nation with
size, speed, and backups that would start for about 100 other teams. The
safeties are among the best in Miami history with Brandon Meriweather
and Kelly Phillips each deserving of All-America consideration and
Anthony Reddick and Lovon Ponder more than good enough to step in
without missing a beat. Cornerback is the X factor needing Glenn Sharpe
to be ready to roll after suffering a knee injury last year and Randy
Phillips needing to step up and be a consistent playmaker. There are too
many great defensive ends and linebackers for the starting spots, and
the tackles have the potential to be a strength after a little bit of
starting experience.
2. Virginia Tech
3. Clemson
4. Georgia Tech
5. Florida State
6. Boston College
7. NC State
8. Maryland
9. North Carolina
10. Virginia
11. Wake Forest
12. Duke
s
1.
Miami
The line could be something special if the tackles come through with
big seasons. 300 pounders Kareem Brown and Antonio Dixon and the quick
Teraz McCray should be strong against the run, but the starting
experience isn't there. The ends are deep and fantastic as Baraka
Atkins, Bryan Pata, Eric Moncur and Calais Campbell are all pass rushing
terrors who'll form a great rotation to steadily get to the
quarterback.
2. Georgia Tech
3. Clemson
4. Florida State
5. Virginia Tech
6. Boston College
7. NC State
8. North Carolina
9. Duke
10. Maryland
11. Virginia
12. Wake Forest
1.
Miami
There aren't any national stars, at least not yet, but the return of
Tavares Gooden from a shoulder injury, Darryl Sharpton from an ankle and
knee problem, and Willie Williams getting a full season healthy will
make this a very good, very deep corps. It's not all that big, but
everyone can run and there will be big-time competition all season long
for playing time. Glenn Cook will have a fight on his hands with
Sharpton for the job in the middle, while veteran Jon Beason will have
to use his experience to hold off Williams.
2. Virginia Tech
3. Georgia Tech
4. Clemson
5. Florida State
6. Boston College
7. Maryland
8. Wake Forest
9. NC State
10. Virginia
11. North Carolina
12. Duke
1.
Miami
This won't be the nation's number one pass defense again, but it
won't be far off. There's a little bit of a question mark at corner
needing Glenn Sharpe to return 100% from a torn ACL and hoping for
either Randy Phillips or Bruce Johnson to go from being decent backup to
a solid starter, or else hope for star recruit Ryan Hill to live up to
expectations right away. The safeties are among the deepest and most
talented Miami has ever had with Brandon Meriweather and Kenny Phillips
each on the short list for All-America honors and Anthony Reddick, once
he returns from a knee injury, isn't far behind. Lovon Ponder is a great
looking young safety who has to somehow find his way on the field.
2. Virginia Tech
3. NC State
4. Boston College
5. Florida State
6. Clemson
7. Maryland
8. Virginia
9. North Carolina
10. Georgia Tech
11. Duke
12. Wake Forest
1.
Virginia Tech
As always, the Virginia Tech special teams will be among the
best in the country. Placekicker Brandon Pace and punter Nic
Schmitt are All-America candidates, and now the return game has
to step up after a mediocre 2005. Eddie Royal is too speedy not
to do more as the team's main kick returner, while the rest of
the top receivers will also provide a little help.
2. Miami
3. NC State
4. Maryland
5. North Carolina
6. Florida State
7. Georgia Tech
8. Boston College
9. Clemson
10. Virginia
11. Wake Forest
12. Duke
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