ACC Atlantic: What we still don’t know
Spring practice has been over for a couple of weeks and so it’s time to take final looks at the teams in the ACC and SEC before we take our break in June. So here is our game plan for the week:
Today: ACC Atlantic
Tuesday: ACC Coastal
Wednesday: SEC East
Thursday: SEC West
Friday: Tony’s post-spring Top 25
This week we’ll just analyze the teams in alphabetical order. Before we break in June we’ll project the order of finish. If you want to debate the order of finish right now, please be my guest.
ACC ATLANTIC
BOSTON COLLEGE
Last season: 9-5, 5-3 ACC; lost to Vanderbilt 16-14 in Music City Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 7, defense 7, kickers 2.
Coach: Frank Spaziani (1st year).
What we still don’t know: Who will be the quarterback, Dominique Davis or Justin Tuggle? Both Davis, a sophomore, and Tuggle, a redshirt freshman, struggled in the spring so the competition will continue into fall camp under new offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill. Who is going to play DT? B.J. Raji was the No. 9 player taken in the 2009 NFL Draft. Ron Brace had 30 career starts. Both are gone and no one has stepped up yet. Damik Scafe (6-3, 293) and Kaleb Ramsey (6-3, 256) are the likely candidates. Frank Spaziani is a rookie head coach at the age of 62. How is that going to work out?
Opening game: Sept. 5 vs. Northeastern.
CLEMSON
Last season: 7-6, 4-4; lost to Nebraska 26-21 in Gator Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 7, defense 8, kickers 0.
Coach: Dabo Swinney, 4-3 in his second season.
What we still don’t know: Is Kyle Parker really going to be the guy at quarterback? The redshirt freshman from Jacksonville impressed a lot of people with his arm this spring and appears to have the edge over highly-regarded sophomore Willy Korn. Parker split his time between spring football and baseball, so it will be interesting to see how he responds when two-a-days arrive in August. Who will be the placekicker? Mark Buchholz made 88 consecutive extra points as Clemson’s placekicker and connected on 15 of 21 field goals last season. Redshirt freshman Spencer Benton seemed to have the edge over redshirt junior Richard Jackson but Swinney has not named a starter. Will new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele give that unit a little more toughness? The early returns say yes. If DE Ricky Sapp, who had ACL surgery in December, is ready to go in August, this could be a pretty salty bunch. We also think DE Da’Quan Bowers will be a star.
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Middle Tennessee.
FLORIDA STATE
Last season: 9-4, 5-3 ACC; beat Wisconsin 42-14 in Champs Sports Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 5, kickers 0.
Coach: Bobby Bowden, 382-123-4 overall, 309-91-4 in 33 seasons at Florida State.
What we still don’t know: Who is going to play wide receiver? Greg Carr is gone after a very good four-year career and Preston Parker, who caught 104 passes in the past three seasons, was kicked off the team in February. Taiwan Easterling missed spring practice as he recovered from an Achilles heel injury. If Easterling is back at full strength it will probably be he and Bert Reed, who caught 23 passes last season. Redshirt senior Richard Goodman returns to the team after sitting out all of the 2008 season (broken leg). “We have talent at that position. What we don’t have is experience,” head coach Bobby Bowden said. “I think we’ll be okay there.” Can Kevin McNeal and Markus White replace Everette Brown and Neefy Moffett? Brown and Moffett combined for almost 20 sacks and 30 tackles for loss, so the short answer is no. But White is a former national JUCO player of the year and should shine as a senior.
Opening game: Sept. 7 vs. Miami.
MARYLAND
Last season: 8-5, 4-4 ACC; beat Nevada 42-35 in Humanitarian Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 6, defense 4, kickers 1.
Coach: Ralph Friedgen, 64-36 in eight season at Maryland.
What we still don’t know: Will a rebuilt offensive line give RB Da’Rel Scott a fighting chance? Scott ran for 1,133 yards in 2008, the third best effort ever for a sophomore running back at Maryland. But this season the Terps have to replace three offensive linemen who combined for 86 career starts. Can the defense improve under new coordinator Don Brown? Maryland finished ninth in the ACC in scoring defense (22.5 ppg) but gave up 100 points in its last three games. Brown, the head coach at UMass the past five seasons, has only four returning starters as he enters fall camp. “I felt very good about the progress we made on defense (during the spring),” Friedgen said. QB Chris Turner is 6-1 as a starter against teams ranked in the Top 25. But last season Maryland lost to Middle Tennessee (5-7) and Virginia (5-7). “We need for Chris to be consistent every week,” Friedgen said. Can Turner be consistent against the lower rated teams?
First game: Sept. 5 at California.
N.C. STATE
Last season: 6-7, 4-4 ACC; lost to Rutgers 29-23 in papajohns.com Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 7, defense 7, kickers 1.
Coach: Tom O’Brien, 86-59 overall, 11-14 in two seasons at N.C. State.
What we still don’t know: Can Toney Baker come all the way back? Baker rushed for 1,272 yards in 2005 and 2006 but has missed almost all of the past two seasons with injuries. But it will be hard on Baker because there are so many questions left about the offensive line. “It remains an area of concern,” O’Brien said. Will QB Russell Wilson run less? Yes, and O’Brien is going to see to it. Wilson became the first freshman in conference history be named the All-ACC quarterback last season. He recovered from a knee injury suffered in the bowl game and split time between football and baseball in the spring. “We’ve got to save his legs,” O’Brien said of Russell, who threw for 1,955 yards and ran for 388 more. Russell will enter the season having completed 249 consecutive passes without an interception. O’Brien has not ruled out the possibility that sophomore Mike Glennon will factor into the mix at quarterback. “He expects to compete for the job,” O’Brien said.
First game: Sept. 3 vs. South Carolina.
WAKE FOREST
Last season: 8-5, 4-4 ACC; beat Navy 29-19 in Eagle Bank Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 9, defense 4, kicker 1.
Coach: Jim Grobe, 87-77-1 overall, 54-44-0 in eight years at Wake Forest.
What we still don’t know: Can the Deacons replace LB Aaron Curry, the number 4 draft choice? No, but Grobe thinks this will be the deepest group of linebackers he’s had in nine seasons at Wake Forest. What are they going to do about Sam Swank? Swank was one of the nation’s best punter/placekickers going into the 2008 season. Injuries limited his play as a senior but he will still be missed. Shane Popham, the apparent replacement, injured his knee in the last week of spring practice. But the job may fall to a true freshman, Jimmy Newman of Oxford, Ala., who some consider the top high school placekicker in the country. Who is going to be the big-play wide receiver? Senior quarterback Riley Skinner enters 2009 having completed 67.3 percent of his career passes. But with D.J. Boldin (77 catches) gone, Skinner needs a home-run threat at wide receiver to stretch the field. Wake Forest has eight proven receivers, including Devon Brown (10 catches), Jordan Williams (8 catches), Marshall Williams (25 catches). One of them has to step up.
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Baylor
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148 comments Add your comment
Otto
May 11th, 2009
12:00 pm
Tenn Vandy has been more interesting than many ACC games. ‘05 Vandy breaks the UT streak. ‘07 Vandy is a field goal away from knocking Tenn out of the SECCG. A Vandy win would also put UGA in the SECCG for a playoff game to go to the BCS title game. IIRC a Vandy win in ‘07 also puts Vandy in a bowl.
ACC fan I’m glad to see Stafford gone. UGA needs a solid QB and OL more than a top draft pick. The ‘09 team has fewer question marks than ‘08 when both the OL and DL were thin.
Gator Growl, FSU is a long way away from challenging UF but they do have the talent to win the ACC IMO. BB and Andrews will most likely be gone in the next 2 years and FSU falls to atleast 3rd in the State of Florida maybe 4th. Jimbo cashes out and is fired in 4 years or less. FSU goes on their own version of Bama’s hunt to find another Bear.
ACC Fan
May 11th, 2009
12:02 pm
Reality Check: In 2009, the beatings WILL continue.
Otto
May 11th, 2009
12:10 pm
Reality Check the Defense was not up to UGA standards but a bad kicking game and an explosive offense that lived on and often died on big plays didn’t help them. A more steady offense with an experience OL and improved kicking game will help just as much as depth on the DL.
Tide rising
May 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
Otto,
Ya got me confused. Bama’s hunt to find another Bear? There will never be another Bear. Nobody will ever dominate college football again like the Bear. Hell, the guy even had a ferocious critter named after him. I don’t think we are searching for another Bear when we already have Saban. Are you saying that although we have Saban that we’re still looking for another Bear? No such thing exists. There will also never be another Paterno, Bowden, etc.
Huh?
May 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
Otto, did I read that right? Did you seriously just blame the Georgia Tech loss on the frikkin’ OFFENSE? Please restore my faith in humanity and tell me that I read that wrong.
Jumbotiger
May 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
Well said Atlanta Gator
BLAZER
May 11th, 2009
12:20 pm
WONDER WHY PEOPLE POST ON AN ARTICLE ABOUT ACC FOOTBALL IF
IT IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO THEM??? ACC TEAM MUST HAVE WON LAST YEAR!
Saint Nick
May 11th, 2009
12:25 pm
GT fans you beat UGA last year, SO WHAT, you guys act like that is a great thing to accomplish!!! 49-10, AND 41-30!!!!
SEC Rules
May 11th, 2009
12:28 pm
Blazer,
When the ACC can have a winning bowl season or a winning head to head record against the SEC or when the ACC runnerup BC can beat SEC doormat Vandy in a bowl game then come talk to me.
mexdawg
May 11th, 2009
12:42 pm
You dirt dobbers are really funny.You play in a high school stadium that you can’t fill even with a free hot dog and coke.We will probally outnumber you again at your own stadium.We are gonna beat you like a red headed stepchild and you can take that to the bank.
Brock
May 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
ACC did have a winning record head to head last year vs SEC. 6-4.
burritodawg
May 11th, 2009
12:53 pm
60,000+ is a pretty big high school stadium, hombre.
Brock
May 11th, 2009
12:56 pm
I still don’t understand why the size of GT’s stadium and that games are not sold out is such a popular topic for Ga fans to bring up. Please explain.
BS Patrol
May 11th, 2009
12:58 pm
SEC Rules,
I’ll talk to you NOW.The ACC was 6-4 against the SEC (The BIG TWO Conference) during the regular season toe-to-toe. Know what you’re talking about before you blog. The SEC is overrated.
Huh?
May 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
“ACC did have a winning record head to head last year vs SEC. 6-4.”
No it did not. The ACC went 6-6 versus the SEC last year, which marks the first time in ages that it didn’t have a losing record against the SEC. The SEC has worked the ACC like a bad rodeo clown for the past 10 years. Anyone without their head 10 feet up their rear end knows this.
Saint Nick
May 11th, 2009
1:02 pm
Last 3 of 4 is not overated!!!! 1 in 10 is overated!!!!!!
Saint Nick
May 11th, 2009
1:04 pm
The ACC will go 2-8 against the ACC with wins over VANDY and MSU!!!!!!
ACC Ace
May 11th, 2009
1:11 pm
I hope our conference has plenty of games against SEC weak sisters Allbarn and Tennessee.
BLAZER
May 11th, 2009
1:15 pm
still wondering why sec people post on an article about acc?
if it is a such a bad conference-i would not bother to talk about it.
some sec people are still wondering about 45-42 i think. the acc team won
Brock
May 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
Huh, you need some anger mangmt or something. I looked it up and it said the ACC went 6-4 over SEC. If you have better proof then show it to me and I will stand corrected. But coming on here and spouting off just shows what a jerk you are.And I wasn’t even responding to you. I see you on the blogs all the time and all you do is try and belittle people with your tough guy talk. You’re a douche.
BS Patrol
May 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
Brock,
Because it’s the ONLY thing they can try to fall back on. It’s so BIG!
MyWhiskeyClear
May 11th, 2009
1:29 pm
Not to do something so unpopular as return to the intended topic of discussion, but I think FSU and Clemson run the Atlantic this year. As for the entire ACC I think VPI&SU is still the team to beat. Personally, I hope the Jackets avenge last year’s “narrow loss” (since we’re now using that term to make losses feel better) and go to the CCG against rival Clemson. I’m not convinced NC State or Wake present anything more than the upset threat they always are.
I think an earlier commenter had a decent point about the ACC being mired in bad branding. I think this is because it’s too odd an assortment of programs. All of the schools except FSU and NC State are ranked very highly in academics, but some of them are still historically football-first schools. The problem at the heart of this cobbled-together conference scheme, in my opinion, is driven by a lack of regional understanding. All conferences suffer from this. For example, is college football a big deal in Massachusetts or North Carolina? Not really. Is it a big deal in Virginia? Well, for one school it is, but still not very much. What about in Arkansas? Maybe, but now what about South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia? Florida? These plus Texas, Ohio, and California are the places where college football is an outright religion. The SEC and ACC have both types of fanbases in their conferences. I’m not saying this affects the programs as much, but it definitely affects things like stadium sizes, merchandising, TV viewing, etc….CASH FLOW. In the ACC there is no reason, in my opinion, that fans of Clemson or FSU should have to go all the way to Chestnut Hill, Mass. or try to cram into a tiny stadium in Durham, NC to see their team play. I’m sure SEC fans who are faced with seeing games in Starkville or at Vandy feel the same way at times.
I don’t propose a solution, but like the BCS system, conference branding seems like it could have made more sense of regional teams and fanbases. All they’d need is a map and some knowledge of regional culture.
Otto
May 11th, 2009
1:33 pm
Tide, I’m saying Bama fans have not been happy with the exception of Stallings and Saban and that Bama has gone through several coaches in the process of finding those two. I am not saying that is a good thing or a bad thing. You either win SEC and national titles at Bama or you go find another job. I think FSU will be the same way.
Saban isn’t going anywhere and is a great fit at Bama. He has everything needed to make Bama a national power and will be richly rewarded if he can do it. I also think Saban is a better coach than Miles putting Bama in the drivers seat in the West.
Speaking of Bama, can’t wait to see the GT vs Bama game return. Bama’s top DL against CPJ’s option will be fun.
I think Penn St. will also go through several coaches after JoePa leaves Happy Valley. It happens more times than not after a legend.
Huh?
May 11th, 2009
1:33 pm
Where did you look it up Brock? I looked it up in the win-loss records and the ACC went 6-6 vs. the SEC big guy. Your boy BS Patrol said it himself: the 6-4 record is a REGULAR SEASON record. Maybe that’s why the ACC sucks so much in bowl games. They don’t think it counts. You are dismissed.
Reality Check
May 11th, 2009
1:35 pm
The ACC’s big bowl win last year VT versus Cincinnatti. Outside of that, no real bowl wins of significant nature. I beleive this was the first BCS win for ACC in last 5 or six years. The conference has a lot of mediocre teams and even the last champions have been mid level teams (see WF). GT is the only team that has the up side to break into the nation spotlight as long as CPJ is there and compete at a chmpionship level. But until that happens it is a mediocre conference with less big wins than the Mountain West (See Boise, Utah).
As mentioned, the SEC has a good run in BCS titles with 4 this decade. Also multiple years there has been a 2nd SEC team play and win in the Sugar bowl while UF played for BCS (LSU 2006, UGA 07). So it appears the SEC rulz in football strength.
Munson
May 11th, 2009
1:36 pm
The ACC was 6-4 against the SEC in the regular season. The bowls evened it up at 6-6 because BC Lost to Vandy and Tech got trampled by LSU.
tip
May 11th, 2009
1:39 pm
The ACC used to have good branding and regional importance but when you have teams as far away as BC and Miami it’s hard to get that cohesive, regional passin that a conference needs. I would think they would be better off without Miami, BC and FSU and plug in West Virginia, Pitt and maybe East Carolina.
tip
May 11th, 2009
1:40 pm
Sorry, I meant to say “passion” that a conference needs.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:47 pm
This is the most balanced division anywhere in the nation. Correctly predicting the finish of this div. would be due more to luck than knowledge. I could see any of these teams wining it.
The two Supreme Powers belong on the other side though, VT and the Champions of the great state of Georgia.
tip
May 11th, 2009
1:49 pm
It’s an abslute shame that these subdivisions are split up this way. It’s obvious that they did this to try and get FSU and Miami in the championship game every year. It’s stupid and shortsighted. I’m happy that it has compeltely failed for the conference thus far.
MyWhiskeyClear
May 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
I think what might be more fun would be to have the SEC drop Ark, Vandy, Kentucky and MSU. Then they could take GT, VT, Clemson and FSU. The ACC would then be free to pick up Vandy, WVU, Pitt. and Kentucky. If the ACC dropped Miami back to the Big East they could maybe consider ECU. I guess it would then be fun to see the Big East take Georgia Southern.
This doesn’t fix a lot of issues, but I think those 4 ACC teams have more historical relevance within the SEC (not that they’d win many games until money could eventually buy top coaching staffs and bigger stadiums), and they are DEFINITELY (perhaps, VT excluded) in the heart of SEC territory.
sidewalk74
May 11th, 2009
2:10 pm
Hey JB,
Tech has won 4 of the last 5 against UGA when not coached By Chan Gailey. He is the reason for the GT loosing streak and CPJ is the reason we are going to win our 2nd in a row this year !!!!!!!
MikeMah71
May 11th, 2009
2:21 pm
You have to remember last year FSU fumbled in the endzone… GT is much better… but I think we all know who will win the ACC this year… FSU! Here is why… dominate Offensive Line- Punishing Defense, and two great fast backs… Ponder will have more time, and will need help developing the reciever core… we all really do not know what we have there… We will have players step up… FSU is a more complete team on offense… Defense will give some plays away, but will hold when needed…I am looking forward to this year! Go Noles…
JB
May 11th, 2009
2:22 pm
We won 14 of 17 against Florida when not coached by Spurrier. What’s your point. Please tell me you are not a Tech grad with that statement…..
sidewalk74
May 11th, 2009
2:27 pm
JB, you really don’t want to compare UGA vs. FLA to UGA vs. GT because our record is better over the past 25 years than yours is against FLA. lol.
I wonder if you blog this much on the UGA blogs. Because as I Tech fan I never read any of articles about you Mutts.
Bo Williams
May 11th, 2009
2:31 pm
Beat your chest all you want. I had rather have UNC, GT, UVA, WF, Duke, on my diploma, rather that UGA, SCAR, Ole Miss, MSU, and so on down the line. Athletes are learning this as well. Look at UNC recruiting. Even Duke is making strides. Now go back to shouting about how big SEC stadiums are.
JB
May 11th, 2009
2:41 pm
Good, I was afraid Tech fans couldn’t remember more than one year of history. You were beginning to make me think the previous 7 years didn’t happen……..
JB
May 11th, 2009
2:44 pm
Bo, are there any Americans still going to those schools?
ACC fun to watch in '09
May 11th, 2009
2:46 pm
After reading the article I can’t see a CLEAR front-runner in ACC Atlantic Div. Whether it’s questions with personel, coaching, or a combonation of both, I don’t see any team that has a solid grasp on where it could go in 2009. And I think that makes for a VERY interesting/exciting season in the ACC-Atl.Div. — every team could win it.
Take the ACC Coastal for example…Altough it’s easy to see that Duke will be even more improved in year 2 under Cutcliff, I don’t think anyone would pick the Blue Deveil or Viginia to win that div. So it’ll be anyone from the Atlantic vs. either GT, VT, UNC or Miami in the ACC CG. That makes for an interesting/exciting season.
Now, look at the SEC ….. It’s UF from the East vs. either LSU or BAMA from the West for the SEC CG as the vast majority would say. Kinda boring unless there are upsets.
And take the PAC-10 … It’s USC. Kinda boring until 2 or more OTHER programs start winning the Conf. on a more regualar basis.
The Big 10 … it’s now just OSU (from OSU or UM) unitl others start consistently winning.
The Big 12, formerly the Big 2+6 …. BORING until the league expanded, and teams other than Nebraska or Oklahoma won the conf.
And I’ll bet Notre Dame will be the top Independent team, or that either BYU or Utah wins the Mnt. West.
Take a bow ACC, you’ve the leque parity thing down; nobody knows who will win the league in ‘09 — kudos!
JB
May 11th, 2009
2:47 pm
sidewalk, you must be a numbers guy and all…….Try 7 of 8 on your slide rule.
Bo Williams
May 11th, 2009
2:50 pm
Do your homework BJ. UNC is truly a state school, serving its graduates first. By the way, SEC schools would love to attract high-achieving foreigners. They can’t get them to come there. Look at how many high school grads with sat scores over 1400 go to SEC schools, not to mention those above 1500.
sidewalk74
May 11th, 2009
2:54 pm
Ya, they definitely happened. I have the emotional scars to prove it. lol But I am tired of UGA fans calling it a “fluke”. This series has always been filled with streaks. I think CPJ may be getting a streak going for GT.
And when you go 8 years between wins, you go a little overboard with the celebration.
ACC Ace
May 11th, 2009
2:57 pm
This blog was missing some ignorance and xenophobia until JB stepped up. Way to class things up, man! By the way, are you holding a club or oversized drumstick right now?
JB
May 11th, 2009
2:58 pm
sidewalk, no team can win every year. I realize Chan and Reggie Ball had ya’ll handcuffed, and Richt had some pretty good teams during that time….my hats off to you guys for last year.
Huh?
May 11th, 2009
3:01 pm
Bo, this is a sports page. If you want to talk academics go to the princeton review. I can promise you that nobody gives two craps what school you want on your diploma. They came here to read and talk about football. Your refusal to discuss that topic tells me that ACC foootball is every bit the heaping pile of crap that I thought it was. Thanks for confirming that. Good day.
JB
May 11th, 2009
3:01 pm
drumstick…..
sidewalk74
May 11th, 2009
3:02 pm
Reggie F_____g Ball. don’t remind me. Throwing the ball out of bounds on 4th down.
That is another reason GT fans are SO happy with CPJ. His attitude is different and he only puts players on the field that perform.
Otto
May 11th, 2009
3:03 pm
How does VT, FSU, and Clemson have stronger ties to the SEC than ACC. VT has only played SEC teams as of the past decade and even then without a winning record. Clemson is UGA’s traditional OOC border rival but no other ties to the SEC. FSU is a traditional OOC rival to UF with no other real SEC ties.
Clemson was the ACC’s dominant football school before the expansion. It would really help the ACC if they could win the ACC title game and BCS bowl.
I think the ACC has good mix of schools and the problem is not geography. The problem is none of the teams are really good and traditional powers Clemson, FSU, and UM are down. The ACC needs top teams to win big games.
Kentucky is not leaving the SEC. The football team has improved greatly under Brooks and they will return to being a SEC baketball power. Vandy has improved greatly as well. I also do not hear many fans complain about visiting Nashville as it is a fun town with a nice campus. Arkansas is a bit out there but what exactly is any of Arkansas close to?
The only trade that historically makes much sense is S. Car for GT as both teams used to be in the other conf. However how many new freshman remember GT as rivals to Bama and Auburn?
I could see Arkansas to the Big 12 South with Baylor joining a non BCS conf. GT to the SEC West. S. Carolina back in the ACC. FSU into the SEC East. The SEC would have to adopt 2 non rotating games from the other division. The ACC could bring in a Big East team.
Huh?
May 11th, 2009
3:04 pm
“sidewalk, no team can win every year.”
True, but Georgia comes pretty darned close when it comes to owning Georgia Tech. We’ve won 28 of the past 40. The series is indeed very “streaky.” The only problem for Tech fans is that most of the streaks obviously go in Georgia’s favor.
Reality Check
May 11th, 2009
3:08 pm
Sidewalk74, You would be a good publicist. It is very convenient to also forgot that three of the four tech wins came against Jim Donnan who got fired for losing too many games. CMR has one loss against GT, last year. No other losses period.
Also- this is not a GT blog, it is about the whole ACC. I have lived for about 40 years and by and large Tech has been an afterthought with the exeption of the Goff years and mid 90’s. All GT has known is the Sillicon Bowls, Humanitarian Bowls, etc. If the biggest bowl game I had watched for UGA was the Gator Bowl in my lifetime I would give up watching College Football. lol.