2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 7

-Atlantic Coast Conference-

Predicted Finish
Atlantic Division
1)Florida State
     After a 9-4 season in which high expectations weren't met, this years' version returns 17 starters and has the talent and experience to win this division and more. QB EJ Manuel should have a great year and the defense will once again be one of the best. This team should finish in the top 10.
2)Clemson
     Clemson won 10 games in '11 and will pose a real threat to FSU in the ACC. Among the returnees are QB Taj Boyd, RB Andre Ellington, and WR Sammy Watkins. Boyd threw for 3800 yds and 33 TD, Ellington rushed for 1178 yards and Watkins became one of the nation's best playmakers with 1200 yds receiving.
3)NC State
     This team 13 returning starters and QB Mike Glennon returns as  the Wolfpack will try to match or surpass last years 8 wins.
4)Boston College
5)Maryland
6)Wake Forest

Coastal Division
1)Virginia Tech
      Frank Beamer's team won 11 games in 2011 and will be aiming high this year again. Virginia Tech returns 9 starters on defense as well as QB Logan Thomas. The 6'6'' Thomas threw for 3,000 yards and rushed for over 600 and I am extremely high on him this year. If Tech's O-line improves, I think Thomas will be a Heisman finalist and the Hokies will be looking at another ACC title game berth.
2)North Carolina
      The postseason ban and new coach make me worry but the return of QB Brian Renner and RB Giovani Bernard is enough to make me keep UNC in the #2 spot. The schedule really helps too.
3)Virginia
      I like what is happening in Virginia with coach Mike London and i expect the upward trend to continue.
4)Georgia Tech
5)Miami
6)Duke

-Player of the Year-
 QB, Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

-Best Conference Games-
Clemson @ Florida St, Sep 22nd
Virginia Tech @ Clemson, Oct 20th
NC State @ UNC, Oct 27th
Florida St @ Virginia Tech, Nov 8th

NCAA Football Conference Previews Part 5

-Atlantic Coast Conference-

Predicted Finish

 Atlantic Division

1.Florida State

  17 starters back along with QB Christian Ponder make the Seminoles a favorite to win the Atlantic Division.

2.Clemson

  QB Kyle Parker and a strong defensive line will be the key to this team's success

3.Boston College

4.Maryland

5.NC State

6.Wake Forest

Coastal Division

1.North Carolina

 Defense wins championships and North Carolina's stout D is returning 9 starters. The key will be the offense. Can returning quarterback T.J. Yates and the other 9 returning starter on offense finally be productive enough to win the division. I think so.

2.Virginia Tech

 QB Tyrod Taylor and backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans should have this offense rolling but the defensive front 7 will be the only big question for the hokies. Doesnt help that they have to play at North Carolina and at Miami.

3.Miami

  The 3rd place i have Miami in here is a bit misleading as i fully believe they will tie for either a first place tie with 3 teams or tie for 2nd. Jacory Harris will finally have to step up and so do the other 15 returning starters around him do. Non conference game against Ohio St and Pittsburgh will tell us a lot about the Hurricanes.

4.Georgia Tech

  Fourth place doesnt look good but expect for the Yellow Jackets to have a good year in a deep Coastal Division. Losing key pieces will hurt the team but QB Josh Nesbitt and the difficulty to prepare for the triple option may keep Georgia Tech in the hunt for the Coastal division top spot.

5.Duke

6.Virginia

-Player of the Year-

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech

-Must See Games-

Florida St @ Miami, Oct 9th

North Carolina @ Miami, Oct 23rd

Virginia Tech @ North Carolina, Nov 13th

Virginia Tech @ Miami, Nov 20th