ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE PREVIEW
August 20th, 2012
BY MIKE NOWOSWIAT
Reaching a near Brett Favre-retires-unretires level, we find ourselves postulating yet again just how good Florida State can be in a relatively unimpressive Atlantic Coast Conference. However, the Seminoles finally have stability in their coaching staff, their quarterback, and most importantly, their defense. The defense, which finished its last eight games without allowing more than 20 points, is what should have Florida State winning its first ACC championship since 2005 and potentially making a run at the national title. As has been the case since ACC expansion, the coastal division should come down to Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech; look for their Labor Day matchup to be the deciding factor in this race, especially considering North Carolina is banned from postseason play. The ACC also has a reputation it needs to restore and must perform in marquee non-conference games this season, including two big games to start the season in Atlanta: NC State vs Tennessee and Clemson vs Auburn. The ACC always produces top talent and this season must put it all together to return to national prominence.
Atlantic Division1. Florida State2011 Record: 9-4
Defense Returning Starters: 8 Offense Returning Starters: 8 Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher 2. Clemson2011 Record: 10-4
Defense Returning Starters: 8 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Dabo Swinney 3. North Carolina State2011 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 7 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Tom O'Brien 4. Maryland2011 Record: 2-10
Defense Returning Starters: 9 Offense Returning Starters: 8 Head Coach: Randy Edsall 5. Wake Forest2011 Record: 6-7
Defense Returning Starters: 7 Offense Returning Starters: 5 Head Coach: Jim Grobe 6. Boston College2011 Record: 4-8
Defense Returning Starters: 8 Offense Returning Starters: 8 Head Coach: Frank Spaziani |
Coastal Division1. Virginia Tech2011 Record: 11-3
Defense Returning Starters: 9 Offense Returning Starters: 3 Head Coach: Frank Beamer 2. Georgia Tech2011 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 6 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Paul Johnson 3. North Carolina2011 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 6 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Larry Fedora 4. Miami2011 Record: 6-6
Defense Returning Starters: 6 Offense Returning Starters: 4 Head Coach: Al Golden 5. Virginia2011 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 5 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Mike London 6. Duke2011 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 9 Offense Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: David Cutcliffe |