2016 ACC PREVIEW

By Mike Nowoswiat
August 1st, 2016

In 2016, the ACC has two legitimate national championship contenders in Clemson and Florida State. Unfortunately, they are both in the Atlantic, and only one can play in the ACC title game. Last year Clemson dominated its way to the national championship game, and with star quarterback Deshaun Watson returning the Tigers have the best shot at returning to Charlotte, NC. On the other side of the conference, Miami's hire of Mark Richt this past season could alter the Coastal Division for years to come. Richt comes to Coral Gables after a  successful stint at Georgia, and he may be the coach to bring Miami to the level of dominance that was expected when they joined the ACC. It should be an exciting year in the ACC, and with many impressive coaches spread around the league, the competition keeps increasing providing exciting games and fun upsets that will pop up every week. I expect Clemson to sit on the throne once again, this time defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC Title Game.                                                               

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                                                                       CLICK THE DIVISION NAMES FOR FULL PREVIEW:

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson

2015 Record: 14-1
Defense Returning Starters: 4
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney

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2. Florida State

2015 Record: 10-3
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 11
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher

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3. Louisville

2015 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 8
 Offense Returning Starters: 9
Head Coach: Bobby Petrino

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4. North Carolina State

2015 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Dave Doeren

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5. Boston College

2015 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Steve Addazio

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6. Syracuse

2015 Record: 4-8
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Dino Babers

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7. Wake Forest

2015 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 9
Head Coach: Dave Clawson

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Coastal Division

1. Miami

2015 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 9
Head Coach: Mark Richt

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2. North Carolina

2015 Record: 11-3
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Larry Fedora

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3. Virginia Tech

2015 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Justin Fuente

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4. Georgia Tech

2015 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 5
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Paul Johnson

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5. Pittsburgh

2015 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

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6. Duke

2015 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe

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7. Virginia

2015 Record: 4-8
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall

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2016 PREVIEW
QUICK LINKS

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ACC 
    Atlantic  Division
    Coastal Division
Big Ten 
    East Division
    West Division
BIG 12
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PAC-12 
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