2015 ACC PREVIEW

By Mike Nowoswiat
August 1st, 2015

Once again, the ACC comes into the year underrated.  With Jameis Winston gone, along with his entire offensive line, not many people are giving the Seminoles a shot at the National Title.  And without FSU, the ACC lacks firepower.  Well, that is the reasoning anyways.  Alabama only returns one more starter; and if Dalvin Cook returns, the Crimson Tide and Seminoles will both return exactly seven starters on defense and three on offense.  Despite a less dominating year last year, these Seminoles have still been the most dominating team in college football over the past three years and certainly have the ability to reload.  Clemson and Louisville will challenge Florida State at the top of the Atlantic as Clemson returns Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson and Louisville reloads with perhaps the most impressive transfer class of all-time.  


The Coastal Division is a little more up in the air.  Georgia Tech has the potential to improve on last year's dominating end of the season with four starters on the line--albeit the one player missing is Shaq Mason--and Justin Thomas back on offense, and the defense should be much improved.  However, Georgia Tech and fellow contender Miami have an unfair draw out of the Atlantic with both FSU and Clemson on the schedule.  If Virginia Tech can improve its offense with a healthier and older set of skill position players, they have a great shot at ending this three year slump with one of the best defenses in the country.  With an easier schedule than Georgia Tech, I saw the top of the division as a toss-up.  North Carolina and Pittsburgh should both benefit from coaching changes.  The Tar Heels look to improve their putrid defense by hiring defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, and fellow defensive guru Pat Narduzzi takes control of Pittsburgh's program after Paul Chryst left for Wisconsin.


Whenever your league returns a lot of talent at the QB position, a fun year is in the makings.  And with ten signal-callers returning, buckle your seat belts...this should be a great year.                                                                   

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                                                                       CLICK THE DIVISION NAMES FOR FULL PREVIEW:

Atlantic Division

1. Florida State

2014 Record: 13-1
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 2
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher

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2. Louisville

2013 Record: 9-4
Defense Returning Starters: 4
Offense Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Bobby Petrino

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3. Clemson

2014 Record: 10-3
Defense Returning Starters: 3
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney

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4. North Carolina State

2014 Record: 8-5
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Dave Doeren

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5. Boston College

2014 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 4
Head Coach: Steve Addazio

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6. Syracuse

2014 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 3
Offense Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Scott Shafer

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7. Wake Forest

2014 Record: 3-9
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Dave Clawson

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Coastal Division

1. Georgia Tech

2014 Record: 11-3
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Paul Johnson

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2. Virginia Tech

2014 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Frank Beamer

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3. Miami

2014 Record: 6-7
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Al Golden

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4. North Carolina

2013 Record: 6-7
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 10
Head Coach: Larry Fedora

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5. Pittsburgh

2014 Record: 6-7
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Offense Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

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6. Duke

2014 Record: 9-4
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe

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7. Virginia

2014 Record: 5-7
Defense Returning Starters: 5
Offense Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Mike London

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2015 PREVIEW
QUICK LINKS

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ACC
    Atlantic  Division
    Coastal Division
Big Ten
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BIG 12
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