Tuesday, July 22, 2008

2008 College Football Preview: ACC


Oh yeah! It’s that time again. College football players begin reporting for camp in just over a week and the season is just a little over a month away from starting. Over the next several weeks we’ll take a look at the players and teams that will make 2008 a great season. We are going to begin with conference breakdowns beginning with the ACC.

Atlantic Division Predictions

Clemson – Much like Georgia in the SEC the Clemson Tigers were playing better football than just about anyone in the conference but just barely missed the conference title game. They return 16 starters this season!

Wake Forest – 14 returning starters could make the best Wake Forest team Coach Grobe has had yet.

Florida State – Seminoles have a favorable schedule along with 15 returning starters this season.

Boston College – Quarterback Matt Ryan will be sorely missed in 2008.

Maryland – The Terps still to gain some experience but will have a feisty team in `08.

NC State – Losing 5 of their 6 top tacklers will be difficult to adjust to.

Coastal Division Predictions

Virginia Tech – The Hokies are the defending ACC champs and only return 10 starters but will be still be the best team in a weaker division.

Virginia – The Cavaliers get North Carolina, Miami and Clemson at home giving them an opportunity to capitalize on a very favorable schedule.

North Carolina – Butch Davis has 18 returning starters in his second season.

Miami – The Hurricanes don’t have a quarterback on their roster who has thrown a pass in college.

Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets have every card imaginable stacked against them.

Duke – 0-24 in conference play the last three seasons should be all I need to say here.

My Pre-Season All Conference Team

Offense
QB – Cullen Harper, Clemson
RB – James Davis, Clemson
RB – Josh Adams, Wake Forest
WR – Aaron Kelly, Clemson
WR – Hakeen Kicks, North Carolina
WR – Eron Riley, Duke
TE – Ryan Purvis, Boston College
C – Thomas Austin, Clemson
OG – Nick Marshman, Virginia Tech
OG – Sergio Render, Virginia Tech
OT – Eugene Monroe, Virginia
OT – Rodney Hudson, Florida State

Defense
DL – Everette Brown, Florida State
DT – Dorell Scott, Clemson
DT – Marvin Austin, North Carolina
DL – Ricky Sapp, Clemson
LB – Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
LB – Antonio Appleby, Virginia
LB – Dave Philistin, Maryland
LB – Clint Sintim, Virginia
CB – Patrick Robinson, Florida State
CB – Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
SS – Michael Hamlin, Clemson
FS – Chris Clemons, Clemson

Special Teams
K – Sam Swank, Wake Forest
P – Graham Gano, Florida State
KR – CJ Spiller, Climson
PR – Preston Parker, Florida State

Sound Off - Give us your ACC Predictions in the forum!