The answer is probably a conditional yes. While the first week of the college football season saw the ACC turn in a 6-6 record which included losses to Baylor, William & Mary and Richmond, the second week showed more promise. The league ended up 9-2 in week 2, a much better showing. Of course that included nail-biters over UConn and James Madison.
The biggest reason the ACC seems to be gaining ground might be the return of the old guard. A great game between Florida State and Miami gave fans a glimpse into what the ACC used to be. And then Miami followed that up with a stellar performance against a strong Paul Johnson coached Georgia Tech squad. SEC fans have complained for years that their conference beats up on each other eliminating a number of teams from National Championship contention. I'm not saying the ACC is in that conversation yet, but the beating up on each other has begun.
East Carolina vs. UNC
North Carolina is one of the 4 ACC teams ranked in the AP Top 25, but they still have some growing room on the offensive side of the ball, especially coming off a 12 point game against UConn. The last time these two teams met was 2003 and Carolina walked away with a 28-17 win, but that was a down year for both teams. The Tar Heels traveled to Greenville for a battle of 0-5 teams, 6 years later it is a much different story. Skip Holtz' teams always seem to play up to their competition. (see Virginia Tech and West Virginia in 2008) Carolina's defense should be too much this weekend though, Heels pull away and win 17-7.
Duke vs. Kansas
This will be the first time these two programs have met on the field and Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing might have a soft spot for the Blue Devils in his heart. Duke was the only other school to offer him a scholarship, but now he's leading the 22nd ranked Jayhawks to one of their best starts in a long while. These two teams have similar numbers through the air, but on the ground Kansas averages nearly 5 times more yards. The mock quarterback contraversy that boiled up when Thad Lewis was sat last week for redshirt freshmen Sean Renfree, has seemed to taken a backseat now that Coach Cutcliffe declared Lewis his QB. His analogy relating the situation to a baseball game where Renfree can act as a reliever made sense, and isn't something coaches often talk about, but Lewis is mature enough that this could all work out. Unfortunately though Blue Devils won't have enough in Lawrence, KS and the Jayhawks win 39-24.
Gardner Webb vs. NC State
Coming off a drubbing of Murray State, the Wolfpack may make the mistake of overlooking this tough Steve Patton coached Bulldog team. Gardner Webb is 2-0 this season, their last win coming against Western Carolina 27-20. This will be the first meeting between these two programs and Gardner Webb's second chance to take on the ACC. (the last time was a hard fought battle with Georgia Tech who had to block a last second field goal to preserve a 10-7 win) The Wolfpack scored on their first 10 possesions of the game last week and they'll need a similar performance from the offense to put this Bulldog team away. While it will be tougher than last week, NC State pulls out the win 24-10 over GWU.
Elon vs. Wake Forest
This one wins the award for shortest road trip, the Phoenix will drive down I-40 to look to go 3-0 for the fist time since 1999. These two teams have met 9 times before, but none of the players or much less the coaches were alive the last time they met in 1939. The series sits at 8-0-1, the lone tie coming in a scoreless game Oct. 1, 1927. (talk about defense!) Elon is currently ranked 11th in the FCS, but the Demon Deacons are coming off an impressive come from behind win over Stanford. If Wake Forest plays all 4 quarters the Phoenix will be in trouble. Wake wins this one 35-17.
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Peppers looking to bounce back
Julius Peppers is a 6-foot-7, 283-pound freak of an athlete who is faster than a speeding bullet—4.68 second 40-yard dash—and more powerful than a locomotive—56 all-time sacks tops in team history. And if the Panthers hope to turn around their abysmal 2007 season, they will need Julius Peppers to be Julius Peppers again.
More magician than locomotive last season, Peppers started two
fewer games, made 20 fewer tackles, and collected a whopping 10.5 fewer sacks, doing an all-around disappearing act for the length of the Panthers’ mediocre 7-9 season.
‘‘Going 8-8 and 7-9, that doesn’t cut it in this league,’’ quarterback Jake Delhomme said of the Panthers. ‘‘If you don’t perform well, you’re looking to get run out extremely quick.’’
If the preseason is any indication though, the freak who grew from the ground up in
Even though NFL teams actually stopped sending double-teams Peppers’ way in the final games of his pedestrian 2007 season, Peppers said he isn’t playing with a chip on his shoulder this year.
"Some people may feel like I should prove something, but I don't feel I've got anything to prove to anybody," Peppers said. "I feel like I'm the same dude I've always been for 10 years now playing football."
But that’s not exactly true. Peppers has a lot to prove if this team wants to make a postseason run. The Panther’s defensive roster looks fresher if not younger, with new faces replacing those names Panther fans knew for years, names like Rucker, Jenkins, and Morgan.
And Peppers also has a lot riding on this year in terms of contract money. If he goes back to being in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year talks, he will get the money reserved for those game-changing players; if not, well it could cost him millions.
"I've got to focus on playing
“I've got to focus on right now."
For the Panthers, they are focused on the “right now” too, and if Delhomme stays healthy, the upgraded receiving corps gives Steve Smith just a little help, and Julius Peppers plays anything like he did this preseason, the Panthers will be one scary team to face going down the stretch.
Wes Wilson
Saturday, August 30, 2008
LIVE blog of UNC football game
It's a hot, overcast day in Chapel Hill today as Butch Davis gets ready to enter his second season as the UNC football coach. The stands seemed almost completely barren just a few minutes ago, but now that the national anthem has been performed, everyone is settling in.
Stay tuned as I blog from Chapel Hill in our game of the week.
Stay tuned as I blog from Chapel Hill in our game of the week.
Opening thoughts - Well in the initial 6 minutes of play, the only thing impressive about this Tar Heel team is special teams return man Brandon Tate. The offense failed to get much going on its first two possessions, the second of which ended with a Greg Little fumble. Little then exchanged some words with a McNeese State player and had to be held back by teammates. As for the defense, it has looked decent in bursts. The front four aren't getting as much pressure as you might expect but the secondary is playing pretty well. Trimane Goddard got his first pick of the year and sixth of his career. As I mentioned, the fans didn't show up until right before kickoff, but the place is packed now and the fans are really into it. The Turn it Blue campaign seems to have finally played off as the stands are almost completely Carolina blue.
Brandon Tate - Man alive, can this kid run. On his third great return of the day, Tate finally broke free. McNeese State punter Blake Bercegeay absolutely murdered the football, kicking it 55 yards, but that only gave Tate more room to run. He ran it back 82 yards, the ninth longest punt return in school history and Tate's personal best. It was his sixth TD return and third via a punt return. Later, in the second quarter, Tate broke free on a handoff and ran it 58 yards down to the 3-yard line. He is such a playmaker, UNC will have to continue to get him the ball anyway it can.
UNC kicking game - This appears to have worked itself out. So far, Casey Barth has handled the extra points while Wooten has kicked the ball off for the Tar Heels. It's my best guess that Wooten will kick really long field goals, but that's just a guess.
UNC defensive line - This unit, heralded as one of the best in the ACC, has not lived up to its billing so far. They are getting pushed around up front by a very big McNeese State O-line. The holes that the Cowboys are opening up are huge, and if their backs were as fast as other running backs UNC will see in the future, the Tar Heels would have paid the price much more than they have so far.
Rain in the forecast? The officials have been warned of bad weather in the area. I'll keep you updated.
Greg Little - The Tar Heel running back has not gotten much traction in the contest. He's had a couple of decent runs of 8 to 10 yards, but more times than not, he has been hit around the line of scrimmage, dropped for a short gain if that. It's not entirely his fault as the holes don't appear to be there, but this is not what North Carolina wanted to see after searching all last season for a running game.
Brooks Foster sighting - The Tar Heel senior was the recipient of a TJ Yates touchdown pass early in the second quarter. It was the fifth touchdown catch of Foster's career and his first since the 2007 opener when he had two touchdowns. UNC would love to get him more involved this year. His measurables are off the chart, and despite not starting at Carolina, he is already drawing the eye of NFL scouts.
UNC players of note - With the delay, let's take this time to note the Tar Heels who have played the best so far. That obviously includes Brandon Tate, who scored UNC's first touchdown on an 82-yard return and then set up the second Tar Heel score with a 54-yard gain. Despite six fewer carries, Tate has gained 32 more yards than starting running back Greg Little (22 yards on seven carries). On the defensive side of the ball, Quan Sturdivant has really stood out at weakside linebacker. He has been flying around all over the place, leads the team at the 12:03 mark with 5 tackles, all unassisted, and has been great in pursuit all game. It should also be noted that punter Terrence Brown has done a great job. The Tar Heels have probably punted more than they would have liked, but Brown has put both of his punts inside the 20 so far, getting enough hang time on them to let the Heels get down the field to defend the return.
DELAY - Lightning strike - 30-minute delay due to a lightning strike within 5 miles of the stadium. The delay started at 6:52 p.m. with 12:03 to go in the second quarter. Tar Heel Sports Network's Jones Angell said the earliest the game would start back is unofficially 8:30 p.m. The lightning and rain are both really bad at Kenan Stadium right now with each big bolt of lightning drawing yells from the crowd camped out on the concourse.
Maybe I should stay in the booth - I went down to field level for the rest of the second quarter and for the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. During that time, McNeese State scored 20 unanswered points. The first play I saw back up in the press box, North Carolina's Brandon Tate hauled in a 58-yard bomb, giving him 300 all-purpose yards with 4:30 left in the third quarter. The UNC single-game all-purpose yard record is 339 yards and was set in the 1980s. Score - UNC 21, McNeese State 20. The Cowboys missed extra point looms large at this point.
No more Little? - Running back Shawn Draughn started the Tar Heels next offensive series, gaining three yards on his first collegiate carry. Greg Little has been ineffective so far in the backfield. It will be curious to see whether Draughn was just giving him a breather or if Little has been replaced in the second half.
Tar Heels waking up - As the third quarter comes to a close, it's safe to say that the Tar Heels are finally waking up after a lull that saw them lose the lead 20-14 midway through the third quarter. And Brandon Tate's most recent punt return now has him within 17 all-purpose yards of the single game record at North Carolina. His current total of 322 is the fifth most in ACC history.
Tate closing in on ACC record - If you aren't able to watch the Carolina game, you are missing the Brandon Tate show. Tate just hauled in a jumping highlight reel catch for 23 yards. It's scary to think where the Heels might be without Tate in this one. He now has 365 all-purpose yards, sailing past the UNC record and closing in on the ACC record of 411 yards.
Draughn emerging at tailback - North Carolina tailback Shawn Draughn is picking up those hard yards that Little could not get and in this reporter's opinion could be the starter for the Tar Heels next week. He just scored an impressive touchdown to give UNC a 28-20 lead with 9 minutes to go in the game.
Wes Wilson
Brandon Tate - Man alive, can this kid run. On his third great return of the day, Tate finally broke free. McNeese State punter Blake Bercegeay absolutely murdered the football, kicking it 55 yards, but that only gave Tate more room to run. He ran it back 82 yards, the ninth longest punt return in school history and Tate's personal best. It was his sixth TD return and third via a punt return. Later, in the second quarter, Tate broke free on a handoff and ran it 58 yards down to the 3-yard line. He is such a playmaker, UNC will have to continue to get him the ball anyway it can.
UNC kicking game - This appears to have worked itself out. So far, Casey Barth has handled the extra points while Wooten has kicked the ball off for the Tar Heels. It's my best guess that Wooten will kick really long field goals, but that's just a guess.
UNC defensive line - This unit, heralded as one of the best in the ACC, has not lived up to its billing so far. They are getting pushed around up front by a very big McNeese State O-line. The holes that the Cowboys are opening up are huge, and if their backs were as fast as other running backs UNC will see in the future, the Tar Heels would have paid the price much more than they have so far.
Rain in the forecast? The officials have been warned of bad weather in the area. I'll keep you updated.
Greg Little - The Tar Heel running back has not gotten much traction in the contest. He's had a couple of decent runs of 8 to 10 yards, but more times than not, he has been hit around the line of scrimmage, dropped for a short gain if that. It's not entirely his fault as the holes don't appear to be there, but this is not what North Carolina wanted to see after searching all last season for a running game.
Brooks Foster sighting - The Tar Heel senior was the recipient of a TJ Yates touchdown pass early in the second quarter. It was the fifth touchdown catch of Foster's career and his first since the 2007 opener when he had two touchdowns. UNC would love to get him more involved this year. His measurables are off the chart, and despite not starting at Carolina, he is already drawing the eye of NFL scouts.
UNC players of note - With the delay, let's take this time to note the Tar Heels who have played the best so far. That obviously includes Brandon Tate, who scored UNC's first touchdown on an 82-yard return and then set up the second Tar Heel score with a 54-yard gain. Despite six fewer carries, Tate has gained 32 more yards than starting running back Greg Little (22 yards on seven carries). On the defensive side of the ball, Quan Sturdivant has really stood out at weakside linebacker. He has been flying around all over the place, leads the team at the 12:03 mark with 5 tackles, all unassisted, and has been great in pursuit all game. It should also be noted that punter Terrence Brown has done a great job. The Tar Heels have probably punted more than they would have liked, but Brown has put both of his punts inside the 20 so far, getting enough hang time on them to let the Heels get down the field to defend the return.
DELAY - Lightning strike - 30-minute delay due to a lightning strike within 5 miles of the stadium. The delay started at 6:52 p.m. with 12:03 to go in the second quarter. Tar Heel Sports Network's Jones Angell said the earliest the game would start back is unofficially 8:30 p.m. The lightning and rain are both really bad at Kenan Stadium right now with each big bolt of lightning drawing yells from the crowd camped out on the concourse.
Maybe I should stay in the booth - I went down to field level for the rest of the second quarter and for the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. During that time, McNeese State scored 20 unanswered points. The first play I saw back up in the press box, North Carolina's Brandon Tate hauled in a 58-yard bomb, giving him 300 all-purpose yards with 4:30 left in the third quarter. The UNC single-game all-purpose yard record is 339 yards and was set in the 1980s. Score - UNC 21, McNeese State 20. The Cowboys missed extra point looms large at this point.
No more Little? - Running back Shawn Draughn started the Tar Heels next offensive series, gaining three yards on his first collegiate carry. Greg Little has been ineffective so far in the backfield. It will be curious to see whether Draughn was just giving him a breather or if Little has been replaced in the second half.
Tar Heels waking up - As the third quarter comes to a close, it's safe to say that the Tar Heels are finally waking up after a lull that saw them lose the lead 20-14 midway through the third quarter. And Brandon Tate's most recent punt return now has him within 17 all-purpose yards of the single game record at North Carolina. His current total of 322 is the fifth most in ACC history.
Tate closing in on ACC record - If you aren't able to watch the Carolina game, you are missing the Brandon Tate show. Tate just hauled in a jumping highlight reel catch for 23 yards. It's scary to think where the Heels might be without Tate in this one. He now has 365 all-purpose yards, sailing past the UNC record and closing in on the ACC record of 411 yards.
Draughn emerging at tailback - North Carolina tailback Shawn Draughn is picking up those hard yards that Little could not get and in this reporter's opinion could be the starter for the Tar Heels next week. He just scored an impressive touchdown to give UNC a 28-20 lead with 9 minutes to go in the game.
Wes Wilson
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Big UPS!!!!
Jason Spells
So this is the beginning of something I hope will be a regular here on the News 14 Carolina Sports Blog, the BIG UPS column. We get hundreds of emails here in the Sports Department with some incredible stories from all across North Carolina. Sadly to say only a fraction we're actually able to cover. Well here’s my shout out to people doing big things in North Carolina Sports.
Raleigh Ravenscroft senior Ryan Kelly, the 6-10 power forward played on USA Men's Basketball U-18 team. The team earned the sliver medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Formosa, Argentina. Right now he’s looking at Duke, Georgetown, Notre Dame, UNC, Wake and Vandy for college ball.
Next up, the West Raleigh's 10 and under All-Star baseball team. Last week the team clinched a berth in the 10-U Cal Ripken World Series. These kids haven’t lost a game since June. That’s seven tournaments.29-games all with the W.
Alexander Givens and Alexander Long both from Raleigh. These two were invited to travel to England for Chelsea Football Club’s inaugural youth cup. Anytime Americans can take our soccer to England and play, that’s definitely doing big things.
And finally, NC Power Hockey, I’ve been emailing Jonathan Greeson for a few months now. And story behind these guys is just incredible. Please check it out…http://www.ncpowerhockey.com/.
There we go, keep the stories coming. BIG Ups to these guys!!!!
So this is the beginning of something I hope will be a regular here on the News 14 Carolina Sports Blog, the BIG UPS column. We get hundreds of emails here in the Sports Department with some incredible stories from all across North Carolina. Sadly to say only a fraction we're actually able to cover. Well here’s my shout out to people doing big things in North Carolina Sports.
Raleigh Ravenscroft senior Ryan Kelly, the 6-10 power forward played on USA Men's Basketball U-18 team. The team earned the sliver medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Formosa, Argentina. Right now he’s looking at Duke, Georgetown, Notre Dame, UNC, Wake and Vandy for college ball.
Next up, the West Raleigh's 10 and under All-Star baseball team. Last week the team clinched a berth in the 10-U Cal Ripken World Series. These kids haven’t lost a game since June. That’s seven tournaments.29-games all with the W.
Alexander Givens and Alexander Long both from Raleigh. These two were invited to travel to England for Chelsea Football Club’s inaugural youth cup. Anytime Americans can take our soccer to England and play, that’s definitely doing big things.
And finally, NC Power Hockey, I’ve been emailing Jonathan Greeson for a few months now. And story behind these guys is just incredible. Please check it out…http://www.ncpowerhockey.com/.
There we go, keep the stories coming. BIG Ups to these guys!!!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A quick hit from Spartanburg
Mike Solarte
News and notes from Wednesday's morning practice:
** WR's D.J. Hackett and Steve Smith were injured during the practice session. Hackett with a toe, and Smith with an ankle. Head Coach John Fox says both injuries are considered minor, so don't look for them to miss too much time, with a 6pm workout scheduled for tonight. Considering both are veteran players, it wouldn't be a stretch to see them get 1, maybe 2 series of work during the preseason opener on Saturday against Indianapolis.
**Brett Basanez told me after practice he is anxious to play Saturday night, because "Matt's been in my spot too long." Seems Bas is fired up about trying to earn the backup QB role, but he is sit4ting #3 on the depth chart now, simply because Matt Moore was on the field at the end of the season, and played well. Basanez is a good guy, and a fiery competitor. We'll see how it translates in game situation.
**The D-line was getting a nice bit of work from Sal Sunseri during group drills. At one point, Sunseri asked if a certain player "had been drinking already," because he went to the wrong gap in a walk-thru drill. Suffice to say, the conversation got a little louder as Sal was "coaching him up," as they say. Sunseri was later overheard, um, loudly correcting Charles Johnson and others when they missed gaps, or jumped offsides during 7-on-7 drills. Seems the D-line is under a microscope this year, with the departure of Kris Jenkins and the retirement of Mike Rucker.
**Had the chance to speak with K Rhys Lloyd today, as well. A nice fella, who knows that he is fighting for the 53rd spot on this roster, given that Carolina does not traditionally carry 3 kickers. P Jason Baker and PK John Kasay are locks to make this squad, but Lloyd consistently bombs kicks into the end zone, an area that Carolina was horrible in last season. Lloyd has fit in nicely with this team, in terms of his personality. He's very social with his teammates, going so far as to earn the teams #2 ranking in the World Table Tennis Rankings--ok, the Panthers Table Tennis Rankings, sitting behind QB Matt Moore. The 2 engaged in a spirited battle after the morning workout, with Moore taking the victory. On a side note--Moore, originally didn't want to play Lloyd today, because he did not have his own paddle to play with. That's right, Moore brought his own ping pong paddle to camp. Hardcore stuff, baby.
**We'll have a look at camp on Sports Night, as the Panthers gear up for the Colts at Bank of America Stadium this Saturday night.
News and notes from Wednesday's morning practice:
** WR's D.J. Hackett and Steve Smith were injured during the practice session. Hackett with a toe, and Smith with an ankle. Head Coach John Fox says both injuries are considered minor, so don't look for them to miss too much time, with a 6pm workout scheduled for tonight. Considering both are veteran players, it wouldn't be a stretch to see them get 1, maybe 2 series of work during the preseason opener on Saturday against Indianapolis.
**Brett Basanez told me after practice he is anxious to play Saturday night, because "Matt's been in my spot too long." Seems Bas is fired up about trying to earn the backup QB role, but he is sit4ting #3 on the depth chart now, simply because Matt Moore was on the field at the end of the season, and played well. Basanez is a good guy, and a fiery competitor. We'll see how it translates in game situation.
**The D-line was getting a nice bit of work from Sal Sunseri during group drills. At one point, Sunseri asked if a certain player "had been drinking already," because he went to the wrong gap in a walk-thru drill. Suffice to say, the conversation got a little louder as Sal was "coaching him up," as they say. Sunseri was later overheard, um, loudly correcting Charles Johnson and others when they missed gaps, or jumped offsides during 7-on-7 drills. Seems the D-line is under a microscope this year, with the departure of Kris Jenkins and the retirement of Mike Rucker.
**Had the chance to speak with K Rhys Lloyd today, as well. A nice fella, who knows that he is fighting for the 53rd spot on this roster, given that Carolina does not traditionally carry 3 kickers. P Jason Baker and PK John Kasay are locks to make this squad, but Lloyd consistently bombs kicks into the end zone, an area that Carolina was horrible in last season. Lloyd has fit in nicely with this team, in terms of his personality. He's very social with his teammates, going so far as to earn the teams #2 ranking in the World Table Tennis Rankings--ok, the Panthers Table Tennis Rankings, sitting behind QB Matt Moore. The 2 engaged in a spirited battle after the morning workout, with Moore taking the victory. On a side note--Moore, originally didn't want to play Lloyd today, because he did not have his own paddle to play with. That's right, Moore brought his own ping pong paddle to camp. Hardcore stuff, baby.
**We'll have a look at camp on Sports Night, as the Panthers gear up for the Colts at Bank of America Stadium this Saturday night.
2008 ACC football predictions
Wes Wilson
Football season is almost here... so to break up the monotony that is Brett Favre news, I have decided to post my predictions for the upcoming 2008 ACC football season. It should prove to be a very interesting season. There are still a lot of big-time position battles going on at campuses across ACC country.
After dismissing starting running back Brandon Ore from the team, Virginia Tech has yet to decide on a starter. Juniors Kenny Lewis and Jahre Cheeseman could split carries before one separates himself from the pack. VT's first big test will come Sept. 20 at upstart North Carolina, so look for one back to get the bulk of the carries in that game.
A number of teams also have ongoing battles for the starting quarterback position with the season's first game less than a month away. Miami has put together two talented recruiting classes under Randy Shannon, but it's tough to do consistently well with a young signal caller, and redshirt freshman Robert Marve will likely get the nod over true freshman Jacory Harris for the Canes' first game. They will only go as far as their young QBs take them.
Tommy Bowden will officially unseat his dad this year as the Bowden most likely to win a national championship. Clemson is loaded across the board. I expect Cullen Harper to win the ACC Player of the Year this season as he leads the Tigers to the school's first ACC Championship since 1991. I expect to see Clemson slip up late in the year at least once -- like all Tommy Bowden teams do -- but that should not keep them out of the ACC Championship game, and I think they will end Virginia Tech's own national championship hopes.
In Florida State, is Drew Weatherford really the quarterback they are going to win with? They will have to find out soon because suspensions dating back to last year's academic scandal could kill this team early on. I expect Florida State to be up and down all season long, but they could set the tone for their season on Sept. 20 when Wake Forest comes to town. And I can't believe I would ever be saying this, but the Florida State players are calling out the Demon Deacons saying they're the team they want to beat. My how ACC football has changed.
As for North Carolina, this team won't surprise many local fans. In a depleted Coastal division, most are picking the Tar Heels to finish second, and four brave--or crazy if you ask Butch Davis--sports reporters picked North Carolina to actually dethrone Virginia Tech and win the Coastal division outright. I have tempered those expectations a little bit. The Tar Heels are indeed talented, but I think they are maybe a year away from seriously competing for an ACC Championship. By all indications, quarterback TJ Yates is back from shoulder surgery and throwing the ball remarkably well, and the Tar Heel offense is starting to come together. This team's speed has increased exponentially under Butch Davis, and as this team plays faster and faster, it should lead to more of those big plays Tar Heel fans fell in love with last season. Also, look for the defensive line, weighted by sophomore stud Marvin Austin and Cam Thomas to be particularly strong.
As for the Demon Deacons, I don't know how they do it, but I expect Wake Forest to have another great year with so many starters coming back. Riley Skinner and Josh Adams will lead the Wake Forest passing and rushing attack, one that has rolled over even the best ACC defenses the past two years.
Sorry Pack fans, but I think it will be a tough year in Raleigh. Like Miami, NC State has yet to name a starting quarterback. Running back will be a big positive though as Jamelle Eugene should run downhill behind the Tom O'Brien-coached offensive line. I expect the line to take big steps in Year 2 under O'Brien. Look for the Wolfpack to come up with a big upset or two this year but ultimately bide time until O'Brien can get more of his own guys in place.
Predictions
Atlantic:
1. Clemson (7-1)
2. Florida State (6-2)
3. Wake Forest (6-2)
4. Maryland (3-5)
5. NC State (3-5)
6. Boston College (2-6)
Coastal:
1. Virginia Tech (8-0)
2. Miami (5-3)
3. North Carolina (5-3)
4. Virginia (2-6)
5. Georgia Tech (1-7)
6. Duke (0-8)
Clemson beats Virginia Tech in ACC Championship
Notable ACC games:
Sept. 20 - Florida State beats Wake Forest
Sept. 27 - Miami beats North Carolina
Oct. 16 - NC State beats Florida State
Nov. 8 - Florida State beats Clemson
Dec. 6 - Clemson beats Virginia Tech in ACC Championship, ends VT's national title hopes
ACC teams in bowls:
Clemson (12-1 overall) - Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech (12-1 overall) - Peach Bowl
Wake Forest (10-2 overall) - Gator Bowl
North Carolina (9-3 overall) - Meineke Car Care Bowl
Miami (7-5 overall) - Champs Sports Bowl
ACC Player of the Year: Clemson QB Cullen Harper
ACC Coach of the Year: Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer
Football season is almost here... so to break up the monotony that is Brett Favre news, I have decided to post my predictions for the upcoming 2008 ACC football season. It should prove to be a very interesting season. There are still a lot of big-time position battles going on at campuses across ACC country.After dismissing starting running back Brandon Ore from the team, Virginia Tech has yet to decide on a starter. Juniors Kenny Lewis and Jahre Cheeseman could split carries before one separates himself from the pack. VT's first big test will come Sept. 20 at upstart North Carolina, so look for one back to get the bulk of the carries in that game.
A number of teams also have ongoing battles for the starting quarterback position with the season's first game less than a month away. Miami has put together two talented recruiting classes under Randy Shannon, but it's tough to do consistently well with a young signal caller, and redshirt freshman Robert Marve will likely get the nod over true freshman Jacory Harris for the Canes' first game. They will only go as far as their young QBs take them.
Tommy Bowden will officially unseat his dad this year as the Bowden most likely to win a national championship. Clemson is loaded across the board. I expect Cullen Harper to win the ACC Player of the Year this season as he leads the Tigers to the school's first ACC Championship since 1991. I expect to see Clemson slip up late in the year at least once -- like all Tommy Bowden teams do -- but that should not keep them out of the ACC Championship game, and I think they will end Virginia Tech's own national championship hopes.
In Florida State, is Drew Weatherford really the quarterback they are going to win with? They will have to find out soon because suspensions dating back to last year's academic scandal could kill this team early on. I expect Florida State to be up and down all season long, but they could set the tone for their season on Sept. 20 when Wake Forest comes to town. And I can't believe I would ever be saying this, but the Florida State players are calling out the Demon Deacons saying they're the team they want to beat. My how ACC football has changed.
As for North Carolina, this team won't surprise many local fans. In a depleted Coastal division, most are picking the Tar Heels to finish second, and four brave--or crazy if you ask Butch Davis--sports reporters picked North Carolina to actually dethrone Virginia Tech and win the Coastal division outright. I have tempered those expectations a little bit. The Tar Heels are indeed talented, but I think they are maybe a year away from seriously competing for an ACC Championship. By all indications, quarterback TJ Yates is back from shoulder surgery and throwing the ball remarkably well, and the Tar Heel offense is starting to come together. This team's speed has increased exponentially under Butch Davis, and as this team plays faster and faster, it should lead to more of those big plays Tar Heel fans fell in love with last season. Also, look for the defensive line, weighted by sophomore stud Marvin Austin and Cam Thomas to be particularly strong.As for the Demon Deacons, I don't know how they do it, but I expect Wake Forest to have another great year with so many starters coming back. Riley Skinner and Josh Adams will lead the Wake Forest passing and rushing attack, one that has rolled over even the best ACC defenses the past two years.
Sorry Pack fans, but I think it will be a tough year in Raleigh. Like Miami, NC State has yet to name a starting quarterback. Running back will be a big positive though as Jamelle Eugene should run downhill behind the Tom O'Brien-coached offensive line. I expect the line to take big steps in Year 2 under O'Brien. Look for the Wolfpack to come up with a big upset or two this year but ultimately bide time until O'Brien can get more of his own guys in place.
Predictions
Atlantic:
1. Clemson (7-1)
2. Florida State (6-2)
3. Wake Forest (6-2)
4. Maryland (3-5)
5. NC State (3-5)
6. Boston College (2-6)
Coastal:
1. Virginia Tech (8-0)
2. Miami (5-3)
3. North Carolina (5-3)
4. Virginia (2-6)
5. Georgia Tech (1-7)
6. Duke (0-8)
Clemson beats Virginia Tech in ACC Championship
Notable ACC games:
Sept. 20 - Florida State beats Wake Forest
Sept. 27 - Miami beats North Carolina
Oct. 16 - NC State beats Florida State
Nov. 8 - Florida State beats Clemson
Dec. 6 - Clemson beats Virginia Tech in ACC Championship, ends VT's national title hopes
ACC teams in bowls:
Clemson (12-1 overall) - Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech (12-1 overall) - Peach Bowl
Wake Forest (10-2 overall) - Gator Bowl
North Carolina (9-3 overall) - Meineke Car Care Bowl
Miami (7-5 overall) - Champs Sports Bowl
ACC Player of the Year: Clemson QB Cullen Harper
ACC Coach of the Year: Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer
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