ACC Previews
ATLANTIC DIVISION PREVIEW
Boston College. After winning back-to-back ACC Atlantic Division crowns, Coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired for interviewing for an NFL coaching job with the Jets. New Boston College coach Frank Spaziani faces a very tall order as the Eagles lost quite a bit of talent from last season. Boston College will make trips to Clemson, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech in the first eight games, but Georgia Tech and Miami don't appear on the Eagles schedule.
LAST YEAR: 9-5 (5-3 in ACC, tie-1st Atlantic Div., lost ACC Championship Game to Virginia Tech, 30-12)
BOWL GAME: Music City Bowl, lost 16-14 to Vanderbilt
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 0-1
Clemson. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney will enter his first full season as the Tigers' head coach in 2009 after taking over midseason last year when Tommy Bowden resigned. After sharing carries with James Davis the past couple of years, Clemson running back C.J. Spiller will carry the load alone this season. Eight starters return on a strong Clemson defense, which limited 10 opponents to 21 or fewer points last season. Clemson hosts TCU in late September in an interesting non-conference game between two strong defensive teams.
LAST YEAR: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Atlantic Div.)
BOWL GAME: Gator Bowl, lost 26-21 to Nebraska
2008 VS. SPREAD: 4-7
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 0-1
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-1
Florida State. Coach Bobby Bowden enters his 34th year as Florida State's head coach, hoping to chase one more national championship before he retires. It will be tough in 2009, as only three defensive starters return. Still, in a wide-open Atlantic Division, the Seminoles probably are the slight favorite. The Seminoles will play a strong non-conference schedule as usual, playing at BYU and at Florida, while hosting South Florida.
LAST YEAR: 9-4 (5-3 in ACC, tie-1st Atlantic Div.)
BOWL GAME: Champs Sports Bowl, def. Wisconsin, 24-21
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-4-1
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 0-1
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-1
Maryland. Despite losing three offensive line starters, Maryland junior running back Da'Rel Scott is poised for another big year in 2009, after rushing for 1,133 yards last season. Overall, only 10 starters return for Maryland this season, and the Terrapins will count on several newcomers on defense. Maryland's road schedule is tough this season, with trips to California, Wake Forest, NC State, and Florida State on the slate.
LAST YEAR: 8-5 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Atlantic Div.)
BOWL GAME: Humanitarian Bowl, def. Nevada, 42-35
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 2-1
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 0-2
North Carolina State. Coach Tom O'Brien enters his third season with North Carolina State, and the Wolfpack could be poised for a big step forward after winning their final four regular-season games in 2008 to gain bowl eligibility. Sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson returns after playing in 11 games last season and throwing 17 TD passes versus one interception. NC State has a tough schedule in October and November, with road trips to Wake Forest, Boston College, Florida State, and Virginia Tech scheduled.
LAST YEAR: 6-7 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Atlantic Div.)
BOWL GAME: Papajohns.com Bowl, lost to Rutgers, 29-23
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 2-1
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 0-2
Wake Forest. Wake Forest could be poised for another surprise season in 2009, despite losing linebacker Aaron Curry to the NFL draft. Quarterback Riley Skinner returns, along with a strong pair of senior defensive tackles, Boo Robinson and John Russell. Few coaches have had as much success under tougher circumstances than Wake Forest's Jim Grobe, who has won 28 games over the past three seasons. The 2009 Demon Deacon schedule is favorable, as NC State, Miami, and Florida State all must play at Wake Forest. The toughest road trip for Wake Forest should be an early November trip to Georgia Tech.
LAST YEAR: 8-5 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Atlantic Div.)
BOWL GAME: EagleBank Bowl, def. Navy, 29-19
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 1-0
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-1
COASTAL DIVISION PREVIEW
Duke. Coach David Cutcliffe posted four wins in 2008, his first season at Duke, which matched the Blue Devils' win total from 2004-2007. Duke might not make that large of a leap forward again in 2009, but the Blue Devils were far more competitive last season than they've been in a long time. Early non-conference road trips to Army and Kansas should provide a clue to Duke's bowl hopes in 2009. Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest all must travel to Duke, and Florida State is not on the schedule.
LAST YEAR: 4-8 (1-7 in ACC, 6th Coastal Div.)
BOWL GAME: None
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-5
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 1-2
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: N/A
Georgia Tech. Coach Paul Johnson's option-based rushing attack bruised and battered the ACC in his first year with Georgia Tech. The scary part is the Yellow Jackets should improve even more with another year in Johnson's system, led by running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt. Georgia Tech hosts the two teams it's expected to battle with for the Coastal Division title, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
LAST YEAR: 9-4 (5-3 in ACC, tie-1st Coastal Div.)
BOWL GAME: Chick-fil-A Bowl, lost to LSU, 38-3
2008 VS. SPREAD: 7-3-1
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-0
Miami. Improvement was noticeable from 2007 to 2008 for third-year Miami Coach Randy Shannon, as his team qualified for a bowl last season after missing post-season play in 2007. However, the improvements might not be occurring as quickly as Hurricane fans would like to see. The Hurricanes will have new offensive and defensive coordinators in 2009. No one has as tough of an opening four-game stretch to the schedule as Miami, which will open at Florida State, followed by games against Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech, and against Oklahoma. Miami also must play at Wake Forest, North Carolina, South Florida, and Central Florida.
LAST YEAR: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Coastal Div.)
BOWL GAME: Emerald Bowl, lost 24-17 to California
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 2-1
North Carolina. After an improvement of four wins from 2007 to 2008, third-year Coach Butch Davis has North Carolina fans thinking about taking another big step forward, especially after four of UNC's losses were by a combined nine points. The Tar Heels have plenty of experience and speed on the defensive side of the ball, led by junior cornerback Deunta Williams. North Carolina must travel to play the other two primary competitors in the Coastal Division, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
LAST YEAR: 8-5 (4-4 in ACC, tie-3rd Coastal Div.)
BOWL GAME: Meineke Car Care Bowl, lost to West Virginia, 31-30.
2008 VS. SPREAD: 7-5
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-2
Virginia. Coach Al Groh needs a big season to keep his job, heading into his ninth season as Virginia's head coach. The Cavaliers have missed a bowl game in two of the past three seasons, and Groh has only a 56-44 record in his Virginia career. Virginia has a new offensive coordinator after finishing 114th in scoring offense last season. Virginia's early schedule will be a challenge, with a home game against TCU, followed by road trips to Southern Miss and North Carolina.
LAST YEAR: 5-7 (3-5 in ACC, 5th Coastal Div.)
BOWL GAME: None
2008 VS. SPREAD: 5-6
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 3-2
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: N/A
Virginia Tech. After winning two straight ACC crowns, if Virginia Tech can survive a September schedule that includes games against Alabama, Nebraska, and Miami, the Hokies will have their eyes on an even bigger prize -- a national championship. Virginia Tech's October and November schedule is favorable, with the toughest game looking like an Oct. 17 trip to Georgia Tech. Defensive end Jason Worilds and cornerback Stephan Virgil lead another nasty Hokie defense. Junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor gives the offense a dangerous edge.
LAST YEAR: 10-4 (5-3 in ACC, tie-1st Coastal Div., won ACC Championship Game over Boston College, 30-12)
BOWL GAME: Orange Bowl, def. Cincinnati, 20-7
2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-7
2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A
2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: N/A
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