Took this from the polls at the end of each team preview – obviously, the most readers for each team preview post will be the fans of that team – which makes this fascinating. What we have here is confidence level in each fanbase. Some had more votes than others (BC – 167, MD – 2), but I think it came out pretty interesting. Last time I calculated the numbers, Miami was ahead of Virginia Tech in the Coastal – Hokies and Canes have switched now. BC and Georgia Tech fans are real confident in taking their respective divisions. There’s optimism across the board in the Atlantic actually. On the other end of the scale, Virginia/ACC fans are the gloomiest about the ‘Hoos with the low average of 5.5.
Now, picking an ACC Champion…
ACC Champion Picks on ACC Blogger
Who takes the 2010 ACC Championship?
Georgia Tech (24%, 10 Votes)
Virginia Tech (22%, 9 Votes)
Clemson (20%, 8 Votes)
Boston College (12%, 5 Votes)
Florida State (7%, 3 Votes)
North Carolina (5%, 2 Votes)
Miami (5%, 2 Votes)
Maryland (2%, 1 Votes)
Virginia (2%, 1 Votes)
NC State (0%, 0 Votes)
Duke (0%, 0 Votes)
Wake Forest (1%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 41
Loading ...
Notes
Georgia Tech picked to repeat as ACC champs…barely, by one vote over the Hokies. FSU finished third in votes among its Atlantic counterparts. People voted for Maryland and Virginia (optimism is fun). The Tigers have some confidence now among ACC/Clemson fans with Parker back.
Posted it about mid-July, and boy, this is a fun one, isn’t it? FSU with the most votes, Clemson a close second, GT-VT-Miami tight, and Maryland/Virginia/NC State/Duke getting more votes than BC. This one proves just how there isn’t a clear favorite, and therefore, everybody thinks their team can win the ACC.
Is the ACC really this wide-open? Give me the reasons why your team takes the ACC in the comments…
Posted by Brandon Rink on August 24, 2010 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article
Dabo's Tigers are right back in the hunt in 2010.
The ACC media, and everybody else picked Virginia Tech to win the Coastal in 2009 – they garnered 78 votes, and 69 to win the whole thing. FSU received 56 to win the Atlantic – and you know the story – they, we, all, were wrong.
So, they, we, all, will probably be wrong again.
The divisions have flipped in perceived competiveness. This year, FSU got the unlucky 78 no. of votes in the Atlantic, while the Hokies received 62.
Since we have a repeat in favorites, could we have a repeat in finishers? It’s very possible.
The Road to the Atlantic for Clemson
Let’s start with the less likely scenario. Clemson’s 2010 ACC schedule includes trips to BC, UNC, and FSU with home dates against Miami, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and NC State. Tough.
Clemson has the talent to not only win the Atlantic, but the whole shebang. It all comes down to just how strong their divisional competition turns out to be.
The season might just hinge on beating BC on the road, and Clemson blogs are pretty confident (and have jokes):
Sambo’s Pick – Does anybody else remember when BC had -5 total yards at the half against Clemson last season? Yeah, so do I. Easy win. Also, I don’t know what a “Scott Pilgrim” is, but I do know that if I see another one of those commercials, I’m driving to LA and kicking that kid’s ass.
Boston College: Boston College is one of those teams who is a constant thorn in your side. They come out there and are committed to being flat out tough. That and Spaziani has a mustache an ‘80’s porn star would envy. Year after year, this team just finds ways to win more games than they probably should. Clemson has won two straight against the Eagles AND I am not nearly as scared of this team since O’Brien has been gone for quite a while and Jags bolted. I am pretty confident that Clemson will return from Beantown with a “W”.
With these written pre-Larmond injury, I’m sure they’re all the more confident.
Depending on how FSU’s season unfolds – odds on if Clemson does win at BC, the trip to Tallahassee could very well settle the division
Last year in Death Valley, the Tigers turned on the jets in the fourth quarter with 3 TDs to pull away from the ‘Noles 40-24. Heisman contender Christian Ponder was hurt going in and out of the game and it showed with 4 INTs that included the one that ended in the infamous shoulder separating blow by McDaniel.
A healthy Ponder changes things, and I would be surprised if the ‘Noles dropped this one – but there just isn’t tremendous, if any, separation between these schools, which makes the home-field advantage key. A home-field advantage that is looking to improve from 2009 where the ‘Noles dropped three close contests (Miami, South Florida, and Georgia Tech). If the Tigers can pounce on FSU’s D and force turnovers similar to ’09, Clemson has a shot to win the Atlantic in Tallahassee.
Paul Johnson Is Unimpressed with Your Silly Little Predictions
Johnson’s a confident guy. He calls all his own plays – just on the fly. And even with losing Dwyer, he expects to plug the next guy in per AJC:
WillAnthony Allenstep in and replaceJonathan Dwyer?
“I think Anthony can be a good player. We’ve also got some other guys at that position – Lucas Cox, Richard Watson, Preston Lyons. I think Anthony is a very good player. I hope our production doesn’t drop off at that position and I don’t think it will.
With the Hokies replacing key guys on D, UNC trying to find an offense, and Miami hoping just to keep it together for a full season – why shouldn’t Johnson expect to win the ACC, again?
Sure, he loses Derrick Morgan and Demaryius Thomas as well – two linchpins for the ’09 campaign, but it’s not like the defense was outstanding to begin with and the teams are still struggling just to stop the rushing attack.
Georgia Tech, in fact, should be the favorite. They have a third-year, dual-threat QB, stable of solid running backs, decent o-line, and a defense that has nowhere to go but up under Groh’s 3-4.
The Jackets’ Coastal shot rests in the trips to Death Valley and Lane – and quite possibly the infamous team coming off bye week, UNC in week three. Georgia Tech averaged 315 rushing yards a game against the three teams (20 yards more than they averaged) with 11 rushing TDs in 2009. Eviscerated.
The question is how much changes when the venues switch to tough road environments (including a Thursday nighter in Blackburg). The 7-1 mark from 2009 is a bit unrealistic for Johnson’s Jackets with how tough the Coastal is, but 6-2 puts them right in the thick of it – the crucial win needed is at Blacksburg though and there’s no reason they shouldn’t go in expecting to win.
So…
I’m not saying this happens (I’m boring and picked FSU/VT again too), but it may be more likely than the favorites we picked again.
With five teams in each top 20, expectations are high, but the ACC’s top 25 finishes haven’t been the best.
How the ACC has finished with 12 teams (AP)…
2009: 4 (#10 Virginia Tech, #13 Georgia Tech, #19 Miami, #24 Clemson)
2008: 3 (#15 Virginia Tech, #21 Florida State, #22 Georgia Tech)
2007: 3 (#9 Virginia Tech, #10 Boston College, #21 Clemson)
2006: 3 (#18 Wake Forest, #19 Virginia Tech, #20 Boston College) 2005: 5 (#7 Virginia Tech, #17 Miami, #18 Boston College, #21 Clemson, and #23 Florida State) – Most in ACC history.
Each season has had its quirks. The year 2008 brought two top 10 teams with the Hokies and Eagles. In 2005, the ACC landed more teams than ever with five. And in 2009, Virginia Tech made the top 10 while two more snuck in the top 20, and Clemson made it in at #24.
Can the ACC surpass 5 teams in 2009? I think so.
Let’s guesstimate here…
Top 25 Locks
Virginia Tech – They are the only team that has made the top 25 every year since the ACC fully expanded – and have been in there since 2004.
Georgia Tech – Johnson’s Jackets have made it in both years he’s coached at GT, and with a senior QB back, signs point to another top 25 finish.
Miami – They are not top 10 material just because of the gauntlet schedule – but based on that same SOS, should even make it with 8 wins.
Florida State – Another team with a strong strength of schedule – I have the ‘Noles winning the ACC so obviously I think they make it in the top 25.
Boston College - Didn’t make it in the preseason top 25, but they’ll be there by the end of the year – I have them getting to double digits.
Bubble Teams
North Carolina – With three locks in the division, the Tar Heels have their chance to crack the top 25 with OOCs against LSU and at Rutgers – and playing in one of the tougher divisions in college football.
Clemson – I mentioned on Twitter that I believe Clemson will sneak into the top 25, which was questioned a bit. Allow me to explain a little – defense will be stout, and the offense returns 8 starters including Kyle Parker now. The schedule is tough, but they have five very winnable games – three difficult home tilts, and four tough road trips. Out of the 7 big games, the Tigers can make 8-4 (fringe top 25), and I have them going 4-3 to make it to 9-3, which will be a lock for the top 25 (depending on bowl outcome).
Fringe
NC State Wolfpack – Seems like I’ve left out NC State quite often of offensive-charged teams with ?s on defense that could challenge – hey, youneverknow.
Final Verdict: Out of conference success will be crucial to the ACC entering 6/7 teams into the top 25 – not slipping up against the lower tier of the ACC as well. Watch that Clemson/UNC matchup in October as a possible playoff for a final top 25 spot down the road. I’m saying six make it, and anything lower than five is a complete disappointment.
But Where in the Top 25?
Florida State - 10th (Picked the ‘Noles to win the ACC, which should result in double digit wins by the end of the season, but I’m still seeing at least 3 losses so no top 5 appearance) Virginia Tech – 12th (ACC runner-up wins their bowl game and earns a solid spot in the final rankings) Georgia Tech – 14th (Jackets backup a strong ‘08 campaign just behind Coastal foe Virginia Tech) Boston College – 20th (BC’s injuries are starting to worry me, but the schedule sets up so well – their bowl game performance may be the swing vote in where the Eagles place in the top 25) Miami - 22nd (Solid team, incredible schedule – just can’t see Miami as elite yet) Clemson – 24th (Tigers get to nine wins, and just in)
So, now you come in – vote your beliefs…and place where you see them finishing in the comments…
Comments are off for this article 
Loading ...
