2008 ACC Football Picks & Predictions
The ACC has been the top shopping stop
for the NFL draft over the past three seasons, but the
conference has not won a BCS bowl game since Florida State
defeated Virginia Tech (then of the Big East) in the 1999
Sugar Bowl. Find out how the conference stacks up against
each other and nationally in
Jimmy Boyd's 2008 ACC football predictions. For a
more in depth look at these teams, click on the individual
team preview links below.
Get a 50% Signup Bonus at BetUS!
ACC Atlantic
1st – Clemson Tigers
The Tigers have the best offensive weapons in
the entire conference with QB Cullen Harper and
wide receiver Aaron Kelly leading the way. While
Clemson is accustomed to stubbing its toe, I
like Tommy Bowden to get the monkey off of his
back by winning the conference. The Tigers also
provide the ACC's best shot at getting the BCS
monkey off its back.
2nd – Wake Forest
Demon Deacons
The Deacs won't be able to replace the top
receiver in the league last season, Kenneth
Moore, but QB Riley Skinner is good enough to
make others better. A defensive unit which
returns nine starters will be at the heart of
Wake's success. Jim Grobe has built the program
to the point of being a perennial contender and
they'll be near the top again.
3rd – Florida State
Seminoles
The Seminoles will put more weapons on the field
in 2008 with a better grasp of Jimbo Fisher's
offense. A seven-game home slate is also a sure
bet to have the Seminoles bowling. Three-game
suspensions to start the season for 10 players
will likely cost FSU a win against the Demon
Deacons in week three.
4th –
Maryland Terps
The Terps have the leagues best offensive line
and experienced signal caller and talent at
receiver, but a weak secondary and a lack of a
pass rush will cause Maryland to yield to many
points.
5th –
Boston College Eagles
B.J. Raji and Brian Toal will add to a solid
defensive front seven, but the Eagles aren't
going to be the same going to battle without
Matt Ryan under center. The Eagles may finish
weak in the Atlantic, but they should keep their
bowl streak alive thanks to a favorable
non-conference slate.
6th –
NC
State Wolfpack
With just four returning starters from the ACC's
11th ranked defense, Tom O'Brien's team will be
bringing up the rear in the Atlantic.
ACC Coastal
1st –
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies have lost seven defensive starters
and they don't have any experience at tailback
or wideout, but the cream of the crop in the
Coastal Division will find a way to rise to the
top again. Much like Ohio State and several
other elite programs across the country, the
Hokies don't stop winning even when they are
reloading.
2nd –
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Heels finished four games below .500 in
2007, falling victim to many close defeats.
Those losses will go the other way for Butch
Davis and his guys in 2008 as the Heels put
their best defense on the field in nearly a
decade.
3rd –
Miami Hurricanes
The offense still has some work to do after one
of the worst offensive seasons the program has
ever seen, but a speedy defense, under the
tutelage of new coordinator Bill Young, will
earn the Canes at least a .500 year.
4th –
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Paul Johnson brings his triple option attack
from Navy to Tech, but it won't be a well-oiled
machine right away. A stiff defensive front led
by Vance Walker, Michael Johnson, and Darryl
Richard will keep the Jackets in games.
5th –
Virginia Cavaliers
The QB position is a mess and game changing
defensive end Chris Long isn't around this year
to bail the offense out. Virginia could go from
9-4 to 4-8 in 2008.
6th –
Duke
Blue Devils
A string of 25 straight ACC losses should be
broken this season, but the Devils won't find
their way out of the gutter in David Cutcliffe's
first year as head man.
July 10th, 2008