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2008 ACC Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 26, 2008

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.

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.

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