2010 ACC Football Predictions

Below, I have made my projections of how I see the ACC playing out in 2010. If you would like to see which schools I like to win all the other conferences across the country, then be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions article. Looking for a place to bet your NCAA football picks this season? Bet on NCAA football at BetUS and get up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses!

ACC Atlantic
1. Florida State Seminoles – Led by QB Christian Ponder, FSU boasted an explosive offense in 2009, one that really clicked down the stretch when it scored 29 or more points in six of its last eight games. The problem was a defense that was the worst in the ACC in terms of yards allowed. The defense won’t be as bad as it was a season ago with Mark Stoops calling the shots, giving the Seminoles the edge in the Atlantic. College football lines makers have listed Florida State at +7500 to win the BCS title.

2. Clemson Tigers – The Tigers will lose some of their offensive explosion with game-breaker C.J. Spiller moving on to the NFL. Plus, the losses of wide receiver Jacoby Ford and tight end Michael Palmer will hurt as well. The offense should still be good, just not as good as it was in 2009. That’s why I have the Tigers coming up a little short in the Atlantic. Clemson is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

3. Boston College Eagles – Boston College was supposed to be way down in 2009, and it still found a way to win 8 games. The defense will get a big boost from the return of 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich, both emotionally and physically. It’s hard to think the Eagles will be good enough offensively to win the Atlantic, but they should be good enough to make a 12th straight bowl game. Boston College is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

4. North Carolina State Wolf Pack – Led by QB Russell Wilson, the Wolf Pack will put a lot of points on the board. The question is if they’ll be able to stop anyone. Wilson led the league’s No. 2 ranked passing attack in 2009, and it will be tough to stop again in 2010. But at the end of the day, a defense that allowed 31.2 PPG last season won’t be stout enough to push the Pack to the top. North Carolina State is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

5. Maryland Terrapins – The Terps lost their final 7 games in 2009, and they only won 2 games all season. They were the worst scoring defense in the league and the second worst scoring offense. Not much figures to change in 2010.  Maryland is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Losing four-year starting QB Riley Skinner will really set the Demon Deacons back this season. All the QB’s with an opportunity to step in this season still need a lot of work. With the offense taking a step back, it would be nice to lean on the defense. However, Wake won’t have that luxury. There is speed on the defense, maybe one of Jim Grobe’s fastest, but they lack the beef and strength to keep opposing teams from running all over them again. Wake Forest is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

ACC Coastal
1. Virginia Tech Hokies – The Hokies have rattled off six straight 10-win seasons. During this stretch, they been ranked in the top 12 nationally in both total and scoring defense each season. The Hokies lose a lot off the defensive side of the ball, but I have confidence in Frank Beamer’s scheme and level of talent stepping in. Plus, this is a year when the offense is good enough to carry the load. Virginia Tech is listed at +1500 to win the BCS title.

2. Miami Hurricanes – Miami went 9-4 last season and could have won 10 games had it not fallen to Clemson in OT or Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl. Led by QB Jacory Harris, the Canes have enough playmakers on both sides of the football to win the Coastal,  I’m just not ready to believe yet. The road to the ACC title game likely goes through VA Tech, and the Canes were crushed 7-31 at VA Tech in 2009. They’ll get a chance to return the favor at home, but with that game being in late November, I have a feeling the Hokies will be very polished on both sides of the ball. After all, they went 5-0 in November and December games last season. Miami is listed at +2000 to win the BCS title.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels – UNC brings back just about everyone on both sides of the ball from a team that won 8 games. And the Heels beat both VA Tech and Miami last season. With this in mind, I won’t be at all surprised if they find their way into the ACC title game. The problem is they always seem to lose games they shouldn’t. Just last year they lost to both Virginia and N.C. State. The defense will once again be the best in the league, but an offense that was among the worst in the ACC last season figures to keep this team from a league title. North Carolina is listed at +8000 to win the BCS title.

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Georgia Tech’s run-based option will remain tough to stop, even without Jonathan Dwyer around, because of how well it is executed. But I expect teams to have more success in slowing it down this season. All they need to do is watch game film of how disciplined Iowa was against it in last season’s Orange Bowl. A tough late season stretch against Clemson, VA Tech and Miami figures to trip the Jackets up. Georgia Tech is listed at +6000 to win the BCS title.

5. Duke Blue Devils – Duke has made progress under David Cutcliffe, winning 4 and 5 games respectively the last two seasons, but improving on those totals figures to be near impossible in 2010 with a new starting QB and six new defensive starters. Duke is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

6. Virginia Cavaliers – The Cavs were the worst offensive team in the ACC last season, and there’s a good chance that will be the case again. The defense can’t stop the run either so teams get to run a lot of clock on Virginia. Virginia is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

ACC Title Game – Virginia Tech over Florida State

Put your trust in World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd and his expert football picks for a very lucrative college football season!