I am planning on, over the next few weeks, breaking down the BCS conferences as we head into the 2010 college football season. I'll get some help as I always do from Paul Mac when it comes to the Big11, as he is the unofficial commish of the Big11, soon to have twelve.
But for this week, I'll do the ACC Atlantic today, the Coastal Tuesday, the SEC West Wednesday, the SEC Thursday. NOTHING FRIDAY (I am taking my birthday off. deal with it)
then right back into the Big 12 next Monday, Pac 10 Tuesday, Big East Wednesday and BigTen/11 on Thursday. Next Friday, I'll give you my Heisman hopefuls and then we'll turn our attention to the GA High School ranks following the Corky Kell Classic, leading up to GPB.org's Friday Night Road to the Dome kickoff at Collins Hill on August 27.
So let's do this thing.
The ACC Atlantic.
Overview: This is clearly a two-team race this season between FSU and Clemson, though I am not even sure it is a two-team race as I think FSU walks away with this thing. Christian Ponder is back and should be a beast and while Jimbo Fisher doesn't inspire confidence, Mark Stoops does and he'll get FSU back and clicking on defense.
Therefore, let's give our predicted order of finish:
1) FSU. I like Christian Ponder, and why shouldn't I? IMHO the guy is one of the top three QBs in CFB right now (with Masoli and Barkley) and he threw for 2717 yards and 14 TDs last year before getting hurt. He's got a pretty spectacular o-line in front of him led by Ryan McMahon and Rodney Hudson. He has weapons in Bert Reed and Greg Reid (though I doubt he'll do much more offensive work other than running this season) and a back in Jermaine Thomas. I would have liked for Jarmon Fortson to stick around, but I am still confident.
On defense, the aforementioned Greg Reid in the backfield plus the LB unit of Kendal Smith, Bigel Bradham and WELCOME JEFF LUC should have these guys flying around the ball.
Bottom line: FSU might drop a few games during the regular season, but they'll still be in the ACCCG and could very well win it in Jimbo's first year in charge.
2) Clemson. What is Kyle Parker going to do? Is he REALLY coming back to play or are the Rockies going to pony up in the next six days? Because if he is THERE, I feel a little uneasy about my pick of FSU. Parker is an uberathlete that puts TBoyd on the bench (where I am sure he is LOVING life right now). As crazy as this may sound, I think if the Tigers lost Parker, they'd be in worse shape than they were by losing CJ Spiller. Yes Spiller and JFord are in the NFL right now, but Jamie Harper and Ellington will be a nice one-two punch to make up for the loss of Spiller. The defense meanwhile has to replace five starters. We shall see. Five newbies will be hard pressed to topple Ponder and FSU...
3) BC. The big story is of course the return of 2008 Defensive player of the year Mark Herzlich, but he cannot do it all by himself. He'll need some help from a fine set of LBs, but I am not thinking the DLine will be able to provide much pressure and the DBs will run out of gas trying to cover while also playing zone because of the blitzing LBs... It could be trouble for the BC defense. The offense meanwhile will have tailback Montel Harris and 400-year-old QB Dave Shinskie won't have his top WR target from last season. Shinskie and Harris though will have four o-linemen back from last year. Maybe the offense can get a lead and try and bleed the clock?
4) NC State. Russell Wilson is back as QB and he also returns as the team's leading rusher...not good. Wilson will make plays with his arm and his legs, which is good, but you'd like to have a running game is you are Tom O'Brien. Wilson's top two receiving targets (JWilliams and OSpencer) are back, but will Wilson have enough time to find them with an o-line that will have to rely on several sophomores in starting roles? The defense....is not good. The only bright spot is the return of LB Nate Irving. This defense will need to force more turnovers to have a shot at a bowl
5) Maryland. Call me on my Georgia High School bias here, but I think Maryland finishs fifth because of some of the former Georgia stars up there. Devin Burns (Carver-Columbus) and DJ Adams (Norcross) may not be in the starting lineup, but they'll make a bit of an impact. Ralphie is going to attempt to get his offense going again with Jamarr Robinson under center, handing off to Da'Rel Scott. When Robinson wants to throw, he'll have about five different receivers he can go to, including Torrey Smith. On defense, the line returns All-ACC freshman AJ Francis to team with LBs Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten. More Burns and More Adams.
6) Wake. Riley Skinner is gone (after a 19-year career with the Deacs) so maybe Brendon Cross (alum of The Hooch) can win the starting spot from Skylar Jones, but he will be working behind an inexperienced line sans a running game. The defense? Let's just plan on Wake MAYBE getting to a bowl in 2012.
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