ACC Coastal Breakdown

This is DAY 2 of SBF's college football preview. Yesterday we took a look at the ACC Atlantic Division and today we'll go over the Coastal, perhaps one of the best divisions in all of college football (well, as good as you can be in the ACC, the fourth best conference in CFB). Remember, tomorrow we'll have the SEC West then the SEC East on Thursday.

ACC Coastal.

Overall, you've got to like a division that has four teams in the preseason Coaches' top 20 with VaTech #6, Miami #13 (I think?, GaTech #17 and UNC #18. VaTech's offense will carry them this season (for more on VaTech, visit the Hokie page on http://chuckoliver.net. I hear a handsome man writes entries on the Hokies!), while UNC's defense will carry the Heels this season.
As for Miami, a tough schedule should do them in while GaTech MUST find a wide receiver to open up the running game so Nesbitt and Jones and co won't see a box of nine every snap.

With no further ado, our predicted order of finish

1) VaTech. You have the ACC's leading rusher returning (Ryan Williams) as well as a guy that set the freshman conference rushing record the year prior (DEvans) in a backfield to go with Tyrod Taylor. The offense averaged over 31 points last season; this season expect 35. The defense will be forced to replace several pieces on the DLine, but Steven Friday should step in just fine. The LB situation should be healthy by Boise State and the secondary will be young at safety, but VERY GOOD at safety. If this team gets by Boise State in the opener (Tech has lost two straight openers and is just 1-4 in neutral site regular season games under Beamer, 0-3 v ranked teams), it should trip up maybe once on a very forgiving ACC conference slate. I am thinking 7-1 in conference play and facing FSU for the ACC title.

2) UNC. This defense has five guys that seriously could go day one of the NFL draft. The Marvin Austin situation needs to be cleared up, but if he goes against LSU in the Chick-fil-A opener, expect a UNC upset victory. If not, LSU's athletes should barely give Les Miles a (confusing, no doubt) win over Butch Davis. The Heels though will likely have Austin back after 3(?) games in time for the ACC schedule. I think they fall to VaTech, but can take down Miami and GT to take second in the conference and likely end up back in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

3) GT. You are going to call me a Georgia Homer, but honestly, looking at the schedule 4 losses isn't out of the question for Tech and unless a wide receiver like Stephen Hill steps up, Allen, Jones and Nesbitt will be facing 9-men fronts. And Hill must step up in a HURRY too, otherwise Nesbitt will likely forget him and just try and do it all himself, and with Nesbitt's injury history..... But perhaps this is ALL a part of CPJ's plan. After all he IS a genius. Just ask him

4) Miami. That trip to Ohio State isn't going to help you guys much. And the fact that Randy Shannon is still the coach isn't inspiring confidence in this guy. Jacory Harris is good (3,300 yards and 24TDs) and he'll have Storm Johnson (Loganville!) among others at tailback, but @Ohio State, @ Pittsburgh, @ Klimpsen, @ GT with FSU and UNC and VT at home. WOW, what a schedule. Someone get Tuberville on the line.

5) UVa. OK, fine, I'm still a UVa-loyalist. (And I write about them TOO on http://chuckoliver.net) I just don't see UVa losing YET AGAIN to Duke. Mike London will have Marc Verica fired up for a trip to Durham (well, maybe not) but the o-line will be healthy and these players should want to run through a wall for the new coach.

6) Duke. Cutcliff decided to stick around at Duke opposed to coming back to the Vols. Wow. He loses his QB but has 9 other starters back on the offense, where he is THE MAN. His last recruiting class was one of the best ever...for Duke, and you have to think that seven home games should get them some wins. But Bama is on the schedule and what if the Tide just HURTS Duke? Sorry Blue Devils, you won't be able to kick the Wahoos around after this season. London is getting things GOING up there. (One can hope)

Tomorrow the SEC West!