3 Questions for the 2009 Season
Will the ACC have a national title contender?
I’ll throw it right on the table – I think the winner of the Coastal division will be the only team that has a shot at a national title. The league has lost a ton of respect the last few years, and hasn’t seen a team challenge for the national title since Florida State did it years ago. Coming into the ’09 season, Virginia Tech seems to be the most viable contender and starts the season in great position (#7 Coaches/#7 AP). They have dominated the ACC, taking 3 visits to the championship game in 5 years, and winning 2 Titles. Georgia Tech starts in the top 20, and seems to be the only team to really push Virginia Tech this year, but again Virginia Tech comes into play – if GT can take care of everyone else, including Georgia, and somehow take down the Hokies, they have an outside shot.
While I do have Florida State as my winner of the Atlantic Division, I see them slipping up enough times in the regular season (possibly Clemson and BYU), to negate a shot at the national title, even if they win the ACC Championship Game. They’re last game of the season is against powerhouse Florida, and even though theoretically, if they were undefeated going into that game, a loss there wouldn’t necessarily eliminate from the national picture. But I’m not confident enough in the BCS point system to assure a national title shot with the one loss.
Will the ACC have a Heisman Trophy candidate?
Last Heisman Trophy winner: Florida State QB Chris Weinke
With all the focus on the SEC and Big 12, and deservedly so, I can’t help but wonder if the ACC has a snow balls chance in hell of putting a player in New York this year, or even get a mention from the national media. A Heisman Trophy winner isn’t statistics and jaw dropping moves alone. It’s that players ability to help guide the team to a championship caliber team. And when I say Championship caliber, I mean conference championship. There are far to many crucial pieces needed to win a national title that a wide receiver or running back simply cannot make up for alone (honestly, you’re hard pressed for any one player to lead a team to a title). As pro-ACC as I am, taking a look at the upcoming season, only a handful of names jump out.
CJ Spiller, Clemson
Why it could happen: CJ Spiller is something special. Scary fast with the ability to stop on a dime and break off a 50-yard TD makes him one of, if not the most dangerous and electrifying players in college football. He’s not a one dimensional threat either – he can blow up on returns, receptions, and rushes. Coming into 2009, he is only 921 yards away from owning the ACC career mark for all-purpose yards. After being the #2 guy for his entire career behind James Davis, Spiller is the main focus of the Tiger offense this year, guaranteeing a ton of touches – be it a hand off or a quick swing pass. He should come close to doubling last seasons 52 Yards a game and benefits from an offensive line that returns 4 starters. The only thing that could potentially hamper him from spectacular numbers is the rest of his squad. The Tigers need newly named starter Kyle Parker to provide a decent passing game to allow Spiller to exploit teams dropping back. Even if Spiller doesn’t land an invite or a spot on anyone’s list – keep an eye out for those Sportscenter Top 10 plays.
Why it won’t happen: Win total. Year in and year out the Tigers fall short in the win column and 2009 doesn’t look to be any different. Yeah, an 8 or 9 win season is nice and should garner a decent bowl, but unless they actually make it to the ACC title game and WIN it, there simply will not be enough national spotlight and respect for the team for Spiller to get an invite, which is a shame because I think 2009 could see some special numbers from #28.
Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech
Why it could happen: The only other player in the league that could possibly catch a mention is the reigning 2008 ACC Player of the Year, Georgia Tech Running Back Jonathan Dwyer. The run oriented offense that Coach Johnson brought with him creating a ton of opportunities in ’08, and Dwyer seized the day rushing for nearly 1,400 Yards and 12 TD’s. Even more impressive was his 7 yard average per touch. Give him a peak at daylight and he’s gone. Step in the way, and he’ll bowl you over. Now that the offense has had an off-season to fine tune, I would expect to see Dwyer up those numbers even more. The only thing that worries me is what the ACC has been known for – stingy defenses. They face Clemson, Florida State and Coastal rival Virginia Tech, and Lord knows defensive coordinators are eying him this season. Tech is apparently aiming for 2,000 yard passer though, which means a change in style and could possibly HELP Dwyer by keeping defenses a little more honest.
Why it won’t happen: Georgia Tech MUST win the ACC, but that involves de-throning Virginia Tech – who has been utterly dominate in league play. They are 1-4 in their last 5 against the Hokies, and their 2009 squad looks superb, even with out RB Darren Evans. Virginia Tech might not be the only stumbling block for the Jackets either. Their second game of the season is against Clemson, which usually comes down to the wire. They follow that up with trips to Florida State and Miami. I think Dwyer will definitely have the numbers, but it’s all dependent on how they end up in the standings.
*Editors note: Virginia Tech RB Darren Evans was a contender here until his unfortunate season ending injury.
Will NC State QB Russell Wilson continue to shine or was it a fluke?
What a freshman year it was for Wilson. Stepping in as a back-up, he was jaw droppingly good. He finished the season as the conference leader in passing efficiency, and only threw 1 INT in 275 attempts, and that 1 pick was against a stellar Clemson defense in his first start. Not only was his passing effective, he threw for 17 TD’s and tossed multiple TD’s in 7 games, but he also proved to be mobile when things broke down, rushing for 50 Yards four times.
Expectations are high. Really high in fact. He is being touted as the best QB in the conference by multiple publications, and I’ve even heard him mentioned as an outside Heisman possibility. All should be well if the line stays solid and he stays healthy but I can’t help but wonder if that target on his back is going to be TOO big. He opened a lot of eyes, both in the ACC and nationally. But true talent doesn’t falter under pressure – it thrives. I fully expect to see a solid season from him this year. In fact I’m keeping my fingers crossed since he’s the QB in my ACC Fantasy Football League.
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