ACC Blitz ’09 Football Predictions, Power Poll and Best Games

It’s here – finally. The 2009 College Football season officially kicks off tonight, and what better way than a good ole ACC/SEC showdown. Before it gets rolling, I thought I’d go ahead and give you the ACC Blitz predicted order of finish, best games of the year, and power poll. Warning: It’s probably going to look a little biased towards Virginia Tech (don’t get too excited Hokie Nation, it’s simply because you’re team is that good). But in all honesty, they are involved in the best OOC Game (vs #5 Alabama) and IC Game (vs the only team that should push them for the Coastal crown).

2009 ACC Predicitions
Atlantic
1)Florida State
2)Clemson
2)NC State
4)Wake Forest
5)Maryland
6)Boston College

The combo of a smothering defense and decent offensive game gives the Seminoles the edge here. I like Clemson if and only if they can establish a passing game and the line can give CJ Spiller ample opportunity to run. Don’t over look NC State though – QB Russell Wilson is the real deal. My only worry is on the defensive side of the ball.

Coastal
1)Virginia Tech
2)Georgia Tech
3)North Carolina
3)Miami
5)Duke
6)Virginia

There’s a reason the Hokies are #7 in the country. They’re good. Really good. Despite losing star RB Darren Evans for the year, I still think ‘Tech with a V’ books another trip to a BCS game, if not the national title. They’re only hindrance will be Jonathan Dwyer and Georgia Tech. The Jackets are the only other team that will push for the Coastal title. I like North Carolina and Miami to end up in decent bowls, with good conference records but they simply aren’t polished enough to see a title game.

Best ACC games of ’09
Out-of-Conference
1)Virginia Tech vs Alabama
2)Florida State at BYU
3)Oklahoma at Miami
4)TCU at Clemson
5)Nebraska at Virginia Tech
6)Maryland at Cal
7)South Carolina at NC State

Jackpot. The ACC has a chance to squash all that talk about the league being overrated and average. Hopefully Virginia Tech doesn’t pull a Clemson against Alabama, and establishes some respect. Miami has #3 Oklahoma at home, as does Clemson for #17 TCU – both of which are winnable games (yes – I said Miami can beat Oklahoma).

In-Conference
1)Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
2)Georgia Tech at Florida State
3)Miami at Florida
4)Clemson at Georgia Tech
5)Florida State at Clemson
6)Miami at Virginia Tech
7)Clemson at Miami
7)NC State at Florida State

Hands down the showdown of the ‘Techs’ will be the best conference game this year, seeing as the winner will probably wind up in the ACC Championship Game. Georgia Tech at Florida State should prove to be another good one, with Tech’s power offense against the Seminole D. I had to circle Clemson at Miami also – the last two times these teams met gave us two of the most exciting games I’ve seen in a long time.

2009 ACC Blitz Power Poll
1)Virginia Tech
2)Georgia Tech
3)Florida State
4)Clemson
5)NC State
6)UNC
7)Miami
8)Wake Forest
8)Maryland
10)Duke
11)UVA
12)BC

Pretty self-explanatory here. The Hokies are easily the #1 team in the league. I think Georgia Tech is still slightly higher up than Florida State, but not by much. Clemson and NC State are nipping on the Seminoles heels, with North Carolina and Miami rounding out the middle of the pack. Up next is Wake Forest and Maryland – both of which I feel could surprise and push for the Atlantic crown. Duke has finally ascended from the basement, coming in at #10 thanks in large part to QB Thaddeus Lewis. Virginia and Boston College are just off this year, although I will point out the Eagles defense should be fairly good. And for the Cavaliers, defensive man turned QB Vic Hall could open some eyes.

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