Water Cooler Talk: 2010 ACC Football Predictions
I gave you my 2010 ACC Predictions yesterday (here they are: 2010 ACC Football Predictions in case you missed them; shameless self promotion there, but it is my site) and am bringing you an extra treat today – ACC predictions from others ACC writers out there that I’m in contact with. These guys are dedicated to football and know their sh!t. I asked them the same questions I wrote about yesterday regarding the league and 2010.
Let’s dive right in…..
ALLSPORTSDISCUSSION.com
I’ll start things off with Jeff Fann over at AllSportsDiscussion. Like myself, he prefers the ACC but as you can tell from his site, doesn’t stop there (hence the website name – duh). He’s a GT and Clemson guy but somehow still delivers unbiased writing.
Predicted final standings for the ACC:
Atlantic
1) Florida State 8-4 (6-2)
2) Boston College 9-3 (5-3)
3) Clemson 8-4 (5-3)
4) Wake Forest 5-7 (2-6)
5) NC State 5-7 (2-6)
6) Maryland 4-8 (2-6)
Coastal
1) Virginia Tech 10-2 (6-2)
2) Georgia Tech 9-3 (6-2)
3) Miami 8-4 (5-3)
4) North Carolina 8-4 (5-3)
5) Virginia 4-8 (2-6)
6) Duke 4-8 (2-6)
Championship Game: Virginia Tech vs Florida St (VA Tech Winner)
Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Defensive Player of the Year: DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson Tigers
Game of the Year: Georgia Tech vs Virginia Tech
Final thoughts on the conference this year:
The ACC should be an extremely competitive league. As many 7 teams can win the conference. Atlantic (Clemson, Florida State, Boston College). Coastal (Virginia Tech, Miami, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina)
Speaking of North Carolina what has happened with the NCAA investigation is embarrassing to them as well as the ACC. The ACC prides itself on having having high academic standards in many of their institutions and UNC has the dropped the ball big time on this one.
2010 provides the ACC several opportunities to with some attention grabbing non-conference wins. Va Tech vs Boise St, Miami vs Ohio State, Clemson vs Auburn, FSU vs Oklahoma among others. The ACC needs to start winning more these type games rather than losing them.
ACCBLOGGER.com
Brandon Rink is the mind behind ACC Blogger. This guy loves talking about sports as much as I do and I think he loves blogging even more. He concentrates on the ACC and offers a ton of great insight.
Predicted final standings for the ACC:
Atlantic
1) Florida State Seminoles 7-1 (9-3 overall)
2) Boston College Eagles 6-2 (10-2 overall)
2) Clemson Tigers 6-2 (9-3 overall)
4) Maryland Terrapins 3-5 (5-7 overall)
5) NC State Wolfpack 2-6 (6-6 overall)
6) Wake Forest Demon Deacons 1-7 (3-9 overall)
Coastal
1) Virginia Tech Hokies 6-2 (9-3 overall)
2) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 6-2 (10-2 overall)
3) Miami Hurricanes 5-3 (8-4 overall)
4) North Carolina Tar Heels 3-5 (6-6 overall)
5) Duke Blue Devils 2-6 (4-8 overall)
6) Virginia Cavaliers 1-7 (4-8 overall)
Championship Game: Florida State over Virginia Tech
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian Ponder
Defensive Player of the Year: DeAndre McDaniel
Game of the Year: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, Thursday, November 4th.
PLANTTHESPEAR.com
Next up is Rob McCannell. He’s new to the ACC Blitz connection list, and I have to say I’m impressed with his Florida State coverage. If you need to know anything FSU – head over to his site (you’ll probably drool over the design as much as I did).
Predicted final standings for the ACC:
Atlantic
1) Florida State 8-4 (6-2 ACC)
2) Boston College 9-3 (5-3 ACC)
3) Clemson 7-5 (4-4 ACC)
4) NC State 6-6 (2-6 ACC)
5) Wake Forest 5-7 (3-5 ACC)
6) Maryland 3-9 (1-7 ACC)
Coastal
1) Virginia Tech 11-1 (8-0 ACC)
2) Georgia Tech 11-1 (7-1 ACC)
3) Miami 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
4) North Carolina 7-5 (4-4 ACC)
5) Duke 4-8 (2-6 ACC)
6) Virginia 3-9 (0-8 ACC)
Championship Game: Virginia Tech over Florida State. Virginia Tech likely won’t lose a game after week 1, and despite the fact FSU would be the fourth-best team in the Coastal Division they’ll push the Hokies to the limit.
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian Ponder, Florida State. With an abundance of weapons, one of the best offensive lines in the country and a new, more dynamic coaching staff, the pieces are all in place for Ponder to have a prolific year.
Defensive Player of the Year: DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson. Smart, physical player who will solidify his status as a very high draft pick in April.
Game of the Year: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech. Huge Thursday night matchup featuring two Top-10 teams, either of which could challenge for the championship in any conference.
Final thoughts on the conference this year:
Again, the strong teams will cannibalize each other. The difference is that this year Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech have separated from the rest, and with a lucky break or two the conference might finally get that elusive second BCS bid. Miami and FSU are undeniably primed to take steps forward, but both have enough question marks and a hard enough schedule to limit them to the 8-9 win range. Boston College will again be solid, and has a schedule that virtually guarantees 8 wins. Clemson may improve as well, but a tougher schedule and stronger competition within the conference means that their record may not show that improvement.
Jim Grobe is rebuilding at Wake Forest. David Cutcliffe and Mike London are building for the future. Ralph Friedgen and Tom O’Brien are sitting in seats that have the potential to get uncomfortably warm. Butch Davis will need a miracle to keep his job, and likely won’t get one. The North Carolina situation may very well deteriorate as the season progresses, and that’s a shame. Having one of the few truly national brands in the ACC in the headlines for scandal casts a pall over the conference as a whole in what’s otherwise going to be a very exciting year.
GOBBLERCOUNTRY.com
Finally we have Gobbler Country, a Virginia Tech blog that goes so in depth on Hokie football it’s insane. Great stuff to read, even if you’re not a VT fan.
Predicted final standings for the ACC:
Atlantic
1) Boston College
2) Florida State
3) Clemson
4) Maryland
5) NC State
6) Wake Forest
Coastal
1) Virginia Tech
2) Miami
3) Georgia Tech
4) North Carolina
5) Duke
6) Virginia
Championship Game: Virginia Tech over Boston College
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian Ponder, Florida State
Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Final thoughts on the conference this year:
I think we’re to the point where we can stop acting surprised when BC does well. Some day they’ll have a down year and everyone who’s been picking them to go 6-6 every year will suddenly start beating their chests talking about how they were right and totally called BC to have a down year and how they’re on the decline.
I think Maryland will be the surprise team this year.
The Terps avoid some of the tougher Coastal teams and get a lot of their difficult games at home. They’ll beat someone they’re not supposed to. So will Duke, but the Devils’ schedule isn’t conducive to playing in a bowl. In the ballot I submitted the SB Nation ACC vote I had UNC at three and GT at four. I’ve swapped them until all of UNC’s players are cleared by the NCAA and the university. Also, I’m a homer so I’m picking the Hokies to win the conference.
That might not be the best thing for the ACC, though. The best thing would probably be for a 10-2 or 11-1 VT team to lose to BC so the conference can get two BCS teams for the first time. But hopefully that doesn’t happen the Hokies win their third league title in four years.
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