ACC Championship: Clemson over Miami

ACC Atlantic

1. Clemson Tigers

Projected Record: 13-0 (8-0 ACC)

Clemson should be playoff bound again. The offense will be electric again with their once in a generation QB Trevor Lawrence. Clemson has weapons at the skill positions especially with Travis Etienne, Justyn Ross, and Tee Higgins. Joe Ngata is a freshman WR to look out for also. How Clemson does reloading the defense will be a question on how elite this team is. Replacing the entire defensive line and numerous other defenders won’t be easy.

2. Florida State Seminoles

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3 ACC)

Talented team who is off a nightmare 5-7 season. If James Blackman can evolve as a QB, this team has a high ceiling. The defense has experience and talent, but we will see if  this will translate to on the field success. Expect an improvement.

3. Syracuse Orange

Projected Record: 9-3 (5-3 ACC)

Dino Babers has turned Syracuse around in three years. Now it is time to see if this is sustainable. Babers returns a veteran team and Alton Robinson is the real deal at Defensive End. Syracuse possibly could finish 10-3 again and turn into one of the top teams in the ACC

4. Boston College Eagles

Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4 ACC)

AJ Dillon is one of the best running backs in the nation and he will carry this offense. However, Boston College hasn’t had the same level of defense lately and Steve Addazio has been just 38-38 in his career. The Eagles will be a tough team, but don’t expect anywhere close to a double digit win season.

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Projected Record: 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

Wake Forest has had two straight successful seasons under coach Dave Clawson. They have their leading rusher and quarterback back. The defense will need a major improvement after finishing 116th last year. If they get some better play on defense, they’ll make a bowl and have a good season.

6. NC State Wolfpack

Projected Record: 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

They lose a lot on offense and the defense is just alright. Sophomore starting quarterback Matthew McKay will try to pick up where Ryan Finley left. Honestly, trying to pick between BC, Wake Forest, and NC State is like choosing your favorite vegetable, they are all pretty average.

7. Louisville Cardinals

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-6 ACC)

Louisville flat out quit last year. The Cardinals are more talented than the 2-10 they finished. 9 starters return on defense and Juwan Pass should make some strides in his progress as a quarterback. They will most likely lose non-conference games against Notre Dame and Kentucky, but they’ll be competitive in the ACC.

ACC Coastal

1. Miami Hurricanes

Projected Record: 9-4 (6-2 ACC)

Miami will be good defensively, but how is the offense going to be with redshirt freshman QB Jarren Williams? I think Williams will start off with some growing pains, but pick it up when ACC play starts. The opener at Florida will be a test.

2. Virginia Tech Hookies

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2 ACC)

Virginia Tech has a lot of promise. All 11 defensive starters are coming back, but there is going to have to be growth unless they want to lose to Old Dominion again. I believe QB Ryan Willis can be a solid reliable QB. Virginia Tech could go from 6-7 to ACC division champs.

3. Virginia Cavaliers

Projected Record: 9-3 (5-3 ACC)

Tons of hype for Virginia as they are the media’s pick to win the division. It makes sense with 13 returning starters including QB Bryce Perkins. Offense will need to take a step up to get there though. The defense was top twenty last year and have one of the top corners in the country returning in Bryce Hall. Virginia will be in the running for a ACC division championship.

4. Pittsburgh Panthers

Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4 ACC)

The defense will be tough under Narduzzi, but will the offense ever get going? QB Kenny Pickett is alright, but they need him to progress if they want to compete for the division. I don’t think they’re talented enough to win it, but 8-4 is not out of the question.

5. North Carolina Tar Heels

Projected Record: 5-7 (2-6 ACC)

Mack Brown is in and the roster isn’t awful. The problem is they do not have a quarterback with experience on the roster. They will have to start freshman QB Sam Howell because that is their only option. The opener against South Carolina is almost a sure loss. A bowl game would be a great first season for Mack.

6. Duke Blue Devils

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-6 ACC)

They’re not an awful team… they just have to play Bama and Notre Dame non-conference. Daniel Jones leaves and they don’t have many offensive weapons. Nine returning starters on defense should help.

7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Projected Record: 3-9 (0-8 ACC)

Georgia Tech goes from the triple option to a modern day offense. Only problem is they have a bunch of low ranked recruits who were brought there to run the triple option. It is going to be rough transition year.