ACC Preview: Can Florida State have another perfect season?
Heading into the 2014 season, there is little doubt that defending national champion Florida State is the team to beat once again. While Clemson and the ACC's newest team, Louisville, should provide solid competition atop the Atlantic Division, the Seminoles will have an opportunity to go undefeated for a second straight year. The Coastal Division, on the other hand, makes for a fairly wide open race, in which several teams could be in the running down the stretch.
The Favorites
Florida State
Last year's record: 14-0
AP Preseason Poll: 1
What you need to know: Every so often, there's a college football team that is a yearly threat to run the table, while becoming a top feeder program for the NFL. That perfectly describes Florida State's current standing within the college ranks. Coming off an undefeated, national title-winning season, the Seminoles enter the new campaign as the nation's No. 1 team. The roster is extremely talented from top to bottom, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston, who should continue to improve with experience. While undefeated seasons are no easy feat, even for the most talented teams, a favorable schedule gives Florida State a real shot at a perfect record for the second straight year, making the Seminoles obvious ACC favorites.
What you probably didn't know: Florida State had a two-year school record of 18 players drafted to the NFL from 2013-14. With plenty of talent still on the roster, those numbers will continue to rise.
Potential upset: Nov. 15 at Miami (FL). The closest the Seminoles came to losing a game last year was against opponents with dominant running games. If Miami running back Duke Johnson is healthy, he'll likely have a big year behind what is set to be a strong offensive line, giving the Hurricanes the best chance of any team to upset Florida State at home.
Clemson
Last year's record: 11-2
AP Preseason Poll: 16
What you need to know: While every team in the ACC, and college football for that matter, will be compared to Florida State, Clemson has a pretty talented team in its own right. There were indeed some significant losses on the offensive side of the ball in Sammy Watkins, Tajh Boyd and Martavis Bryant, all lost to the NFL, but there are players in place to fill those holes. And the defense could be one of the nation's best. Led by defensive end Vic Beasley, the defensive line in particular will be able to take over games, and could help carry the Tigers to another big season.
What you probably didn't know: The returning senior defensive end Beasley needs eight sacks to become Clemson's all-time leader.
Potential upset: Oct. 11 vs. Louisville. Strong at receiver and on the offensive line, the Louisville offense will have a better chance than any other underdog to score against what should be a dominant Tigers defense.
North Carolina
Last year's record: 7-6
AP Preseason Poll: 23
What you need to know: North Carolina's strong finish to the 2013 season likely played a big part in the team earning AP Preseason Top 25 honors, but it will have to prove early on that those wins weren't simply the result of a favorable schedule. This year, the Tar Heels see two preseason top-15 teams in their first six weeks, with matchups against Clemson and Notre Dame both coming on the road. Like most teams, the quarterback position will go a long way toward determining their success over the course of the year. Given how Marquise Williams played after taking over for Bryn Renner last season, the position looks to be in good shape.
What you probably didn't know: With 536 yards rushing in 2013, Marquise Williams became the first quarterback to lead North Carolina in rushing yards since Gayle Bomar in 1968.
Potential upset: Nov. 20 at Duke. In a late-season Thursday night game against its long-time rival, the Duke offense may prove to be too much for North Carolina in what should be a high-scoring matchup.
The Surprises
Louisville
Last year's record: 12-1 (American Athletic Conference)
Moving from the AAC to the ACC this season, Louisville will face much stiffer competition. The adjustment will be difficult, especially with significant turnover on the defensive side of the ball and the loss of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the NFL. However, the Cardinals are candidates to surprise in the conference this season, with talent at receiver and on the offensive line that will reduce pressure on sophomore quarterback Will Gardner.
Miami (FL)
Last year's record: 9-4
All eyes are on the Hurricanes' quarterback position heading into this season, as the team has yet to announce a winner in the competition between fifth-year senior Jake Heaps and freshman Brad Kaaya. As such, a rotation isn't out of the question, but the extended competition is no doubt a good sign for the future of the younger Kaaya. Either way, the offense should be led by its high-potent run game. A strong offensive line should open holes for running back Duke Johnson, who ran for more than 900 yards in only eight games last season.
Duke
Last year's record: 10-4
Duke vastly exceeded expectations the past two seasons, and is among the surprise candidates in the ACC as a result. With a relatively favorable schedule, the Blue Devils will have an opportunity to finish with a record similar to their 10-2 regular-season mark from 2013 and, should the offense continue performing at a high level, possibly surpass it. Duke's true test could come from the winner of the Atlantic Division, should it claim the Coastal. Last season's close bowl loss to Texas A&M may indicate that Duke is getting more comfortable hanging with the big boys.
Virginia Tech
Last year's record: 8-5
Like many other teams in the Coastal Division, Virginia Tech's ultimate record could fall within a very wide range. Its defense is led by the secondary, namely standout sophomore cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson. If that starting tandem can build on its strong showing from last season, it will be tough for opposing offenses to move the ball through the air with any consistency against the Hokies. The offense has more question marks, but a deep group of returning receivers will give the unit some reliable playmakers. Either way, the Hokies should be in the running for the Coastal Division title, which would give them a good chance at postseason play.
Pittsburgh
Last year's record: 7-6
Pittsburgh's lineup will be talented, but relatively inexperienced in 2014. Should the team's young talent develop in short order, the Panthers could field solid units on both sides of the ball. Should the kids be slow in their development, the Panthers could end up closer to the bottom of the Coastal Division.
The Disappointments
NC State
Last year's record: 3-9
NC State's schedule suggests that a winning season is possible, but this may not be the year for the Wolfpack to take full advantage of a weak slate. The roster currently has question marks at too many key spots to be penciled in for anything more than the bottom portion of the Atlantic Division. Finding a solid starting quarterback in Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett will help, of course, but the lack of weapons around him will likely limit the offense's overall production. With several strong programs ahead of it in the division, NC State is probably at least a few years away from contending.
Boston College
Last year's record: 7-6
Similar to the Wolfpack, Boston College seems to have found its quarterback in transfer Tyler Murphy, but it may be in for a difficult season or two as the rest of the team rebuilds. Replacing the productivity of running back Andre Williams will be no easy task, and the defense isn't in great shape after losing several important bodies. To succeed, the Eagles will need a number of inexperienced players to produce in key roles, which is always a dicey proposition heading into a new year.
Wake Forest
Last year's record: 4-8
Wake Forest is in full rebuilding mode under new head coach Dave Clawson, and the Demon Deacons will be in tough against the Atlantic Division, and the entire ACC as a result. The defense will lead the charge and is the key to a successful season. The offense appears to be a few years away from producing consistently. Wake Forest is likely to remain at, or near, the bottom of the ACC standings this season.
The Leftovers
Georgia Tech
Last year's record: 7-6
Georgia Tech will continue to run the ball and, as it always has, likely run it well. Having a great athlete at quarterback in sophomore Justin Thomas will certainly help that effort, but the Yellow Jackets have too many questions outside the run game to contend this season. That consistent rushing attack will allow Georgia Tech to win its share of games, but the Yellow Jackets appear destined for the middle of the pack in the Coastal Division.
Virginia
Last year's record: 2-10
Virginia will field a strong defense in 2014, one that should carry it to several wins over the course of the season. The offense, however, is a different story, with many unanswered questions highlighted by an already-weak offensive line that lost standout tackle Morgan Moses to the NFL. Virginia's ceiling is likely the middle of the Coastal Division. However, a weak offense could drag the team to the bottom of the standings.
Syracuse
Last year's record: 7-6
Syracuse is at the very least stuck behind Florida State and Clemson in the Atlantic Division, and a difficult schedule will impact its chances of challenging for that third spot by year's end. A brutal five-game, mid-season stretch sees the Orange take on Notre Dame, Louisville, Florida State, Wake Forest and Clemson, and it may prove difficult for the team to come away with anything more than one win. Syracuse does have some playmakers on both sides of the ball - important pieces to build around moving forward - but a record in the .500 range is a safe bet.