ACC Atlantic Division Preview
July 30th 2008 - Written by: John Webb
‘Tis the time of year to get the E-Z Up tent out of the attic and start dreaming of fall Saturdays. In the spirit of pigskin we will look at the mountain that Clemson will have to climb in the ACC Atlantic Division. But first, a question -- do you think Clemson can lobby ACC Commissioner John Swofford to switch the Tigers’ division for just one year? This week ACC media overwhelmingly voted Clemson to win the Atlantic Division and Virginia Tech to win the Coastal Division.
Considering that Virginia Tech lost an incredible amount of talent to the NFL draft, has seriously injured running backs, and has no returning receiver who caught more than five balls last season, you can judge for yourself how depleted the Coastal Division is this year.
Oh well, back to the Atlantic.
We start in Raleigh with NC State. Coach Tom O’Brien will win like he did at BC when he gets his kind of players in place like offensive lineman RJ Mattes (who, sadly, chose the Pack over the Tigers). The Wolfpack is loaded at running back between Jamelle Eugene, Toney Baker, and Andre Brown, but there’s not enough talent at other places on the field. I suggest they draw straws for quarterback between Harrison Beck, Daniel Evans, and Russell Wilson. It might be their best option. Right now this is a young team with questions that have sprouted up like weeds.
Fear factor: 3
(but Clemson asks you to somehow beat USC in your opener)
Fear the Turtle….in a year or two. Maryland returns, being led by Napoleon Dynamite look-a-like quarterback Chris Turner. I always think of Maryland as being a Big 10 team that just happens to play in the ACC. They are physically imposing but beatable if you get them in space, except for ball of lightning Darrius Heyward-Bey. He plays wide receiver, and he is very, very dangerous. Maryland has a great offensive line, and the coaches say new starter Da’Rel Scott should be good at running back. By the way, Jordan Steffy backs up Chris Turner. He’s a senior now, but don’t you remember how we melted down when he chose Maryland over Clemson? Isn’t it funny how recruiting shakes out?
Fear factor: 4
(but please beat California for our ACC street cred)
Boston College, how badly do you have it coming? I really want to believe that we will pound BC after losing to them in heartbreaking fashion three years in a row. Chris Crane, can you play quarterback? Who is going to run the ball? The front seven is stout. Defensive tackles Ron Brace and BJ Raji are arguably the best pair of interior linemen in the country. Brian Toal is starting again at linebacker. They lose Matt Ryan, but like every year, they will be hard to run on. There will be an ACC game this year that they will win while scoring 10 points or fewer.
Fear factor: 5
(BC fans, please travel to your bowl game this year)
Back in the day, when I was a student at Clemson, we used to chant, “It’s Great to Hate Florida State.” As great as the hatin’ is, the winning is even better. Unfortunately FSU will be improved this year, except on the offensive line where they have no upper classmen. They especially will be hurting in the first 3 games when the academic suspensions take place (the 3rd game being against Wake Forest, an almost certain loss.) Perhaps you could suit up for the Seminoles if you are not too busy the first few weeks of September? Drew Weatherford will be pushed at quarterback by Christian Ponder. Former 5-star recruit Antone Smith may dare to live up to expectations at running back. FSU is solid at receiver with jitterbug Preston Parker and frisbee catching dog Greg Carr. The defense is anchored by preseason all-ACC picks Everette Brown and Renaissance man Myron Rolle, who may tackle you and then talk trash in several languages. I wish we played them in the Valley.
Fear factor: 8
(how can you only sell 38,000 season tickets?)
Wake Forest is loaded again, and their schedule is very favorable within conference – even more so than Clemson’s, which analyst Phil Steele predicts to be the 73rd hardest in the country, including out-of-conference games. Riley Skinner calls the signals and Josh Adams should be a force at running back. Aaron Curry at linebacker and Alphonso Smith at cornerback lead a tough defensive unit. Sam Swank is dependable at place kicker. Above all else, Jim Grobe’s crew finds a way to play sound football, keep games close, and win – never mind that Clemson spanked Wake by 34 last year. It should be a great game on Thursday night in Winston-Salem, unless, of course, Clemson wins by 34. Did I mention that Clemson won by 34 last year?
Fear factor: 8.5
(when will order be restored to the universe?)
So that leaves Clemson. Am I going to insult your intelligence? Did you know that Clemson is really, really good at the skill positions? Have you heard of this new defensive end, Bowers? Did you know about the questions at offensive line and linebacker? Did you know Clemson has barely missed the ACC Championship Game several years in a row? Are you the kind of person who will have that sick feeling in your stomach before the Alabama game? Me too. That’s how Clemson earns this rating. Every year I get the butterflies regardless of the talent on the field.
Fear factor: 10
(Go Tigers!)
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