Diagnosing 2009:
Breaking Down The ACC
By Charles Drake/ThaRinger.Com
Virginia
Coach: Al Groh
Returning Starters: 10 (4 offense/6 defense)
Most Important Player: Jameel Sewell/QB
Breakout Player: Ras I Dowling/CB, Vic Hall/QB,WR,RB,CB
Waiting In The Wings: Torrey Mack/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 William & Mary
Sept. 12, 2009 TCU
Sept. 19, 2009 at Southern Miss.
Oct. 3, 2009 at North Carolina
Oct. 10, 2009 Indiana
Oct. 17, 2009 at Maryland
Oct. 24, 2009 Georgia Tech
Oct. 31, 2009 Duke
Nov. 7, 2009 at Miami-FL
Nov. 14, 2009 Boston College
Nov. 21, 2009 at Clemson
Nov. 28, 2009 Virginia Tech
2009 Forecast:
The Cavaliers gave Al Groh another year to prove himself, and
this year he better deliver. The state of Virginia is one of the biggest hot
beds for prep talent and going 7-5 or 6-6 just isn't good enough with the
players available in state on a yearly basis. The biggest problem in '08 was the
play calling and the QB execution. In '09 the Cavs should be better in both
areas as they get a playmaker back at QB with the return of Jamell Sewell and a
new Offensive coordinator in the form of former Bowling Green head coach Gregg
Brandon. Adding to the return of Sewell are playmaking running backs Mikell
Simpson and spring phenom Torrey Mack. The biggest questions this year should be
on the defensive side at LB and DE. Trying to replace 3 of the 4 linebackers in
the Cavs 3-4 defense will be a group led by the potential of sophomore Cam
Johnson. If the defense is adequate, anything less than 8-4 this year might get
Groh his walking papers.
Duke
Coach: David Cutcliffe
Returning Starters: 10 (5 offense/5 defense)
Most Important Player: Thaddeus Lewis/QB
Breakout Player: Re'quan Boyette/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Desmond Scott/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Richmond
Sept. 12, 2009 at Army
Sept. 19, 2009 at Kansas
Sept. 26, 2009 NC CENTRAL
Oct. 3, 2009 Virginia Tech
Oct. 10, 2009 at NC State
Oct. 24, 2009 Maryland
Oct. 31, 2009 at Virginia
Nov. 7, 2009 at North Carolina
Nov. 14, 2009 Georgia Tech
Nov. 21, 2009 at Miami-FL
Nov. 28, 2009 Wake Forest
Forecast:
The pick up of head coach David Cutcliffe brought some much needed
hope to the Duke football program last year. In '09, he hopes to build on last
year's enthusiasm. The offense with Cutcliffe at the helm will always be in good
hands, especially with a senior in Thaddeus Lewis directing the plays. Along
with the talented Lewis, Duke has some playmakers even with the loss of Eron
Riley. Leading the way are RB Re'quan Boyette, newcomer RB Desmond Scott, and WR
Sheldon Bell. The defense is led by potential 1st round pick DT Vince Oghobaase
and steady LB Vincent Rey. Winning 4 games in '08 was unheard of; in '09 I
expect Duke to better that.
Virginia Tech
Coach: Frank Beamer
Returning Starters: 16 (9 offense/7 defense)
Most Important Player: Tyrod Taylor/QB
Breakout Player: Ryan Williams/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Lorenzo Williams/S
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Alabama
Sept. 12, 2009 Marshall
Sept. 19, 2009 Nebraska
Sept. 26, 2009 Miami-FL
Oct. 3, 2009 at Duke
Oct. 10, 2009 Boston College
Oct. 17, 2009 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 29, 2009 North Carolina
Nov. 5, 2009 at East Carolina
Nov. 14, 2009 at Maryland
Nov. 21, 2009 NC State
Nov. 28, 2009 at Virginia
Forecast:
The Hokies should be a dynamic offensive team with Tyrod Taylor and
the RB tandem of Darren Evans/Ryan Williams. Added to the backfield weapons are
all major receiving threats returning led by TE Greg Boone and WR's Jarrett
Boykin/Danny Coale. The Hokies lose 4 starters on defense including all
everything Victor "Macho" Harris, but they should be just fine with Stephen
Virgil and company picking up the slack. The '09 version of Virginia Tech
football has the ability to be special.
Miami
Coach: Randy Shannon
Returning Starters: 19 (9 offense/10 defense)
Most Important Player: Jacory Harris/QB
Breakout Player: Sean Spence/LB
Waiting In The Wings: Mike James/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 7, 2009 at Florida State
Sept. 17, 2009 Georgia Tech
Sept. 26, 2009 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 3, 2009 Oklahoma
Oct. 10, 2009 Florida A&M
Oct. 17, 2009 at UCF
Oct. 24, 2009 Clemson
Oct. 31, 2009 at Wake Forest
Nov. 7, 2009 Virginia
Nov. 14, 2009 at North Carolina
Nov. 21, 2009 Duke
Nov. 28, 2009 at South Florida
Forecast:
The biggest question mark this year with the Canes is the offensive
line. You have Jason Fox and a bunch of unknowns that will try to protect QB Jacory Harris(who I believe is a star in waiting) and make holes for a talented
stable of running backs. The WR position is loaded with Aldarius Johnson, Laron
Byrd, Travis Benjamin, and Tommy Streeter leading the way. The defense should be
just fine. All American in waiting Sean Spence leads the LB corps and the front
four is laced with talent in Marcus Robinson, Marcus Fortson, and Allen Bailey.
Miami is close to regaining what once was an elite program. The coaching is
still a question however and an 8 win season would be a success.
North Carolina
Coach: Butch Davis
Returning Starters: 15 (6 offense/9 defense)
Most Important Player: Greg Little/WR
Breakout Player: Shaun Draughn/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Joshua Adams/WR
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 The Citadel
Sept. 12, 2009 at Connecticut
Sept. 19, 2009 East Carolina
Sept. 26, 2009 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 3, 2009 Virginia
Oct. 10, 2009 Georgia So.
Oct. 22, 2009 Florida State
Oct. 29, 2009 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 7, 2009 Duke
Nov. 14, 2009 Miami-FL
Nov. 21, 2009 at Boston College
Nov. 28, 2009 at NC State
Forecast:
With Butch Davis recruiting for your program you don't rebuild, you
just reload. With the departure of both starting receivers and TE Richard Quinn
the Heels will replace them with talented newcomers Joshua Adams, Donovan Tate,
Jheranie Boyd, and former RB Greg Little. T.J. Yates is back as the starting QB
and is a pretty good player if surrounded by playmakers. On defense North
Carolina has 9 starters back including two space eaters at the DT position in
Cam Thomas and Marvin Austin. The secondary will miss Trimane Goddard with FS
Deunta Williams and CB Kendric Burney taking over the leadership in the back
end. North Carolina had 8 wins in '08 and a ceiling of 9 this year would be
reasonable.
Georgia Tech
Coach: Paul Johnson
Returning Starters: 12 (7 offense/5 defense)
Most Important Player: Jonathan Dwyer/RB
Breakout Player: Derrick Morgan/DE
Waiting In The Wings: Emanuel Dieke/DE
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Jacksonville St.
Sept. 10, 2009 Clemson
Sept. 17, 2009 at Miami-FL
Sept. 26, 2009 North Carolina
Oct. 3, 2009 at Miss. State
Oct. 10, 2009 at Florida State
Oct. 17, 2009 Virginia Tech
Oct. 24, 2009 at Virginia
Oct. 31, 2009 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 7, 2009 Wake Forest
Nov. 14, 2009 at Duke
Nov. 28, 2009 Georgia
Forecast:
A surprise in '08, the Jackets won't be running up on anyone in '09. QB Josh Nesbitt leads the GT offense that head coach Paul Johnson says will have more vertical plays in the upcoming year. The running game is led by 2008 ACC Player Of The Year Jonathan Dwyer and Roddy Jones. The WR corps is led by Demaryius Thomas and not much else. The Jackets have some questions to answer on the offensive line as well. The defense has the potential to be special; DE's Dieke, Robert Hall, and Morgan should provide consistent pressure while safety Morgan Burnett leads the back seven. It's going to be hard to match the 9 wins of '08 for this group.
Boston College
Coach: Frank Spaziani
Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense/7 defense)
Most Important Player: Dominique Davis/QB
Breakout Player: Josh Haden/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Dillon Quinn/DT
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Northeastern
Sept. 12, 2009 Kent State
Sept. 19, 2009 at Clemson
Sept. 26, 2009 Wake Forest
Oct. 3, 2009 Florida State
Oct. 10, 2009 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 17, 2009 NC State
Oct. 24, 2009 at Notre Dame
Oct. 31, 2009 Central Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009 at Virginia
Nov. 21, 2009 North Carolina
Nov. 28, 2009 at Maryland
Forecast:
With a new head coach in longtime defensive coordinator
Frank Spaziani the Eagles have someone that will work his tail off to win. The
QB position is a question with sophomore Dominique Davis(3 starts) and redshirt
freshman Justin Tuggle most likely battling for the spot. The tailback position
is in good hands with super sophomores Josh Haden and Montel Harris. The WR
corps is led by potential All-ACC performer Rich Gunnell and some talented
youngsters. The defense will have to cope with the loss of 700 pounds up front
in the form of Ron Brace and B.J. Ragi. Highly recruited DT Dillon Quinn might
help the transition. All everything LB Mark Herzlich will hit anything moving,
but LB Mike McLaughlin will have to come back from a ruptured achilles suffered
in the spring. The Eagles ceiling is most likely in the 7-8 win range.
Clemson
Coach: Dabo Swinney
Returning Starters: 11 (5 offense/6 defense)
Most Important Player: Kyle Parker/QB
Breakout Player: Da'Quan Bowers/DE
Waiting In The Wings: Jamie Harper/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Middle Tenn.
Sept. 10, 2009 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 19, 2009 Boston College
Sept. 26, 2009 TCU
Oct. 3, 2009 at Maryland
Oct. 17, 2009 Wake Forest
Oct. 24, 2009 at Miami-FL
Oct. 31, 2009 Coastal Carolina
Nov. 7, 2009 Florida State
Nov. 14, 2009 at NC State
Nov. 21, 2009 Virginia
Nov. 28, 2009 at South Carolina
Forecast:
The QB position looks to be Kyle Parker's heading into
the summer and I expect him to cement himself there. Very underrated coming out
of high school, Parker is just better than the more heralded Willy Korn. The
tailback situation is in good hands with likely 1st day pick C.J. Spiller and
the talented duo of Jamie Harper/Rendrick Taylor. A big question will be the WR
corps with Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham gone. Another big concern will be the
offensive line; Swinney must find a better group than the Tigers fielded last
year. On defense, the Clemson front four might be the best in the conference.
Amazing talent at the DE position with De'Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp. The middle
will be anchored by possible first round pick Jarvis Jenkins and sophomore
Brandon Thompson. The Tiger secondary is the biggest question on defense trying
to replace 3 starters, but starting with Crezdon Butler the talent is there.
Clemson has ACC championship aspirations if Parker can perform with a steady
offensive line and the back end of the defense can be shored up.
Wake Forest
Coach: Jim Grobe
Returning Starters: 13(9 offense/ 4 defense)
Most Important Player: Riley Skinner/QB
Breakout Player: Kyle Wilber/DE
Waiting In The Wings: Daniel Mack/LB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Baylor
Sept. 12, 2009 Stanford
Sept. 19, 2009 Elon
Sept. 26, 2009 at Boston College
Oct. 3, 2009 NC State
Oct. 10, 2009 Maryland
Oct. 17, 2009 at Clemson
Oct. 24, 2009 at Navy
Oct. 31, 2009 Miami-FL
Nov. 7, 2009 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 14, 2009 Florida State
Nov. 28, 2009 at Duke
Forecast:
The departures on defense are the biggest questions this
year with the Demon Deacons. Wake will be led on offense by cerebral QB Riley
Skinner and the tandem of Brandon Pendergrass/Josh Adams at RB. The
inexperienced defensive will be led by CB Brandon Ghee, DE Kyle Wilber, and DT
Boo Robinson. I love coach Jim Grobe, but it's going to be hard for Wake to have a
season anything better than 6-6.
Florida State
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Returning Starters: 12(8 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Christian Ponder/QB
Breakout Player: Jermaine Thomas/RB
Waiting In The Wings: A.J. Alexander/CB
Schedule:
Sept. 7, 2009 Miami-FL
Sept. 12, 2009 Jacksonville St.
Sept. 19, 2009 at BYU
Sept. 26, 2009 South Florida
Oct. 3, 2009 at Boston College
Oct. 10, 2009 Georgia Tech
Oct. 22, 2009 at North Carolina
Oct. 31, 2009 NC State
Nov. 7, 2009 at Clemson
Nov. 14, 2009 at Wake Forest
Nov. 21, 2009 Maryland
Nov. 28, 2009 at Florida
Forecast:
A tough schedule will thwart FSU in their quest for a
special season. However, head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher has this team on the
right track and a return to the top of the ACC shouldn't be far away. The
offense is pretty solid across the board. QB Christian Ponder isn't a great
player, but he does what it takes. The RB position is led by Jermaine Thomas and
Ty Jones with newcomers Chris Thompson and Lonnie Pryor adding depth. Thomas and
Jones have an opportunity to be special if they can learn the blocking schemes
and hold onto the football. The WR corps is a big question with major off field
issues leading to a depleted group. The OL should be solid led by all everything
OG Rodney Hudson and future All-ACC performer OT Andrew Datko. The defense has a
ton of talent, but little experience. Corner Patrick Robinson, LB Dekoda Watson,
and DE Markus White could be all conference by years end; The LB corps is loaded
with potential in Nigel Bradham, Kendall Smith, Nigel Carr, and Vince Williams.
The interior defensive line is the biggest question, but should be helped by 5
star recruit Jacobbi McDaniel. The Seminoles are going in the right direction,
but another 7 or 8 win season is likely in '09.
Maryland
Coach: Ralph Freidgen
Returning Starters: 10(6 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Da'Rel Scott/RB
Breakout Player: Davin Meggett/RB
Waiting In The Wings: DeOnte Arnett/DE
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 at California
Sept. 12, 2009 James Madison
Sept. 19, 2009 Middle Tenn.
Sept. 26, 2009 Rutgers
Oct. 3, 2009 Clemson
Oct. 10, 2009 at Wake Forest
Oct. 17, 2009 Virginia
Oct. 24, 2009 at Duke
Nov. 7, 2009 at NC State
Nov. 14, 2009 Virginia Tech
Nov. 21, 2009 at Florida State
Nov. 28, 2009 Boston College
Forecast:
Maryland is in trouble this year if their offensive
line can't open holes for the talented duo of Davin Meggett and Da'Rel Scott.
The QB position is manned by veteran game manager Chris Turner. Leading the
troops on defense will be CB Anthony Wiseman, and LB's Alex Wujciak/Adrian Moten.
The defense will need to play well if Maryland is to have a successful '09
campaign.
N.C. State
Coach: Tom O'Brien
Returning Starters: 15(8 offense/7 defense)
Most Important Player: Russell Wilson/QB
Breakout Player: Owen Spencer/WR
Waiting In The Wings: Mike Glennon/QB
Schedule:
Sept. 3, 2009 South Carolina
Sept. 12, 2009 Murray St.
Sept. 19, 2009 Gardner-Webb
Sept. 26, 2009 Pittsburgh
Oct. 3, 2009 at Wake Forest
Oct. 10, 2009 Duke
Oct. 17, 2009 at Boston College
Oct. 31, 2009 at Florida State
Nov. 7, 2009 Maryland
Nov. 14, 2009 Clemson
Nov. 21, 2009 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 28, 2009 North Carolina
Forecast:
It isn't a big reach to say N.C. State has the
potential to win the ACC in 2009. Led by Russell Wilson, arguably the best QB in
the conference, the Wolfpack will be fine on the offensive side of the ball if
the offensive line can perform. The defense is led by LB's Nate Irving and Audie
Cole; the defensive line has some nice talent with Willie Young leading the way.
The secondary will make or break this unit. I can see the Wolfpack winning
double digit games and I could also see them at .500; definitely the wildcard
team in the Atlantic division.
Top 10 players
1. Jonathan Dwyer/RB/Georgia Tech
2. Mark Herzlich/LB/Boston College
3. Russell Wilson/QB/N.C. State
4. Rodney Hudson/OG/Florida State
5. C.J. Spiller/RB/Clemson
6. Marvin Austin/DT/North Carolina
7. Nate Irving/LB/N.C. State
8. Derrick Morgan/DE/Georgia Tech
9. Sean Spence/LB/Miami
10. Vince Oghobaase/DT/Duke
On The Rise
Da'Quan Bowers/DE/Clemson
Josh Haden/RB/Boston College
Owen Spencer/WR/N.C. State
Jermaine Thomas/RB/Florida State
Kyle Parker/QB/Clemson
Nigel Bradham/LB/Florida State
Davin Meggett/RB/Maryland
Jacory Harris/QB/Miami
Ryan Williams/RB/Virginia Tech
Immediate Impact
Tommy Streeter/WR/Miami
DeOnte Arnett/DE/Maryland
Mike James/RB/Miami
Jarvis Byrd/CB/N.C. State
Donte Moss/DE/North Carolina
Donovan Tate/WR/North Carolina
Greg Reid/CB/Florida State
Jayron Hosley/CB/Virginia Tech
Torrey Mack/RB/Virginia
Bryce McNeal/WR/Clemson
Desmond Scott/RB/Duke
Justin Jackson/LB/Wake Forest
Emanuel Dieke/DE/Georgia Tech
Jacobbi McDaniel/DT/Florida State
Dillon Quinn/DT/Boston College
Daniel Mack/LB/Wake Forest