2009 ACC Football Preview

Atlantic Division

Florida State

The Seminoles finished 9-4 one season ago and smacked Wisconsin around in the Champs Sports Bowl. The question this year is whether or not Florida State could return to national prominence. Many have speculated that this could be Bobby Bowden's final season in Tallahassee. Last week, long time Defensive Coordinator Mickey Andrews announced that he may retire after the 2009 season. With the academic scandal looming over the Seminoles, there is reason to believe that there could be numerous distractions for FSU. Christian Ponder is entering his second season as the starting quarterback. A season ago, Ponder showed that he could be a duel threat quarterback, but Seminole fans would like to see his touchdown to interception ratio improve.

The Good News

Florida State returns all five starters from an offensive line that was vastly improved from 2007 last season. Rodney Hudson could be an All-American and Ryan McMahon has played virtually every down and committed just one penalty in his two seasons as starting center. Quarterback Christian Ponder has a year of experience under his belt and his foot speed gives Florida State a viable run-pass threat. JUCO transfer Tavares Pressley returns from a season ending knee injury to play tailback from Florida State. Pressley will likely play second fiddle to Sophmore Jermaine Thomas in the FSU backfield. Thomas averaged over seven yards per carry a year ago in limited playing time as a freshman. The Florida State ground game should be a potent weapon against opposing ACC defenses in 2009.

The Bad News

Aside from the academic scandal, Florida State has several concerns. With wide receiver Preston Parker's dismissal from the team, Florida State lacks a legitimate big play threat at receiver. The Noles' are talented on defense, but very young. Florida State lost sack leader Everette Brown to the NFL and Myron Rolle to Oxford. The Seminoles lose six starters on defense and freshmen Greg Reid and Jacobbi McDanielcould see a lot of playing time come September. Few doubt that cornerback Patrick Robinson and linebacker Dekoda Watson could be all-conference performers, but FSU will likely need several young players to step up.

Key Games

9/7 Miami, 9/19 @ BYU, 10/10 Georgia Tech, 10/22 @ North Carolina, 11/28 @ Florida

The Forecast

9-3 (6-2). Florida State will win the Atlantic Division of the ACC.

North Carolina State

The Wolfpack returned to a bowl game last season after a two year hiatus. Tom O'Brien finally has NC State looking like a winner. Russell Wilson returns under center after be named first team all-conference as a Freshman. Toney Bakeris finally back after missing all last season and should be the Pack's leading rusher. NC State won its final four regular season games a year ago and could be a strong contender in the Atlantic Division. The Wolfpack travel to Tallahassee this season; NC State has beat Florida State twice in their last three meetings at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Good News

Russell Wilson is back at the helm for North Carolina State. The Wolfpack will also have a potent duo in the backfield with Toney Baker coming back from injury and Jemelle Eugene is solid and will help Baker carry the load. The Pack have four seniors on the offensive line and four more on the defensive line and DeAndre Morgan is a solid cover corner. Owen Spencer is NC State's leading receiver from a year ago and returns for the Wolfpack.

The Bad News

NC State loses its physical runner Andre Brown to the NFL. While Eugene and Baker make for a formadable duo at tailback, NC State lacks a big play threat at receiver to compliment Wilson and the ground game. The Wolfpack also have a defense that struggled at times in 2008. The schedule works against NC State as well with games against both Florida State and Virginia Tech being on the road.

Key Games

9/26 Pittsburgh, 10/31 @ Florida State, 11/21 @ Virginia Tech, 11/28 North Carolina

The Forecast

7-5 (4-4). NC State may still be a year away from being legitimate threats to win the ACC.

Maryland

In 2008, Maryland finished 8-5 after winning a shootout with Nevada in Boise. The biggest departure will be losing Darrius Heyward-Bey earlyto the NFL. Chris Turner remains a fan favorite in College Park and returns for a senior season. Turner has been consistently inconsistent. He has a tendancy to perform well in wins an poorly in losses. Maryland will rely heavily on their potent ground game and a stingy, but Jekyll and Hyde defense. Maryland's non-conference schedule includes game at California and at home against Rutgers. Ralph Friedgen has talent, but having a winning record in conference will be no simple task.

The Good News

Chris Turner is back for a third year as the Terps' starting quarterback. The key for Turner is more consistent play. Turner will have the luxury of handing the ball to tailback Da'Rel Scott. Scott rushed for more than 1,100 yard a season ago, but did have fumbling problems. Danny Oquendo will be Turner's main target at receiver. Oquendo is a physical receiver, but lacks the big play ability and versatility that Heyward-Bey gave Maryland a year ago. Dan Gronkowskiis a big target and tight end and will give the Terps a nice third down option and can be utlized in the red zone. On defense, defensive end Jeremy Navarre and lineaker Dan Philistin anchor an above average Terrapin front seven.

The Bad News

Darrius Heyward-Bey has left early for the NFL Draft leaving Maryland with no big play threat at wide receiver. The offensive line has only one senior and on defense, the secondary is weak. A season ago, Maryland was beat regularly through the air. An inconsistent defense could be the achilles' heel for the Maryland defense. Maryland has a reputation for sputtering down the stretch. That could hold true again in 2009. In November, Maryland has a home game against Virginia Tech sandwiched in between road games against NC State and Florida State.

Key Games

9/5 @ California, 9/26 Rutgers, 11/7 @ NC State, 11/14 Virginia Tech, 11/21 @ Florida State

Forecast

6-6 (4-4). A tough non-conference schedule will hurt the Terrapins early in the 2009 season, but could be a big help when they begin conferene play in October.

Clemson

Dabo Swinneyis entering his first full season as head coach of the Tigers. Clemson finished the season 4-3 after Swinney took over for Tommy Bowden last season. Willy Korn was a highly-touted recruit out of high school, but has yet to live up to his potential. This spring, Korn lost the quarterback battle to Kyle Parker. James Davis is no longer the thunder to C.J. Spiller'slightning, but sophmore Jamie Harper could be a solid number 2 in the Clemson backfield. The Tigers' 7-6 finish a year ago was quite disapointing after starting the year ranked in the top 10 in both major polls. It'll be interesting to see how long a leash is given to Swinney.

The Good News

C.J. Spiller is a senior and will finally be the star of the show in Death Valley. Spiller averaged nearly five and a half yards per carry a year ago while sharing time with James Davis. Spiller also gained over 400 yards receiving out of the backfield a year ago. Clemson has plenty of electricity at wideout as well; Jacouby Ford actually won the 100 yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine before deciding to return to school. Ford gives Clemson a deep threat that can be effective on bubble screens and other short routes. On defense, Clemson is loaded up front. Ends Ricky Sapp and Da'Quan Bowers should give opposing quarterbacks fits. Chris Chancellor is a solid tackler out of the secondary.

The Bad News

The Tigers still do not have a proven quarterback. While Kyle Parker takes over as the Clemson signal caller, the job is anything, but won. The Tigers have excellent ends in Sapp and Bowers, but still are very soft up the middle. Linebacker seems to be a sore spot for the Tigers. Kavell Conner is the most experienced, but Brandon Maye may be the most talented. Losing safety Chris Clemons to the NFL hurts an already thin secondary. Jacouby Ford may be a solid guy to stretch a defense, but losing receivers Tyler Grisham and Aaron Kelly leaves the Tigers with little in terms of a possession receiver, but some believe Xavier Dye could be that guy.

Key Games

9/10 @ Georgia Tech, 9/26 TCU, 10/24 @ Miami, 11/7 Florida State, 11/28 @ South Carolina

The Forecast

6-6 (4-4). Poor quarterback play will hurt the Tigers in the close games.

Wake Forest

Riley Skinner is back as Wake's starting quarterback for the fourth year in a row. After a hot start to last season, Wake fizzled to end the season. The Deacs finished 8-5 in 2008 and have finished progressively worse since winning the conference in 2006. The Deacons lost a ton of talent to the NFL Draft on defense, but return plenty of skill players on offense. Jim Grobe is one of the better coaches in the country in getting the most out of his players. Wake's misdirection offense will keep opposing defenses honest, but the departure of wide receiver D.J. Boldin leaves a question mark as to who will be Skinner's go to guy.

The Good News

Skinner returns for a fourth season as the Deacs' starting quarterback. In 2008, Skinners touchdown to interception ratio drastically improved from the previos season in which he threw for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. At tailback, Wake is deep, but Josh Adams is the guy that the Demon Deacons believe will be most consistent. Ben Wooster is a solid target for Skinner at tight end. Wooster's big 6'5" frame will help fill a void at receiver for Wake. On defense, Boo Robinson anchors the Demon Deacon front four. Robinson could be an all-conference interior lineman come season's end. Although Wake Forest has lost some major talent at linebacker and in the secondary, the Deacons bend, but don't break mentality could keep them in games.

The Bad News

Wake Forest lost its top three defensive players (Aaron Curry, Alphonoso Smith, Chip Vaughn). Brandon Gheeis the lone returning starter in the Demon Deacon secondary. Wake Forest's pass rush will be suspect as well with three new starters on the defensive line. D.J. Boldin's depature leaves Wake lacking a playmaker at wide receiver. Wake Forest loses former all-conference kicker Sam Swank as well. Swank had a knack for hitting big kicks, including a game-winner against Ole Miss last season. Shane Popham will take over for Swank as the Wake Forest placekicker; Popham struggled mightedly in a game against Clemson a year ago while Swank sat out with an injury. Scoring touchdowns will be important for Skinner and the offense in the red zone. Otherwise, the Deacs' may walk away from a lot of possessions empty-handed.

Key Games

10/3 NC State, 10/17 @ Clemson, 10/31 Miami, 11/7 @ Georgia Tech, 11/14 Florida State

The Forecast

7-5 (3-5). Wake takes another step back in 2009.

Boston College

Boston College had perhaps the worst offseason of any team in the country. First head coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired after accepting an interview with the NFL's New York Jets. The Eagles have since promoted defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani as the Eagles' head man. The Eagles won the ACC's Atlantic Division a year ago for the second consecutive year. The Eagles had key wins down the stretch against the likes of Florida State, Maryland and Wake Forest. However, BC ended the season on a sour note after getting whalloped by Virginia Tech in the conference title game and having its streak of winning nine consecutive bowls snapped at the hands of Vanderbilt. To add to BC's offseason issues, 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich has been diagnosed with cancer and his football career is likely over. Dominique Davis, who was scheduled to be the Eagles' starter has recently transfered leaving Boston College with no experience at quarterback.

The Good News

Boston College has a solid tandem in the backfield. Sophmore Josh Haden and junior Montell Harris form a nice one-two punch for the Eagles. BC gets their toughest conference opponents at home, but the schedule is not easy. The Eagles have receivers with playing experience in Rich Gunnell and Clarence Megwa. Although Boston College lacks the usual big names on the offensive line, it would be hard to imagine the unit being sub-par. Matt Tennant should be all-conference at center.

The Bad News

The Eagles have a Flutie, but he is their pooch punter and Duke isn't on the schedule. The bad news has piled up for Boston College. Defensive tackled B.J. Raji left the Eagles to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Mark Herzlich, the ACC's reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been diagnosed with cancer and will be unable to help the Eagles on the field. Amidst the Eagles' struggles on defense, Boston College will have to find a signal caller after Dominique Davis recently transfered leaving the Eagles without a quarterback who has thrown a collegiate pass. The Eagles also lose key targets in the passing game with the departure of wideout Brandon Robinson and tight end Ryan Purvis. Boston College has always been a team that was beaten better teams with less talent, but this year, they will have to do it with even less talent.

Key Games

9/19 @ Clemson, 10/3 Florida State, 10/10 @ Virginia Tech, 10/24 @ Notre Dame, 11/21 North Carolina

The Forecast

5-7 (3-5). The Eagles will miss going to a bowl game for the first time since 1998.

Coastal Division

Virginia Tech

Tyrod Taylortakes the reigns for the Hokies this year and will not be looking over his shoulder at Sean Glennon. The Hokies have a ton of talent and look to become ACC champions for the third year in a row. In fact, they seem to be the overwhelming pick to win the conference. This will be Frank Beamer's 23rd season in Blacksburg. Beamer has made a living off his team playing great defense, forcing turnovers and having the country's best special team unit. Virginia Tech restored some pride for the ACC last season after snapping the conference's 9 game losing streak in BCS games with a 20-7 win over Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl. The loss of Darrell Evans for the season will be crushing to the Hokies' dream of being national title contenders, but winning a third consecutive conference title and a fourth in their six as members of the ACC remains a strong possibility.

The Good News

Virginia Tech is talented on both sides of the ball. Tyrod Taylor is a scary sight for opposing defense. Taylor gives the Hokies a solid threat to run at quarterback and his passing continues to improve. With Evans lost for the season, Virginia Tech loses fire power, but remains versatile. 287 pound tight end Greg Boone may be the best receiving tight end in the conference. Boone is so versatile, Frank Beamer had Boone taking snaps from center at times in 2008. Virginia Tech is deep at wide receiver, but lacks a real star. Danny Coale proved to be a solid possession receiver as a freshman a year ago, but who will play along side him remains up for debate. Dyrell Robers, Jarrett Boykin and freshman Xavier Boyce will fight for playing time. Right tackle Ed Wang anchors the offensive line and will likely be an all-conference selection. On defense, the Hokies are solid on every level. Tech will be starting three seniors on the defensive line including pass rushing sensation Jason Worlids. Cody Grimm and Cam Martin should anchor the Virginia Tech linebacking corps. Grimm, son of former Washington Redskins' standout Russ Grimm flies to football and led the team in tackles a year ago. Kam Chancellor will be a star in the secondary for the Hokies. Chancellor was always been an excellent playing, but has been overshadowed by guys like Victor Harris and Brandon Flowers.

The Bad News

Darrell Evans knee injury will hurt the Hokies in the run game and especially in the fourth quarter. Without Evans and no homerun hitter at wide receiver, the bulk of the big plays will have to come from Tyrod Taylor. The loss of Victor Harris leaves Virginia Tech without the luxury of a shut-down corner, despite being experience in the secondary. Finally, Virginia Tech has a tough schedule. The Hokies open on a neutral field in the Georgia Dome against Alabama and will also meet Nebraska in the non-conference. Perhaps Virginia Tech's biggest test in the Coastal, Georgia Tech, will be on the road. The Hokies also travel to East Carolina, which could be no easy task considering the Hokies opened 2008 with a loss to the Pirates in Charlotte. Following the loss, Frank Beamer decided to pull the redshirt off of Taylor.

Key Games

9/5 Alabama (ATL), 9/19 Nebraska, 9/26 Miami, 10/17 @ Georgia Tech, 10/29 North Carolina

The Forecast

10-2 (7-1). The Hokies fate could be decided on October, 17 in Atlanta. A win on the road against the Jackets and VA Tech will win the Coastal.

Georgia Tech

Returning to the Yellow Jacket artilary are reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Johnathan Dwyer and Coach of the Year, Paul Johnson. The Ramblin' Wreck were successful in Johnson's first year although the season ended on a humiliating 38-3 loss to LSU in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. Nevertheless, Georgia Tech tallied wins over Florida State, Miami and Georgia in Johnson's first season. The flex offense enabled the Yellow Jackets to easily lead the conference in rushing behind the trio of Dwyer, Roddy Jones and wide receiver turned quarterback Josh Nesbitt. The Jackets looks to continue their winning ways in year two of the Paul Johnson era.

The Good News

Johnathan Dwyer returns after rushing for almost 1,400 yards a year ago and hitting pay dirt a total of 13 times. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt has proven to be a weapon in the Yellow Jackets' triple-option attack. Nesbitt is an excellent athlete and finished with nearly 700 rush yards in 2008. Nesbitt rarely throws the ball, but when he does, he is generally effective. Demaryius Thomas seems to be the favorite target of Nesbitt. Thomas returns after a stellar sophmore year in 2008. Thomas averaged 16 yards per catch a season ago for the Ramblin' Wreck. The defense lost some key players including Michael Johnson at defensive end, but Tech believes it still has a fair share of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Sedric Griffin will be Tech's emotional leader of the defense and Morgan Burnett is ball-hawk in the secondary. Burnett finished with 7 interceptions to lead the conference in 2008.

The Bad News

The schedule for the Jackets is not an easy one. Georgia Tech plays three schools from the SEC in their non-conference schedule including the regular season finale versus Georgia. In conference, it gets no easier. The Jackets play Miami and North Carolina in consecutive weeks in September before playing Florida State and Virginia Tech in October. The Yellow Jackets are solid at every position, but not outstanding anywhere on defense. A key for Georgia Tech will be whether or not they can get ahead early in games. If the Jackets fall into a hefty hole early, will the triple-option allow the Jackets to get back in the game?

Key Games

9/17 @ Miami, 9/26 North Carolina, 10/10 @ Florida State, 10/17 Virginia Tech, 11/28 Georgia

The Forecast

8-4 (5-3). A home date with Virginia Tech could decide the ACC's Coastal Division and the fate of the Yellow Jackets.

North Carolina

Butch Davis enters his fourth season as the lead man in Chapel Hill. Last season, North Carolina reached a bowl game for the first time in Davis' tenure. In 2009, the Heels will return the ACC's leader in pass efficiency from a year ago, T.J. Yates. Yates loses his top three receivers from a year ago, but the Heels are stocked with talent on both sides of the ball. UNC plays a modest non-conference schedule and UNC will eye a 10-win season for the first time since 1997.

The Good News

T.J Yates has proven to be the quarterback of the future and now, the present. Shaun Draughn gives Carolina a solid in-between the tackles back. The Tar Heels have three seniors on the offensive line that will try to open holes for Draughn. The Tar Heels may have the most talent of any defense in the ACC. Marvin Austin has lived up the hype coming out of high school. Austin, a 300 pounder at defensive tackle, has shown to be an outstanding run-stopper as well as an excellent pass rusher from the interior. At linebacker, Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Cartergive the Heels' perhaps the best linebacking corps in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Carter not only provides excitement on the defensive side of the ball, but is one of the better kick blockers in the country. Kendric Burney will be an all-ACC selection in the secondary. Burney has reputation for coming up with key interceptions and will lock down the opponent's top pass catchers.

The Bad News

Brooks Foster, Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate were the Tar Heels top three skill players on the offensive end a year ago. All three are gone. Nicks, a tall receiver with run after the catch ability was picked in the first round of April's NFL Draft. Greg Little will have the unenviable task of filling the void left by UNC's talented trio. North Carolina's ACC schedule is tough as well. North Carolina travels to both Blacksburg and Atlanta. If Carolina is to represent the Coastal, it will likely have to steal one of those two road games. The Heels also get the best of the Atlantic as well. The Tar Heels get Florida State in Keenan Stadium, but close the regular season in Raleigh against the Wolfpack.

Key Games

9/26 @ Georgia Tech, 10/22 Florida State, 10/29 @ Virginia Tech, 11/14 Miami, 11/28 @ NC State

The Forecast

9-3 (5-3). North Carolina will take another step in the right direction with a nine win regular season in 2009.

Miami

For the first time under Randy Shannon, the Hurricanes reached the postseason in 2008. The Canes are loaded with talent, but are extremely young. Miami relied on several freshmen to become impact players a season ago in Coral Gables. Quarterback Robert Marve has since transferred meaning true sophomore Jacory Harris will not have to share time under center this year. Miami's defense should be improved from a season ago, but it may be October before anyone notices. The Hurricanes have a brutal schedule to open the season. A 2-2 start could give the Canes a nice confidence booster heading in October.

The Good News

Miami is extremely talented; the combination at tailback of Graig Cooper and Javaris James are perhaps the closest thing that the Canes' have to veterans in terms of offensive skill players. Jacory Harris is loaded with talent around him; Aldarius Johnson and Laron Byrd provide big, physical targets at wide-out for Miami while Travis Benjamin is as explosive as they come. All three are sophmores. The offensive line is led by senior Jason Fox at left tackle. Fox should be an all-conference selection while providing a nice pocket for Jacory Harris and the talented running backs. Dedrick Epps will give Harris a nice safety valve in third down situations. The story on defense is the same. They are talented, but young. Defensive end Eric Moncur, linebacker Darryl Sharpton and safety Randy Phillips are the senior leaders of the Miami defense. All three are talented and will help the young talent mature. Few in Coral Gables believe that sophomore linebacker Sean Spence will be anything less than an all-american and another product of Miami's NFL factory. Cornerback Brandon Harris likewise has all the potential to be the next great in the Hurricane secondary.

The Bad News

It is not inconceivable to believe that the Canes could lose their first four games. The Canes open against rival Florida State in Tallahassee followed by games against two of the juggernaughts in the ACC (Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech). To conclude the four game stretch, Oklahoma comes to Land Shark Stadium. If the Canes are able to notch a couple of win in September, it will not be long before Miami returns to the national spotlight. On top of the treacherous schedule, running back Graig Cooper has suffered an ankle injury in Fall practice and his status remains unknown. Miami once again will be playing a plethora of underclassmen and inexperience could catch up to them at some point in 2009.

Key Games

9/7 @ Florida State, 9/17 Georgia Tech, 9/26 @ Virginia Tech, 10/3 Oklahoma, 11/14 North Carolina

The Forecast

7-5 (4-4). Seven wins with this schedule is pretty good. Miami should be the favorite to win the ACC Coastal in 2010.

Virginia

Al Groh is on the hot seat in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers had a Jekyll and Hyde season in 2008. After getting thumped 31-3 to Duke and starting 1-3, the Wahoos won their next four games. The Cavs were 5-3 and in the thick of the ACC race, but Virginia would lose their final four games missing postseason. Groh may have to win at least six or seven games to keep his job. Marc Verica took over early last season, but Jameel Sewell returns from suspension and will compete with Verica for the starting job.

The Good News

Virginia still has their play-maker wide receiver, Kevin Ogletree. Ogletree proved to be a nightmare for opposing secondaries in 2008. Jameel Sewell's return will give the Cavaliers a running threat at quarterback. In 2007, Sewell helped UVA complete a nine-win season and could be the answer to the Cavs moving in the right direction. If Sewell struggled, Marc Verica has proven to be a capable starter beating North Carolina and Georgia Tech a year ago. Jack Shields will provide the Virginia offense with great leadership as he returns at center. On defense, Ras-I Dowling had the potential to be one of the top cover corners in the country and will likely be named all-conference.

The Bad News

Virginia loses its top two rushers from a season ago. Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson made for a talented tandom in Virginia's backfield. The Cavaliers also lose tackle Eugene Monroe to the first round of the NFL Draft; two other losses on the offensive line will severely weaken the running attack that helped UVA compete in 2008. Linebacker Clint Stintim headlines the loss of all four linebackers in Virginia's 3-4 defense. Placekicker Yannick Reyering has also graduated. Reyering was solid a year ago hitting several big kicks for Virginia.

Key Games

9/12 TCU, 10/3 @ North Carolina, 10/24 Georgia Tech, 11/7 @ Miami, 11/28 Virginia Tech

The Forecast

4-8 (2-6). Al Groh's job could be in jeopardy following a disapointing season.

Duke

David Cutcliffe showed that he can still coach. The former Ole Miss head man and Tennessee offensive coordinator has made Duke at least respected. Few schools consider 4-8 a productive year, but when you're Duke, it is. The Blue Devil snapped a 25 game ACC losing streak last September thrashing Virginia 31-3. Although it would be the Devils sole conference win, they were uncharacteristically competitive. Duke took a big step forward after winning one game in 2007 and 2008 combined. The Blue Devils recorded wins over bowl teams Navy and Vanderbilt. If Cutcliffe can take Duke bowling, he could be recognized as ACC Coach of the Year.

The Good News

Thaddeus Lewis returns for his fourth season as Duke's starting quarterback. The strong-armed South Florida native has made plays with his arm and his feet in his previous three years leading the Devils. Aside from a September date in Kansas, Duke plays a pretty soft non-conference schedule. Heading into October, Duke could find themselves 3-1 for the second straight year. Receiver Eron Riley returns after leading Duke in receiving a year ago. On defense, the Devils are very experienced; Duke could start 10 seniors.

The Bad News

Duke just isn't that talented. Re' Quan Boyette, the speedy tailback graduated a season ago. On the Devils' schedule, Duke has North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami, Georgia Tech and NC State. If you're looking for multiple conference wins for Duke in 2009, keep looking. While Cutcliffe is the right guy to turn the Duke football program around, he will need more time.

Key Games

9/19 @ Kansas, 10/3 Virginia Tech, 10/10 @ NC State, 11/7 North Carolina, 11/21 @ Miami

The Forecast

4-8 (1-7). Another four win season for David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils.

2009 All-ACC Team

QB- Russell Wilson - NCSU

RB- C.J. Spiller - Clemson

RB- Johnathan Dwyer - GT

WR- Jacoby Ford - Clemson

WR- Kevin Ogletree - UVA

TE- Greg Boone - VT

T- Ed Wang - VT

G- Rodney Hudson - FSU

C- Matt Tennant - BC

G- Sergio Render - VT

T- Jason Fox - Miami

Defense

DE- Jason Worilds - VT

DT- Marvin Austin - UNC

DT- Vince Oghobaase - Duke

LB- Quan Sturdivant - UNC

LB- Cody Grimm - VT

LB- Dekoda Watson - FSU

CB- Patrick Robinson - FSU

CB- Kendric Burney - UNC

S- Kam Chancellor - VT

S- Morgan Burnett - GT

Specialists

K- Matt Bosher - Miami

P- Travis Baltz - UMD

KR- Travis Benjamin - Miami

2009 ACC Championship - Florida State vs. Virginia Tech in Tampa , FL

On a neutral field in the state of Florida, it's hard to pick against Bobby Bowden's Noles. Take into consideration that Bowden's record against Frank Beamer is 8-1. Florida State out-"Beamered" the Hokies in the inaugural ACC title game in 2005. It's not hard to imagine it happening again especially without the services of Hokies' running back Darrell Evans.

The Forecast - Florida State