2012 ACC College Football Preview

This is the last year of the ACC as we know it. With Syracuse joining followed by Pittsburgh the conference will be a little more crowded and the odds of winning a conference championship decrease.

3 Things

1. One Year Too Soon?

Last season most of the experts predicted a return to glory for the Florida St. Seminoles. After a stretch of three losses in a row it was apparent that this wasn’t the Noles of yesteryear. They finished at 9-4 with the “maybe next year” face. This Seminoles team returns a monster defense that’s good enough to get them to a national championship. E.J. Manuel is expected to have a big season if he can find playmakers to get the ball to.

2. Logan Thomas = Cam Newton?

Cam Newton carried his Auburn Tigers to a national championship two years ago simply because he was bigger and better than everyone else. Thomas is 6’7″ 260 lbs and he’s pretty good. The Hokies lost a lot from last years team but having a player like Thomas is sometimes all you need.

3. Tigers or Kitties?

The Clemson Tigers proved to be very explosive on offense with speed at every position. They were strong enough to beat Virgina Tech twice and win the ACC Championship but it was the defense that let them down in the Orange bowl as West Virginia put up 70 points on the Tigers. In fact I think the Mountaineers just scored another touchdown. The Clemson Tigers have a shot at another conference championship but have to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers bring in Brent Venables as new D-Coordinator to help fix the problems.

Surprise Team 

N.C. State Wolfpack
I look for the Wolfpack to improve  on their 8-5 record with the return of Mike Glennon at QB who is coming off a solid season and in a league with explosive pass attacks, the Wolfpack have arguably the best secondary in the country. Led by David Amerson, who is a 6’3″ Cornerback who had 13 interceptions last year, the Wolfpack are built to stop the pass.

The Rest

North Carolina is under a post season ban, Miami is searching for a new QB and Boston College is on a downward spike. Wake Forest, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia Tech are middle of the road. While Duke is, well Duke is Duke.

Best Non-conference Game

Clemson vs South Carolina
In this rivalry the Gamecocks have gotten the better of the Tigers as of late. If either team wants to when a National Championship a victory in this game is a must.

Best Conference Game

Virginia Tech vs Florida State
These are probably the two best teams in the conference and the winner of this game could decide the champion.

Champion

Florida State
The defense will dominate and Manuel will make enough plays.

Best Coach-Frank Beamer(Virginia Tech)

Best QB– Logan Thomas(Virginia Tech)

Best Skill Player– Sammy Watkins(Clemson)

Best Defender –Brandon Jenkins(Florida State)

Impact Freshmen-Duke Johnson(Miami)