2007 Atlantic Coastal Conference Preview

Atlantic Division

1. Wake Forest

2006: 11-3, 6-2 ACC (ACC champs; beat Georgia Tech 9-6 in ACC title game; lost to Louisville in Orange Bowl)

COACH: Jim Grobe (37-35 in six seasons at Wake Forest, 70-68-1 in 12 seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 15 (8 offense, 5 defense, PK, P)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: QB Riley Skinner, RB Micah Andrews, C Steve Justice, DE Matt Robinson, LB Aaron Curry

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jon Abbate left early for the NFL, and his replacement (Eric Berry) is academically ineligible. Unproven sophomore Dominique Midgett is now thrust into a key role.

OUTLOOK: The Demon Deacons probably won't be as good on defense, but skeptics are overlooking how much better they'll be on offense. Skinner is underrated; the offensive line is solid and will allow Wake to be more consistent running the ball. Win the opener at Boston College, and the Deacons can challenge for another division title.

2. Florida State

2006: 7-6, 3-5 ACC (5th in Atlantic, beat UCLA 44-27 in Emerald Bowl)

COACH: Bobby Bowden (293-82-4 in 30 seasons at Florida State, 366-113-4 in 40 years overall

RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (6 offense, 8 defense, PK, P)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB Antone Smith, WR Greg Carr, WR De'Cody Fagg, DE Alex Boston, CB Tony Carter, S Myron Rolle

BIG SHOES TO FILL: The Seminoles have big questions at linebacker, where Buster Davis and Lawrence Timmons are gone. Geno Hayes will team with Derek Nicholson and Marcus Ball. The latter two suffered knee injuries last season.

OUTLOOK: The Seminoles desperately needed the wholesale coaching changes that were made in the offseason, most notably Jimbo Fisher taking over for Jeff Bowden as offensive coordinator. The fortunes should improve in Tallahassee, but it's hard to see 10 wins this year because the schedule is so difficult.

3. Boston College

2006: 10-3, 5-3 ACC (2nd in Atlantic, beat Navy 25-24 in Meineke Car Care Bowl)

COACH: Jeff Jagodzinski (first season as a head coach)

RETURNING STARTERS: 18 (7 offense, 9 defense, PK, P)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: QB Matt Ryan, OT Gosder Cherilus, DT B.J. Raji, LB Jolonn Dunbar, CB DeJuan Tribble

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Offensive linemen Josh Beekman and James Marten are gone, plus receiver Tony Gonzalez. Linebacker Brian Toal is expected to redshirt, but the Eagles are stocked at the position.

OUTLOOK: Jagodzinski's freewheeling style has been embraced in Chestnut Hill, but Tom O'Brien's conservative philosophy served the Eagles well against more talented teams. Boston College should be formidable, but the jury is out on whether this team has the talent to win big playing his style.

4. Clemson

2006: 8-5, 5-3 ACC (fourth in Atlantic, lost 28-20 to Kentucky in Music City Bowl)

COACH: Tommy Bowden (60-38 in eight seasons at Clemson, 78-42 in 10 seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 11 (4 offense, 7 defense)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB James Davis, TB C.J. Spiller, OT Barry Richardson, DE Phillip Merling, LB Tramaine Billie, S Michael Hamlin

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Defensive end Gaines Adams was picked fourth in the NFL Draft and set the bar high for sophomore Ricky Sapp. The Tigers also lost veteran offensive linemen Dustin Fry, Roman Fry, Nathan Bennett and Marion Dukes, plus receiver Chansi Stuckey.

OUTLOOK: This team could finish anywhere from first to fifth in the division. It all hinges on what the Tigers get out of the quarterback position, where Cullen Harper will try to keep defenses from ganging up to stop Davis and Spiller. If Harper or Willy Korn is able to stretch the field, the Tigers will be potent.

5. Maryland

2006: 9-4, 5-3 ACC (3rd in Atlantic, beat Purdue 24-7 in Champs Sports Bowl)

COACH: Ralph Friedgen (50-24 in six seasons at Maryland and overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, TB Lance Ball, OL Andrew Crummey, LB Erin Henderson, DE Jeremy Navarre

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Sam Hollenbach blossomed into an efficient quarterback last season, and the only replacement on the roster who has taken a snap is junior Jordan Steffy. Losing kicker Dan Ennis and punter Adam Podlesh was also huge because of how instrumental the two were in close games last season.

OUTLOOK: The defense should be solid, but the offense is a concern because of the uncertainty at quarterback. The Terrapins are plenty good at receiver, tailback and up front; if a quarterback steps up, they can win the division title.

6. North Carolina State

2006: 3-9, 2-6 ACC (last in Atlantic)

COACH: Tom O'Brien (first season at N.C. State, 76-45 in six season overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB Andre Brown, TB Toney Baker, WR Darrell Blackman, DT DeMario Pressley)

BIG SHOES TO FILL: The Wolfpack lost several key defensive players, including tackle Tank Tyler, linebacker Pat Lowery and cornerback A.J. Davis. Also gone is kicker/punter John Deraney.

OUTLOOK: O'Brien seems like a good fit in Raleigh, but the Wolfpack doesn't appear to have enough talent to make a major move in the division. Losing tight end Anthony Hill to a season-ending knee injury left Daniel Evans with one less capable receiver to throw to.

1. Virginia Tech

2006: 10-3, 6-2 ACC (2nd in Coastal, lost 31-24 to Georgia in Peach Bowl)

COACH: Frank Beamer (156-82-2 in 20 seasons at Virginia Tech, 198-105-4 in 26 seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB Branden Ore, OL Duane Brown, WR Eddie Royal, LB Vince Hall, LB Xavier Adibi, CB Brandon Flowers

BIG SHOES TO FILL: The defense lost end Noland Burchette, linebacker Brenden Hill and safety Aaron Rouse, but there's plenty of talent remaining. Special teams is trying to find replacements for punter Nic Schmitt and kicker Brandon Pace.

OUTLOOK: The pressure is on quarterback Sean Glennon after he turned the ball over four times to help Georgia surmount a big deficit in the bowl game. By most indications, Glennon has looked good in the offseason. Efficiency at this position will allow the Hokies to be the class of the ACC and possibly challenge for the conference's first national title appearance since 2000.

2. Georgia Tech

2006: 9-5, 7-1 ACC (1st in Coastal; lost 9-6 to Wake Forest in ACC title game; lost 38-35 to West Virginia in Gator Bowl)

COACH: Chan Gailey (37-27 in five seasons at Georgia Tech, 61-38 in eight seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 17 (7 offense, 8 defense, PK, P)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB Tashard Choice, WR James Johnson, OL Andrew Gardner, LB Philip Wheeler, S Jamal Lewis

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Receiver Calvin Johnson left early and left opposing defensive coordinators breathing a sigh of relief. Choice will draw more attention now that Johnson is gone. On defense, tackle Joe Anoai was one of the most underrated players in the league.

OUTLOOK: The loss of quarterback Reggie Ball should be addition by subtraction, but quarterback Taylor Bennett probably won't light up the rest of the ACC like he did West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. The Yellow Jackets' defense should be as good as usual, and the offensive line might be the best under Gailey. If a receiver or two will step up, Georgia Tech can threaten Virginia Tech.

3. Miami

2006: 7-6, 3-5 ACC (4th in Coastal)

COACH: Randy Shannon (first season)

RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: TB Javarris James, WR Lance Leggett, OL Derrick Morse, DE Calais Campbell, S Kenny Phillips

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Tight end Greg Olsen was the team's leading receiver last year with 40 catches for 489 yards. The defense lost some big names from a unit that allowed one 100-yard rushing game all year: end Baraka Atkins, tackle Kareem Brown, linebacker Jon Beason and safety Brandon Meriweather.

OUTLOOK: Shannon seems sincere in his intent to restore discipline, and his efforts should produce immediate dividends. Improved play at quarterback and offensive line will make the Hurricanes better, but probably not enough to win the division.

4. Virginia

2006: 5-7, 4-4 ACC (3rd in Coastal)

COACH: Al Groh (42-33 in six seasons at Virginia, 68-73 in 12 seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 20 (8 offense, 10 defense, PK, P)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: DE Chris Long, TE Tom Santi, G Branden Albert, LB Clint Sintim

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Last year's leading receiver, Kevin Ogletree, is not expected to be available after tearing his ACL in late March. The Cavaliers also lost Jason Snelling, who led the team in rushing with 772 yards on 183 attempts.

OUTLOOK: The pressure is on Groh with so many guys returning. The Cavaliers have been projected as a dark horse in the Coastal, and the schedule seems to make such a scenario possible. Their defense should be pretty good, but the offense might not score enough points for them to end up near the top of the division.

5. North Carolina

2006: 3-9, 2-6 ACC (5th in Coastal)

COACH: Butch Davis (first season at North Carolina, 51-20 in six seasons overall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 10 (5 offense, 4 defense, PK)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Joe Dailey, LB Durell Mapp, PK Connor Barth

BIG SHOES TO FILL: The offense lost last year's leading rusher (Ronnie McGill), a productive receiver (Jesse Holley) and lots of defensive experience. The seven lost starters on defense totaled 164 career starts.

OUTLOOK: Davis has brought the energy and enthusiasm it's going to take to win at North Carolina, but the pieces aren't in place for the Tar Heels to do it this year. Increasing the win total to five would be an accomplishment.

6. Duke

2006: 0-12, 0-8 (6th in Coastal)

COACH: Ted Roof (5-34 in four seasons at Duke)

RETURNING STARTERS: 17 (11 offense, 5 defense, PK)

IMPACT PLAYERS RETURNING: WR Eron Riley, QB Thaddeus Lewis, WR Jomar Wright, LB Michael Taulilli, DE Patrick Bailey

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Cornerback John Talley was one of the ACC's best, and defensive lineman Eli Nichols had 29 career starts.

OUTLOOK: Roof promised a bowl appearance by 2008, so there's work to do. Losers of 20 straight games, Duke does have some hope in the fact that it was close on several occasions last year (Wake Forest, Miami, North Carolina). The Blue Devils should improve this year, and finishing ahead of the Tar Heels in the Coastal isn't out of the question.