By John P. Wise
One Great Season
NEW YORK -- When using the term "continued success" about an ACC football powerhouse, there was a time not long ago when you would have used those words to describe Florida State.
But it's Virginia Tech that will enjoy continued membership among the national elite while the Seminoles could very well return to such status after a couple of off years and an overall downslide as it relates to the sport's landscape.
FSU and Virginia Tech should steamroll through the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, respectively, and square off in the ACC Championship game on Dec. 5 in Tampa.
With the graduation of Sean Glennon, Tyrod Taylor doesn't have to worry about splitting time at quarterback. The 2009 squad is finally his team. With a 13-2 career mark as a starter, this could be the year the speedy junior starts to remind Tech fans of the dual-threat capabilities of Michael Vick.
While Taylor will lead the offense, coach Frank Beamer's bread will again be buttered on defense and special teams this year, thanks in large part to Jason Worilds. Worilds changed his name from Jason Adjepong two years ago, and will change plenty of games this year with his rare combination of speed and strength. This guy is a huge playmaker; expect to hear his name in connection with sacks, turnovers and even a blocked kick or two this season.
Early season tilts at Alabama and against Nebraska will help the Hokies get ready for the ACC grind, if you want to call it a grind. This league certainly isn't the SEC or the Big XII, but home dates with Miami and Boston College and a visit to Georgia Tech will offer enough credible tests to put the defending Orange Bowl champs in the BCS mix once again.
Speaking of tests, that FSU student-athletes cheated on one several years ago could cost legendary coach Bobby Bowden as many as 14 wins. The school has appealed the NCAA's ruling to strip Bowden of the victories, a move that would reduce the coach's win total from 382 to 368. Penn State's Joe Paterno stands at No. 1 with 383 victories.
Regardless of what shakes out, the Seminoles could field their best team in years this season. Long gone from Tallahassee are 11-1 seasons; FSU is just 23-16 in the last three years, but an explosive offense could help return the Seminoles to the national spotlight.
Quarterback Christian Ponder is back, as is the entire offensive line in front of him. In all, seven starters return from last year's unit that averaged 33 points and 372 yards per game. Only five starters return on defense, so Ponder will need to continue to lead the growth of the offense.
FSU also will have to overcome a difficult schedule, especially on the road. The Seminoles visit BYU, Boston College, Clemson and Florida, and also play Miami and Georgia Tech this season. It's one of the most difficult schedules in Division I this year.
Elsewhere around the league, Georgia Tech is getting some attention thanks to running back Jonathan Dwyer, who's on many preseason Heisman watch lists. Boston College and Clemson surely have high hopes as they do every summer, but they're certain to finish a disappointing 8-4 at best, as they seem to do every fall. North Carolina is getting some precious preseason pub, but I'm not ready to jump on its bandwagong yet. The ACC continues to make gradual improvement this year, but definitely won't send 10 teams to bowl games like it did in 2008, an NCAA record for one league.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
Atlantic
Florida State
Clemson
Boston College
Maryland
Wake Forest
North Carolina State
Coastal
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
North Carolina
Miami
Virginia
Duke
BEST GAME ON THE SCHEDULE: Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, Oct. 17