ACC Preview: Miami Regains Elite Status

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

This might be the year the Atlantic Coast Conference finally makes its case as the second-best league in college football.

Remember, it was only two seasons ago that the ACC sent 10 teams to bowl games, but it's still a league that those fair-minded SEC fans like to ridicule.

Its stacked Coastal Division will be just as impressive and difficult as the SEC West this year, and almost as wide open as the PAC 10.

Florida State should have its way in the Atlantic Division, as Clemson has a huge hole to fill after the departure of C.J. Spiller. Boston College, with the return of Mark Herzlich — whenever that might be — will have a fine season, but the Seminoles, with Christian Ponder and without Bobby Bowden, are the pick here.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Complete Preseason Preview

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So let's talk about that Coastal Division race, which promises to be a thrilling one. Four teams are capable of winning not only the division, but the ACC Championship game as well, and claiming the conference's BCS bowl bid.

In Miami, Randy Shannon isn't on any kind of hot seat like Maryland's Ralph Friedgen might be, but his fourth season leading the Hurricanes will get a lot of attention because expectations are high. If junior quarterback Jacory Harris can take a key step and mix in some consistency with his talent and potential, Miami will light up some ACC scoreboards, while keeping opponents quiet with an athletic defense that returns eight starters.

What can you say about Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies that you haven't already said about them a few times? Tech wins by running the ball, playing sound — often dominant — defense and making things happen on special teams. There's not much gadgetry in Blacksburg. If the Hokies can clear a season-opening hurdle against Boise State, expect them to take a top-five ranking and 8-0 record into November, where Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami await in succession.

If you've picked up two or three preseason publications, chances are good that you've read two or three references to Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson's "unorthodox approach" or something similar. Such diction is tiresome and no longer necessary. Is the triple-option the norm in college football? Obviously not, but Johnson has always had success with it, and will continue to do so until someone stops it. Kind of like Mike Tyson, who will always survive unless he's dead or something. But with Josh Nesbitt running that offense effectively, and with Anthony Allen stepping in to fill the void left by Jonathan Dwyer's departure, 2010 won't be the year for it to be stopped. Now if only the Jackets can play a little defense this season.

I feel bad for North Carolina. Kind of. The year the Tar Heels finally looked ready to put it all together and live up to the preseason hype, they now find themselves embroiled in an NCAA investigation that's expected to yield some suspensions. Perhaps the penalties will be light enough that guys won't miss many conference games, but in a race like the ACC Coastal, such adversity will be too big a burden to overcome.

Predicted Order Of Finish:

Atlantic
Florida State
Clemson
Boston College
Wake Forest
North Carolina State
Maryland

Coastal
Miami
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Duke
Virginia

Interesting Storylines: Linebacker Mark Herzlich returns to Boston College after beating bone cancer, Florida State begins the Jimbo Fisher era and Virginia Tech has to figure out how to keep 1,000-yard backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans happy.

One Game You Can't Miss: Virginia Tech at Miami, Nov. 20

Conference Championship Game: Miami over Florida State