College Football Conference Preview: ACC

Conference Media Days are being held around the country marking the first sounds of the college football season. For the next few weeks, the guys here at "Our Amateur Hour" will be teaming up to break down the big 5 conferences outlooks and including some notable non-big 5 members. We start first on the East Coast, breaking down the Atlantic Coast Conference with the addition of two and a half teams. Syracuse and Louisville join in on the fun starting this season, while Notre Dame (Alty's #1 team, who thinks Notre Dame is semi-gangster in strong-arming the entire NCAA) plays a 4 game ACC schedule this year, and will begin their 6 game ACC schedule starting next year.

Alty:

Where da crab at?

The ACC may contain one of the nation's best teams in Florida State. Coming off a National Championship, the Seminoles feel as though they could do it again with Heisman Winner Jameis Winston under center. The Seminoles do not have a difficult non-conference schedule aside from their opening game opponent Oklahoma State. However, that all depends on how Florida does this year. As a whole, the conference does not seem to have the total package of teams. The Atlantic Division will not be as strong as in year's past. I expect both Clemson and Louisville to be down this year, but still head to a bowl game, and North Carolina State and Syracuse as well over the .500 mark.

Where da criminals at?

The Coastal Division may be a different story. I can see 4 potential teams that could emerge to take on Florida State in the conference title game. Miami is my top pick in the division edging out North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech. I'm not very high on Duke and Georgia Tech in conference play, but they both have cupcake non-conference schedules.



There can be only one winner of this conference and I predict Florida State to emerge victorious as the ACC champion, and claim one of the spots in this year's new college football playoff.

Side Note: I'm also putting together a post on my time at SEC Media Days where the college football playoff was explained in full detail. I'll explain how it was explained to media members there and show you how the panel plans on working not only the 4 team playoff, but the other bowls, and what I think of the whole thing. So keep a look out for that.

Corbett:

FSU over Duke for the title. No, this isn’t basketball and your eyes are not deceiving you. Duke is actually good at football now. It scares me to say that. Unfortunately for them, Free Shoes University is a cheeky bit better and this game will likely go like it did last season. 

We can play football?

Our coach left and doesn't love us?

I’m not going to lie to you and pretend that I am an expert on the ACC. To be honest, nobody cares about ACC football. Yes, they have the reigning national champion, but you can polish a turd all you want and at the end of the day it will still be a pile of poo.

By my projections, there will be six teams that are solid (FSU, Duke, VT, Clemson, Louisville, and Miami). Yes, it pains me to say that Louisville will be solid, but they’re in a division with Clemson and FSU, so there’s that. Everyone else in this conference is trash and that’s the main summary. 

The Atlantic division has some promise with, in my opinion, the three best teams in the conference in one division, but the bottom end boasts some extremely weak teams. The FSU v Clemson, FSU v Louisville, and Louisville v Clemson games are the only ones that I actually look forward to. Aside from that, it will likely be painful to watch.

Taco:

Damnit, Taco, Tennessee is not ever going to be in the ACC

ACC, you have a lot of great teams, but the Tennessee Vols are the best team of all time!

 But since they rejected my idea of Tennessee joining every conference, I suppose I will pick my winner for the ACC. I'd say Clemson takes it over Duke after upsetting the National Champions somewhere down the line. Bold? I am bold. Deal with it.

Clemson's Pride Rock seems like an top-notch experience

 Despite the opinions of my colleagues here, I like the ACC. I think they produce great NFL players and the games are exciting to watch.

But haters gonna hate I suppose. Florida will always have at least one great team whether it's FSU or Miami, let's face it, and Clemson is forever on the brink of victory. I believe the ACC is growing and the teams are feeling it. Florida State had their moment last year. I think Clemson gets their taste of blood now.

Dug:

I broke down the division by individual conferences. 

Atlantic Division

1. Louisville
Projected Finish: 10-2(7-1), Conference Champions

New head coach Bobby Petrino looks to pick up right where he left off at Louisville. With Michael Dyer returning, and also a season receiving corps, Louisville can definitely score and will go as far as their defense will let them.

2. Florida State
Projected Finish: 11-1(7-1)

The defending National Champions will have a difficult schedule which includes visiting Louisville, Miami, and Pitt. Not to mention a difficult home non-conference schedule of Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, and Arch Rival Florida. Jameis Winston will not repeat as Heisman despite a phenomenal sophomore campaign.

3. Clemson
Projected Finish: 9-3(6-2)

Clemson lost Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins, two key players who will not be easily replaced. Their schedule is favorable outside of road games at Georgia and Florida State.

4. Syracuse
Projected Finish: 6-6(4-4)

Terrel Hunt returns at quarterback and has a good chance of leading the Orange to a bowl. Their swing game could be at Clemson onOctober 25th.

5. NC State
Projected Finish: 5-7(2-6)

6. Wake Forest
Projected Finish: 3-9(1-7)

7. Boston College
Projected Finish: 4-8(1-7)

Coastal Division

1. Virginia Tech
Projected Finish: 10-2(7-1)

The Hokies have a very favorable conference schedule; they dodge FSU, Clemson, and Louisville. Pitt on the road will be their only conference bump. Out of conference, a trip to the Horseshoe for a matchup with Ohio State will be a great early season test for both teams.

2. Pittsburgh
Projected Finish: 9-3(6-2)

Pitt also dodges the top three teams from the Atlantic Division. Expect Pitt to surprise a few people before falling late in the season to come up just short of the conference title game.

3. Miami
Projected Finish: 7-5(4-4)

After their starting quarterback was ruled out with a torn ACL, the Hurricanes now have concerns with both their quarterback position and their defense.

4. North Carolina
Projected Finish: 6-6(4-4)

North Carolina has an explosive offense, but an implosive defense.

5. Georgia Tech
Projected Finish: 6-6(3-5)

6. Duke
Projected Finish: 6-6(3-5)

Duke will go as far as their defense will let them. They return most of the key players on offense from last year's magical season, and can finish anywhere from winning their division to sixth place.

7. Virginia
Projected Finish: 3-9(1-7)


Conference Championship
Louisville over Virginia Tech

A visual breakdown of how we think the conference will play out.

We plan on sending two of these out a week until the start of college football. Then you can expect to see updated rankings, breakdowns, and more!

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