ACC Rankings- 2013 College Football Rankings

The most important game of the ACC season comes October 19, 2013 when the Seminoles come to Death Valley to face the Tigers.

Espn’s Colin Cowherd always says “If you can’t be good, at least be interesting.” However, for the past 10 years, the ACC has decided to be neither good nor interesting. Florida State, Clemson, and Virginia Tech are the only real football powerhouses in Conference, and the latter two are always vulnerable to being poached by the Big 12 or SEC. To be fair, next to the SEC, the ACC remains the most NFL talent-rich Conference there is. Still, none of the teams are ever in legitimate National Championship contention thanks to poor coaching and diluted schedules. However, there may be some hope this year. Clemson is clearly  the most talented team in the ACC and has scheduled games against the likes of Georgia and South Carolina. If they win out, they'll certainly be in the National Championship discussion.  Anyway, let’s see how they rank!!!

1.       Clemson Tigers (2013 Projected: 11-1)


 

a.       Toughest Games: Georgia; Florida State; @ South Carolina

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Tajh Boyd; WR Sammy Watkins; Linebacker Stephone Anthony

c.       Key Question Marks: Did last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl prove the Tigers can compete with SEC powerhouses? Can dual threat QB Tajh Boyd stay healthy throughout the season? Is the Defensive Secondary still a major liability?

d.      Overall: The Clemson Tigers are the perennial favorities to win the ACC. They come into 2013 with arguably the best offense in College Football led by speedy QB Tajh Boyd. Along with that, the Tigers have an athletic pass rush and run defense. Of course, if the Tigers want to play for a National Championship, they’ll have to establish a solid trio of running backs and get some major contributions from their young cornerbacks. I don’t expect the Tigers to win a shoot out with Georgia simply because I like the Bulldogs Defense a little better. But I think they can beat FSU and South Carolina, finishing the regular season as ACC Atlantic Division Champs.
 

2.   Florida State Seminoles (2013 Projected: 10-2)

a.       Toughest Games: @Clemson; Miami; @Florida

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Jameis Winston; Guard Tre Jackson; WR Rashad Greene

c.       Key Question Marks: Can the Seminoles replace the 11 starters they lost to the NFL last year? Does Jaemis Winston have the speed and footwork to become a legitimate dual threat QB? The entire Defensive Front Four from 2013 is gone, will the Seminoles take a step back?

d.      Overall: The Seminoles had one of the best Defenses in the Country last year, but lost several starters to the NFL. Additionally, their First Round Draft pick E.J. Manuel is gone. This would ordinarily be a rebuilding year for most teams, but not for the Seminoles. Jimbo Fisher has that defense loaded at every position and loves to alternate players during games. As a result, the new defensive starters all had considerable playing time during the 2012 season. Additionally, the early word out of Tallahassee is that “Famous” Jaemis Winston may already be a step up from E.J. Manuel. Whether or not that’s true remains to be seen, but the offense is loaded with talent on both the line and at wide receiver. I still don’t think they can beat Clemson or Flordia, but they’ll be a touchdown favorite in every other game they play.

3.       Virginia Tech Hokies (2013 Projected: 9-3)

a.       Toughest Games: Alabama; @Georgia Tech; North Carolina

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Logan Thomas; Linebacker Jack Tyler; Cornerback Antone Exum

c.       Key Question Marks: Will Logan Thomas finally live up to his potential this year?  Is RB J.C. Coleman ready to step up and give the Hokies a balanced offense? With 9 starters returning on Defense, can they limit opponents to an average of less than 20 points per week?

d.      Overall: Call me crazy, but I think Beamer Ball is back. Despite having their worst season in 20 years, the Hokies return their stud QB and 9 starters from their staunch 2012 defense. Although Logan Thomas didn’t quite play up to expectations last year (In April of 2012 Mel Kiper predicted he would be the number one pick in the 2013 draft), he showed a lot of potential both running and throwing the ball. As long as Thomas limits turnovers, expect to see the Hokies representing the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship game.

 

 

4.    Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets(2013 Projected: 9-3)

a.       Toughest Games: Virginia Tech; @Clemson; Georgia

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive End Jeremiah Attaochu; Safety Isaiah Johnson; Linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days

c.       Key Question Marks: Will Coach Paul Johnson implement a two quarterback system with Val Lee and Justin Thomas? Will the Offense start using the shotgun as a strategic variation to its normal triple option formation? Will the new single-gap defense prove more effective than the two-gap system used last year?

d.      Overall: Georgia Tech returns 17 starters and a lot of talent on defense. The offense should run the ball just as effectively as last year’s top ranked rushing attack and I like the idea of implementing the shotgun into the offense in order to create a passing game. Also, expect a major improvement on the defensive side of the ball with this new, simpler defensive scheme. Don’t sleep on the Yellow Jackets in the Coastal Division.

 

 

5.  North Carolina Tar Heels (2013 Projected: 8-4)

a.       Toughest Games: @South Carolina; @ Georgia Tech; @ Virginia Tech

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Bryn Renner; Tight End Eric Ebron; Defensive End Kareem Martin; Safety Tre Boston

c.       Key Question Marks: Have the Tar Heels effectively replaced the starters they lost on the Offensive Line? What’s the ceiling for QB Bryn Renner? How will the Tar Heel running game fare without Giovania Bernard?

d.      Overall:  Larry “Fedodo” Fedora has been a great fit in Chapel Hill. With the Bowl ban lifted this year, the future looks bright for the Tar Heels. However, while I expect them to contend in the ACC Coastal Division, I don’t expect the Tar Heels to win it. The running game won’t be as effective as it was in 2012 and the Tar Heels have to face both Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech on the road.  Fedora’s Defense should be improved, but I still don’t expect the Heels to win the Coastal Division.

6.       Virginia Cavaliers (2013 Projected: 7-5)

a.       Toughest Games: Oregon; Clemson; Virginia Tech

b.      Key Returning Players: Offensive Tackle Morgan Moses; RB Kevin Parks; Defensive Tackle Derrick Hopkins

c.       Key Question Marks: Just how good will the running game be in Charlottesville this year? Who has more potential at QB, David Watford or Greyson Lambert? Will the defensive secondary be able to make up for the Cavaliers key losses at Linebacker?

d.      Overall: Regardless of who plays QB, the Cavaliers would be well-served to run the ball often in 2013. With Running Backs Kevin Parks and Taquan Mizzell, expect the Cavaliers to average over 175 rushing yards per game.  The Defense should be middle of the road like it was last year and the Cavaliers don’t have an easy early or late schedule. Still, I expect Virginia to win some close games and finish 7-5.

 

7.       Duke Blue Devils (2013 Projected: 7-5)

a.       Toughest Games: Georgia Tech; @Virginia; @Virginia Tech

b.      Key Returning Players: WR Jamison Crowder; Cornerback Ross Cockrell; Offensive Tackle Perry Simmons

c.       Key Question Marks: Is QB Anthony Boone actually an upgrade over Sean Renfree?  Is this the year RB Shaq Powell finally breaks out? With the entire Defensive front seven returning, will the Blue Devils be able to limit opponents to under 120 rushing yards?

d.      Overall: The Blue Devils still lack the raw talent of most of their ACC foes, so they have to play harder and smarter than everyone else.  Replacing Renfree will be difficult and the Defense is still the slowest in the ACC, however I believe Coach Cutcliffe has changed the culture at Duke. The Blue Devils got a taste of winning last year and I expect they’ll continue to get better thanks to Shaq Powell and Jamison Crowder.

8. Miami Hurricanes (2013 Projected: 6-6)

a.       Toughest Games: Florida; @Florida State; Virginia Tech

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Stephen Morris; RB Duke Johnson; Guard Brandon Linder; Defensive End Anthony Chickillo

c.       Key Question Marks: Do the Canes have the best offense in the ACC? Do the Canes have enough talent on Defense to win on a consistent basis? Will the Canes yet again crumble from declarations by the media and fans alike that this is the year “The U” is back?

d.      Overall: This is not the year “The U” is back. Yes they have a lot of talent on offense, but the Defense last year allowed for 30 plus points a game. The Canes have put together some impressive recruiting classes recently, but the 2013 team won’t have enough talent in the secondary to compete against ACC Big Dogs. Also, Stephen Morris’s completion percentage last year was never above 55% anytime he went up against a half-decent Defense. Sorry, but they’re still not “The U”.

 

 

9.       Syracuse Orange (2013 Projected:  6-6)

a.       Toughest Games: Penn State; Clemson; @ Florida State

b.      Key Returning Players:  RB Jerome Smith; Linebacker Dyshawn Davis; Linebacker Marquis Spruill

c.       Key Question Marks: Can new Head Coach Scott Shafer pick up where Doug Marrone left off? Will Drew Allen or Terrel Hunt get the starting nod at QB? Can the Linebackers and Secondary make up for the lack of experience and talent on the Defensive Line?

d.      Overall: Syracuse may have gone 8-5 last year, but both Doug Marone and QB Ryan Nassib are gone. However, Marrone handed Shafer a decent defense and a quality running game. Also, there is a culture of winning at Syracuse now that should eliminate some of the lag in this transition year. Syracuse will tread water in 2013 and wind up .500.

 

10.       Boston College (2013 Projected: 5-7)

a.       Toughest Games: @USC; Florida State; @ Clemson

b.      Key Returning Players: Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis; Defensive End Steele Divitto; RB Alex Amidon

c.       Key Question Marks: Can new Head Coach Steve Addazio change the losing culture that’s been plaguing the Eagles the past 4 seasons? Is having QB Chate Rettig back for a fourth year actually a good thing? Will the Eagles be able to run the ball at all in 2013?

d.      Overall: The Eagles Offensive Line last year may have been the worst unit in Major Conference Football. They allowed Rettig to get sacked 36 times and only averaged 90 rushing yards a game. With Senior Ian White back at Right Guard the Offensive Line should improve, consequently improving the offense as a whole. Also, despite his win-loss record, Rettig is a talented passer and if the Eagles can develop a decent running game, the offense should be markedly better. Also this Defense is an improvement on the 2012 unit, allowing this team to jump from 2 wins to 5 wins.  

 

  11. Maryland Terrapins (2013 Projected: 4-8)

a.       Toughest Games:  @Florida State; Clemson; @ Virginia Tech

b.      Key  Returning Players: WR Stefon Diggs; RB Brandon Ross; Defensive End Darius Kilgo

c.       Key Question Marks: Is C.J. Brown the right move at starting QB? Will the Terps offense be able to recover from the season long suspension of RB Wes Brown? After losing 6 starters, is the Terps Defense still the strength of the team?

d.      Overall: We’ll find out whether CJ Brown is a better option at QB than Perry Hills. In all reality, their probably both bad options. Despite losing 6 starters, the Defense should carry the Terps again thanks to the play of Defensive End Darius Kilgo. Also, you’ve got to love what Stefon Diggs does both at receiver and in the return game. All of this leads to 4 wins, making them slightly better than dead last in the ACC.

 

12.       Pittsburgh Panthers (2013 Projected: 3-9)

a.       Toughest Games: Florida State; @Virginia Tech; Notre Dame

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald; WR Devin Street; Linebacker Todd Thomas

c.       Key Question Marks: Projected starting QB Tom Savage (Senior) hasn’t taken a snap since 2010, will he be rusty come September? Shouldn’t the Panthers spend 2013 developing redshirt freshman QB Chad Voytik and call it a rebuilding year? The Panthers three running backs only combined for 41 carries last season, are they too inexperienced to be effective this year?

d.      Overall:  The strength of the Panthers last year was their defense, so it’s certainly great news that eight defensive starters are returning this year. However, the quarterback options are grim and the Panthers won’t be navigating a cupcake Big East schedule anymore. My take, Pitt struggles in their first season in the ACC due to limited offensive talent.

 

13.       NC State Wolf Pack (2013 Projected: 3-9)

a.       Toughest Games: Clemson; @Florida State; North Carolina

b.      Key Returning Players: Tight End Asa Watson; Defensive Tackle Ty McGill; Defensive Tackle Thomas Teal

c.       Key Question Marks: How will the Wolfpack replace superstar QB Mike Glennon? How will new Head Coach Dave Doeren break in this inexperienced Wolf Pack squad? Can this Wolf Pack defense improve on the so-so results of the 2012 unit.

d.      Overall: Dave Doeren took a ragtag Northern Illinois squad last year and led them to the Orange Bowl, so maybe I’m foolish for counting this team out. However, sixteen starters from 2012 are gone including Secondary leader Earl Wolff. Also, the likely favorite to start at QB, Pete Thomas, doesn’t exactly have a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball. Expect 2013 to showcase the significant loss of talent on the Demon Deacons offense, with similar results on the Defensive side of the ball.

 

14.   Wake Forest Demon Deacons: (2013 Projected: 3-9)

a.       Toughest Games: @Clemson; Florida State; @ Vanderbilt

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Tackle Nikita Whitlock; Cornerback Kevin Johnson; WR Michael Campanaro

c.       Key Question Marks: Will Jim Grobe’s vow to become a running team in 2013 ultimately hurt the Demon Deacons offense? Does Coach Jim Grobe trust QB Tanner Price? Will the Demon Deacons 122^nd  ranked red zone offense improve from last year?

d.      Overall: The Demon Deacons have some talent at receiver, which should open up some holes for the running game. However, the Wake Forest had the worst rushing attack in the ACC in 2012. Blame most of this on the Offensive Line, which couldn’t create holes or keep Tanner Price upright. Unfortunately, Wake Forest failed to address its O-Line issues in the offseason and the Defense should only be slightly better than it was last year. I’m probably a little pessimistic on Wake, but I really only see three wins here.