2009 College Football Preview: The ACC

With the college football season just weeks away, KSJ will look at the players, coaches, teams, conferences, issues, and rivalries. Here's the previous installments in the 2009 college football preview.

Well I promised that I would start previewing conferences and here you go. I start the week off by previewing the ACC.

The ACC is full of parity. Which isn't always a good thing.

The ACC sent the most teams to bowl games last year, but the conference was still mediocre. Even Virgina Tech's win in the Orange Bowl last year was mediocre, especially since they were playing Cincinnati. But this is a new year, and the ACC looks vastly improved and looks to take another step back into the limelight.

North Carolina, NC State, Georgia Tech, and Miami all looked to be improved and are expected to challenge Virginia Tech this season(who's had a stranglehold upon the ACC the last 3 years). Even with these teams improving the ACC still has a long way to go before it can start contending on the national stage.

This year though will be the watermark. Several teams in the ACC play tough non-conference games that include, Virginia Tech vs. Alabama, Virginia Tech vs. Nebraska, Maryland vs. California and NC State vs. South Carolina. If the ACC can go 2-2 in these games, then the conference will be ready to take the next step.

Will the system work this year?: When Paul Johnson was hired last year at Georgia Tech, many people wondered if his triple-option offense would work in an BCS conference. And it did. Tech went 9-4 last season. But Tech was exposed in the Peach Bowl last year by LSU. So will the triple-flex offense work this season?

My prediction is that it will work and Georgia Tech will play in a BCS game this season. The triple-option works real well with great athletes. And Georgia Tech has great athletes at both the key position. Josh Nesbitt runs the quarterback position real well in the offense and Jonathon Dwyer is one of the best running backs in the country. If the Georgia Tech defense can play well along with the offense, then they will be playing the Orange Bowl.

Can they keep the momentum?: NC State started the year poorly last season. Right out of the gate NC State started the season 2-6 and people were starting to wonder if Tom O'Brien was the right choice for their head coach. Then NC State won it's last four games to finish the season 6-7. This year the Wolfpack look to continue their momentum from last year.

The Wolfpack return to quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon, who both can run the offense. Especially the return of Wilson gives the team an extra boost. Wilson was hurt for most of last season, but he proved that he can make plays with his arm and feet. Plus his teammates play with a little extra confidence with Wilson behind center. The Wolfpack also return veteran players at other skill positions. This is the season the Wolfpack compete for the Atlantic division in the ACC.

Team That'll Surprise: North Carolina is the team to look out for in the ACC this season. Butch Davis is one of the best coaches in college football and he is also one of the best recruiters in college football. UNC returns quarterback T.J. Yates, but they lost both starting receivers. So UNC must run the ball effectively while a new receiver has a breakout year. Next season I expect UNC to be competing for the ACC title.

Team That'll Disappoint: Miami will once again disappoint their fans. They start the season with two new coordinator's, a new quarterback, and a brutal schedule. The roster has talent, but they don't have the experience yet. Miami is still another year away from contending.

ACC Game of the Year: Miami vs. Florida St., September 7- Remember when this game was a must watch? Well since these two teams have struggled in recent years, this game has become an afterthought. This year though it will be one an important game not only for the two schools but the conference. If this game can be as spectacular as it was in the past, then the ACC will finally be back on the map. But if the game disappoints, then the ACC will be laughed at once again. Also this is an important game for both schools because it is the opening game, and it will show where both of these teams are headed.

Coach on the Hot Seat: Randy Shannon, Miami- Shannon heads into his third year as the head coach in Miami with a 12-13 record. And people are starting to become restless in South Beach. Shannon has been able to recruit great talent to Miami, but the production has been slow. This will be a make-or-break season for Shannon at Miami. Show consistent improvement and your safe. Have another mediocre season and you are probably gone.

Coach of the Year: Tom O'Brien, NC State

Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathon Dwyer, Georgia Tech

Defensive Player of the Year: Nate Irving, NC State

Freshman of the Year: Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami

Heisman Contenders: None

Atlantic Division Champion: NC State

Coastal Division Champion: Virginia Tech

Conference Champion: Virginia Tech