The “Way Too Early” 2017 ACC Football Preview

We are now midway thru June and about a month a way from Training Camps starting across the country for college football.  So, let’s take a look at the ACC and what to expect this year from the conference.

Boston College:

Ever since they moved from the Big East to the ACC, the Eagles have been consistently at the bottom of the ACC Conference most seasons. They have shown bright spots over the years, but have never been able to put it all together to have at least a .500 season consistently.  The Eagles biggest question is at Quarterback where it looks like Freshman Anthony Brown is the leader in the clubhouse to be the starter. With B.C, it is a pretty simple breakdown of do they have good Quarterback play and a consistent defense.

2017 Season Prediction: 4-8 (ACC: 2-6)

 

Clemson:

The Tigers are the defending National Champions, but they have to replace a lot of key pieces from last year’s team. Replacing names like Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman and Mike Williams is not going to be an easy task.  Once again with Clemson, if they are going to be successful they are going to have to outscore you and hope their defense makes 1 or 2 big stops of the opponent because they will give up a lot of points.  I like Hunter Renfrow and C.J Fuller to be two of the key pieces on their offense.  And it looks like Junior Quarterback Kelly Bryant will get the first shot at replacing Watson under center.  I don’t see Clemson’s offense being their problem this season, but an inconsistent defense could be what holds the Tigers out of a chance at another National Championship this season.

2017 Season Prediction: 8-4 (ACC: 5-3)

 

Florida State:

The Seminoles have been near the top of the ACC each and every season it seems like and I don’t see that changing this year.  They are replacing a key piece on both sides of the ball this season in Dalvin Cook (RB) and Demarcus Walker (DE).  Why I like this Seminoles team? Their starting Quarterback Deondre Francois is back and he is only a Sophomore. So, Francois is back, their offense has enough play-maker’s in it to keep the pressure on opposing defenses and their defense is a very experienced defense this year that will surprise many across the college football world.

2017 Season Prediction: 11-1 (ACC: 7-1)

 

Louisville:

The Cardinals had one of the more explosive offenses last season, but they sort of sputtered out down the stretch last year and their defense also hit a wall.  And watching that, you would think that I would not like them to finish strong this season.  But, you’d be wrong.  Who did the Cardinals lose after last season?  They lost some role players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball and that’s it.  Lamar Jackson is back and another year wiser and just like Florida State’s defense is very experienced, that is a phrase you can use to describe the entire Cardinals team.  I am predicting a monster season from the Cardinals this year.

2017 Season Prediction: 12-0 (ACC: 8-0)

 

NC State:

Could this be the season that the Wolfpack put it all together and not be mediocre? Well, that is what Wolfpack Nation is hoping for. They lost their top rusher in Matt Dayes, but they didn’t lose many key pieces from last year’s team.  They have a top Quarterback in Ryan Finley, a top Running Back in Nyheim Hines and a star Wide Receiver in Jaylen Samuels who should help the offense be pretty prolific.  But, as has been the issue the past few seasons it is their defense.  They are a very experienced defense, but they have never been a top defense the past few seasons.  I like this Wolfpack team, but just see them hanging around the middle of the pack in the ACC.

2017 Season Prediction: 9-3 (ACC: 5-3)

 

Syracuse:

What is there to say about the Orange that hasn’t already been said about the Orange? The Orange are in a very dangerous territory of falling into the same place that Boston College is currently in right now.  They have the ability to score a lot of points, but the defense is not good and will probably give up just as many points.  Sorry to Syracuse fans, but I don’t see this season being any better than last year.

2017 Season Prediction: 3-9 (ACC: 1-7)

 

Wake Forest:

The Demon Deacons found their way back into the postseason and defeat Temple in the Military Bowl.  The Demon Deacons will be back in the postseason this year, but I don’t see much improvement from last season. This is still a fairly young team with an offense filled with Juniors and Sophomores and the defense is the exact same experience level as well.  This team will still experience many growing pains this season and will suffer some crushing losses.

2017 Season Prediction: 7-5 (ACC: 3-5)

 

Duke:

The Blue Devils took a big step back last season and I do see them showing signs of bouncing back this year, but not back to the top of the ACC.  Daniel Jones has the ability to be a top tier Quarterback who will make big plays, but will also make a big mistake in games that may cost them the game.  Their defense will also be a huge question mark this season because just like Syracuse last year, they were known to give up a lot of points and they are still pretty young.  Will Duke find their way back into a bowl game? It’s close.

2017 Season Prediction: 6-6 (ACC: 3-5)

 

Georgia Tech:

With the Yellow Jackets, this season all depends on how Matthew Jordan runs the triple option as he replaces Justin Thomas.  I look for the Yellow Jackets defense to improve on what they did last year, but will they be able to score enough points this season to win games?

2017 Season Prediction: 2-10 (ACC: 1-7)

 

Miami (FL):

Is it easy to say that the Hurricanes will be better without Brad Kaaya?  In my opinion it is. Kaaya was someone who was known to make the occasional big mistake that cost his team games.  Now, Do I believe they will be in contention for an ACC Championship? No.  But, they will not be a cake walk for any team this season. Look for Mark Walton (RB) and Chad Thomas (DE) to be key pieces on the Hurricanes this season.

2017 Season Prediction: 9-3 (ACC: 6-2)

 

North Carolina:

This team lost Mitch Trubisky from last season and who are they turning to this year?  On the depth chart, it is Brandon Harris or Nathon Elliott.  And you also throw in the losses of Elijah Hood, Ryan Switzer and Bug Howard and they are replacing a lot of key players from last season and will it mesh quickly this year.  Their defense will be solid again this season, but their offense will be going through a learning phase from Week 1 and will they learn quick enough to be a contender this season?  I don’t think so and I believe this will be a rebuilding year for the Tar Heels.

2017 Season Prediction: 5-7 (ACC: 3-5)

 

Pitt:

The Panthers are losing three big names from last season in James Conner, Nate Peterman and Ejuan Price.  These will not be easy names to replace, especially in the leadership role.  But, this Pitt team has the players to replace them on the field.  The Quarterback this season is going to be Max Browne, but watch for Ben DiNucci and Thomas Macvittie to push Browne as the backups because they have looked impressive after Spring Ball.  The starting running back will be Qadree Ollison and all you have to do is look at his freshman season and like what you see there.  And on the defensive side of the ball you see names like Jordan Whitehead, Avonte Maddox, Dane Jackson and Saleem Brightwell and look for the defense to improve big time in the secondary after last season.  This Panthers team should be in the running for an ACC Championship this season.

2017 Season Prediction: 10-2 (ACC: 7-1)

 

Virginia:

The Cavaliers should improvement last year and will be back and competitive sooner rather than later, but this is still a young team that is learning to be a winner.  The biggest question for Virginia, Is will the offense score enough?  That was their biggest issue last season and that put pressure on their defense to hold teams down, but they just couldn’t do it consistently.  I like the talent that Virginia has, but it’s not there yet to win consistently in the ACC.

2017 Season Prediction: 4-8 (ACC: 1-7)

 

Virginia Tech:

The Hokies were ACC Coastal Division Champions last season and will be replacing 3 big names in Jerod Evans (QB), Isaiah Ford (WR) and Bucky Hodges (TE/WR) this season.  The Quarterback battles this year is between Josh Jackson (Freshman) and A.J Bush (Junior).  They still have a top tier Running Back in Travon McMillan and a Top Receiver in Cam Phillips.  Their defense will still be the smothering Hokie defense.  Will they be Coastal Champions again? I don’t think so, but they will definitely be in the conversation.

2017 Season Prediction: 10-2 (ACC: 5-3)

 

ACC Atlantic

Louisville: 12-0 (8-0)

Florida State: 11-1 (7-1)

NC State: 9-3 (5-3)

Clemson: 8-4 (5-3)

Wake Forest: 7-5 (3-5)

Boston College: 4-8 (2-6)

Syracuse: 3-9 (1-7)

ACC Coastal

Pitt: 10-2 (7-1)

Virginia Tech: 10-2 (5-3)

Miami: 9-3 (6-2)

Duke: 6-6 (3-5)

North Carolina: 5-7 (3-5)

Virginia: 4-8 (1-7)

Georgia Tech: 2-10 (1-7)

ACC Championship Prediction: Louisville vs Pitt