NCAA Football Preview - ACC
By Kwame Manu
Redemption is the name of the game for the ACC. Redeeming tarnished reputations, redeeming bad losses, and redeeming fallen programs. Just take a look at the ACC’s marquee programs, Florida State and Miami. Both are two of the most decorated football programs in college football history and both have failed to reach a BCS game in the last four seasons. It’s not as if the ACC lacks talent. They have several Heisman hopefuls including Jacory Harris of Miami and Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech. It seems that the ACC hasn’t been able to get over the hump. They have reached bowl games only to be dismantled. They have scheduled big opponents only to be embarrassed on national television. However, this year things are looking up. Coaching positions have been secured and young players have gathered valuable experience. Nobody knows if the ACC will live up to it’s vast potential or fizzle out like they have the better part of the last decade.
During his 34-year reign, legendary coach Bobby Bowden led Florida State to 2 national championships and 15 conference titles. From ’87 to ’00 FSU had 14 (!) seasons where they finished the season ranked in the top 5. However, the once proud program is 17-22 in the last four seasons and legendary-god coach Bobby Bowden has “retired.” The pressure falls to new-kid Jimbo Fisher who managed to bring in a top-5 recruiting class for the upcoming season. However, recruiting class rankings don’t win games. On their journey back to the upper echelon, Jimbo hopes that his senior QB Christian Ponder can lead the team through powerhouses like Oklahoma, BYU, and Florida.
Another traditional power, The University of Miami (christened “The U”) has fallen onto hard times. Arguably the most hated and well-known football program in America, Miami has been anything but the dominating force that they once were. And yes, they were very, very dominant. How many college football programs has ESPN made documentaries for? One. Miami. If you haven’t seen it, do so. As shown in the documentary, other than dominance the University of Miami had swagger. That has been their claim to fame since the beginning. Hopefully, behind the arm of Heisman hopeful Jacory Harris (who threw for over 3500 yards last year) they can get it back. Especially with haircuts like this.
The ACC’s beacon program this year may be Virginia Tech. Finishing with a number 10 ranking last year, the Hokies seem poised to have a top 10 team this year. Everyone knows the defense will be set. However, the offense may be decent as well. Record-breaking freshman Ryan Williams and QB Tyrod Taylor should be able to charge down the field with ease. Until they meet UNC’s top ranked defense of course. A dark horse in this year’s ACC title race, UNC returns 5 defensive players that are all projected to be 1st round picks in the 2011 NFL draft. Like Virginia Tech, their biggest concern is their offense. Starting QB TJ Yates was awful last year and threw 14 TDS and 15 interceptions. If the Tar Heels have a disappointing season, it will probably be his fault.
Finally, Georgia Tech and their triple option offense plan to run through the ACC…again. The triple-option is the most boring thing to watch in all of football. However, it is highly successful and led Georgia Tech to the Orange Bowl game. Considering they return the heart and soul of this offense, QB Josh Nesbitt; I am disheartened to say that they will probably contend for the ACC championship.
For everything ACC football, read the following stories:
