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 Reaction: ACC
Posted: Friday August 06, 1999 08:58 AM
Being a diehard FSU fan, it’s hard to think any other team may be as powerful as the Seminoles, but watch out for the Ramblin’ Wreck. Georgia Tech is returning a lot of starters who are going to be tough to handle. Unfortunately, it goes to the Doak. The rest of the ACC still has some catching up to do, but the surprise may be Duke, or possibly Clemson.
As always, the Seminoles will win the ACC easily. With Georgia Tech at home, FSU can expect to go undefeated in conference play. UVA and UNC are the pretenders here. N.C. State will be greatly affected by the loss of Torry Holt. UM, WF and Duke will finish at the bottom. Clemson, with Tommy Bowden, will have a great season. But the only teams to worry about for this year from the ACC are FSU and GT.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the conference this year will be to watch the development of Duke, with a boatload of returning starters from a team that was close to a bowl bid last year, and Steve Spurrier clone Carl Franks at the helm. With new facilities under construction and administrative support finally firm behind the program, Duke is poised to rise into the ACC's upper echelon.
Watch out for Wake Forest next year in the ACC. They return all but a few players from last year’s team that could easily have gone 6-5 or better, plus they add the nation's No. 3 incoming quarterback, C.J. Leak. A top three ACC finish is not out of reach.
The ACC looks strong this year, with Maryland and Clemson as "dark horse" candidates who could surprise some of the upper echelon teams with their developing young teams. Everyone is talking about Georgia Tech, but last year its defense was consistently very fortunate (if not lucky) with many opportunistic fumble recoveries deep in its own territory. Look for the defense to break down this year and the team to lose three games. The real team to watch in this league is N.C. State. Torry Holt is gone, but the potent offense is still loaded with QB Jamie Barnette, RB Ray Robinson and RB Rashon Spikes in the backfield, and Chris Coleman and Koren Robinson catching Barnette's tosses.
The ACC continues to take legitimate steps toward "powerhouse conference" status. For the first time since FSU joined the league, stiff competition will be found throughout the conference. As always FSU leads the pack with serious national championship hopes, followed closely by a very talented GaTech team led by Hamilton at QB. Virgina is rebuilding, but as always should finish the season with seven wins and a third- or fourth-place ACC finish. The big question mark could come from UNC. Sophomore sensation Ron Curry could emerge as one of the greatest all-purpose QBs in college football. N.C. State's Jamie Barnette will show more maturity with a team that beat FSU like a stray dog last season.
FSU will rule the ACC with very few challenges. Ga Tech will not be able to surprise anyone and will lose two conference games because of a suspect defense. If UNC survives the first month, look for them to tie Tech for second. NCSU will edge out Uva for fourth by upsetting the ‘Hoos in Raleigh. Duke will surprise with a wide-open attack, followed by Maryland and Wake Forest (C.J. Leak will take a beating).
With incredible athleticism and speed (Peter Warrick), Florida State will win the national championship. With Heisman candidate Joe Hamilton taking the snaps, Ga. Tech has the potential to go to the BCS, and, if it beats FSU, could be a national-title contender. If Dan Ellis can come through at QB, the Cavaliers have top 15 potential. Ronald Curry and the Tar Heels are also a top 20 squad. With these four teams in the top 25 this year, the ACC should be well represented in the bowl games of 2000.
The ACC is wide open this year ... for third place. Florida State is a lock for No. 1 with Peter Warrick returning and a healthy Chris Weinke. Georgia Tech will follow as the bridesmaid behind the tandem of Joe Hamilton and Dez White. After that, the race for third could go to Virginia, who needs to find a replacement for Aaron Brooks and will rely on All-ACC RB Thomas Jones. Tommy Bowden's rebuilding of Clemson will take a while to get to the top. North Carolina will have to wait for Ron Curry to develop. The Wolfpack will feel the brunt of redemption from the Seminoles with no Torry Holt to go to. Wake Forest, Duke and Maryland will continue as conference doormats.
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