2015 College Football Preview and Predictions

Sep 20, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles up the field against Florida State Seminoles linebacker Terrance Smith (24) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

Atlantic:

1. Clemson Tigers (11-1, 8-0) – Usually, it would be hard to buy stock in a program that loses eight starters on defense and its offensive coordinator, plays Notre Dame and South Carolina out of conference, and is in the same division as Florida State. But when the program has 42 wins in four years and a Heisman contender at quarterback, it’s a bit easier to foresee title contention. The nation’s top defense last season (261 yards per game) has plenty of talent that can step in and come close to that success, and Deshaun Watson, if he stays healthy, is the best QB in the ACC and potentially one of the best in America. Notre Dame and Georgia Tech visit Death Valley, and as if that’s not enough, that all-important Florida State showdown is also in Death Valley. Watson has a stellar supporting cast on offense, the defense is talented (though unproven) and the Tigers will finally dethrone the ‘Noles and be in the playoff discussion into December.

2. Florida State Seminoles (10-2, 6-2) – Jimbo Fisher’s first five seasons have been unbelievably successful. The ‘Noles have a 58-11 record since Fisher took over in 2010, winning the last three ACC titles, a national title in 2013 and a combined 13-2 record against big rivals Miami, Florida and Clemson. There’s plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. The defense, which was surprisingly weak last season (25.6 PPG, 397 YPG), returns 7 starters and should be stingier than a year ago. The offense is the main concern, as new QB Everett Golson was a turnover machine at Notre Dame, an offensive line that didn’t play well last season only has a single returning starter, and last year’s leading receivers Rashad Greene and Nick O’Leary are gone. Dalvin Cook, recently found not guilty of assault of a Tallahassee woman, will be a bright spot at running back. The defense will lead FSU to yet another successful season, but the offense won’t be consistent enough to win the ACC again.

3. Louisville Cardinals (8-4, 6-2) – No team in the country this season will be more devastated by NFL departures than the Cards. A school-record 10 players were selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, leaving this team with just 9 returning starters. The quarterback job is unsettled, as three players threw at least 78 passes last season. The schedule doesn’t do Petrino’s squad any favors, as the Cards take on Auburn, Houston, Clemson, NC State, Florida State and Kentucky. It will be a slight step backwards from last year’s 9-3 campaign, but there’s still enough talent (including some all-star transfers in the secondary in Shaq Wiggins and Josh Harvey-Clemons) to expect this team to be competitive in every game.

4. NC State Wolfpack (9-3, 5-3) – Most believe the ACC Atlantic is Florida State, Clemson, maybe Louisville and everyone else. But a hidden gem calls Raleigh, North Carolina, home. Dave Doeren, who built Northern Illinois into a MAC dynasty, fielded a drastically improved team last season from his first season at NC State, jumping from 3-9 to 8-5, largely thanks to QB Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is one of the team’s 15 returning starters, so another step forward should be expected.

5. Boston College Eagles (6-6, 2-5) – Steve Addazio’s tenure at Boston College has been about defying expectations. He took over a 2-10 program in 2013, leading them to a bowl game thanks to strong defense and star RB Andre Williams. They were expected to take a step back last year because of Williams’ departure, but Tyler Murphy emerged as a dual-threat star, the defense was stingy and the team once again made a bowl game. Murphy’s gone, but with RB Jon Hilliman and a solid defense, this looks like another bowl season.

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-8, 1-7) – To say Wake Forest was bad in 2014 is like saying the recent Fantastic Four reboot was “okay.” The defense could’ve been worse and honestly did the best it could with minimal talent and a lifeless offense, but the offense was absolutely atrocious. Wake scored 15 points per game on 216 TOTAL yards (including a laughable 40 rushing yards). Even the team’s lone ACC win against Virginia Tech still saw the team shut out in regulation. This team has more depth and experience than last year’s, so improvement should be expected. A bowl berth is unrealistic, but progress is not.

7. Syracuse Orange (3-9, 0-8) – This program was on the verge of being decent, going 15-11 in 2012 and 2013. But 2014 was a leap in the wrong direction. The team went 3-9, winning just one conference game (against Wake Forest) and having 8 of its 9 losses come by double digits. With just 10 returning starters and a non-conference game against LSU, this team will be even worse than the product on the field last season.

Coastal:

1. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3, 6-2) – Some of you may be surprised that I have Virginia Tech winning the Coastal, rather than Georgia Tech. OC Scot Loeffler has still yet to show his offense can be consistent and there’s no reason to think the Hokies will score more than 28 points per game. However, there is clearly talent on this roster — there’s no other way to explain that 35-21 win at Ohio State — and much of it is on defense. With 8 starters back, the defense will be a force to be reckoned with, and key games against Ohio State, NC State and Duke are at home. That important Labor Day showdown against the defending champions will set the tone for the season.

2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4, 6-2) – The Yellow Jackets were one of the most surprising teams last year, going 11-3, nearly winning the ACC and destroying Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl. QB Justin Thomas is back, as is most of the defense. The offense loses almost all of its skill players from last year, but Paul Johnson’s system is as much of a plug-and-play one as one can find. What will hold the team back is its damning schedule. The Jackets visit Notre Dame, Duke, Clemson and Miami, and host Florida State, Virginia Tech and Georgia. I don’t see this team navigating that schedule for double-digit wins.

3. Duke Blue Devils (8-4, 4-4) – David Cutcliffe has achieved something remarkable: he has made Duke football winning games a regular thing, rather than an anomaly. From 1995-2011, the Blue Devils didn’t make a single bowl game. Since 2012, the team is 25-15 with three bowl appearances and an ACC title game appearance in 2013. QB Anthony Boone is gone, but new QB Thomas Sirk has experience, rushing for 8 TDs and passing for 3 more last season. The defense has improved every season since Cutcliffe took the team to a bowl game, and I expect that trend to continue. Another trend that will continue will be Duke winning more games than expected.

4. Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5, 4-4) – The tools are there for Pitt to be a surprise contender in the ACC Coastal. James Conner and Tyler Boyd are among the best RB-WR duos in the conference and perhaps the nation. Both sides of the ball return largely intact. New coach Pat Narduzzi had tremendous success as the DC at Michigan State. However, the overall talent level and coaching whiplash of the program will likely take its toll, leading to another middle-of-the-road season for a program with a proud tradition.

5. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5) – The arrival of a former national title-winning head coach as an assistant has given the Tar Heels some excitement for 2015. QB Marquise Williams is a great talent (34 TDs in 2014) and the offense as a whole will produce at a high level. However, despite Chizik’s arrival, the defense is not a one-year fix. If the Tar Heels want to win the Coastal, they’ll have to rely heavily on winning shootouts.

6. Miami Hurricanes (5-7, 2-6) – The fall from grace for the Hurricane program has been staggering. The team doesn’t have a 10-win season since 2003, and the program is now known more for a half-empty stadium than producing NFL talent and embodying swagger. Al Golden is firmly on the hot seat and must produce this year to remain the leader of the ‘Canes. The good news is he has QB Brad Kaaya, who threw 26 touchdowns as a true freshman and could be an NFL Draft pick in the future. However, I don’t think Kaaya alone can carry Miami to enough wins to save Golden. I predict that Miami will be the big open job in December.

7. Virginia Cavaliers (3-9, 2-6) – As recently as 2011, Mike London was seen as building an ACC contender in Charlottesville. In 2011, the team entered the final game against Virginia Tech ranked 24th and a win away from the ACC title game. They lost at home, 38-0, and since then, the team is 11-27. This season, the Cavs return just 10 starters and have non-conference games against UCLA, Notre Dame and Boise State. It will be an uphill climb for this team this season.

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP: Clemson over Virginia Tech