ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. Boston College: The Eagles are led by preseason ACC Player of the Year Matt Ryan. The senior QB threw for 15 TDs last season, helping the Eagles to a 10-3 record and a 25-24 win over Navy in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
2. Florida State: The Seminoles return two experienced QBs in starter Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee. Coach Bobby Bowden?s team salvaged a 7-6 season last year with a 44-27 victory over UCLA in the Emerald Bowl. The six losses were the most by the Seminoles since 1976.
3. Clemson: The Tigers returned 11 starters from a team that finished 8-5 last season after dropping four of its final five games, including a loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. This year, it will be up to All-ACC RB James Davis (1,219 yards, 17 TDs) to save the job of Coach Tommy Bowden, who has gone 20-14 the past three seasons.
4. Maryland: It?s easy to say the Terps will go as far as their quarterback and defense takes them. But that is exactly where the fate of Maryland?s season lies. If Jordan Steffy can play like a veteran and the defense consistently makes tackles, Maryland will flourish and challenge for a division title. However, if Maryland shows little improvement from last year, it might finish last in the division.
5. Wake Forest: The defending ACC Champs still get no respect here, despite returning 15 starters. Second-team All-ACC QB Riley Skinner will lead the offense as a sophomore,looking to improve on 2,051 yards and 9 TDs he posted last season.
6. N.C. State: New coach Tom O?Brien will have a tough task in turning around the Wolfpack, who lost their final seven games to finish 3-9 and costing Chuck Amato his job. O?Brien knows the division well, having led Boston College the past 10 seasons.
COASTAL DIVISION
1. Virginia Tech: The Hokies have become the strength of the campus after it was devastated by the April 16 shooting that left 33 dead. It could be a special year in Blacksburg, as the Hokies, led by eight returning starters, have been picked to win the conference and contend for the national title.
2. Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets were a streaky group in 2006. The team had winning streaks of four and five games, but ended on a three-game slide to finish 9-5. With 15 starters returning, the Ramblin? Wreck should be more consistent this season.
3. Miami: The Hurricanes went 7-6 last season ? their highest number of losses since 1997?but have high expectations after hiring Randy Shannon, the team?s defensive coordinator under Larry Coker, who was fired. The Hurricanes? biggest question is at QB, where Kirby Freeman (872 yards, 7 TDs, 8 INTs) replaces Kyle Wright (1,655 yards, 8 TDs, 7 INTs).
4. Virginia: Coach Al Groh must improve upon last year?s 5-7 record to remain in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers need to find consistency?they never won more than two straight games last season?behind an offense led by QB Jameel Sewell (1,35 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs).
5. North Carolina: New head coach Butch Davis hopes to usher in a new era of respectability on Tobacco Road after last year?s debacle in which the Tar Heels were held to single digits and shut out twice. North Carolina will be led by QB Joe Dailey (1,316, 7 TDS, 10 INTs) and WR Hakeem Nicks (39 catches, 660 yards, 4 TDs).
6. Duke: The Blue Devils were shut out three times in thefirst month of last season, en route to an 0-12 campaign. They enter this season on a 20-game losing streak after going 1-10 in 2005 and 2-9 in 2004. But with 11 offensive starters back, Duke has some optimism of eventually emerging from the conference?s basement.
» ACC Champion: Virginia Tech
» Bowl Championship Series berths: Virginia Tech
» Heading to bowl games: Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami.
