We’ve discussed players to watch, surprise teams, and even graded the Atlantic and Coastal division non-conference schedules. Today, we’ll answer the all-important question: which team will win the ACC?
Q. Which team will win ACC this year?
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
Last year Clemson got a taste of the championship. Over the last five years, either Florida State or Clemson have won the ACC Championship Game. That streak will continue this season.
Clemson has Deshaun Watson and he’s the best player in the league. It’s entirely possible that he wills them to a second straight championship. Clemson will be in the mix but I think Florida State has the better team.
I like Florida State to get back to the ACC Championship Game and win their fourth conference crown over the last five years.
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
This a tough question to answer because there are so many good teams. In the Atlantic, I could make a case for Clemson, Florida State, and Louisville to win the division. Likewise, there strong arguments to support North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Pittsburgh capturing the Coastal Division crown.
So, will it be?
I’ll pick Florida State to win the Atlantic. The Seminoles welcome back all 11 starters — including Dalvin Cook, who averaged 7.89 yards per carry in conference play — from an underrated offense that ranked 20th nationally in yards per play last season. This experience will be just enough to edge out Clemson, who will still finish the season ranked in the top 10.
On the other side, I’ve got Miami narrowly edging out North Carolina. Sure, the Tar Heels return seven starters from last year’s squad that led the nation in yards per play. However, Mark Richt has put together an all-star coaching staff together down at the U. Under his leadership, the ‘Canes will finally reach their full potential and win that elusive Coastal Division championship.
Although a rematch usually favors the team that lost the regular season meeting, I think the Seminoles will prevail in the ACC Championship game. Look for FSU to win an exciting contest that will be on par with some of the rivalry games that the teams produced in the 80’s and 90’s.
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
It’s tough to go anywhere other than Clemson, so I won’t even try to navigate those back roads. According to the horror films I watch, I’m liable to get eaten by some sort of monster or even worse, townies.
At any rate, Clemson should have as prolific of an offense as exists in college football, centered around mega star and in my opinion, the best individual player in the sport in quarterback Deshaun Watson. Full throttle running back Wayne Gallman returns as well, and then you’ve got Mike Williams back to catch passes after a redshirt season due to injury. He roped in over 1,000 yards as a sophomore.
I haven’t even mentioned Artavis Scott, who probably went and got lunch a town over in the time it took me to type this sentence. On foot. If there’s a question, it’s about reducing turnovers. That tends to come with age.
On defense, the middle is stout. The ends are young. The secondary has questions, but Cordera Tankersley is one of the best corners in the country. That should help. It also should help that the defense won’t being having to go out and win games by itself on a weekly basis. That offense should provide them enough fodder to grow and fail at times but still win.
The schedule is interesting. The opener is at Auburn. They go to powerful Florida State late in the season. Split those, and it could be CFB Playoff time again for a team I personally think should be a favorite to win the National Championship, let alone the ACC.
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Sun Belt
MAC
Conference USA
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AAC
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