2006 ACC Predictions

Odds in parenthesis are to win the ACC conference.

Florida State (2:1) quarterback, Drew Weatherford took some lumps as a freshman, but it was far more good than bad. What Florida State needs to do is establish the running game with Lorenzo Booker so they are not as one dimensional as last year. The defense lost four players to the first round of the NFL draft, an incredible statistic. Still, there is enough talent ready to step in so that the defense will certainly not be a weakness.

Miami (2:1) went 9-3 last year, a good year for almost every team except them. One thing the Canes have going for them is the return of junior quarterback, Kyle Wright. However, Wright’s receivers and offensive line are questionable, and he needs running back Tyrone Moss to be fully recovered from his knee injury. Moss is also suspended for the September 4th opener against Florida State. On the plus side, the defense has a chance to be elite and the conference schedule is very favorable with Florida State, Virginia Tech and Boston College all at home.

Virginia Tech (6:1) does not have the same buzz as last year, but that does not mean there is not high expectations. Quarterback, Marcus Vick has been dismissed from the team and more than half the starters have departed. Sophomore, Sean Glennon will start at quarterback and there is a lot of youth on the rest of the offense. The defense is where the Hokies will have to win games, and their linebackers and secondary are up to the challenge. This is a legitimate top 20 team this year, and could be among the elite in 2007.

Clemson (8:1) was 8-4 last year and each of those losses was by less than a touchdown. They also finished the season by winning six out of their last seven games. The offense has talent and depth at running back, wide receiver, and the offensive line. Quarterback Will Proctor takes over for a good one in Charlie Whitehurst, but Proctor is more than ready as a fifth year senior. The big questions on defense are the cornerbacks as the front seven is in good shape. Overall, Clemson is undervalued here, especially compared to Virginia Tech.

Sleeper Selection

Boston College (16:1) played its first year in the ACC last year and acquitted themselves quite nicely. Their record was 5-3 in the conference and 9-3 overall. Included in that was a two point defeat to North Carolina and a 28-17 loss to Florida State that was a lot closer than the score indicated.

This year, the schedule is even more daunting with Virginia Tech and Clemson at home, and Miami and Florida State on the road. Couple that with the fact that the Northeast based Eagles have to travel long distances to all conference road games, and you can see they are at a disadvantage.

The bright side is that junior quarterback, Matt Ryan really came on at the end of the season. The running game returns its top two runners in L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. The offensive line suffered some big losses, but Boston College always seems to build a good one.

Defensively, the team will really miss defensive end, Mathias Kiwanuka, an All-American talent. Junior linebacker, Brian Toal will assume the mantel of leadership if his neck is fully healed as expected. The secondary returns three of four starters and will be counted on as the strength of the defense.

Overall, this is a young team who may make more noise in 2007, but you can not forget about them for this year either.

Click any of the following articles for more NCAA Football Betting Previews

SEC Predictions
ACC Predictions
Big 12 Predictions
Pac 10 Predictions
Big 10 Predictions

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