2007 ACC Conference Preview

Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Last year was a down season for the ACC, as Wake Forest ended up as the highest ranked team in the final AP Top 25 Poll at number 17. The league suffered a considerable drop-off from 2004 when the conference placed three clubs in the Top 15. In addition, predicting the correct participants in the league championship game would have been a monumental task prior to the season, since the Demon Deacons and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets had gone a combined 11-12 in '05.

The conference as a whole finished just three games above .500 in out-of- conference play with a 25-22 record, 17-28-2 ATS. Against the other five BCS leagues, the ACC ended up 6-15 SU and 9-11-1 ATS, far below the Big East's record SU mark of 14-7 and 16-5 ATS.

Can this former dominant conference regain some lost stature? There is no doubt that the majority of the 12 teams will produce improved records from the disaster that was 2006, but can a school such as Virginia Tech challenge the likes of LSU and USC for the national crown?

What follows is the predicted order of finish along with odds to win the BCS Title Game:

COASTAL DIVISION

1) VIRGINIA TECH (30-1) - The Hokies have won 10 regular season games each of the last two years and bring back their starting QB for the first time since 2004.

Strengths - V-Tech returns nine starters from a defense that was number one in the nation in scoring, passing and total "D". The O-line brings back 49 lifetime starts, a 27 game increase from a year ago, so expect much improved offensive numbers.

Weaknesses - Quarterback Sean Glennon, who threw only 11 touchdown passes with 11 picks, must improve his play if Virginia Tech is to beat LSU on the road September 8.

Bottom line - Glennon, who should be more effective his second season, will lead V-Tech to an 11-1 record with the only loss coming to LSU. However, if USC and Louisville stumble, the Hokies could get back in the national title picture, and are a decent play at 30-1. They will also be a great week-to-week ATS team.

2) GEORGIA TECH (300-1) - Despite winning the Coastal Division, the Yellow Jackets lost their final three games of the season to finish a disappointing 9-5.

Strengths - Georgia Tech returns 80% of its lettermen and gains a significant upgrade at QB with Taylor Bennett replacing Reggie Ball. The Jackets defense has picked off more passes than TDs allowed for two straight seasons, one of only 14 teams in the country to accomplish that feat.

Weaknesses - Losing Calvin Johnson will definitely hurt the passing game despite the expected emergence of redshirt freshman Demaryius Thomas.

Bottom line - Even though it's highly doubtful the Jackets can win the National Championship, they are the top value play in the country at 300-1. Look for a 9-3 record, 6-2 in the ACC, and an extremely solid team to wager on each and every week.

3) MIAMI-FL (30-1) - Almost everything imaginable went wrong last season for the Hurricanes, but they still finished above .500 at 7-6 by defeating Nevada in their bowl game.

Strengths - The offense will be much improved as the o-line returns 58 career starts, a much higher number than the 19 in 2006. The "D", which was extremely stingy last year (4th in total defense), returns 14 of its top 19 tacklers.

Weaknesses - The new coaching staff must settle on a starting QB. The Kyle Wright-Kirby Freeman rotation will not cut it against a brutal schedule.

Bottom line - The Hurricanes have to travel to Oklahoma, V-Tech, FSU and BC, but should still win eight games, five in the ACC. They will perform a complete 180 ATS after covering only 33% of their games the last two years.

4) VIRGINIA (100-1, part of field) - The Cavaliers have won just six of their last 15 games.

Strengths - Virginia's defense kept the club competitive in '06, holding its opponents to 17 points or less in seven of the 12 contests, and every starter on that side of the ball returns except for corner Marcus Hamilton.

Weaknesses - Five of the top seven receivers will miss the season now that Kevin Ogletree is out after tearing his ACL in the spring. Quarterback Jason Sewell is recovering from off-season wrist surgery, and who knows how effective he'll be once fall camp begins.

Bottom line - Look for the Cavs to finish at 6-6, 3-5 in conference play. There will be a ton of low-scoring contests down in Charlottesville, so get ready to pound the UNDER.

5) NORTH CAROLINA (100-1, part of field) - Butch Davis did a tremendous job in the recruiting wars, but that won't bring the "W's" to Chapel Hill in 2007.

Strengths - The team's best player in the spring was its kicker. That tells you all you need to know about UNC football. The run defense improved as the season came to a close, limiting its opponents to 3.3 yards per carry the final four games.

Weaknesses - Unfortunately, the Tar Heels lose five of their top six tacklers and seven defensive starters. The offense won't improve much from its 18 points per game with just five returning starters.

Bottom line - It will be another long season in Chapel Hill, with North Carolina's two wins coming over James Madison and Duke. The Heels are a solid team to wager against the entire season.

6) DUKE (100-1, part of field) - The Blue Devils will be more potent offensively this season and still might not win a single game.

Strengths - All 11 starters return to an offense that gained a lot confidence as the season progressed. The team averaged 3.9 ypc and the o-line allowed "only" 20 sacks the final eight games after giving up 5.0 ypc and 23 sacks the first four contests alone.

Weaknesses - Both starting cornerbacks depart from a unit that allowed over 245 passing yards per game in six of its last seven. Duke finished 114th in the country in scoring defense last year, and will sit all alone at the bottom of the pile in '07, especially if LB Michael Tauiliili's suspension lasts more than a game or two.

Bottom line - Another winless season is in the cards in Durham. If Virginia leads the pack in UNDER plays this season, the Blue Devils will be kings of the OVER.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1) FLORIDA STATE (30-1) - With its win over UCLA in the Emerald Bowl, Florida State avoided what could have been its first losing season since 1976.

Strengths - The most important additions to the Seminoles are offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher (LSU) and offensive line coach Rick Trickett (West Virginia). Antoine Smith will be the first FSU back to rush for 1,000 yards since 1996.

Weaknesses - Injuries crippled the O-line in '04 and '05, but last year the five starters missed only four games and the offense still under-performed. After forcing 20 turnovers in ACC play in '04, FSU has combined for just 17 the last two years.

Bottom line - This is Bobby Bowden's most experienced team since his 10-2 regular season squad back in '03. Expect the same exact record with a 6-2 ACC mark and an above .500 ATS mark for the first time since '03.

2) BOSTON COLLEGE (200-1) - Since joining the conference in 2005, the Eagles have the second most regular season victories (17) behind Virginia Tech's 20.

Strengths - Matt Ryan was banged up for much of last year, and should improve in his senior season. The Eagles return 15 of their top 17 tacklers from a unit that allowed only 12 ppg the final 10 contests.

Weaknesses - BC finished second in the country in turnover margin at +15. The odds of repeating that number are very high. In addition, Tom O'Brien leaving the program for N.C. State is not a positive sign.

Bottom line - There are many positives and negatives for the upcoming campaign, but the talent level will win out and get the Eagles nine wins, five coming in conference play. Their ATS mark since '03 is 21-20-2 ATS and they should be around the .500 mark once again.

3) CLEMSON (100-1) - The Tigers dropped four of their final five games to finish at 7-5, and look to rebound with a new starting QB for the second straight season.

Strengths - Even though they lose their top pass rusher and cover corner, the defense will once again be the strength of the team, especially if LB Tramaine Billie reverts to his '05 form after missing last season with an injured ankle. The running back tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller could be the best in the nation.

Weaknesses - The Tigers' offensive effectiveness will be put to the test as four linemen depart, taking with them 108 career starts. The replacements have a grand total of nine starts. Will Proctor benefited from the experienced line, but whichever QB starts this season will be in trouble with FSU, G-Tech and V-Tech as three of the first six opponents.

Bottom line - This year will be the polar opposite of '06, as the Tigers will win five of their last six to finish 8-4 and 5-3. Stay away from them early, but ride them hard ATS the last half of the year.

4) WAKE FOREST (300-1) - Can the magic continue? The Deacons won their first conference title since 1970, reaching the Orange Bowl with 11 wins.

Strengths - Wake completed its fabulous campaign without its starting QB and top running back and now has a veteran offense led by Riley Skinner and Micah Andrews. Defensive end Matt Robinson returns after missing last season with a knee injury.

Weaknesses - The Deacons will need Robinson to produce because the rest of the defense will revert to pre-2006 standards. Three members of the secondary depart, along with Jon Abbate, who led the team in tackles the last three seasons.

Bottom line - Wake Forest will sport a .500 season, both in conference and out. The Demon Deacons could be home underdogs vs. Nebraska and Florida State, and they're 6-3 the last three years as a home dog.

5) N.C. STATE (300-1) - Tom O'Brien will improve the overall atmosphere around the Wolfpack, but not enough to contend in 2007.

Strengths - N.C. State will be much better defensively under new coordinator Mike Archer, especially with eight of its top 11 tacklers coming back this season. On the offensive side, running backs Andre Brown and Toney Baker will be a force to be reckoned with, as the team will rely on the run for most of the season.

Weaknesses - The inexperienced offensive line must be up to the task in the new rush-first offense. This change should help QB Daniel Evans, who threw 11 INTs compared to six TDs in his first season under center, but his overall game still must improve.

Bottom line - O'Brien will bring N.C. State back to respectability winning six games, half of which will come in the ACC. The Wolfpack will not be the best team to wager on early, but watch out for them the second half of the year.

6) MARYLAND (300-1) - The Terrapins are 12-2 the last two seasons outside the Top 25, but just 2-8 against Top 25 competition.

Strengths - The receiving core, led by Darrius Heywood-Bey, Danny Oquendo and Isiah Williams, could be the best in the conference. Maryland is 10-2 in its last 12 games decided by a touchdown or less.

Weaknesses - Sam Hollenbach finished second in the conference completing 62 percent of his passes. Unfortunately he departs leaving two running QBs - Jordan Steffy and Josh Portis - to lead the way. Neither one will have the advantage of Jared Gaither protecting him as the tackle was an academic casualty. Maryland will also be without three of its top four tacklers, and the defense wasn't all that impressive last year finishing last in league play against the run.

Bottom line - The Terps are on a short list of 2006 bowl teams that will end up with a losing record. Look for four victories, half of them coming inside the ACC. Maryland is 2-10 ATS the last three years as a home favorite.

August 6, 2007, at 02:13 PM ET

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