ACC Atlantic
Can Florida St. rebound off its poor 2006 showing and take the division in 2007? Or will the son finally overtake Daddy Bowden and win the crown?

Florida St
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 6-7

Offense: 6 Returning Starters
2006 was an obvious down year for the usually high-powered FSU offense and they look to get back on track with new OC Jimbo Fisher. Whether it’s Xavier Lee or Drew Weatherford at QB still remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say both should have better years than last season. Both starting WR’s return as well as TE Brandon Warren, which will give the Seminoles experience at key positions.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The defense has always been where FSU shines and 2007 should be no different. The majority of starters return on a defensive unit that finished 4th in the ACC in both Scoring and Total Defense. Losing LB’s Buster Davis and Lawrence Timmons to the NFL hurts, but there’s enough depth on this Seminole roster to fill the gaps where needed and have another great year on the defensive side of the ball.

Schedule:
The schedule is what could prevent FSU from breaking into the top 10. Road games at Clemson, Wake Forrest, BC, Virginia Tech and Florida are all very tough. Playing Alabama in Jacksonville will also test this FSU team. If they hold serve at home and steal a few on the road, an ACC Championship could be within reach.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2)

Clemson
2006 Record- 8-5
2006 ATS Record- 6-7

Offense: 5 Returning Starters
The most-deadly one-two RB punch with James Davis and CJ Spiller returns in what should be another outstanding year for both. They will have to carry the offense, with a young QB coming in and little experience back on the offense line.

Defense: 7 Returning Starters
The #13 ranked defense in the nation returns the majority of their starters for 2007. Replacing Gaines Adams will be tough, but enough big playmakers return for that not to be a serious issue. This unit should be one of the best in the nation at the end of the season for the second straight year.

Schedule:
Getting a week one win over Florida St. would do wonders for the Tiger’s momentum. Playing at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech in back-to-back weeks to end September is not an easy task, nor is their final 3 games: verse Wake, BC and at South Carolina.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Boston College
2006 Record- 10-3
2006 ATS Record- 6-6

Offense: 7 Returning Starters
Matt Ryan returns for his senior season and has the weapons around him to make some noise in the ACC. RB’s Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth are both very solid, but need to get involved more this season. And that shouldn’t be a problem with new head coach Jeff Jagodzinski taking over for Tom O’Brien whose offenses when he was the OC for the Eagles, averaged over 400 yards per game.

Defense: 9 Returning Starters
The entire front seven returns in what should be a great overall unit this season. They do lose a few key starters in the secondary and must focus on stopping the big play through the air. If they can shut down the pass, the run defense will take care of itself.

Schedule:
September will be a tell-all month as the Eagles open with 3 conference foes. It settles down for a bit towards the end of September, but then kicks into overdrive with games at Notre Dame, at Virginia Tech and verse Florida St in October, not to mention ending the year at Clemson and verse Miami.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4)

Wake Forrest
2006 Record- 11-3
2006 ATS Record- 8-5

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
A story-book season for the Demon Deacons in 2006 to say the least. With the majority of starters back on the offensive side, it should be another good year for Wake. Remember, this is a team that was using its third string QB and converting WR’s to RB’s last season because of injuries. Well, QB Ben Mauk returns, as well as RB DeAngelo Bryant, which will help the Deacons attempt to defend their conference crown.

Defense: 5 Returning Starters
The defense was the reason Wake had such an outstanding season last year. That unit only allowed 9.8 p.p.g. in ACC play and finished #2 in the ACC in scoring defense. However, their star LB Jon Abbate will surely be missed. He was the heart and soul of the defense and, with three starters gone in the secondary; a repeat performance of last season doesn’t seem likely.

Schedule:
The schedule is very favorable for Wake. After opening the season with two tough games, at BC and verse Nebraska, there’s not another tough game until the middle of October at home against Florida St. They miss Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Miami, so a middle-tier bowl is definitely a possibility.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4)

NC State
2006 Record- 3-9
2006 ATS Record- 3-8

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
New head coach Tom O’ Brien starts his tenure as the Wolfpack look to win some of those heart-breaking losses from a year ago (six of the final seven games NC State lost were by 8 points of fewer). QB Daniel Evans is a winner and, along with a trio or RB’s, O’ Brien will have just what he needs to run the ball effectively.

Defense: 6 Returning Starters
This unit was average in 2006. They gave up over 150 yards on the ground in ACC play, which obviously has to be addressed. The Pack lose some key tackles and linebackers up front, but still have enough experience to improve on last year’s numbers.

Schedule:
It’ll be pretty tough sledding, that’s for sure. Opening verse UCF in no cake-walk and it is a possibility of starting conference play 0-3. The last 3 games are winnable, so a bowl berth seem, though unlikely, could happen.
2007 Predicted Record: 6-6 (3-5)

Maryland
2006 Record- 9-4
2006 ATS Record- 5-7

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
A majority of starters return on an offense that was pretty steady last year. Losing QB Sam Hollenbach will hurt as he didn’t wow you with numbers, but was very consistent and made good decisions. The Terps top four receivers return, as well as both RB’s.

Defense: 6 Returning Starters
The front seven has to get better. Maryland somehow won 9 games last year, but was out gained in most of them and ended the year scoring as much as opponents scored on them. Stopping the run will be the main priority as they gave up over 160 y.p.g. in ACC play in 2006.

Schedule:
After two cupcakes, the next 4 games could decide Maryland’s season. Verse West Virginia, at Wake, at Rutgers and home verse Georgia Tech. Losing all four of those could break this team’s spirits, and in the increasing difficult ACC, starting 0-2 in conference, isn’t the way to go.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (2-6)

 

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