ACC Coastal
This division is filled with monster defenses, (V.Tech, G.Tech, Miami). The question remains to be seen, which offense can step up and win the division?

Virginia Tech
2006 Record- 10-3
2006 ATS Record- 7-5

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
QB Sean Glennon will look to be more consistent and make better decisions come 2007. If he plays well, an ACC title lurks. RB Brandon Ore is as good as they come and will be the work horse for this Hokies offense.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
Frank Beamer prides himself on having great defenses, and this one should be fantastic. They finished 2006, #1 in the ACC in scoring and total defense and are the favorites to repeat in those categories in 2007. This unit will be very, very strong.

Schedule:
The big non-conference game happens in mid-September when the Hokies travel to LSU. That game has major national title implications for both teams. The conference schedule is a semi-difficult road, but V-Tech should be able to make it through virtually unharmed.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (7-1)

Georgia Tech
2006 Record- 9-5
2006 ATS Record- 7-5-1

Offense: 7 Returning Starters
Losing All-American wide-out Chad Johnson is an obvious blow. But, the Jackets also lose four-year starter, QB Reggie Ball, which should help this offense be more effective. Taylor Bennett will take the snaps and he looked very poised in Tech’s bowl loss to West Virginia. Sure, the Mountaineers don’t have the best pass defense, but it’s still a major confidence boost for him and his teammates. RB Tashard Choice is also very good and should help balance Bennett’s passing attack.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
This unit was one of the best in the ACC in 2006 and should be even better this season. Almost every key player is back and with more experience to boot. They should compete with the other Tech for the ACC’s #1 defense.

Schedule:
The schedule is pretty easy. Opening at Notre Dame will be a test, but there most difficult conference road game is at Miami in mid-October. It should be another solid year for the Jackets.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2)

Miami
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 3-8-1

Offense: 9 Returning Starters
New head coach Randy Shannon needs to get productivity out of his offense. QB’s Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman have to be efficient if the Canes want to be successful. Almost every key player returns, so there are no excuses this season.

Defense: 7 Returning Starters
Even though the Miami offense was nowhere to be seen last year, the defense punched in another terrific season, finishing in the top 20 in the nation. This season, a majority of starters return and they should be eyeing another great year.

Schedule:
The one divine savior for Randy Shannon’s boys might be the ease of the schedule. After a trip to Oklahoma, they are at home four of the next five weeks. Ending the season at V-Tech and at BC will show the new coach how much heart this Miami team actually has.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

North Carolina
2006 Record- 3-9
2006 ATS Record- 3-6-1

Offense: 5 Returning Starters
Butch Davis looks to turn this Tar Heel program around in 2007. Problem is, there isn’t too much talent currently in Chapel Hill. Only five starters return on an offense that can only be categorized at bad. The offense was balanced, just bad.

Defense: 4 Returning Starters
Another road block preventing Butch from winning in 2007. This UNC defense was one of the worst in the ACC last season and only returns four starters. Another long season, undoubtedly, lies ahead.

Schedule:
Starting out 2-0 is crucial for the Tar Heels, as the next 6 games all could be losers. Ending the year with two of three on the road doesn’t help either.
2007 Predicted Record: 5-7 (3-5)

Virginia
2006 Record- 5-7
2006 ATS Record- 5-7

Offense: 9 Returning Starters
Almost everyone returns on both sides of the ball, which should make for a better season than the 2006 campaign. QB Jameel Sewell is very good and should have all time to throw with all five starters back on the O-line.

Defense: 10 Returning Starters
Every key position player returns on a defense that was actually pretty good last year. The Cavs gave up under 300 yards per game in ACC play and should improve on that number in 2007.

Schedule:
The schedule is tough all around. Opening at an improved Wyoming team should be an interesting game, as will a meeting with Middle Tennessee St. in October. Finishing ACC play with three of its final five on the road could prevent a bowl berth, though.
2007 Predicted Record: 6-6 (2-6)

Duke
2006 Record- 0-12
2006 ATS Record- 5-6

Offense: 11 Returning Starters
Well, if experience counts for anything, Duke should have an outstanding year!! Yea, right. Everyone returns on a unit that can only be considered as inept in 2006. The bright spot: It can’t get any worse.

Defense: 5 Returning Starters
If the offense was inept, the defense was useless. The Dukies were outscored at an almost unheard of 2.5-1 ratio. With only five starters back, look for more of the same in 2007.

Schedule:
Opening verse UCONN might be the only win this Duke team gets. The conference schedule is very tough with road games at Miami, Florida St and Virginia, not to mention non-conference games at Navy and Notre Dame.
2007 Predicted Record: 1-11 (0-8)

ACC Championship
Virginia Tech- 17
Florida St- 16



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