With the kickoff of the 2014 college football season just over a week away, it is time for my initial ACC Power Rankings of the season.
Who are the teams to beat and who could surprise in 2014?
Let’s find out with our preseason ACC Power Rankings.
1. Florida State (Last season; 14-0, 8-0 ACC): It’s hard not to put the defending national champs right back on top this season. The Seminoles start out the season the No. 1 team in the nation and could be just as loaded as they were a season ago.
They may have the best quarterback in the country in Jameis Winston and return six starters from a defense that ranked third in the country. Having five senior starters on the offensive line never hurts either.
There aren’t too many flaws on this Florida State team as it is either playoffs or bust for the Seminoles.
2. Clemson (11-2, 7-1): There’s no Tajh Boyd or Sammy Watkins this season, but the Tigers will have one of the ACC’s top defensive units with seven defensive starters, including Vic Beasley returning.
Dabo Swinney’s team is still a very dangerous one and one worth respecting.
3. Duke (10-4, 6-2): The Blue Devils are coming off one of their more successful seasons in program history and look to be a threat once again in the ACC.
With Anthony Boone at quarterback and Jamison Crowder at wide receiver, Duke has the offense to get the job done. They have talent on both sides of the ball and should be the favorites in the Coastal Division.
4. North Carolina (7-6, 4-4): The Tar Heels finished the 2013 campaign very strong and they return 15 starters so there is a lot to like.
However they have major questions on both the offensive and defensive lines and a quarterback battle that would suggest that while North Carolina has a ton of talent, it may be a little too early to buy into them as a favorite just yet.
5. Miami (9-4, 5-3): I may be guilty of buying a little too high on the Canes right now, but very few teams in the conference can match Miami’s overall talent level.
The problem though is under center and that is a big problem for Al Golden’s team right now.
But if they can get at least adequate play from their quarterbacks then this team can be dangerous. With Duke Johnson carrying the ball and Stacy Coley at wide receiver to go along with seven returning defensive starters, this team could be a sleeper nationally.
They just need a quarterback not to lose them games and that could be easier said than done in terms of finding that guy.
6. Virginia Tech (8-5, 5-3): You know what you are going to get from Frank Beamer’s team. They are going to be well coached and have a solid defense. You just don’t know how much you are going to get from a young offense. Their defense and a soft opening schedule to start the season should keep them in things.
7. Pitt (7-6, 3-5): If there is a year for Pitt to be a surprise in the ACC, this could be it. No Florida State or Clemson on the schedule and their overall schedule is as soft as it has been in years. Paul Chryst’s team really has a chance to be sitting nicely after the season’s first seven weeks.
Pitt has some weapons on the offensive side of the ball and adding a mobile quarterback in Chad Voytik should help a struggling offensive line. It will be interesting to see what kind of steps Tyler Boyd takes into becoming one of the top playmakers in the nation.
The trouble is going to come on the defensive side of the ball though and replacing Aaron Donald is going to be a challenge. If the defense comes together though and they will have the opportunity early in the season, the Panthers have a chance to be a surprise in the ACC.
8. Louisville (12-1, 7-1 AAC): No Charlie Strong as coach. No Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. No idea what to expect from the Cardinals.
Bobby Petrino’s team still has a ton of talent, but will be playing in a much tougher conference so I want to see them win a few big games without Bridgewater before I sing their praises.
9. Syracuse (7-6, 4-4): The Orange return 15 starters, but any chance they have this season depends on if Terrel Hunt improves as a passer.
If Hunt can’t get the ball down field and Syracuse ranks 105th in the nation in passing again, it will be a long season.
10. Virginia (2-10, 0-8): Mike London is getting some talent. Now the Cavaliers have to start winning some games.
Nine starters are back on the defensive side of the ball and offensively, 1,000-yard rusher Kevin Parks and two experienced quarterbacks return. It’s hard to think that this team won’t be somewhat better this season.
11. Georgia Tech (7-6, 5-3): Paul Johnson’s team always runs a complex scheme which is difficult to defend, but they return only five starters and don’t have a quarterback.
They have a lot of holes to fill and it could be a long season.
12. North Carolina State (3-9, 0-8): The Wolfpack have a quarterback now in Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett, but I can’t see that improving their offensive, which ranked 99th in the nation in points scored, that much.
13. Boston College (7-6, 4-4): Give the Eagles credit for making strides last year, but they now have to replace their starting quarterback, a 2,000-yard rusher, their top receiver, leader in sacks and top two tacklers.
Good luck with that.
14. Wake Forest (4-8, 2-6): The Demon Deacons return just five starters on each side of the ball. New head coach Dave Clawson may turn this program around but it won’t be this year.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
