| Over the years, the ACC has slowly become known | | | | were actually in the conversation for National Title |
| as a basketball conference. However, contrary to | | | | contention before the season. Then they actually |
| popular belief, there is some good football being played | | | | played the games and things didn't quite work as |
| here as well. In recent years, perennial powerhouses | | | | planned. They stumbled to a 7-6 record and never |
| like Miami and Florida State falling into mediocrity, other | | | | really got going. This season they should be pretty solid |
| contenders have emerged as the teams to beat in the | | | | behind tailback C.J. Spiller. |
| conference. How will the ACC play out this season? | | | | 7. Boston College Eagles - The 2009 season will be |
| Let's take a look at what to expect with these free | | | | one of adversity for Boston College. They're not |
| football picks. | | | | exactly coming into the year with the best of |
| 1. Virginia Tech Hokies - Virginia Tech has quickly | | | | expectations. They kicked their quarterback, Dominique |
| become the dominant team in the ACC. Despite not | | | | Davis, off the team and they don't really have a great |
| having a Vick on their team for a few years now, | | | | replacement. They also lost the best defensive player |
| they're still somehow able to win a lot of games. | | | | in the conference to a battle with cancer. Hopefully |
| Current quarterback Tyrod Taylor is the best thing to | | | | Matt Herzlich will be able to overcome that battle, but |
| hit the quarterback position at VT since Michael | | | | the team won't find a replacement so easily. Expect |
| himself. He's fast, can throw the ball, and is a great | | | | them to battle adversity to a solid season if |
| leader. This is his first year to get all of the playing time | | | | unspectacular. |
| and he won't disappoint. | | | | 8. Miami Hurricanes - The Miami Hurricanes are always |
| 2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - Coach Paul | | | | one of the most talented teams in the country. Over |
| Johnson has brought the Yellow Jackets back to the | | | | the past few years, they haven't quite lived up to the |
| cusp of greatness in college football. They should | | | | hype surrounding "The U". While they do put out some |
| compete with Virginia Tech for the conference | | | | good pro players, they never quite seem to put it all |
| championship. They are just a little less talented than | | | | together. This year will be no different as they open |
| VT, but not by much. Defending against the triple | | | | the season against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia |
| option is a dicey proposal for most teams and that's | | | | Tech, and Oklahoma. This represents a killer schedule |
| exactly what you have to do against Tech. They've | | | | that I don't think they'll emerge from in the best shape. |
| got some top-notch recruits running the system now | | | | 9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons - Wake Forest has |
| and they should be golden this year. | | | | had a pretty good team the last few years. However, |
| 3. North Carolina Tarheels - Just a few years ago, the | | | | this year will probably be a little different. They have |
| North Carolina football program was a joke. They | | | | relied heavily on their defense in the last few years, |
| were a clear second fiddle to the basketball program | | | | and most of the talent from that unit is now gone. |
| and everyone knew it. While they still haven't | | | | They do return quarterback Riley Skinner, so all hope is |
| completely emerged from the huge shadow of the | | | | not lost. However, the rest of the offense doesn't look |
| basketball dynasty, they're getting closer. Under Butch | | | | that great. Expect an up and down year for the |
| Davis' coaching, the Tarheels have been transformed | | | | Demon Deacons. |
| into a legitimate contender. Despite the loss of | | | | 10. Duke Blue Devils- For the longest time now, the |
| Hakeem Nicks to the first round of the NFL draft, they | | | | Duke football program has been the conference |
| will still be extremely talented. | | | | doormat. They've been a running joke in the ACC and |
| 4. Florida State Seminoles - This has been a terrible | | | | they only won one game during the 2006 and 2007 |
| offense for the reputation of Bobby Bowden and | | | | seasons. However, new coach David Cutcliffe |
| Florida State. They are mired in an academic cheating | | | | managed to somehow pull out four wins last year. |
| scandal that could cost the Seminoles some past wins | | | | While that might seem terrible, it takes a lot to turn |
| as well as hurt recruiting. However, for this season, | | | | around a program that is mired in a losing culture. |
| they actually look like a pretty good team. They return | | | | They're hoping to get into a bowl game this year, and |
| quarterback Christian Ponder and a great offensive | | | | anything is possible. |
| line. They have playmakers at key positions and should | | | | 11. Maryland Terrapins- The Maryland program is |
| have a strong defense as well. If they live up to their | | | | actually now expected to do worse than Duke this |
| potential, they could do better than this ranking. | | | | year. That's how bad it's gotten in Maryland. They do |
| 5. North Carolina State Wolfpack - While the Wolfpack | | | | return their quarterback and runningback and both |
| didn't quite live up to expectations last year, they look | | | | have some talent. However, their defense has the |
| to rebound this season with almost the same team. | | | | potential to be terrible as well as the offensive line. |
| They're a year older, a year more experienced, and | | | | They just don't have enough talent. |
| they're ready to roll. Their best player is quarterback | | | | 12. Virginia Cavaliers- The Virgina Cavaliers don't have |
| Russell Wilson who was 1st team All-ACC last year. | | | | a lot to look forward to this year. They are very |
| He should be a stud this year as well as a potentially | | | | underwhelming in the talent department and the |
| high draft pick. They're resting all of their hopes on his | | | | coaching isn't anything to write home about either. |
| strong throwing arm and hoping that he can deliver. | | | | Expect them to lose and lose frequently. |
| 6. Clemson Tigers - The 2008 season was the | | | | Check out Vernon Croy's Free College Football Picks |
| ultimate in letdowns for the Clemson Tigers. They | | | | this season. |