Ok, so Wake Forest actually should have been in Part One because they are more north than N.C. State. I guess I need a geography lesson. But anyway, to continue on with the previews:
Wake Forest
Last year: The Demon Deacons went 6-7 last year and 5-3 in the ACC, good enough for a tie for second in the Atlantic. Wake Forest lost to Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl. It was an up and down season last year for Wake -- shining glimpses of potential at some points and dark clouds of disappointments at others. Wake lost to Syracuse, a non-bowl team, in overtime to begin the season then turned around and rolled off four straight wins, including a 35-30 victory over Florida State in Winston-Salem. The next two weeks, Wake fell off again, losing 38-17 to Virginia Tech at home and then barely skating by Duke, 24-23. After that, Wake lost three straight games, including a heartbreaker at Clemson in which the Deacons were up 28-14 on the Tigers in Death Valley. Wake didn't get well until pounding Maryland and then the Deacons closed the regular season with a blowout loss to Vanderbilt. Josh Harris and Brandon Pendergrass combined for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground and Harris only played in nine games because of a hamstring injury. Tanner Price came into his own under center, completing 60 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chris Givens was a breakout start at receiver, catching 83 balls for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns. He elected to leave school after his junior year and was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round. Much like the team, the defense was inconsistent and ended up giving up 27.4 points per game.
Offense: The Demon Deacons return Price, a junior, and Harris, a junior as well. Michael Camparano is the leading returner at receiver, having tallied 73 receptions for 833 yards and two touchdowns last season. Those are important playmakers to have back, but Wake only returns one player on the offensive line. How well the Demon Deacons come together there might determine how good they can be on offense. Price is getting better each and every year but he has to remain upright. Camparano can step in and probably fill the void pretty well left by Givens' departure. Terrence Davis is a redshirt senior who will probably see lots of time at receiver and can provide leadership. If Harris can stay healthy and the offensive line develops nicely, the Demon Deacon offense could be in business.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters but does lose cornerback Josh Bush, who posted six interceptions a year ago, and leading tacklers Cyhl Quarles and Kyle Wilbur. The Demon Deacons do return Merrill Noel, a sophomore who had two picks last season on his way to being named a Freshman All-American. Also back are three linebackers Riley Haynes, Scott Betros, and Justin Jackson, and an undersized nose tackle, Nikita Whitlock, a junior, who at 5-foot-11, 260 pounds recorded 64 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season while being named second-team All-ACC.
Schedule, notes, outlook: The Demon Deacons face Liberty (home), Army (home), Notre Dame (road), and Vanderbilt (home) in the non-conference schedule, so they are probably looking at a 3-1 or 2-2 record there. In the ACC, Wake Forest avoids both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, likely two of the best teams in the Coastal. They do have to play at Virginia, Florida State, and N.C. State. Wake gets Clemson and UNC at home. Wake has been all over the map in recent seasons. After winning 11 games and the ACC in 2006, the Demon Deacons followed that up by winning nine games in 2007 and eight in 2008. Two years ago, Wake bottomed out with three wins and it couldn't stop anybody on defense. Last year was a return to form under coach Jim Grobe. This year's team has the potential to be good, but it is hard to know how the offense will hold up with only four returners and the defense has lots of experience, but lost its top tacklers and pass defender. I think Wake Forest is looking at a 5-7 or 6-6 record, but has the potential to surprise people.
Clemson
Last year: Clemson finished 10-4 last year and posted a 6-2 ACC record, finishing first in the Atlantic Division. The Tigers beat Virginia Tech 38-10 in the ACC title game and then got destroyed by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl 70-33. Clemson bolted out to an 8-0 record, collecting three consecutive top-25 wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech. During that stretch, Clemson put up less than 30 points just once and scored more than 50 twice. The Tigers hit a roadblock against Georgia Tech in late October, losing by two touchdowns in their first loss. Clemson would drop three of its next five games, but not before winning its first ACC crown in 20 years. Junior quarterback Tajh Boyd, of Hampton, led the Tigers attack on offense as he completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns. Sammy Watkins burst on to the national scene as a freshman receiver, catching 82 balls for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns. Andre Ellington rushed for more than 1,100 yards and had 11 rushing touchdowns. Tight end Dwayne Allen caught 50 passes for eight touchdowns. As a team, Clemson set school records for yards per game (440.8), touchdowns (58), and total points (470). Obviously, the defense struggled some, and ended up giving up 29.3 points per game.
Offense: Boyd, Watkins, and Ellington return to an offense that should be potent again. Clemson is one of just three schools in the country to return a 3,000-yard passer, and a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver. The Tigers also return DeAndre Hopkins, a junior receiver who had 72 catches for 978 yards and five touchdowns. Providing depth at receiver will be Jaron Brown, who caught 31 passes last year. The Tigers will need to replace the NFL-drafted Allen at tight end, and also three starters on the offensive line.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters, including Rashard Hall, a senior safety who led the team in tackles and had a pair of picks in 2011. Jonathan Willard is the team's top returning linebacker, with 75 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Another Jonathan, Meeks, returns at cornerback and led the team in interceptions last year with three. The Tigers will have to replace three defensive line starters but do return defensive end Malliciah Goodman, who had 59 tackles and four sacks last year. The leader of the defense is different, as Brent Venables, who held the same position at Oklahoma for 13 years, is the defensive coordinator.
Schedule, notes, outlook: The Tigers face Auburn in another Chick-fil-A kickoff game (N.C. State and Tennessee's version is Friday night) to begin the year and also play Ball State, Furman, and South Carolina all at home in the non-conference slate. Auburn will probably be tougher than last year, but Clemson can still win that game. In the ACC, Clemson's schedule sets up pretty nicely. It avoids dates with Virginia, North Carolina, and Miami. The Tigers have to visit Florida State, but do get Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and N.C. State all at home. Clemson has never had a problem getting off to fast starts. It is finishing strong that has been the problem. The difference last year was that Clemson still did enough to win the ACC. But it went 2-4 in its final six games last season and got embarrassed on the national stage in the Orange Bowl. Clemson should be very good again on offense, maybe better than last year, if it can fill the gaps on the line. One of the keys will be how much the defense improves from last year and also whether Clemson can close strong. The Tigers' toughest games are at the beginning of the season, I think. In the second half, Clemson gets Duke and Maryland on back-to-back weeks before closing with stiffer challenges in N.C. State and South Carolina, but both the games are at home. I think Clemson will go 8-4 or 9-3 this season.
Florida State
Last year: The Seminoles went 9-4, 5-3 in the conference last year to finish tied for second in the Atlantic with Wake Forest. FSU had the better overall record but lost to Wake head-to-head. FSU stormed out of the gate with dominating wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Charleston Southern, as it should've, and then lost to Oklahoma in a tightly contested, nationally televised game 23-13. The 'Noles went on to drop a pair of 35-30 games vs. Wake and Clemson. Then FSU pounded four teams in a row before barely slipping by Miami and then getting shocked 14-13 by Virginia at home. FSU finished up its season with a win over rival Florida and then over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. FSU had a balanced offense last year and stingy defense. Senior quarterback EJ Manuel completed passes at a 65.3 percent clip for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran for 411 yards (not counting sacks) and four touchdowns. Devonta Freeman was the 'Noles' leading rusher with 579 yards and eight touchdowns. Jermaine Thomas rushed for 279 yards. FSU had three receivers record over 30 receptions and score at least four touchdowns. Except for the hiccup of games at the beginning of the season, the defense was spectacular on third-year coordinator Mark Stoops, giving up just 15.1 points per game.
Offense: The Seminoles return eight starters to an offense that scored over 30 points per game last season. Manuel is coming into his own as a quarterback. He is currently on a streak of 121 consecutive passes without an interception, spanning the final five games of last season. In the backfield, Thomas has graduated, but the Seminoles do return five other proven tailbacks who accounted for more than 1,000 yards last season and 18 of the Seminoles' 20 rushing touchdowns. Freeman, who is just a sophomore, is back after rushing for the fifth-most yards by a freshman in 2011. Senior Chris Thompson returns after missing most of last season with a back injury. In 2010, he sported a 6.3 yards per carry average and rushed for 845 yards. FSU also returns six of its top seven receivers, four of whom gained over 400 yards receiving last season. Those four (Rashad Greene, Rodney Smith, Kenny Shaw, and Christian Green) accounted for 157 catches, 2,680 yards, and 17 scores last year. Only Bert Reed (29 catches, 403 yards, five TDs) is among those departed. Sophomore Greene leads the group. He led the team last year in receiving yards (596) and touchdowns (seven) despite missing four games because of injury.
Defense: The defense is loaded, with nine players that have starting experience returning. Last year's unit ranked fourth nationally in total defense (275 yards per game) and scoring (15.1 points per game) and second in rushing (82.7 yards per game). The 'D' had 40 sacks, which was tied for eighth nationally. The team must replace leading tackler Nigel Bradham at linebacker, cornerback Mike Harris, and safety Terrance Parks. Senior defensive end Brandon Jenkins comes back after leading the team with eight sacks Opposite Jenkins, senior Cornellius Carradine will start at the other end after racking up seven sacks in 2011. The 'Noles also welcome back leading interception man LaMarcus Joyner, who recorded four picks last season.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Lots of people are saying this is the year Florida State finally returns to the top of the ACC and maybe becomes a player in the national picture. Of course, that was said last year and the Seminoles stumbled a few too many times and didn't even make the ACC title game. This team is more senior laden though and perhaps this is the year it can make a move. The out of conference slate isn't that daunting, as the 'Noles host Murray State, Savannah State, and Florida and have to travel to South Florida. The 'Noles were supposed to play West Virginia instead of Savannah State, but the Mountaineers backed out of the home and home deal (FSU was to play at WVU next season) once they were accepted into the Big 12 this year. In the ACC, Florida State misses out on playing what will likely be a tough Georgia Tech team, Virginia, and North Carolina. It gets Wake Forest and Clemson at home and has to play on the road at Miami and Virginia Tech. The 'Noles' Thursday night contest against the Hokies in Blacksburg on Nov. 8 represents one of the only true challenges on FSU's schedule. They could be 9-0 at that point if they don't stumble and find a way to beat Clemson. FSU hasn't really given me a reason in recent years to fully trust them, though, to run the table. A questionable loss here or there seems like a certainty in recent years with these guys. Maybe this squad is different with all of its returning experience. I just don't see it. The Seminoles will be very good though and I'll pick them to go 10-2 or 11-1, although a disappointing 9-3 isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Wake Forest
Last year: The Demon Deacons went 6-7 last year and 5-3 in the ACC, good enough for a tie for second in the Atlantic. Wake Forest lost to Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl. It was an up and down season last year for Wake -- shining glimpses of potential at some points and dark clouds of disappointments at others. Wake lost to Syracuse, a non-bowl team, in overtime to begin the season then turned around and rolled off four straight wins, including a 35-30 victory over Florida State in Winston-Salem. The next two weeks, Wake fell off again, losing 38-17 to Virginia Tech at home and then barely skating by Duke, 24-23. After that, Wake lost three straight games, including a heartbreaker at Clemson in which the Deacons were up 28-14 on the Tigers in Death Valley. Wake didn't get well until pounding Maryland and then the Deacons closed the regular season with a blowout loss to Vanderbilt. Josh Harris and Brandon Pendergrass combined for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground and Harris only played in nine games because of a hamstring injury. Tanner Price came into his own under center, completing 60 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chris Givens was a breakout start at receiver, catching 83 balls for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns. He elected to leave school after his junior year and was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round. Much like the team, the defense was inconsistent and ended up giving up 27.4 points per game.
Offense: The Demon Deacons return Price, a junior, and Harris, a junior as well. Michael Camparano is the leading returner at receiver, having tallied 73 receptions for 833 yards and two touchdowns last season. Those are important playmakers to have back, but Wake only returns one player on the offensive line. How well the Demon Deacons come together there might determine how good they can be on offense. Price is getting better each and every year but he has to remain upright. Camparano can step in and probably fill the void pretty well left by Givens' departure. Terrence Davis is a redshirt senior who will probably see lots of time at receiver and can provide leadership. If Harris can stay healthy and the offensive line develops nicely, the Demon Deacon offense could be in business.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters but does lose cornerback Josh Bush, who posted six interceptions a year ago, and leading tacklers Cyhl Quarles and Kyle Wilbur. The Demon Deacons do return Merrill Noel, a sophomore who had two picks last season on his way to being named a Freshman All-American. Also back are three linebackers Riley Haynes, Scott Betros, and Justin Jackson, and an undersized nose tackle, Nikita Whitlock, a junior, who at 5-foot-11, 260 pounds recorded 64 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season while being named second-team All-ACC.
Schedule, notes, outlook: The Demon Deacons face Liberty (home), Army (home), Notre Dame (road), and Vanderbilt (home) in the non-conference schedule, so they are probably looking at a 3-1 or 2-2 record there. In the ACC, Wake Forest avoids both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, likely two of the best teams in the Coastal. They do have to play at Virginia, Florida State, and N.C. State. Wake gets Clemson and UNC at home. Wake has been all over the map in recent seasons. After winning 11 games and the ACC in 2006, the Demon Deacons followed that up by winning nine games in 2007 and eight in 2008. Two years ago, Wake bottomed out with three wins and it couldn't stop anybody on defense. Last year was a return to form under coach Jim Grobe. This year's team has the potential to be good, but it is hard to know how the offense will hold up with only four returners and the defense has lots of experience, but lost its top tacklers and pass defender. I think Wake Forest is looking at a 5-7 or 6-6 record, but has the potential to surprise people.
Clemson
Last year: Clemson finished 10-4 last year and posted a 6-2 ACC record, finishing first in the Atlantic Division. The Tigers beat Virginia Tech 38-10 in the ACC title game and then got destroyed by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl 70-33. Clemson bolted out to an 8-0 record, collecting three consecutive top-25 wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech. During that stretch, Clemson put up less than 30 points just once and scored more than 50 twice. The Tigers hit a roadblock against Georgia Tech in late October, losing by two touchdowns in their first loss. Clemson would drop three of its next five games, but not before winning its first ACC crown in 20 years. Junior quarterback Tajh Boyd, of Hampton, led the Tigers attack on offense as he completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns. Sammy Watkins burst on to the national scene as a freshman receiver, catching 82 balls for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns. Andre Ellington rushed for more than 1,100 yards and had 11 rushing touchdowns. Tight end Dwayne Allen caught 50 passes for eight touchdowns. As a team, Clemson set school records for yards per game (440.8), touchdowns (58), and total points (470). Obviously, the defense struggled some, and ended up giving up 29.3 points per game.
Offense: Boyd, Watkins, and Ellington return to an offense that should be potent again. Clemson is one of just three schools in the country to return a 3,000-yard passer, and a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver. The Tigers also return DeAndre Hopkins, a junior receiver who had 72 catches for 978 yards and five touchdowns. Providing depth at receiver will be Jaron Brown, who caught 31 passes last year. The Tigers will need to replace the NFL-drafted Allen at tight end, and also three starters on the offensive line.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters, including Rashard Hall, a senior safety who led the team in tackles and had a pair of picks in 2011. Jonathan Willard is the team's top returning linebacker, with 75 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Another Jonathan, Meeks, returns at cornerback and led the team in interceptions last year with three. The Tigers will have to replace three defensive line starters but do return defensive end Malliciah Goodman, who had 59 tackles and four sacks last year. The leader of the defense is different, as Brent Venables, who held the same position at Oklahoma for 13 years, is the defensive coordinator.
Schedule, notes, outlook: The Tigers face Auburn in another Chick-fil-A kickoff game (N.C. State and Tennessee's version is Friday night) to begin the year and also play Ball State, Furman, and South Carolina all at home in the non-conference slate. Auburn will probably be tougher than last year, but Clemson can still win that game. In the ACC, Clemson's schedule sets up pretty nicely. It avoids dates with Virginia, North Carolina, and Miami. The Tigers have to visit Florida State, but do get Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and N.C. State all at home. Clemson has never had a problem getting off to fast starts. It is finishing strong that has been the problem. The difference last year was that Clemson still did enough to win the ACC. But it went 2-4 in its final six games last season and got embarrassed on the national stage in the Orange Bowl. Clemson should be very good again on offense, maybe better than last year, if it can fill the gaps on the line. One of the keys will be how much the defense improves from last year and also whether Clemson can close strong. The Tigers' toughest games are at the beginning of the season, I think. In the second half, Clemson gets Duke and Maryland on back-to-back weeks before closing with stiffer challenges in N.C. State and South Carolina, but both the games are at home. I think Clemson will go 8-4 or 9-3 this season.
Florida State
Last year: The Seminoles went 9-4, 5-3 in the conference last year to finish tied for second in the Atlantic with Wake Forest. FSU had the better overall record but lost to Wake head-to-head. FSU stormed out of the gate with dominating wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Charleston Southern, as it should've, and then lost to Oklahoma in a tightly contested, nationally televised game 23-13. The 'Noles went on to drop a pair of 35-30 games vs. Wake and Clemson. Then FSU pounded four teams in a row before barely slipping by Miami and then getting shocked 14-13 by Virginia at home. FSU finished up its season with a win over rival Florida and then over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. FSU had a balanced offense last year and stingy defense. Senior quarterback EJ Manuel completed passes at a 65.3 percent clip for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran for 411 yards (not counting sacks) and four touchdowns. Devonta Freeman was the 'Noles' leading rusher with 579 yards and eight touchdowns. Jermaine Thomas rushed for 279 yards. FSU had three receivers record over 30 receptions and score at least four touchdowns. Except for the hiccup of games at the beginning of the season, the defense was spectacular on third-year coordinator Mark Stoops, giving up just 15.1 points per game.
Offense: The Seminoles return eight starters to an offense that scored over 30 points per game last season. Manuel is coming into his own as a quarterback. He is currently on a streak of 121 consecutive passes without an interception, spanning the final five games of last season. In the backfield, Thomas has graduated, but the Seminoles do return five other proven tailbacks who accounted for more than 1,000 yards last season and 18 of the Seminoles' 20 rushing touchdowns. Freeman, who is just a sophomore, is back after rushing for the fifth-most yards by a freshman in 2011. Senior Chris Thompson returns after missing most of last season with a back injury. In 2010, he sported a 6.3 yards per carry average and rushed for 845 yards. FSU also returns six of its top seven receivers, four of whom gained over 400 yards receiving last season. Those four (Rashad Greene, Rodney Smith, Kenny Shaw, and Christian Green) accounted for 157 catches, 2,680 yards, and 17 scores last year. Only Bert Reed (29 catches, 403 yards, five TDs) is among those departed. Sophomore Greene leads the group. He led the team last year in receiving yards (596) and touchdowns (seven) despite missing four games because of injury.
Defense: The defense is loaded, with nine players that have starting experience returning. Last year's unit ranked fourth nationally in total defense (275 yards per game) and scoring (15.1 points per game) and second in rushing (82.7 yards per game). The 'D' had 40 sacks, which was tied for eighth nationally. The team must replace leading tackler Nigel Bradham at linebacker, cornerback Mike Harris, and safety Terrance Parks. Senior defensive end Brandon Jenkins comes back after leading the team with eight sacks Opposite Jenkins, senior Cornellius Carradine will start at the other end after racking up seven sacks in 2011. The 'Noles also welcome back leading interception man LaMarcus Joyner, who recorded four picks last season.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Lots of people are saying this is the year Florida State finally returns to the top of the ACC and maybe becomes a player in the national picture. Of course, that was said last year and the Seminoles stumbled a few too many times and didn't even make the ACC title game. This team is more senior laden though and perhaps this is the year it can make a move. The out of conference slate isn't that daunting, as the 'Noles host Murray State, Savannah State, and Florida and have to travel to South Florida. The 'Noles were supposed to play West Virginia instead of Savannah State, but the Mountaineers backed out of the home and home deal (FSU was to play at WVU next season) once they were accepted into the Big 12 this year. In the ACC, Florida State misses out on playing what will likely be a tough Georgia Tech team, Virginia, and North Carolina. It gets Wake Forest and Clemson at home and has to play on the road at Miami and Virginia Tech. The 'Noles' Thursday night contest against the Hokies in Blacksburg on Nov. 8 represents one of the only true challenges on FSU's schedule. They could be 9-0 at that point if they don't stumble and find a way to beat Clemson. FSU hasn't really given me a reason in recent years to fully trust them, though, to run the table. A questionable loss here or there seems like a certainty in recent years with these guys. Maybe this squad is different with all of its returning experience. I just don't see it. The Seminoles will be very good though and I'll pick them to go 10-2 or 11-1, although a disappointing 9-3 isn't out of the realm of possibility.
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