Almost done the Coastal Division. Next up in my look at the 14 ACC football teams is Georgia Tech and Miami. After that will be Virginia. One note, I previewed Florida State on Friday and it had not named a starting quarterback but it has now and it will indeed be redshirt freshman Jameis Winston, who was expected to be named the 'Noles signal caller. Also, if you want, make sure you vote in my poll on the right side of the page: Which team will win the ACC?
Georgia Tech
Last year: Georgia Tech finished 7-7 last season, 5-3 in the ACC, and in a three-way tie with UNC and Miami for first in the Coastal Division. Since the Tar Heels and Hurricanes were ineligible for postseason play, the Yellow Jackets ended up winning the division by default and faced Florida State in the ACC title game where they lost, 21-15. At 6-7, technically, Georgia Tech was ineligible for a bowl game because of a losing record. It petitioned the NCAA, however, and was was granted a waiver. The move ended up working out as the Yellow Jackets got a confidence-boosting 21-7 victory over USC in the Sun Bowl. On offense, with the spread option attack, the Yellow Jackets piled up 311.2 rushing yards per game. Zach Laskey, Tevin Washington, Orwin Smith, and David Sims all gained over 600 yards rushing. Vad Lee and Robert Godhigh had over 400. Washington, the quarterback, completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,222 yards, eight touchdowns, and four picks. Lee, the backup quarterback who played in 12 games but didn't start any, completed 48.2 percent of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Jeremy Greene, Smith, and Godhigh all had at least 15 catches. On defense, Georgia Tech allowed a little over 28 points per game. The Jackets gave up 42, 49, and 47 points in back-to-back-to-back weeks in late September and early October, prompting coach Paul Johnson to fire defensive coordinator and former UVa head coach Al Groh. The team scrapped the 3-4 defense of Groh and ended up performing better the rest of the year, culminating in allowing just 21 points to FSU and seven to the Trojans.
Offense: Washington has moved on and Lee, a sophomore, is expected to lead the offense at
quarterback and should do a good job given the experience he gained a year ago. Against UNC, he had 281 yards of total offense in a 68-50 victory. At running back, the Yellow Jackets have tremendous depth. Smith is gone, but Laskey and Sims are back and Georgia Tech has a whole host of running backs that can contribute if they learn the system. As usual, the offensive line is crucial for this system and its experience -- four starters return -- is why Georgia Tech should mostly be able to plug and chug with most anyone at its different running back positions. At receiver, Georgia Tech must replace Greene, who transferred to Ohio State. The only Yellow Jacket returning to the receiving corps with experience is Darren Waller, who had eight catches for 162 yards last year.
Defense: Eight starters return to a defense that will try to continue to improve after a solid second half of 2012. It will do so under first-year coordinator Ted Roof, who is a Tech alum and was the DC for Penn State a year ago. He will be running a less complicated system than Groh did. Emmanuel Dieke returns on the line after racking up 24 tackles -- 2.5 for loss -- and two sacks a year ago. The leader of this unit is defensive end Jeremiah Attaouchu, who recorded 69 tackles and 10 sacks last year as a linebacker. Jemea Thomas (four INTs) and Louis Young (one INT) head the defensive secondary.
Special teams note: Jamal Golden, back for his junior season, was the only player in Division I a year ago who ranked in the top 10 nationally in both punt and kick return average.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Elon, at Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, at Miami, at BYU, Syracuse, at Virginia, Pittsburgh, at Clemson, Alabama A&M, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets must deal with a pretty tough schedule. The Yellow Jackets will dispose of two FCS opponents quickly -- Elon and Alabama A&M. However, the Jackets' other non-ACC games, against BYU and Georgia, could certainly be losses. The Cougars blew out the Jackets in Atlanta last year and the Bulldogs had their way with Tech in Athens. In the ACC, Georgia Tech's fate will probably be determined by the Tar Heels, Hokies, and Hurricanes early in the season. If Georgia Tech can win two of those contests, then it could be in the driver's seat for the Coastal Division. Georgia Tech's offense should come together nicely. The line is experienced, Lee is supposed to be very good, and the backs can pile up yards. If the defense can take a step up, this team could be right there with the 'Canes and Heels in the conversation for first in the division.
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Miami
Last year: The Hurricanes finished 7-5 and 5-3 in the conference, finishing in a three-way tie for the Coastal Division crown with Georgia Tech and North Carolina. For a second straight season, due to NCAA violations, the Hurricanes declined to play in the postseason. Miami was inconsistent throughout the 2012 campaign. It beat Georgia Tech in OT, N.C. State in a high-scoring affair, and held Virginia Tech to 12 points in whipping the Hokies by 18. But the 'Canes also got blown out by Kansas State (52-13), Notre Dame (41-3) -- these teams were great, but those are indefensible showings -- and could not stop Virginia -- a team that ended up 4-8 -- in a 41-40 loss in Charlottesville. Stephen Morris led the way at quarterback, completing 58.2 percent of his passes for 3,345 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. At running back, Duke Johnson burst on to the scene, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors while gaining almost 1,000 yards on the ground to go along with 10 touchdowns, 27 catches, a receiving touchdown, a 33-yard kick return average, and two kick return TDs -- one against Virginia. Mike James started in the backfield and was productive in his own right and is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At receiver, Phillip Dorsett caught 58 passes for 842 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Miami was up and down. It held UNC to its lowest point total of the year -- 14 -- but gave up 30 or more points seven times.
Offense: This unit returns 10 starters, including Morris, Johnson, and some quality receivers. Only James is gone. Johnson only got 16 touches per game last year and was amazing, so watch for his touches and production to increase as the main guy in the backfield. Dorsett is back at receiver, along with Allen Hurns (28 catches and four TDs a year ago) and Rashawn Scott (35 grabs, three TDs in
2012). Morris is poised for a great season, having grown ever since playing as a freshman in 2010. Miami is also dangerous at tight end, returning very capable receivers in Clive Walford (25 catches, four TDs last season) and Asante Cleveland. Also, highly regarded junior college tight end transfer Beau Sandland had his pick of quality FBS schools to attend and he chose the Hurricanes. No matter how you look at it, Miami averaged a tad over 31 points per game last season and it is difficult to think it won't be better on offense this season with so much talent and experience returning.
Defense: A bit like UNC, Miami returns nine starters to a defense that will be more experienced but was largely average last year, giving up 30.5 points per game. The secondary remains a big concern. Jimmy Gaines, a linebacker, is back as a senior and led the defense a year ago in interceptions with two. The starting secondary is expected to include cornerbacks Ladarius Gunter and Antonio Crawford and safeties A.J. Highsmith and Rayshawn Jackson. None had more than one pick a year ago. The linebackers are led by Gaines and Denzel Perryman (no relation to me :) ), who had 64 tackles last year. The defensive front is led by returning end Shayon Green, who is the leading returning tackler on the 'Canes with 67 a year ago. At the other end, Antonio Chickillo is back, and he had 6.5 sacks in 2012.
Special teams note: The Hurricanes possess an elite weapon in Johnson, who could take it to the house on any kick return. Dorsett is a capable, though less explosive, punt returner.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Florida Atlantic, Florida, Savannah State, at South Florida, Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, Wake Forest, at Florida State, Virginia Tech, at Duke, Virginia, at Pittsburgh. In Al Golden's third year, the Hurricanes still have the weight of an NCAA scandal looming over them. They hope that declining bowl invites the last two seasons and an ACC championship game appearance a year ago will help soften the NCAA's blow whenever it comes. Miami surely hopes so, because it is the frontrunner in the Coastal Division. The 'Canes get possible contenders Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech at home (the Hokies are traveling to Miami for a second year in a row due to scheduling conflicts because of the entrance of Pittsburgh and Syracuse into the conference) but do have hurdles at UNC and at FSU to get over to possibly secure a division title. If they get to the ACC title game, a rematch with FSU or a bout with Clemson are likely and would be a big obstacle toward trying to reach a BCS bowl. Florida will be a good test early to see where Miami stands nationally. Postseason sanctions or not, it should be a good year for Miami given the maturity the team has returning.
Win-loss prediction: 9-3 or 10-2
Georgia Tech
Last year: Georgia Tech finished 7-7 last season, 5-3 in the ACC, and in a three-way tie with UNC and Miami for first in the Coastal Division. Since the Tar Heels and Hurricanes were ineligible for postseason play, the Yellow Jackets ended up winning the division by default and faced Florida State in the ACC title game where they lost, 21-15. At 6-7, technically, Georgia Tech was ineligible for a bowl game because of a losing record. It petitioned the NCAA, however, and was was granted a waiver. The move ended up working out as the Yellow Jackets got a confidence-boosting 21-7 victory over USC in the Sun Bowl. On offense, with the spread option attack, the Yellow Jackets piled up 311.2 rushing yards per game. Zach Laskey, Tevin Washington, Orwin Smith, and David Sims all gained over 600 yards rushing. Vad Lee and Robert Godhigh had over 400. Washington, the quarterback, completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,222 yards, eight touchdowns, and four picks. Lee, the backup quarterback who played in 12 games but didn't start any, completed 48.2 percent of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Jeremy Greene, Smith, and Godhigh all had at least 15 catches. On defense, Georgia Tech allowed a little over 28 points per game. The Jackets gave up 42, 49, and 47 points in back-to-back-to-back weeks in late September and early October, prompting coach Paul Johnson to fire defensive coordinator and former UVa head coach Al Groh. The team scrapped the 3-4 defense of Groh and ended up performing better the rest of the year, culminating in allowing just 21 points to FSU and seven to the Trojans.
Offense: Washington has moved on and Lee, a sophomore, is expected to lead the offense at
Defense: Eight starters return to a defense that will try to continue to improve after a solid second half of 2012. It will do so under first-year coordinator Ted Roof, who is a Tech alum and was the DC for Penn State a year ago. He will be running a less complicated system than Groh did. Emmanuel Dieke returns on the line after racking up 24 tackles -- 2.5 for loss -- and two sacks a year ago. The leader of this unit is defensive end Jeremiah Attaouchu, who recorded 69 tackles and 10 sacks last year as a linebacker. Jemea Thomas (four INTs) and Louis Young (one INT) head the defensive secondary.
Special teams note: Jamal Golden, back for his junior season, was the only player in Division I a year ago who ranked in the top 10 nationally in both punt and kick return average.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Elon, at Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, at Miami, at BYU, Syracuse, at Virginia, Pittsburgh, at Clemson, Alabama A&M, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets must deal with a pretty tough schedule. The Yellow Jackets will dispose of two FCS opponents quickly -- Elon and Alabama A&M. However, the Jackets' other non-ACC games, against BYU and Georgia, could certainly be losses. The Cougars blew out the Jackets in Atlanta last year and the Bulldogs had their way with Tech in Athens. In the ACC, Georgia Tech's fate will probably be determined by the Tar Heels, Hokies, and Hurricanes early in the season. If Georgia Tech can win two of those contests, then it could be in the driver's seat for the Coastal Division. Georgia Tech's offense should come together nicely. The line is experienced, Lee is supposed to be very good, and the backs can pile up yards. If the defense can take a step up, this team could be right there with the 'Canes and Heels in the conversation for first in the division.
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Miami
Last year: The Hurricanes finished 7-5 and 5-3 in the conference, finishing in a three-way tie for the Coastal Division crown with Georgia Tech and North Carolina. For a second straight season, due to NCAA violations, the Hurricanes declined to play in the postseason. Miami was inconsistent throughout the 2012 campaign. It beat Georgia Tech in OT, N.C. State in a high-scoring affair, and held Virginia Tech to 12 points in whipping the Hokies by 18. But the 'Canes also got blown out by Kansas State (52-13), Notre Dame (41-3) -- these teams were great, but those are indefensible showings -- and could not stop Virginia -- a team that ended up 4-8 -- in a 41-40 loss in Charlottesville. Stephen Morris led the way at quarterback, completing 58.2 percent of his passes for 3,345 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. At running back, Duke Johnson burst on to the scene, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors while gaining almost 1,000 yards on the ground to go along with 10 touchdowns, 27 catches, a receiving touchdown, a 33-yard kick return average, and two kick return TDs -- one against Virginia. Mike James started in the backfield and was productive in his own right and is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At receiver, Phillip Dorsett caught 58 passes for 842 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Miami was up and down. It held UNC to its lowest point total of the year -- 14 -- but gave up 30 or more points seven times.
Offense: This unit returns 10 starters, including Morris, Johnson, and some quality receivers. Only James is gone. Johnson only got 16 touches per game last year and was amazing, so watch for his touches and production to increase as the main guy in the backfield. Dorsett is back at receiver, along with Allen Hurns (28 catches and four TDs a year ago) and Rashawn Scott (35 grabs, three TDs in
Defense: A bit like UNC, Miami returns nine starters to a defense that will be more experienced but was largely average last year, giving up 30.5 points per game. The secondary remains a big concern. Jimmy Gaines, a linebacker, is back as a senior and led the defense a year ago in interceptions with two. The starting secondary is expected to include cornerbacks Ladarius Gunter and Antonio Crawford and safeties A.J. Highsmith and Rayshawn Jackson. None had more than one pick a year ago. The linebackers are led by Gaines and Denzel Perryman (no relation to me :) ), who had 64 tackles last year. The defensive front is led by returning end Shayon Green, who is the leading returning tackler on the 'Canes with 67 a year ago. At the other end, Antonio Chickillo is back, and he had 6.5 sacks in 2012.
Special teams note: The Hurricanes possess an elite weapon in Johnson, who could take it to the house on any kick return. Dorsett is a capable, though less explosive, punt returner.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Florida Atlantic, Florida, Savannah State, at South Florida, Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, Wake Forest, at Florida State, Virginia Tech, at Duke, Virginia, at Pittsburgh. In Al Golden's third year, the Hurricanes still have the weight of an NCAA scandal looming over them. They hope that declining bowl invites the last two seasons and an ACC championship game appearance a year ago will help soften the NCAA's blow whenever it comes. Miami surely hopes so, because it is the frontrunner in the Coastal Division. The 'Canes get possible contenders Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech at home (the Hokies are traveling to Miami for a second year in a row due to scheduling conflicts because of the entrance of Pittsburgh and Syracuse into the conference) but do have hurdles at UNC and at FSU to get over to possibly secure a division title. If they get to the ACC title game, a rematch with FSU or a bout with Clemson are likely and would be a big obstacle toward trying to reach a BCS bowl. Florida will be a good test early to see where Miami stands nationally. Postseason sanctions or not, it should be a good year for Miami given the maturity the team has returning.
Win-loss prediction: 9-3 or 10-2
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