N.C. State
Last year: 7-6 (3-5 ACC), beat Vanderbilt 41-17 in Independence Bowl
Best win: at North Carolina, 28-21 Worst loss: 33-30 at East Carolina
Coach: Dave Doren (fifth year, 25-26)
Starters returning: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: Jaylen Samuels. I did not put a position next to him because the Wolfpack's roster says "H." Not sure what that means. But Samuel is very versatile and has played a variety of positions in his career. Last year as a junior, Samuels led the team with 55 catches for 565 yards and seven scores, and he had 33 carries for 196 yards and six touchdowns. He is also a good run blocker. He was named a preseason All-American as an all-purpose back.
Defensive player to watch: DE Bradley Chubb. Last year as a junior, Chubb recorded 56 tackles, 22 for loss, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Special teams player to watch: KR Nyheim Hines. Last season as a sophomore, Hines returned kicks an average of 24.4 yards and scored a touchdown. He is one of four players in ACC history to have two 100-yard kick return TDs (Marquis Weeks, one of the other three, went to UVa and recorded his returns in 2002 and 2004, both against North Carolina).
Schedule: vs. South Carolina (in Charlotte), vs. Marshall, vs, Furman, at Florida State, vs. Syracuse, vs. Louisville, at Pittsburgh, at Notre Dame, vs. Clemson, at Boston College, at Wake Forest, vs. North Carolina.
Outlook: The Wolfpack has been unable to have a true breakout season yet under Doeren, having
never won more than seven games in the regular season. Maybe that could change this season, as some analysts see the team as a dark horse in its division. Of course, that means probably beating at least one of Florida State, Louisville, or Clemson. Can the 'Pack do it? Last year, it was close to beating FSU, losing 24-20. And it should've beaten Clemson on the road, missing a 33-yard field goal to win in regulation. Clemson won, 24-17, in overtime. Louisville blew State out. This year, beating Florida State, for many analysts the No. 2 team in the country, on the road, could be a tall order. But the Wolfpack do get Louisville and Clemson at home. If those teams take a step back and State takes a step up, it would certainly have a chance, though to upend the Cardinals, the defense will have to figure out a way to slow Lamar Jackson. That unit has been slowly getting better under Doeren. In 2012, the season before Doeren took over, N.C. State ranked 68th in the FBS in yards allowed per game, but each year that number has improved (2013-61st, 2014-46th, 2015-29th, 2016-24th). At quarterback, State brings back transfer Ryan Finley for his second season, but he's been with offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz for three years going back to their time at Boise State. In 2016, Finley completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3,059 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight picks. At running back, State needs to replace Matt Dayes, who rushed for 34 touchdowns and almost 3,000 yards in his career. The team is turning to Hines, Dakwa Nichols, and Reggie Gallaspy III to fill the gap. A tough schedule -- but not too tough -- and plenty of returning veterans has this program poised to take the step. Now, it just has to do it.
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Clemson
Last year: 14-1 (7-1 ACC), beat Virginia Tech, 42-35, in ACC championship, beat Ohio State, 31-0, in national semifinal, and beat Alabama, 35-31, in the national championship
Best win: The Tigers won the national title, so ...
Worst loss: lone loss to Pittsburgh
Coach: Dabo Swinney (10th year, ninth full, 89-28)
Starters returning: 12 (4 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QBs Kelly Bryant, Zerrick Cooper, and Hunter Johnson. Clemson must replace Deshaun Watson, who went 32-3 as a starter the past two-plus seasons and led the Tigers to a national championship. Bryant is the only one with collegiate experience. He made 12 appearances as a backup to Watson the past two seasons, completing 13 of 18 passes for one TD and one pick. Swinney has said Bryant will start the Tigers' opener but expects to play more than one QB early in the year.
Defensive player to watch: DT Dexter Lawrence. As a freshman, Lawrence recorded 78 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and seven sacks.
Special teams player to watch: K Greg Hugel. Huegel took a step back last season, making 14 of 19 field goals, but he made 27 of 32 two years ago. He could be important again. Last season, Clemson went 7-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer.
Schedule: vs. Kent State, vs. Auburn, at Louisville, vs. Boston College, at Virginia Tech, vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse, vs. Georgia Tech, at N.C. State, vs. Florida State, vs. The Citadel, at South Carolina.
Outlook: Clemson has to replace a 4,500-yard passer in Watson, a 1,000-yard rusher in Wayne Gallman, and a 1,000-yard receiver in Mike Williams. The Tigers' returners accounted for only 22.7 percent of their yards last season, which ranks 128th out of 130 for this season. But the Tigers have established themselves as one of the premier programs in the sport, and it isn't dumb to think Clemson will just reload for 2017. The team has spent the past 24 AP polls ranked in the top five,
better than Alabama's streak of 22. Going into last year, Clemson had just 14 returners (just four on defense), and we all saw what that ended up meaning. Though small in number, the offense does return an important part of the unit -- four players on the offensive line. That's a good base to build around. Deon Cain (38 catches, 725 yards, nine TDs) leads a receiving unit that also must replace Artavis Scott (76 catches, 614 yards, five scores), the school's all-time receptions leader, and tight end Jordan Leggett (46 receptions, 736 yards, seven scores). In the backfield, Clemson will turn to a combo of C.J. Fuller, Adam Choice, and Tavien Feaster to fill in the hole left by Gallman. The defense should be the best Clemson has had since 2014, as the past two years the Tigers had to replace eight starters and seven starters, respectively. But each year, defensive coordinator Brent Venables has helped turn in units that were top 15 in the nation in several categories, so that means this defense could be a nightmare for offenses. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (56 tackles, 13 for loss, 3.5 sacks), who played end last year and is moving back to his 2015 position, anchors the line along with Lawrence and end Clelin Ferrell (50 tackles, 12.5 for loss, six sacks). The linebacking corps is headed up by Kendall Joseph (124 tackles, 13.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks), last year's second-leading tackler. Despite a dearth of experience, I am bullish on this team because of what Swinney has been able to do with this program. Plus, the defense will probably be nasty. The schedule is tough, but not overly daunting, and the Tigers get division favorite Florida State at home.
Win-loss prediction: 10-2 or 11-1
Florida State
Last year: 10-3 (5-3 ACC), beat Michigan, 33-32, in Orange Bowl
Best win: bowl victory Worst loss: at Louisville, 63-20
Coach: Jimbo Fisher (eighth year, 78-17)
Starters returning: 18 (7 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: QB Deondre Francois. As a redshirt freshman, Francois ended up getting the starting nod when Everett Golston went down with injury and he impressed, putting up numbers similar to Lamar Jackson -- a 58.7 completion percentage for 3,350 yards, 20 TDs, and seven picks. He also rushed for 198 yards and five more scores. Like Jackson, though, the line had a tough time protecting Francois, as he got taken to the ground 36 times.
Defensive player to watch: DT Derrick Nnadi. As a freshman in 2016, Nnadi tallied 49 tackles, 10.5 for loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: K Ricky Aguayo. As a freshman, Aguayo made 19 of his 26 field goal attempts.
Schedule: vs. Alabama (in Atlanta), vs. Louisiana-Monroe, vs. Miami, vs. N.C. State, at Wake Forest, at Duke, vs. Louisville, at Boston College, vs. Syracuse, at Clemson, vs. Delaware State, at Florida.
Outlook: Hype is building for a Florida State team that won its final five games last season. FSU was one of the first teams surprised by Lamar Jackson and Louisville last season (63-20), but after that, the Seminoles went 8-2 with the two losses -- to Clemson and North Carolina -- by a combined five points. Francois will be protected by three returning starters on the line. The backfield will miss Dalvin Cook, but Jacques Patrick (350 yards, four TDs) is a big body that is expected to fill the void
nicely. The receiving corps was hit by the loss of Travis Rudolph (56 receptions, 840 yards, seven
scores), but Nyquan Murray (27 catches, 441 yards, five TDs) and Auden Tate (25 receptions, 409 yards, and six TDs) have shown flashes. Murray had just two catches in the season finale against Michigan, but they were big, going for 104 yards and two TDs. Tate, at 6-foot-5, has already been a reliable red-zone target. The defense has playmakers at every level. Leading tackler Matthew Thomas (77 tackles, 11 for loss, one sack) is back at linebacker, and Nnadi is joined on the line by ends Brian Burns (24 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks) and Josh Sweat (41 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and seven sacks). Cornerback Tavarus McFadden returns after racking up eight picks, tied for most in the country, to go along with six breakups. After missing almost all of last season with an injury, safety Derwin James is back. In 2015, he recorded 91 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He is getting publicity for a run at the Heisman and could be a candidate to help FSU on offense and on returns. Beating Alabama in the opener is of course going to be a tall order, but after that, the schedule levels out some, and FSU gets Miami, N.C. State, and Louisville all at home. The trip to Death Valley and Clemson looms large, as usual. If Francois progresses and the defense reaches its potential, this could be a playoff team, but the loss of a few offensive weapons is worrisome.
Win-loss prediction: 10-2 or 11-1
Last year: 7-6 (3-5 ACC), beat Vanderbilt 41-17 in Independence Bowl
Best win: at North Carolina, 28-21 Worst loss: 33-30 at East Carolina
Coach: Dave Doren (fifth year, 25-26)
Starters returning: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: Jaylen Samuels. I did not put a position next to him because the Wolfpack's roster says "H." Not sure what that means. But Samuel is very versatile and has played a variety of positions in his career. Last year as a junior, Samuels led the team with 55 catches for 565 yards and seven scores, and he had 33 carries for 196 yards and six touchdowns. He is also a good run blocker. He was named a preseason All-American as an all-purpose back.
Defensive player to watch: DE Bradley Chubb. Last year as a junior, Chubb recorded 56 tackles, 22 for loss, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Special teams player to watch: KR Nyheim Hines. Last season as a sophomore, Hines returned kicks an average of 24.4 yards and scored a touchdown. He is one of four players in ACC history to have two 100-yard kick return TDs (Marquis Weeks, one of the other three, went to UVa and recorded his returns in 2002 and 2004, both against North Carolina).
Schedule: vs. South Carolina (in Charlotte), vs. Marshall, vs, Furman, at Florida State, vs. Syracuse, vs. Louisville, at Pittsburgh, at Notre Dame, vs. Clemson, at Boston College, at Wake Forest, vs. North Carolina.
Outlook: The Wolfpack has been unable to have a true breakout season yet under Doeren, having
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Clemson
Last year: 14-1 (7-1 ACC), beat Virginia Tech, 42-35, in ACC championship, beat Ohio State, 31-0, in national semifinal, and beat Alabama, 35-31, in the national championship
Best win: The Tigers won the national title, so ...
Worst loss: lone loss to Pittsburgh
Coach: Dabo Swinney (10th year, ninth full, 89-28)
Starters returning: 12 (4 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QBs Kelly Bryant, Zerrick Cooper, and Hunter Johnson. Clemson must replace Deshaun Watson, who went 32-3 as a starter the past two-plus seasons and led the Tigers to a national championship. Bryant is the only one with collegiate experience. He made 12 appearances as a backup to Watson the past two seasons, completing 13 of 18 passes for one TD and one pick. Swinney has said Bryant will start the Tigers' opener but expects to play more than one QB early in the year.
Defensive player to watch: DT Dexter Lawrence. As a freshman, Lawrence recorded 78 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and seven sacks.
Special teams player to watch: K Greg Hugel. Huegel took a step back last season, making 14 of 19 field goals, but he made 27 of 32 two years ago. He could be important again. Last season, Clemson went 7-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer.
Schedule: vs. Kent State, vs. Auburn, at Louisville, vs. Boston College, at Virginia Tech, vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse, vs. Georgia Tech, at N.C. State, vs. Florida State, vs. The Citadel, at South Carolina.
Outlook: Clemson has to replace a 4,500-yard passer in Watson, a 1,000-yard rusher in Wayne Gallman, and a 1,000-yard receiver in Mike Williams. The Tigers' returners accounted for only 22.7 percent of their yards last season, which ranks 128th out of 130 for this season. But the Tigers have established themselves as one of the premier programs in the sport, and it isn't dumb to think Clemson will just reload for 2017. The team has spent the past 24 AP polls ranked in the top five,
Win-loss prediction: 10-2 or 11-1
Florida State
Last year: 10-3 (5-3 ACC), beat Michigan, 33-32, in Orange Bowl
Best win: bowl victory Worst loss: at Louisville, 63-20
Coach: Jimbo Fisher (eighth year, 78-17)
Starters returning: 18 (7 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: QB Deondre Francois. As a redshirt freshman, Francois ended up getting the starting nod when Everett Golston went down with injury and he impressed, putting up numbers similar to Lamar Jackson -- a 58.7 completion percentage for 3,350 yards, 20 TDs, and seven picks. He also rushed for 198 yards and five more scores. Like Jackson, though, the line had a tough time protecting Francois, as he got taken to the ground 36 times.
Defensive player to watch: DT Derrick Nnadi. As a freshman in 2016, Nnadi tallied 49 tackles, 10.5 for loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: K Ricky Aguayo. As a freshman, Aguayo made 19 of his 26 field goal attempts.
Schedule: vs. Alabama (in Atlanta), vs. Louisiana-Monroe, vs. Miami, vs. N.C. State, at Wake Forest, at Duke, vs. Louisville, at Boston College, vs. Syracuse, at Clemson, vs. Delaware State, at Florida.
Outlook: Hype is building for a Florida State team that won its final five games last season. FSU was one of the first teams surprised by Lamar Jackson and Louisville last season (63-20), but after that, the Seminoles went 8-2 with the two losses -- to Clemson and North Carolina -- by a combined five points. Francois will be protected by three returning starters on the line. The backfield will miss Dalvin Cook, but Jacques Patrick (350 yards, four TDs) is a big body that is expected to fill the void
Win-loss prediction: 10-2 or 11-1
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