It’s a nice wish to try to look at the schedule and see all W’s, but a better goal is to defend the ACC title.  Preseason hype and predictions are drooling over Clemson, just like last year and the year before…Besides, who am I to say they’re not good enough to win the conference?  …just an outspoken fan who happens to have a popular outlet for my opinions.  But, mark it down Clemson will not win the 2008 ACC Championship game.  I have my doubts that they’ll actually even make it to Tampa.

Turmoil in the Atlantic

Who do I pick from the Atlantic division then?  Well, I have a tempting thought leaning toward Florida State.  I know, I know, rebuilding, suspensions, and turmoil surround Tallahassee, but I just figure that its motivation. 

According to popular opinion, FSU only has to leave the state of Florida three times all season (and strangely enough, that could include the ACC Championship game and Orange bowl if the chips fall for them).  That’s a pretty wild occurrence for any BCS team.

Look at all the positive arguments for FSU.
Quarterback controversy – left with Xavier Lee to the NFL Draft
Running Back – returns
Leading Receivers – return
Defense – a lot of returning starters

Well, I was going to pick FSU until I read an article the other day detailing all of the holes the team has to fill this year, particularly on the offensive line.  The story is the same at Clemson, unless these O-lines can shape up, these teams can’t win the ACC.

That leaves who? Wake? Georgia Tech? BC?

It’s hard to tell what will happen.  Most preseason reports claim that the Atlantic division is so strong that anyone can win it.  I beg to differ.  I believe the problem is that there aren’t two key teams that plan to fight it out for the chance to go to Tampa.  It’s not that all the teams are so good that you can’t pick one; it’s that none of them are good enough to lock down the mid-packers and rise to the occasion.

I tried to go through and make results predictions, but in the Atlantic its just too messy (you’re getting odds instead).  There will be a big pile of 8-4s and 7-5s sitting atop the standings.  Whichever team can come together and get that extra ACC win will get to visit Tampa.

Odds
(to get there, not to win)

BC – 12:1
Clem – 9:1
Wake – 6:1
FSU – 5:1
Mary – 20:1
NCST – 50:1