Ranking the ACC

1. Virginia Tech- VT return 16 starters overall, including QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Darren Evens and all of their receivers. They were the seventh overall rated defense last year, but they are losing QB Victor Macho Harris and two linebackers. This will be tough to overcome, but Bud Foster is one of the best DCs in the country. I'm confident that VT's D will remain stingy and the offense will steadily improve. However, the Hokie's success this year relies on VT's ability to throw the ball.

2. FSU- QB Christian Ponder return for the Noles and is looking to build on the good season he had last year. FSU loses big 6'6" WR Greg Carr and speedster Preston Parker has been kicked off the team. Parker looked to have a huge role in FSU's offense next year and a big key will be if a WR and also a new RB will step up. Last year Micky Andrews defense was very good. This year they lose safety Myron Rolle. Also, CB Tony Carter graduates and star DE Everett Brown leaves for the NFL. However, the Noles have tons of talent and I'd look for the D to continue to impress

3.GT- Paul Johnson's triple option offense did much more than expected last year and looks to do more this year. QB Josh Nesbitt and RBs Roddy Jones, Lucas Cox, and Jonathan Dwyer return to make the best backfield in the ACC. DE Michael Johnson won't be back,and GT will need to revamp its D-line, it's only real defensive question mark.

4.UNC- Butch Davis will lead his most talented squad onto the field in 09. The loss of superstar WR Hackem Nicks could loom large for UNC as who will step up at WR is still a big question mark. Overall, Butch has recruited well over the past few years and this is the year where he should take that next step. Anything less than a Gator Bowl is a disappointment for UNC fans this year.

5.NCST- Russel Wilson returns for a talented State team that has a good coach in Tom O'Brien. The Wolfpack came on strong last year in the end of the season and look to build on their recent success. Look for the Wolfpack to be the surprise team in the ACC, I'll even go so far as to say they could win the Atlantic.

6.Clemson- Dabo Sweeney takes over an all ready talented team. The biggest hurdle for Clemson to overcome is how QB Willy Korn can play in his first year of real starting time. Clemson return C.J. Spiller who should be the focal point for the Tigers offense. Daquan Bowers will be a star on the D and this could be a good year for the Tigers.

7. Miami- Miami is talented, but they have a brutal first four game schedule and they could very easily start off 0-4. I think that could result in a tough situation for Randy Shannon to overcome. QB Jacory Harris is still young and needs to develop a better and bigger arm if he wants to compete against the tough ACC defenses. Miami's D will be good as always, but this could be a big let-down year for Miami.

8.BC- QB Chris Crane graduates and Freshman Dominik Davis takes over. Davis didn't play great in his limited action last year and his success will be crucial. BC returns its main running back Josh Haden. Spaziani takes over as head coach and their defense should be good beast LB Mark Herzlich returns. However the loss of DTs Raji and Brace could loom large as they were the key o the tough BC run defense. Overall, BC's Offense needs to step up and produce or it could be a down year in the parity filled ACC.

9.WF- Riley Skinner and Josh Adams return for the Decs. However, the Deacons talent isn't there compared with other ACC teams, but what Grobe does with his group of players is always incredible, so WF is a bit of an outlying in the ACC. They are hard to predict, but an average year in the ACC in my opinion for the Demon Deacons

10. Maryland- Jordan Steffy takes over at QB for the Terps this year. His play will be crucial in their West Coast style attack. Da'rel Scott and Davin Meggett should lead a very good Maryland running game. The loss of WR Darius Hayward-Bay will be HUGE for Maryland as he was a very big deep threat and made a lot of players for the Terps over the years. Someone needs to pick up his productivity or else it could be long year for Maryland.

11. UVA- UVA will return Jamell Sewell, their QB who was suspended this past year. How well he does in this upcoming year will be crucial to their success. Al Groh fired his son their offensive coordinator and he was replaced by a Spread Guru. Their switch to the spread could take a few years and will the loss of their star receiver Ogaltree UVA loses a lot on offense. However, Vic Hall in the Wild Wahoo could be an interesting formation to watch for. UVA can be good, but I'd predict another season trying to creep into a bowl game at the end of the year.

12.Duke- Duke made progress last year beating UVA and getting a good ACC win. However, Duke returns QB Thaddeus Lewis in his second season under QB genius David Cutcliff. This could be a break out year for the Dukies getting 2 or 3 ACC wins...Its a process and they have to start somewhere. Any improvement is good for the Dukies.