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ACC - Clemson vs. North Carolina

Fri 15th, August 2008

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It's been 17 years since Clemson has won the ACC championship, but the Tigers are the heavy favorites to win the league title in 2008. Tommy Bowden's club, one of two BCS schools returning both a 1,000-yard rusher (James Davis) and receiver (Aaron Kelly), could struggle early with a defense besieged with off-the-field concerns, but will end up garnering its first league title since 1991.

Most experts believe Virginia Tech will once again represent the Coastal division in the ACC championship contest. However, don't underestimate the most improved team in the country - North Carolina. The Tar Heels will knock off the Hokies in Chapel Hill on September 20th on their way to the divisional crown.

The Coastal division finished 11-13 in non-conference FBS play last season as opposed to the Atlantic, which won 17 of 25 games. As a whole, the ACC racked up an embarrassing 20-29 ATS mark out-of-conference, and won just 11 of 26 games ATS vs. the other five BCS leagues. The league hasn't fared too well in the postseason of late, finishing 2-6 in its eight bowl games last year with a 3-5 ATS record.

Time now to delve into the 12-team league with odds to win the division, followed by the conference, and then BCS National Championship odds.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1) CLEMSON (10-11, 9-5, 22-1) - The Tigers have outgained their conference opponents by a league-best 123 ypg average the last two years. Surprisingly, they have won just 10 of those 16 games.

Offense - Cullen Harper burst on the scene to lead all ACC quarterbacks in passing efficiency (141 QB rating) and his three primary targets return in '08. James Davis and C.J. Spiller form the number one RB duo in the league, but their numbers will diminish behind an O-line that returns just 21 career offensive starts.

Defense - It's a good thing the Tigers first true conference test comes in October since the LB position must be rebuilt as none of the three starters return. Additionally, starting defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson will miss at least the first month of the season with an injured knee.

Outlook - The Tigers are a poor wager at 22-1 to win the national title despite their firepower at the skill positions. Still, they are the best team in a weak conference, which should translate to a 7-1 league mark. Clemson is 4-0 as an away underdog the last three years.

2) FLORIDA STATE (2-1, 4-1, 50-1) - Want to know how far the Seminoles have fallen? They are 7-11 in their last 18 regular season ACC matchups.

Offense - If the 'Noles want to compete with the Tigers the offense must step up. FSU recorded just 27 offensive touchdowns last year compared to Clemson's 48. The O-line is a major question mark with just one upperclassman, but as is the case with Tommy Bowden's club, all the skill position players return.

Defense - FSU's defense allowed 38 TDs last year, the highest total in the last 24 years. Expect a monumental turnaround once the suspended veterans come back in late September.

Outlook - The 'Noles will be a force the second half of the season, especially with the additions of JC stars Corey Surrency (WR) and Markus White (DE). Look for a 6-2 conference mark, including a win over Clemson on November 8th. Florida State is 5-8 as an away favorite the last four years.

3) WAKE FOREST (7-2, 7-1, 100-1) - The Demon Deacons proved their 11-3 record two years ago was not a fluke by winning nine games in '07.

Offense - Wake's O-line allowed 21 sacks the final six games after giving up just seven through the first seven, and the unit comes into '08 with only 20 of last year's 65 starts returning. Riley Skinner saw his YPA drop from 7.9 to 6.8 and that number could fall even further this season.

Defense - The "D" is the strength of the team as all 11 starters are upperclassmen. This unit recorded ten of Wake's 44 touchdowns in '07. With nine starters back, the defense will be just as imposing as the one that allowed 15 ppg in 2006.

Outlook - The top-three teams in the Atlantic all have inexperienced offensive lines, but Wake is by far the weakest at the skill positions. Expect a 5-3 league mark. The Demon Deacons are 8-2 as a home underdog the last four years.

4) MARYLAND (7-1, 15-1, 100-1) - The Terrapins have finished below .500 three of the last four years.

Offense - Question marks continue to linger at the quarterback spot where the battle between Chris Turner and Josh Portis could come down to both players seeing game action. The Terrapins are stocked at the WR and O-line positions and should have superior offensive production compared to last season.

Defense - Head Coach Ralph Friedgen had to switch highly touted WR prospect Kenny Tate to strong safety due to lack of depth at the position. There are some talented players on defense, especially at linebacker, but the unit loses five of its top-eight tacklers.

Outlook - Two years ago, Maryland won six games by 17 points. Last season, the Terps lost four by a TD or less. Look for a 6-6 campaign with three wins coming in conference play. They are 2-11 as a home favorite the last four years.

5) NC STATE (15-1, 30-1, 100-1) - The Wolfpack won four of their last six games but still finished in a tie for last place at 3-5 and 5-7 overall.

Offense - The 'Pack were forced to throw 58% of the time due to devastating injuries to RBs Andre Brown and Toney Baker, both of whom still might not be ready for the season opener. On the positive side, TE Anthony Hill, who missed all of '07, is back which should help whichever QB wins the job.

Defense - Creating turnovers is a priority this season after the "D" forced just 16 the entire year. Defending the run is also high on the list of areas of development after ranking last in ACC play allowing 186 ypg.

Outlook - It'll be another long season in Raleigh as the defense fails to improve. Three conference wins are about as much as one can expect from a team that is 4-22 ATS as a favorite the last five years.

6) BOSTON COLLEGE (16-1, 20-1, 100-1) - The Eagles, who tied a school record with 11 wins last year, will be lucky to reach the .500 mark in '08.

Offense - This is by far the least experienced Eagles backfield in recent memory. Not only do the running backs bring back only 10 of last year's 1,389 yards, quarterback Chris Crane has thrown a grand total of 40 career passes.

Defense - BC ranked second in the nation vs. the run (75.5 ypg) and did so with two expected starters, B.J. Raji and Brian Toal, missing the season. Both return this year, but the secondary must be rebuilt after losing three key players.

Outlook - The Eagles will be lucky to score 20 ppg. The cellar doors are open for a 2-6 campaign. Boston College is 3-10 as a road favorite the last four years.

COASTAL DIVISION

1) NORTH CAROLINA (3-1, 8-1, 100-1) - The Tar Heels went from 3-9 to 4-8 in Butch Davis' first season. Look for a substantial rise in the standings in year two.

Offense - NC finished 107th in the country in rushing, but with a more experienced line and the emergence of Greg Little as the featured back, the Tar Heels will have one of the most improved ground attacks in the nation. If WR Dwight Jones can provide any help to the already potent passing game, NC will bump its scoring average from 21 points all the way up to at least 30 per contest.

Defense - Eleven of the top-14 tacklers return along with LB Chase Rice, who was lost for the season in the first game. It's a young "D" with five sophomore starters, but the talent level is as good as it gets in this division.

Outlook - The Tar Heels lost three games in the final two minutes last year. There's no reason to think they won't drastically improve in '08, especially since they draw the bottom three teams from the Atlantic division. Ten wins, six in league play, is not a stretch for a team that's 10-4 as a home dog the last four years.

2) VIRGINIA TECH (11-10, 5-2, 30-1) - The Hokies are 42-11 since '04, but have to play their toughest four games of this year away from Lane Stadium.

Offense - Sean Glennon will look for his TEs a lot more this season since Tech lost its top-four receivers. The O-line is the strength of the offense, which should help a slew of running backs ready to take over the load from Branden Ore.

Defense - The coaching staff feels the "D" will remain strong despite losing seven starters. They might be right as the last two years the Hokies returned five starters or less they allowed an average of 12 ppg!

Outlook - Virginia Tech failed to win the division two years ago and the same thing will happen in '08. The two conference losses will come at NC and FSU. The Hokies are 9-1 ATS as a road favorite the last three years.

3) MIAMI-FL (5-2, 9-2, 60-1) - Only 11 starters return to a team that failed to reach a bowl game for the first time since 1997.

Offense - The Hurricanes averaged less than three TDs a game the last two seasons mainly due to poor QB play. Even though the newcomers are all freshmen, they can't possibly be as bad as Kyle Wright. There is tons of potential at the skill positions and the O-line is more experienced than last year.

Defense - Despite six seniors expected to start, not one member of the "D" has started more than 13 career games. Injuries have caused a sharp decline in production as Miami allowed 26 ppg in '07. With better health and a great recruiting class, look for the defense to give opposing offenses fits all season.

Outlook - The 'Canes are still a year or two away from making noise, but they will finish 4-4 in the conference and above .500 overall. Look for an improved ATS record as well, especially after covering just 12 of their last 36 games.

4) VIRGINIA (10-1, 50-1, 100-1) - Matching last year's 9-3 regular season record will be an impossible task considering the losses on both sides of the ball.

Offense - Jameel Sewell's departure leaves Peter Lalich as the lone QB with any meaningful game experience. In addition, the Cavs lose three valuable members from their offensive line. Nevertheless, two key components (Cedric Peerman and Kevin Ogletree) are healthy again after missing a combined 20 games last year.

Defense - Virginia ranked 13th in the country vs. the run, but that will change very fast as all three linemen, including Chris Long, have departed. The rest of the defense looks to be in decent shape.

Outlook - Six of the Cavaliers nine wins came by a total of 12 points. With a lack of experience on both lines, there's little chance for an above .500 ACC record. Virginia is 13-3 as a home dog, but 5-10 as an away favorite since 2001.

5) DUKE (25-1, 100-1, 25-1 Field) - The Blue Devils have lost 25 straight ACC games. Can new head coach David Cutcliffe end the streak?

Offense - Duke received a huge blow this past week when starting RB Re'quan Boyette was lost indefinitely after injuring his knee in practice. However, this is still a veteran group that will average 20 ppg for the first time since 1998.

Defense - The front seven is the best it's been in Durham since '02 when the "D" allowed just 3.4 ypc. Also, the secondary came to life the last third of the season allowing a 52% completion rate and 6.2 yards per attempt after giving up 70% and 8.4 numbers through the first eight games.

Outlook - Duke has seven home dates, which should help the club to its most productive season since the 4-8 campaign back in 2003. The Blue Devils are 21-10 as a road dog the last five years.

6) GEORGIA TECH (13-2, 15-1, 100-1) - Can Paul Johnson's triple-option attack work in the ACC? There's tons of talent available, but it's extremely young.

Offense - The top performers on offense are all sophomores having to learn a new system, which means tons of growing pains in Johnson's first year in Atlanta.

Defense - Georgia Tech has the top DT combination in the country. Unfortunately, the rest of the defense brings back just 36 career starts.

Outlook - Not only are the Yellow Jackets one of the youngest teams in the country, they have to adjust to new schemes on both sides of the ball. Expect no more than one league victory and the first last place finish since 1994. They are 9-3-1 as an away underdog the last four years.

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