College Football 2008 Preview: ACC

The Tigers have the league's top offensive unit. QB Cullen Harper broke many of the school's passing records in 2007 and he looks to add to his legacy in 2008. Running back James Davis is an explosive playmaker. The line is as solid as they come. On defense, this team is loaded on the interior. The secondary looks to be solid, except at each of the safety spots. The linebacker corps is the weak link on an otherwise potentially dominating unit. This team is primed to win not only the Atlantic division, but also the conference itself. Anything less will be considered a disappointment.

This is a dark horse team to win the conference. Sure, they face questions at QB and on defense, but this team is slowing regaining the athletic talent pool it used to have in the 1990s and early 2000s. The offense might struggle to score a bunch of points, but this unit has playmakers, specifically at the wide receiver position. On defense, seven full time starters return. The defensive line needs bulk and the linebacker corps is slow by Florida State standards, but the real gem on the defense is the secondary. The schedule is favorable for the Seminoles. If they can manage to win a couple of games they are not supposed to, they could found themselves atop the division.

Coach Jim Grobe is building a perennial contender at Wake. They have a balanced offensive unit coming back led by junior QB Riley Skinner who led the nation in competition percentage. Although the defense returns nine starters, there's work to be done there. The main concern with this unit is an undersized defensive front. Nevertheless, this team is capable of running away with the conference's championship.

The Eagles will enter year one of Life without Matt Ryan. It appeared that this team would take a hard fall, but looks can be deceiving. If they can settle on a quarterback (fifth year senior Chris Crane is the leading candidate), and find a stable running attack - a big if of course - they will content for a bowl game. The defense is depleted of top-level talent. All that said, this team should contend for another mid-level bowl bid.

This is a team that nobody wants to play. Sure, they were almost inept on offense last season, but QB Chris Turner gained valuable experience in 2007 and with the installment of a West Coast-type of attack, he should flourish. The rest of the offense in pretty much set, with the offensive line being the cornerstone of the unit. On defense, the team will be breaking in three new starters on the secondary, never a good sign. The rest of the unit appears to be solid. This is an enigmatic team. It could win nine games and nobody will be surprised. On the other hand, it could dip below .500 and again, nobody will be astonished.

Questions abound on offense where only the backfield seems to be settled. The offensive line needs retooling and the receivers are green. The defensive unit, which everyone ran on, did not improve from last season. Add a demanding schedule and is easy to see a below .500 campaign for Tom O'Brien's team.