SnoTap CFB Preview: ACC Coastal

Finally, the college football previews are beginning on SnoTap. We are trying something new looking at divisions/conferences as a whole versus breaking down every team. We look at the power six conferences, Notre Dame and independents and mid-majors. 

The Atlantic Coast Conference has not been represented in the National Championship game since 2000. While teams in their same region but different conferences have ultimate dominance in the sport, the ACC struggled to find footing with the powerhouses. This might be the first time in a long time where the ACC has three National Champion contenders, and it should not come as a surprise if we see one of those teams playing for the crystal ball.

The ACC Coastal division features a little more depth than the ACC Atlantic counterparts.  They might not be as good as Clemson and Florida State but they still could compete with the big boys if all goes right.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB Duke Johnson (Miami) - DUUUUUUUUUKEE.  Just like Jameis Winston, Duke Johnson is a name people will get familiar with as the season moves on. Johnson is a burner at running back that could break one every time he touches the ball. In his freshman year, he was not even a full-time starter and still broke Clinton Portis' Miami freshman rushing record. He is also a great pass-catcher meaning he will create all sorts of problems for opponents this season. Also let us not forget, he returns kicks and punts too making him a complete triple threat.

QB Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech) - This is a big year for Thomas. He came back for his senior season because Thomas struggled mightily as a junior. If Thomas performed at a high level last year, he would have been drafted in the top ten. Thomas is one of the most unpredictable players in college football and if he performs to his potential, Virginia Tech could become a BCS quality team  Thomas must limit his turnovers with 18 interceptions last season.

QB Bryn Renner (North Carolina) - One player who had a huge year under new coach Larry Fedora was Renner. He finished the year with four straight 300 yards and North Carolina had the eighth best offense in all of the NCAA. Renner finished the year with 3,356 yards and a four to one, touchdown to interception ratio. The one difference from last year is he will be without Giovani Bernard in the backfield that would not only catch balls out of the backfield but also provide a tremendous safety outlet. They do have two returning receivers in Quinshad Davis and Sean Tapley which should help Renner.

QB Vad Lee (Georgia Tech)  - This is an ACC sleeper this year. Georgia Tech seems to get great quarterbacks that fit into Paul Johnson's system and Lee could be the best one. They already think he is a better passer than the last couple, and even if Georgia Tech primarily runs the ball,  the Yellow Jackets need to pass the ball occasionally. Lee can also run like nobody's business and given all Georgia Tech's offensive line coming back, Lee could be a revelation.

LB Dexter Perryman (Miami) - Miami's defense definitely did not look like The U of old, but Perryman could be the next great Miami linebacker.  He stops the rush better than most in the ACC but with him being undersized, Perryman can struggle sometimes in the passing game.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Saturday August 31st - Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (Played in Atlanta, Georgia) - Oh boy. This could be a big one for Virginia Tech and Logan Thomas moving forward. Head coach Frank Beamer is not afraid to face the big boys and this is the biggest one of them all.  Bud Foster is one of the best defensive minds in the game and with Bama's offensive line reshuffle, they could provide some problems.

Thursday September 26th - Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech - The Hokies have won seven of the nine games these teams have played since the Yellow Jackets have been in the ACC.  This could be a big game for division standings moving forward as both of these teams should contend for the top spots in the ACC Coastal.

Thursday October 17th - Miami at North Carolina - We made a big deal about Thursday night game in our first ACC preview and we will again for this one. The Hurricanes are probably the ACC Coastal favorite heading into Kenan Memorial Stadium where it is not easy to play smells like a potential upset. Although if North Carolina gets their shit  together on defense, this might be a battle for first place.  

Saturday November 9th - Virginia Tech at Miami - These two teams always seem to play classics and for the longest time, they battle for top supremacy in the ACC. It could happen again for the first time in a long while. Thomas v. Morris is a fascinating quarterback matchup as well.

Friday November 29th - Miami at Pittsburgh - Any time you have a team based in Miami, head to Pittsburgh in the last week of November, it is ripe for an upset. I also would not sleep on the Panthers. I think they could be better than people are saying right now.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Will The U be The U again? - People feel The U are a sneaky National Champion contender team. I personally feel like their schedule might be too tough, but they do bring a lot back. We already talked about Duke Johnson and no one really talks about Van Wilder first-teamer Stephen Morris whose really developed as a quarterback. The biggest concern is their defense which finished dead in stopping both the rushing and passing. They did get bailed out by having the second-best turnover margin in the ACC with a +7, that will need to be a positive number again.

Which Quarterback will come out on top? - Most of the time, it starts at quarterbacks with teams. We talked about Morris, Renner, Thomas and Lee already and another one worth mentioning is Tom Savage, the projected starter at Pittsburgh. Savage was one of Rutgers biggest recruits and never developed into a top starter. The weird thing is given Morris' build, he could end up being a first-round draft pick, but there should be some shootouts with these gunslingers.

Why is Georgia Tech a sleeper every year to win this division? - My buddy Doz loves the wishbone offense. He did it in high school and in college. I feel Georgia Tech gets disrespected for running an old-school offense. No one is talking about this team yet they bring back five offensive lineman and two running backs for their high-powered offense plus we mentioned Lee's abilities at quarterback. They also bring back eight starters on an average defense last year so there is room for development.

Can North Carolina actually play defense this year? - By the numbers, Miami is significantly worse at defense but if you look at just the scores, the Tar Heels look way worse off. They only lost four games, but in those games, North Carolina gave up 68, 39, 33, 28 points and in wins, they outscored multiple opponents in order to get some wins. The Heels need to show some improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

No way people get frustrated with Frank Beamer, right? - Virginia Tech had a disappointing 7-6 season last year with Thomas' struggles. If the Hokies end up around seven wins again this year,  does head coach Frank Beamer start seeing some pressure?  I doubt it honestly, but I could see some rumblings even if they have been in two BCS bowl games in 2010 and 2011.  

PROJECTED FINISH
1.) Miami
2.) Georgia Tech
3.) Virginia Tech
4.) Pittsburgh
5.) North Carolina
6.) Virginia
7.) Duke

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE U.  Seriously excited for them this season and I cannot explain why I like Pittsburgh so much. I'm sorry.  Miami-Florida State in the ACC Championship would be awesome.

Charlie.