ACC Football 2015 Predictions

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The ACC enters 2015 as a league in transition. No team from this conference was projected to make the college football playoff in Athlon Sports’ rankings for the upcoming season, and there’s a loss of star power with the departure of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley and Miami running back Duke Johnson.

In 2014, 13 out of the ACC’s 14 programs lost at least two games in league play. Florida State was the only exception, finishing with a perfect 8-0 mark. The Seminoles are the favorites to win the ACC for the fourth consecutive year. But the gap between Florida State and the rest of the league has decreased in 2015.

While the ACC is in transition, there’s no shortage of intrigue in the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions. Here’s a look at five things to watch in the ACC for 2015, followed by Athlon’s predictions.

5 Key Questions That Will Shape the ACC in 2015

1. Jimbo Fisher Rebuilds (Reloads?) at Florida State

Florida State is coming off one of the best two-year runs by a program in recent memory. The Seminoles went 27-1 during that span and claimed the 2013 national championship. Fisher has returned this program back to the nation’s elite and enters 2015 with a rebuilding effort on his hands. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson and Sean Maguire will compete to replace Jameis Winston, but the bigger question mark on this team is on defense after giving up 5.5 yards per play last year. With the departures of end Mario Edwards Jr. and tackle Eddie Goldman, along with a thin linebacking corps, the Seminoles are searching for answers on this side of the ball. Talent certainly isn’t an issue. How quickly does Florida State reload in 2015? If all of the young talent emerges, another playoff run is within reach.

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2. Offense and Defense Question Marks at Clemson

Clemson’s defense was arguably the best in the nation last season, limiting opponents to 16.7 points per game and just four yards per play. Coordinator Brent Venables has a lot of work to do this offseason, as the Tigers return just two starters and suffered big losses at each level. The good news for Venables? There’s plenty of talent ready to emerge. But until the defense is stabilized, the offense may have to carry this team. Just like the defense, there’s question marks, but also a lot of promising talent. Sophomore Deshaun Watson is the ACC’s top quarterback, and the Tigers are loaded at the skill positions. The offense should remain one of the best in the conference, but how much will this unit miss coordinator Chad Morris? He left to be the head coach at SMU, and coach Dabo Swinney promoted Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott to the co-coordinator level.

3. Coastal Division Uncertainty

It seems to be an annual storyline in recent years, but the Coastal Division is a wide open race once again. Georgia Tech should be the favorite with the return of quarterback Justin Thomas and an improving defense. However, coach Paul Johnson’s team loses seven of the top 10 rushers from last year, along with receiver DeAndre Smelter. Additionally, Georgia Tech plays crossover games against Clemson and Florida State. But if the Yellow Jackets stumble, which team will emerge? Virginia Tech has the top defense in the ACC. However, question marks remain on offense. Is Miami ready to contend in Al Golden’s fifth year? Will North Carolina’s defense improve? Or is this the year where a surprise team like Pittsburgh or Duke wins the division? Questions abound in the Coastal in 2015.

4. Louisville, Pittsburgh and NC State – Sleepers to Watch?

With the three projected top 25 teams for 2015 all suffering key losses from last season, there’s plenty of room for a sleeper to emerge. The gap between the top and the middle of the ACC has closed a bit with the losses at the top three programs, but which team will take advantage? Is it Louisville? The Cardinals need to settle on a quarterback and rebuild the offensive line, but the defense should be stout once again. Pittsburgh has a favorable crossover by missing three of the top four teams in the Atlantic and returns two of the ACC’s top players in running back James Conner and receiver Tyler Boyd. How much will the defense improve in Pat Narduzzi’s first year? NC State closed 2014 by winning four out of its last five. The Wolfpack return 14 starters, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Another step forward in the win column wouldn’t be a surprise.

5. Pressure Building at Miami and Virginia

2015 could be a make-or-break year for Virginia’s Mike London and Miami’s Al Golden. London is 23-38 in five years with the Cavaliers and has not played in a bowl since 2011. After showing progress last season with five victories, London needs to get Virginia back into the postseason in 2015. For Miami, the Hurricanes are still looking for the first appearance in the ACC Championship. Miami showed signs of progress with a 9-4 record in 2013 but has just one season of more than seven wins under Golden. After going 6-7 last year, the pressure is building at Miami. Adding to Golden’s challenge in 2015 will be a rebuilt offensive line, the loss of running back Duke Johnson and the departure of standout linebacker Denzel Perryman.

ACC 2015 Team Previews

Visit the Athlon Sports Online Store to order a copy of the 2015 ACC Preview Magazine, which features in-depth analysis and previews for all 14 teams, predictions, rankings and features to prepare for the upcoming year.

ACC Predictions for 2015

ACC 2015 Superlatives and Season Predictions


	Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Mark Ross	David Fox	Braden Gall
	@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@AthlonMarkR	@DavidFox615	@BradenGall
Offensive POY	James Conner, RB Pittsburgh	Dalvin Cook, RB FSU	Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson	Dalvin Cook, RB FSU	Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson
Defensive POY	Jalen Ramsey DB, FSU	Jalen Ramsey DB, FSU	Kendall Fuller CB, Va. Tech	Jalen Ramsey DB, FSU	Jalen Ramsey DB, FSU
Coach of the Year	Jimbo Fisher Florida State	Jimbo Fisher Florida State	Dave Doeren NC State	Pat Narduzzi Pittsburgh	Bobby Petrino Louisville
Coach on Hot Seat	Mike London Virginia	Mike London Virginia	Mike London Virginia	Al Golden Miami	Larry Fedora UNC
Top Freshman	Derwin James S, FSU	Deon Cain WR, Clemson	C.J. Stalker LB, Virginia	Chris Taylor WR, Duke	George Campbell, WR, FSU
Top Newcomer	Everett Golson QB, FSU	Devonte Fields DL/LB, Louisville	Josh Harvey-Clemons S, UL	Devonte Fields DL/LB, Louisville	Josh Harvey-Clemons S, UL
Sleeper Team	NC State	NC State	NC State	Duke	Miami
Top Coordinator Hire	Gene Chizik DC, UNC	Josh Conklin DC, Pittsburgh	Gene Chizik DC, UNC	Jim Chaney OC, Pittsburgh	Gene Chizik DC, UNC
Key Position to Watch	Florida State DL	Virginia Tech OL	Florida State OL	Clemson LB	Florida State OL
Hardest to Evaluate	Miami	Miami	Miami	North Carolina	Miami
Coach on the Rise	Josh Conklin DC, Pittsburgh	Scottie Montgomery OC, Duke	Dave Doeren NC State	Charles Kelly DC, FSU	Dave Doeren NC State
Must-See Game	FSU at Clemson	FSU at Clemson	FSU at Clemson	FSU at Clemson	FSU at Clemson
Breakout Player	Shaq Lawson DE, Clemson	Joe Yearby RB, Miami	Joe Yearby RB, Miami	Joe Yearby RB, Miami	Artavis Scott WR, Clemson
Comeback Player	Luther Maddy DT, Va. Tech	Trey Edmunds RB, Va. Tech	Kelby Brown LB, Duke	Everett Golson QB, FSU	Jabari Hunt-Days DL, GT