ACC Second-Half Predictions and Midseason Review

At the halfway point of the 2016 college football season, the ACC has two teams poised to challenge for a playoff spot. Clemson is the frontrunner after a thrilling 42-36 victory over Louisville on Oct. 1, but the Cardinals remain in the mix – provided they can win out and get some help from other teams. Florida State was considered the preseason favorite to win the ACC, but the Seminoles lost to Louisville and North Carolina, effectively eliminating this team from the playoff mix. As usual, there’s a lot of uncertainty on the Coastal side. North Carolina’s win over Miami moves the Tar Heels even with Virginia Tech for the top spot in the division. The Hokies have an edge in the tiebreaker thanks to a win over North Carolina, but coach Justin Fuente’s team still has to play Miami and faces a road trip to Pitt.

 

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the ACC’s top performer through the first half of the season, with Pitt defensive end Ejuan Price garnering three out of the four votes for midseason defensive player of the year.

 

At the midpoint of the 2016 college football season, here are Athlon’s picks for awards and a projection for the final standings for the ACC:

 

ACC Midseason Awards and Second-Half Predictions

 

Offensive Player of the Year

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville	Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville	Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville	Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville

 

Defensive Player of the Year

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Ejuan Price DL, Pitt	Ejuan Price DL, Pitt	Marquel Lee LB, Wake Forest	Ejuan Price DL, Pitt

 

Freshman of the Year (Offense)

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Deondre Francois QB, FSU	Deondre Francois QB, FSU	Deondre Francois QB, FSU	Deondre Francois QB, FSU

 

Freshman of the Year (Defense)

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Dexter Lawrence DL, Clemson	Dexter Lawrence DL, Clemson	Dexter Lawrence DL, Clemson	Dexter Lawrence DL, Clemson

 

Coach of the Year

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Bobby Petrino Louisville	Bobby Petrino Louisville	Bobby Petrino Louisville	Bobby Petrino Louisville

 

Coordinator of the Year

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Brent Venables DC, Clemson	Dino Babers HC, Syracuse	Mike Elko DC, Wake Forest	Dave Huxtable DC, NC State

 

Best Coordinator Hire for 2016

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Manny Diaz DC, Miami	Manny Diaz DC, Miami	Manny Diaz DC, Miami	Manny Diaz DC, Miami

 

Newcomer of the Year (JUCO or Transfer)

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Jerod Evans QB, Va. Tech	Kurt Benkert QB, UVA	Jerod Evans QB, Va. Tech	Amba Etta-Tawo WR, Syracuse

 

Biggest Surprise Through Seven Weeks

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Florida State's Defense	Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville	Kurt Benkert QB, UVA	Mitch Trubisky QB, UNC

 

Must-See Game of Second Half

Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Clemson at Florida State (Oct. 29)	Clemson at Florida State (Oct. 29)	Clemson at Florida State (Oct. 29)	Clemson at Florida State  (Oct. 29)

 

Projected Order of Finish

	Steven Lassan	Mitch Light	Jon Kinne	Adam Kurkjian
	@AthlonSteven	@AthlonMitch	@JonRKinne	@AdamKurkjian
Atlantic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Coastal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ACC Title
	over	over	over	over