ACC Second-Half Predictions and Midseason Review
Lamar Jackson
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 |
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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 |
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ACC Title |
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| over | over | over | over |
