Posted: 8/6/2008 by Taylor Zarzour
Please remember a couple of things when reading this:
- I was not born with a fully functional brain
- Crazy things happen every year, so what fun would it be to pick favorites?
- I usually do pretty well with final records, but I am awful at picking individual games
Enjoy!
TZ
ACC Predictions
Atlantic
- Clemson 11-3, 7-1 (#12). Will finish regular season 11-1 (loss to FSU), but will lose to VPI in the title game, and to Florida in the Sugar. Tommy will never have a better chance to be among the elite. However, I’ll take Beamer to beat him when it matters in Tampa.
- Florida State 9-4, 6-2 (#20). Will go 9-3 in regular season (losing to VPI, @Mary, and Fla) and lose to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. They return 15 starters, including Weatherford at QB. They have a lot of home games (8) and their suspensions will only affect the Wake game. Papa Bowden could have a big year.
- Wake Forest 9-4, 6-2 (#21). Will go 9-3 in regular season (losses to Ole Miss, @FSU, and Clem) and lose to Tenn in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. I think this is the best team Jim Grobe has ever had. Skinner, Adams, and good lines will carry this team. Plus Swank may be the best K & P in America.
- NC State 6-7, 4-4. Will go 6-6 in regular season (L’s @SC, @Clem, USF, FSU, Wake, Mia) and then lose to Auburn in the Music City. I love their RB’s, WR’s, and both lines. I really, really, really worry about QB, K & P, and their back 7 on D. Still, I think TOB really has this thing headed in the right direction. Beginning in ’09, expect a minimum of 8 annual wins.
- Maryland 7-6, 3-5. Will go 6-6 in regular season (L’s against Cal, @Clem, @UVa, Wake, State, @BC) and beat Hawaii in the Emerald Bowl. I know they should be better than this but they lost both RB’s and I am not sold on any of their QB’s. If this happens the Fridge could go into ’09 on the hot seat.
- Boston College 5-7, 3-5. Will win against Kent St, GT, URI,@UNC, and Mary. That would be a 2-6 finish if I’m right. They lost EVERYONE, including the best college QB in Matt Ryan. Coach Jags refuses to give credit to what TOB left behind. Now, let’s see if he can build a program. I bet not.
Coastal
- Virginia Tech 12-2, 6-2 (#7). 10-2 regular season (Losses @UNC and vs. Mary), then will beat Clemson in the title game, and South Florida in the Orange. I really have them here almost by default. They kicked their RB off the team, lost all of their receivers, and some of their defense. So why do I have them this high? Well, the Coastal division is downright bad meaning 4-1 is about as bad as they can go. 3-1 is the worst they’ll do out of conference, and 2-1 is about right vs. the Atlantic. So 9-3/10-2 should be about right. Plus, they have two experienced QB’s, GREAT special teams, a GREAT DC, and most importantly, a GREAT HC.
- Miami 7-6, 4-4. Will go 6-6 in the regular season (L’s @Fla, @A&M, FSU, Wake, @UVa, VPI), then beat Purdue in the Champs Bowl. If they had a QB they would be a serious contender in the division, as they have senior experience EVERYWHERE. I think turnovers will be a problem with an unproven signal caller, but this is still a step in the right direction. Shannon is recruiting like a MAD MAN.
- North Carolina 6-7, 4-4. Will go 6-6 in the regular season (L’s @Rut, @Mia, ND, BC, @Mary, and State), then lose to Pitt in the Meineke Bowl. This is a young, talented team. I really like their defense (if they stay healthy).Making a bowl will certainly be a step in the right direction, but I still think their inexperience will cost them some games they should win. They shot themselves in the foot a lot last year, and Yates and Little have to prove they can play smart. Regardless, this is another program on the rise. With Butch and his recruiters don’t be surprised to see them in the Top 25 in a year or two.
- Virginia 4-8, 3-5. Will beat Richmond, win @Duke, beat Maryland, and Miami. I see a press conference happening in November. They kicked their QB off the team, have real issues on both lines (they lost one of the best ever DL’s in Long), and had an AWFUL recruiting class. The bad news is what may happen this year. The good news is that many Hoos may get the change they want.
- Duke 4-8, 1-7. Will beat JMU, N’western, Navy, and win @GT. David Cutlciffe is a HUGE upgrade over Ted Roof. Plus, this team brings back everybody. 4 wins would be a big deal. I think Coach Cut can contend for bowl eligibility in the next few years, but I’m still not buying Duke becoming the next Wake.
- Georgia Tech 3-9, 1-7. Will beat Jax St (with Perrilloux at QB), G-Webb, and UVa. I really can’t argue with what Paul Johnson is doing: TOTALLY installing his option offense on day one. However, he doesn’t have his personnel, which means this year might be lost before it begins. Look for Tech down the road, though. PJ can coach.
TOP 25
- Southern California: They still have the most talent of any team out there. If they get past the Buckeyes on 9/13 they are in GREAT shape. Their tough conference games are all at home (Ore, Cal, and ASU)
- Florida: Tebow and Harvin are as good as it gets. Their schedule is a little easier than the two right below.
- Georgia: They bring back EVERYONE. However, I have NEVER seen a harder schedule. EVER! (@SCARO, @ASU, BAMA, UT, @LSU, FLA in Jax, @UK, @AUB in a 10 week span). If they get through it with 1 loss they will win the SEC’s 3rd straight BCS title. But I just think it’s too hard. I’ve got them beating Texas in the Cotton.
- Oklahoma: Sam Bradford is a really good QB. I really like them to get to the BCS, but I’m starting to doubt Stoops once he gets there (0 for last 4). Thus, I’m picking them to lose to USC in the title game.
- LSU: Saban’s talent is still there. They are loaded almost everywhere but QB. Jordan Jefferson may look good in practice, but he is a true freshman QB in the best conference on earth. Will beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
- California: Maybe the craziest pick I’ve ever made, but something crazy always happens (Kansas last year). Two things HAVE to happen: Nate Longshore is the QB we thought we’d see last year and Jahvid Best is healthy and still spectacular at RB. If so, they could go 10-2. They have a very manageable schedule. I’ve got them beating T Tech in the Fiesta. For more on this, see my SURPRISE of the YEAR below.
- Virginia Tech: see above
- Penn State: Their schedule is downright easy. They have 3 losable games (@Wis, @Ohio St., and @Iowa) and I think they’ll win 1 of them. They’ve got great lines, great special teams, and good receivers. Will beat Spurrier in the Outback.
- Wisconsin: They bring virtually everyone. They are the quintessential "Big Ten Big Team." If they beat the Buckeyes at home they’ve got a real shot to get to the BCS.
- Texas Tech: A chance to have one of the best teams in school history. This is Mike Leach’s dream team. He’s got speed everywhere and one of the country’s best QB’s in Graham Harrell. They’ve got 3 tough games (@KU, Tex, @OU). I think they’ll win 1 of them.
- Boise St: If they win at Oregon they might go undefeated. They bring back a lot of talent, including Ian Johnson (the dude that proposed after beating OU in the Fiesta 2 years ago), who is a really good RB. With 1 loss, they’ll win the Blue Field Bowl.
- Clemson: see above
- Ohio St: Something tells me that some unhappy Buckeyes could be coming after me. They bring back EVERYONE, but they haven’t shown me they can match up with speed (see Fla and LSU BCS games), and everyone will be gunning for them. Too much pressure. They’ll knock off the Tide in the Capital One.
- Texas: really tough division. McCoy is a very good QB, but could be the 3rd best in the Big 12 South. 9 or 10 wins is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Missouri: The best team in the North isn’t as good as the 3rd best team in the South. Chase Daniel is great, but let’s see how the Tigers respond to VERY high expectations. Will lose to the Ducks in the Holiday.
- Oregon: From a talent standpoint they’re the second best team in the PAC-10. However, Dennis Dixon is gone and their schedule is very tough (@Pur, Boise, @USC, @ASU, @Cal, @Civil War).
- BYU: A lot of people think they’re this year’s Hawaii, but their schedule is pretty tough (@UW,UCLA,@TCU,@Utah). I think they’ll lose somewhere. Will win the Vegas Bowl.
- South Florida: their schedule is easy enough to get to 9 wins. Losing Jenkins at CB hurts.
- Pitt: the stache has his best team and his schedule is a JOKE. They play five losable games (@USF,@ND,@Cincy,WVU,@UConn), but should win two.
- Florida St: see above
- Wake Forest: see above
- Arizona St: they may be every bit as good as last year, but take a look at this 4 week stretch: UGA, @Cal, @USC, Oregon. I’ll be amazed if they do better than split. Plus, I don’t see them going undefeated in the other eight. Will lose the Sun Bowl to Michigan St.
- Alabama: 9-4 would be a solid season in T’town. Their schedule is tough (v.Clem in Atl, @UGA,@UT,@LSU,Aub). I think they will get better as the season goes on and surprise one/two of those teams in parentheses. They are LOADED with young talent.
- Utah: They are the most talented Non BCS team. They start @Michigan. They’re better than them, but I’m picking the evil RichRod to win game 1. Will win the Poinsettia Bowl….again.
- Notre Dame: everyone that got kicked around is back. They have a much softer schedule and have a chance to win 8 or 9 including the bowl. If not (i.e. they win 5 or 6), Weis will be under A LOT of fire in ’09.
Noticeably Absent:
- Auburn (new QB, new OC, HARD schedule)
- West Va (really question their coaching staff)
- Tennessee (new QB, and Cut left for HC at Duke)
- Kansas (lost Talib and now they’re the hunted)
- South Carolina (unless the Ole Ball Coach is the QB that’s a MAJOR problem)
HEISMAN WINNER: Tim Tebow, Florida.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jeff Tedford, Cal.
SURPRISE TEAM: CAL, 11-2
Past Surprises
02: Georgia, 13-1. Result: 13-1
03: Ole Miss, 10-3. Result: 10-3
04: Virginia, 10-2. Result: 8-4
05: Alabama, 10-2. Result: 10-2
06: Wake Forest, 8-4. Result: 11-3
07: Oregon: 12-1. Result: 9-4 (If Dixon didn’t get hurt!!!!!)