The 2015 college football season is almost here.  Only 26 days away from the Thursday night games on September 3rd.

WHOO-HOO!

I haven’t been blogging much lately, largely due to the fact that baseball has dominated the sports landscaped (that sport is too damn long by the way).  Now that the good Lord is going to bless us with football a few weeks from now (along with basketball later in the year), this dude will be back blogging like one bad, crazy mo-fo.

I will give an in-depth preview all of the “Power 5” conferences.  Not so much for the “Group of 5” conferences because, quite frankly, no one gives a damn about them – and neither will I.  Those conferences will be included in my “overall” college football preview.

So without further ado, the conference of my youth: the Atlantic Coast Conference (can this conference get ANY respect?)…

Atlantic Division

1. Florida State
2. Louisville
3. Clemson
4. North Carolina State
5. Boston College
6. Wake Forest
7. Syracuse

Analysis:  A lot of pundits are picking Clemson to win the division and the conference.  A lot.  However, the Tigers have the only a handful of players coming back.  And there is that constant question about QB Deshaun Watson’s health.  If he stays healthy, Clemson will light it up on offense.  Otherwise, say hello to 8-4.

I still think this is FSU’s division to lose.  Sure the Seminoles lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but they have more going for them.  They still have a boatload of talent.  They are still coached by Jimbo Fisher.  QB Everette Golson will be more than serviceable this season.  And FSU’s out of conference schedule is light.  Until Clemson is man enough to take FSU out, this division (and conference) is still owned by the Seminoles.

As for the rest of the division, keep an eye on Louisville.  If the Cardinals can upset Auburn in Week 1, look the hell out.  Only a road game at FSU may prevent the Cards from possibly running the table.  Besides, any team coached by Bobby Petrino is a team to watch.

Coastal Division

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

Analysis:  This division is such a fucking crapshoot, it’s not even funny.  You could put all of these teams’ names in a hat (outside Virginia), and any team picked would have a compelling case to win the Coastal.

That said, I think both Techs will run the division this season.  What gives Virginia Tech the edge are two things: 1) the Hokies have almost everyone on defense coming back, and any defensive unit coached by Bob Foster should be feared; 2) Georgia Tech not only lost some offensive weapons, it has a harder schedule.

Not only do the Yellow Jackets have to play both Clemson and FSU in conference this season, they have to play Notre Dame and of course Georgia out of conference.  If Georgia Tech finish with only one loss with that schedule, they would be playoff worthy.

However, Virginia Tech has only Ohio State to worry about in terms of out of conference schedule.  The Hokies get them at home Week 1 on a Monday night, which will be HUGE.  And while East Carolina is no slouch, it is not Notre Dame nor Georgia.

Advantage, Virginia Tech.

2015 ACC Champion: Florida State Seminoles

Categories: college football

Tags: ACC, college football, College Football Preview, Opinion, Sports