EagleAction.com - ACC's best stay firmly on the ground

The ACC returns eight of its top nine rushers from last season and has only one receiver (Clemson's Jacoby Ford) who caught as many as 50 passes or compiled as many as 700 receiving yards last season. Add in that the ACC has an abundance of talented cornerbacks, and it's easy to understand why so many ACC teams will be running the ball this season.

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech - the two top teams in the conference - reflect the ACC's run-oriented trend. Georgia Tech ran the ball 80 percent of the time last season and boasted the nation's fourth-ranked rushing offense, while Virginia Tech won its second consecutive ACC title while throwing just six touchdown passes last season.

The Hokies open the 2009 season as favorites to win a third consecutive ACC title. Virginia Tech was seventh in the USA Today coaches' preseason poll; no other ACC team is ranked inside the top 15.

But the rest of the league features enough balance that it wouldn't come as much of a surprise if the ACC again sent 10 of its 12 teams to bowls. The conference features so much balance that two-time defending Atlantic Division champion Boston College was picked in the ACC media's preseason poll to finish last this season.

THE PLAYERS

BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer. The ACC features plenty of outstanding running backs, but Dwyer is the best of the bunch. Dwyer, a junior who is the reigning ACC player of the year, led the league with 1,395 rushing yards last season and was the only player in the conference to average at least 100 rushing yards per game. Dwyer rushed for at least 100 yards in each of Georgia Tech's final four regular-season games last season, which bodes well for his 2009 prospects.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Virginia Tech DE Jason Worilds. Since Boston College LB Mark Herzlich had to give football a rest while recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, Worilds assumes the mantle as the ACC's top defensive star. Worilds recorded eight sacks and ranked second in the league with 18.5 tackles for loss last season. He delivered one sack in each of his final six regular-season games before sitting out the Orange Bowl with an injured left shoulder.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor. Virginia Tech's chances of emerging as a serious national title contender depend on whether Taylor makes the leap to stardom as a junior. While it's tough to knock a guy who has helped his team win back-to-back ACC titles, Taylor must improve his passing ability and become a more complete player. Taylor threw seven interceptions and only two touchdown passes last season. If Taylor becomes a more effective passer, the Hokies could be playing for more than a conference championship at the end of the season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Florida State CB Patrick Robinson. After picking off six passes in 2007, Robinson endured a disappointing season in '08. He rebounded with an outstanding spring performance, as he received the top grade in every category among FSU defensive backs and was named the defensive MVP. The Seminoles need a big season from Robinson because he's their only proven cornerback. If Robinson regains his 2007 form, the Seminoles have an excellent chance of winning the Atlantic Division. If he delivers a repeat performance of his '08 season, they could struggle in the secondary all season.

PLAYER WITH THE BIGGEST SHOES TO FILL: Wake Forest LB Jonathan Jones. Jones, a fifth-year senior, gets the first opportunity to replace Butkus Award winner Aaron Curry as the Demon Deacons' strongside linebacker. Curry had 105 tackles for Wake Forest last season before the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft. Jones arrived at Wake Forest as a wide receiver and played safety before backing up Curry at linebacker last season.

BREAKOUT OFFENSIVE STAR: Florida State RB Jermaine Thomas. After averaging 7 yards per carry while backing up Antone Smith last season as a freshman, Thomas steps into a starting role this year. Thomas showed his potential by averaging more than 12 yards per carry in spring scrimmages. He also has the luxury of running behind the ACC's top line. If Thomas doesn't reach the 1,000-yard mark this season, it will be because offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher likes to have multiple backs share carries.

BREAKOUT DEFENSIVE STAR: Clemson E DaQuan Bowers. After arriving at Clemson as the No. 2 national prospect in the 2008 recruiting class, Bowers delivered eight tackles for loss - but only one sack - as a true freshman. Expect those numbers to go up quite a bit this season. Bowers showed hints of his enormous upside when he delivered three tackles for loss in a Gator Bowl loss to Nebraska. If he builds on that late-season momentum, Bowers should team with former Bamberg-Ehrhardt (S.C.) High School teammate Ricky Sapp to give Clemson quite a pass-rushing tandem.

BEST OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER: Boston College QB Dave Shinskie. The Minnesota Twins drafted this former two-sport athlete in the fourth round in 2003, but he couldn't make it into the major leagues as a pitcher. He decided to give football another try and arrived at BC this summer as a quarterback. Shinskie, 25, has an excellent chance of opening the season as the Eagles' starting quarterback following the departure of Dominique Davis, though he still must beat out Codi Boek, Justin Tuggle and Michael Marscovetra. You also should keep an eye on North Carolina WR Joshua Adams, a true freshman who enrolled in time for spring practice and has won raves. UNC needs some newcomers to emerge as it attempts to replace departed WRs Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster.

BEST DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER: Maryland LB Demetrius Hartsfield. Hartsfield, a redshirt freshman, heads into summer camp as the Terrapins' starting weakside linebacker. Maryland defensive coordinator Don Brown has called Hartsfield one of the Terps' most improved players. North Carolina State redshirt freshman LB Terrell Manning and Florida State freshman T Jacobbi McDaniel are other newcomers who could have major roles.

MOST OVERRATED PLAYER: North Carolina DT Marvin Austin. Austin, a junior who is a former five-star prospect, delivered just one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss last season, yet he still was one of only two defensive tackles selected to the media's preseason All-ACC team. Austin still could develop into an outstanding player, but right now he's being rewarded more on potential than actual production.

MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER: Maryland RB Da'Rel Scott. The ACC's wealth of outstanding running backs has allowed Scott to slip under the radar. Clemson has launched a Heisman campaign for C.J. Spiller. Georgia Tech's Dwyer is the reigning ACC player of the year. Virginia Tech's Darren Evans was named the Orange Bowl MVP last season. In the meantime, Scott quietly has emerged as one of the nation's most explosive runners. Scott rushed for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry last season.

THE COACHES

COACH ON THE HOTTEST SEAT: Virginia's Al Groh. Virginia emerged as the ACC's biggest surprise by going 9-4 in 2007, but the Cavaliers followed that up with a 5-7 season that made them one of only two conference teams that failed to earn a bowl bid. Groh responded by hiring former Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon, a spread proponent, as offensive coordinator. Brandon replaces Groh's son, Mike, who resigned after the Cavaliers averaged just 16.1 points per game last season. If the Cavaliers have another losing season, they might have a new coach next season.

BEST COACHING STAFF: Virginia Tech. The stability of Frank Beamer's staff has allowed Virginia Tech to become the ACC's dominant program. Beamer is an outstanding coach in his own right, but he also has an exceptional crew of assistants. Bud Foster arguably is the best defensive coordinator in the nation. Running backs coach Billy Hite is entering his 32nd season at Virginia Tech. Quarterback coach Mike O'Cain has ACC head-coaching experience. Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring received plenty of criticism last season, but give him credit for realizing what his offense did best and relying on the rushing attack late in the season.

BEST OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Florida State's Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles didn't improve much on offense in Fisher's first season on the job in 2007, but they made huge strides in Fisher's second season. Florida State ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring - up from 90th the previous season - and trailed only Georgia Tech among ACC teams in total offense. The Seminoles also finally have established an offensive identity as a team that can run the ball effectively.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech at Atlanta, Sept. 5

Florida State at BYU, Sept. 19

TCU at Clemson, Sept. 26

Miami at Virginia Tech, Sept. 26

Oklahoma at Miami, Oct. 3

Georgia Tech at Florida State, Oct. 10

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, Oct. 17

North Carolina at Virginia Tech, Oct. 29

Florida State at Clemson, Nov. 7

Florida State at Florida, Nov. 28

BEST DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Virginia Tech's Bud Foster. He has helped Virginia Tech rank in the top 10 in total defense and scoring defense each of the past five seasons. Foster may have done the best work of his career last season, as Virginia Tech replaced seven starters from the '07 defense and still finished seventh in the nation in total defense and ninth in scoring defense.

THE GAMES

GAME OF THE YEAR: Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, Oct. 17. These are probably the two best teams in the conference. Their showdown in Atlanta likely will determine who represents the Coastal Division in the ACC championship game. Georgia Tech QB Josh Nesbitt rushed for 151 yards in last season's game, but the Hokies capitalized on three takeaways to win 20-17 in Blacksburg.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE: Miami. Florida State and Virginia Tech also have tough schedules this season, but Miami's season-opening gauntlet puts the Hurricanes over the top. Miami travels to Florida State, plays host to Georgia Tech, visits Virginia Tech and plays host to Oklahoma in its first four games. The Hurricanes have as good a chance of going 0-4 as they do of opening 3-1. And why in the world did Miami ever agree to play state foes USF and UCF on the road - in the same season ?

EASIEST SCHEDULE: Duke. The Blue Devils play two games against Football Championship Subdivision (i.e., Division I-AA) schools, though one of them is against defending national champion Richmond. Duke also has a likely non-conference victory at Army to go along with a much trickier trip to Kansas. Duke's Atlantic Division schedule doesn't include Florida State or Clemson, the teams we expect to battle for the Atlantic title.

MOST EMBARRASSING GAME: Northeastern at Boston College, Sept. 5. While it's nice to see Boston College agreeing to play a local rival, even an FCS school, anyone without a rooting interest has no reason to watch this game. Northeastern has won a total of 12 games over the past four seasons. North Carolina Central probably is the weakest FCS opponent on any ACC team's schedule. The difference is that North Carolina Central plays Duke, the perennial Coastal Division cellar-dweller. Boston College, a two-time defending Atlantic Division champion, shouldn't play an FCS program picked to finish fifth in a six-team division.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Russell Wilson, N.C. State, 5-11/208, Soph.
RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech, 6-0/235, Jr.
RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 5-11/195, Sr.
WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson, 5-10/185, Sr.
WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech, 6-3/229, Jr.
TE Greg Boone, Virginia Tech, 6-3/287, Sr.
T Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, 6-7/287, Jr.
T Jason Fox, Miami, 6-7/314, Sr.
G Thomas Austin, Clemson, 6-3/315, Sr.
G Rodney Hudson, Florida State, 6-2/283, Jr.
C Matt Tennant, Boston College, 6-4/294, Sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

E Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech, 6-2/240, Jr.
T Vince Oghobaase, Duke, 6-6/300, Sr.
T Boo Robinson, Wake Forest, 6-2/295, Sr.
E Willie Young, N.C. State, 6-4/250, Sr.
LB Sean Spence, Miami, 6-0/212, Soph.
LB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, 6-2/235, Jr.
LB Dekoda Watson, Florida State, 6-2/228, Sr.
CB Kendric Burney, North Carolina, 5-9/185, Jr.
CB Stephan Virgil, Virginia Tech, 5-11/189, Sr.
FS Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech, 6-4/226, Sr.
SS Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech, 6-1/210, Jr.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Matt Bosher, Miami, 6-0/205, Jr.
P Travis Baltz, Maryland, 6-2/200, Jr.
KR C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 5-11/195, Sr.
PR Travis Benjamin, Miami, 5-10/175, Soph.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB Riley Skinner, Wake Forest, 6-1/210, Sr.
RB Darren Evans, Virginia Tech, 6-0/213, Soph.
RB Da'Rel Scott, Maryland, 5-11/200, Jr.
WR Rich Gunnell, Boston College, 5-11/196, Sr.
WR Owen Spencer, N.C. State, 6-3/185, Jr.
TE Ben Wooster, Wake Forest, 6-5/235, Sr.
T Will Barker, Virginia, 6-7/320, Sr.
T Ed Wang, Virginia Tech, 6-5/301, Sr.
G Cord Howard, Georgia Tech, 6-5/300, Sr.
G Sergio Render, Virginia Tech, 6-3/319, Sr.
C Ryan McMahon, Florida State, 6-3/282, Jr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
E Alex Albright, Boston College, 6-5/245, Jr.
T John Russell, Wake Forest, 6-4/280, Sr.
T Cordarrow Thompson, Va. Tech, 6-2/308, Sr.
E Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech, 6-4/275, Jr.
LB Kavell Conner, Clemson, 6-1/225, Sr.
LB Cody Grimm, Virginia Tech, 5-11/202, Sr.
LB Alex Wujciak, Maryland, 6-3/255, Jr.
CB Chris Chancellor, Clemson, 5-10/165, Sr.
CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia, 6-2/200, Jr.
FS Deunta Williams, North Carolina, 6-2/210, Jr.
SS Dorian Porch, Virginia Tech, 5-11/212, Sr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Josh Czajkowski, N.C. State, 5-9/184, Jr.
P Kevin Jones, Duke, 6-3/200, Jr.
KR Torrey Smith, Maryland, 6-1/200, Soph.
PR C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 5-11/195, Sr.