Ever since 2004, when the ACC swiped Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech from the Big East - an attempt to challenge the SEC and Big 12 for College Football conference supremacy - results have been...well, mixed.
Florida State, which not that long ago was one of the nation's premier programs, hasn't won more than 8 games since 2005.
Miami, after back-to-back BCS title games in the early 00's, has become one of college football's biggest disappointments, going 19-19 in the past three seasons and frequenting postseason stops like the Peach Bowl and the MPC Computers Bowl.
The one bright spot, of course, has been Virginia Tech.
Frank Beamer has built the Hokies into a perennial College Football power, with three conference titles and three BCS bowls since 2004 to show for it.
But no one will take the ACC all that seriously until someone - anyone? Beamer? -steps up to win another national title.
Just don't expect 2009 to be the year.
ACC:
Offensive POY: Russell Wilson, QB (NCST)
Defensive POY: Quan Sturdivant, LB (UNC)
ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech over NC State
Atlantic Division:
1. NC State - Following a dismal 2-6 start, the Wolfpack rebounded to win their final four regular season games in 2008, including an impressive 41-10 dismantling of then-ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Now, the 'Pack returns 14 starters, including Jr. Russell Wilson, who may just be the most talented QB in the ACC. Head coach Tom O'Brien also gets back a defensive unit that improved greatly down the stretch in '08, allowing just over 20 points per contest in its final 5 games. The health of LB Nate Irving, injured in a serious car accident in July, is a great concern for the Pack both on and off the field heading into 2009.
Overall: 10-2, Conference: 6-2
2. Florida State - Distractions? What distractions? The NCAA ruling on FSU off-field violations comes at a bad time for Bobby Bowden and the 'Noles. After several years of disappointment on the field, the team finally appears to have a squad capable of winning the ACC. Sr. QB Christian Ponder will lead a potentially explosive offense, and the defense boasts returning stud FS Dekoda Watson. Bowden has plenty of talent, but it's tough to see the 'Noles winning more than 8 or 9 games with trips to BYU, North Carolina, Clemson and Florida on the schedule.
8-4 (5-3)
3. Clemson - After years of underachievement under Tommy Bowden, the biggest asset new coach Dabo Swinney has on his side may just be lowered expectations. For once, no one really expects much out of the Tigers. And while the proof will alwaysin the pudding, the talent is there for Clemson to challenge for an Atlantic title. RB C.J. Spiller led the ACC in All-Purpose yards in '08. Highly touted So. QB Willy Korn takes the reins behind an experienced O-line. And the Defense, which ranked 2nd in the ACC in '08, returns 10 starters in 2009.
7-5 (4-4)
4. Boston College - Sure, the Eagles don't really have, say, a QB. But the BC defense (which ranked fifth in the nation last year) still has enough to keep the Eagles competing in '09. And an experienced O-line should be able to push RB Montel Harris to a big year. Plus, Florida State, NC State and North Carolina all must travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass.
6-6 (3-5)
5. Maryland - Ralph Friedgen has a challenge ahead of him in a year when he may be coaching for his job. The 'Terps lose 12 starters from 2008, when they finished 8-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. An opening week trip to Berkely to take on Cal should tell us a lot about how competitive Maryland will be in '09.
5-7 (3-5)
6. Wake Forest - The Deacons lose eight starters on a defense that carried them in 2008. They return most of the starters on offense, but is that really a good thing for a team that struggled to score just 21 points per game last season? Yeah... that's what I thought.
3-9 (1-7)
Coastal:
1. Virginia Tech - Frank Beamer may be the most underrated college coach in America. All he does is build Top-10, ACC-winning, BCS-bowling teams year after year after year. While part of me loves the Georgia Tech story (see below), I just can't pick against the consistent Hokies. QB Tyrod Taylor finally takes over as the true no. 1. He'll have plenty of help with the return of RB Darren Evans, who rushed for over 1,200 yds in '08. The Hokies' D, which allowed an ACC-best 16.7 points per game last year, returns a plethora of starters, including DE Jason Worilds and CB Stephan Virgil. Don't bet against Beamer.
11-1 (7-1)
2. Georgia Tech - You've gotta love Paul Johnson. Dude dominates for years at Navy using his non-traditional triple-option offense, then comes to Georgia Tech where supposedly his system "won't work" due to "bigger and faster defenses." Uhhh, yeah...I think it worked. The Jackets averaged 273.3 yards rushing per game last year - per game!! RB Jonathan Dwyer will absolutely find himself in the Heisman hunt this season. And if the Jackets shore up a sometimes-leaky defense, Johnson might just be showing off that triple-option of his in a BCS game.
10-2 (6-2)
3. North Carolina - I heard Tar Heel coach Butch Davis say on ESPN the other day that he can envision a time when UNC football is king on the Chapel Hill campus. I laughed and laughed. That'll happen just as soon as Coach K gets hired for the UNC Assistant AD position. But - make no mistake - Heels football is back, thanks to Davis. The only problem in '09 is that the team's three toughest games - Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and NC State - are all played on the road. At least there won't be any Cameron Crazies there.
9-3 (5-3)
4. Miami - Randy Shannon hasn't done a bad job at Miami. He's gone 19-19 in three seasons and gotten the 'Canes to two decent bowls. The problem is, that's not good enough in Miami. Everyone remembers the "glory days," which weren't that long ago, and want them back. Jr. RB Craig Cooper looks like he's on the verge of a big year, and new Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple will certainly make use of him. But the Hurricanes' first four games are ridiculous - at Florida State, Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech, Oklahoma. 1-3 or 0-4 are real possibilities.
7-5 (5-3)
5. Virginia - Points? Where are the points? The Cavalier offense ranked last in the ACC in '08 with 299.8 yards and 16.1 points per game. Al Groh has certainly brought decent football to Virginia, but lately he hasn't brought much offense - or wins. Either Jameel Sewell or Vic Hall has to have a breakout year for Virginia to factor into the ACC picture.
4-8 (1-7)
6. Duke - Hey, you've gotta give David Cutliffe some credit. In two years, he's made Duke football watchable again. I mean, I watched an entire game last year and didn't lose my lunch - even once! Sr. QB Thaddeus Lewis quietly ranked second in the ACC in pass yards per game in '08. Maybe this year I can even watch two full games without a bottle Pepto Bismol nearby!
4-8 (1-7)
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