2015 College Football Preview: Atlantic Coast ConferenceTo get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we begin our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. In this preview, we’ll run through the Atlantic Coast Conference:BOSTON COLLEGE GOLDEN EAGLES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 26.2 PPG (86th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 21.3 PPG (21st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 3
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Sophomore QB Darius Wade is tasked with replacing Tyler Murphy, and will frequently hand off to RB Jon Hilliman (860 rush yds, 13 TD). BC will again be hard to run on with a front seven featuring MLB Steven Daniels (72 tackles, 7 TFL). CLEMSON TIGERS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-3
ATS Record: 6-7
Over/Under: 3-9
Points Scored: 30.8 PPG (54th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 16.7 PPG (3rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 22/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
QB DeShaun Watson (14 TD, 2 INT) has recovered from his torn ACL and will heavily target WRs Mike Williams (1,030 rec yds) and Artavis Scott (965 rec yds). The defense lost a ton of top-notch starters, including Vic Beasley. DUKE BLUE DEVILS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 9-4
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 32.4 PPG (43rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 21.8 PPG (24th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
Duke’s passing game has all new starters, most notably QB Thomas Sirk (10-14, 67 yds, 3 TD). But the rushing attack is in great shape, as are the secondary and special teams. The depleted front seven is questionable though. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 13-1
ATS Record: 3-11
Over/Under: 6-7
Points Scored: 33.7 PPG (35th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.6 PPG (50th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 25/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Jameis Winston’s old job should go to QB Everett Golson (29 TD at N.D.), who has a deep receiving corps. RB Dalvin Cook (1,008 rush yds) shined as a freshman. The secondary is the strength of yet another elite FSU defense. GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-3
ATS Record: 10-4
Over/Under: 8-6
Points Scored: 37.9 PPG (12th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.7 PPG (53rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 90/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
The triple-option will remain lethal with QB Justin Thomas (1,086 rush yds) and A-back Broderick Snoddy (10.1 YPC). The defense should improve with LB P.J. Davis (119 tackles), S Jamal Golden (3 FF) and CB D.J. White (4 INT) returning. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 7-6
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 31.2 PPG (53rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 21.8 PPG (25th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 225/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
Junior RB Brandon Radcliff (12 rush TD) should take the pressure off QB Will Gardner (12 TD, 3 INT), who has a lingering knee injury. The defense lost a boatload of players, but returning DE Sheldon Rankins (9 sacks) is a star. MIAMI HURRICANES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-7
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 29.2 PPG (62nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.3 PPG (37th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 200/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
The ‘Canes will miss Duke Johnson, but RB Joseph Yearby (509 rush yds) can fly. QB Brad Kaaya (26 TD, 12 INT) doesn’t have a true go-to receiver. S Deon Bush (5 FF) leads a top-notch secondary, but the front seven is green. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-7
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 33.2 PPG (38th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 39.0 PPG (119th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 500/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
This nearly-intact offense revolves around dual-threat QB Marquise Williams (3,856 total yds, 34 total TD). New DC Gene Chizik’s 4-3 set should allow LB Jeff Schoettmer (74 tackles) and CB Des Lawrence (71 tackles) to shine. NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 30.2 PPG (57th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.0 PPG (66th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 500/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Talent abounds with QB Jacoby Brissett (23 TD, 5 INT) and RB Shadrach Thornton (907 rush yds) pacing the offense. MLB Jerod Fernandez (78 tackles) and FS Hakim Jones (80 tackles) shine brightest in this quality NC State defense. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-7
ATS Record: 6-7
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 31.8 PPG (46th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 26.3 PPG (59th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
New head coach Pat Narduzzi (MSU DC) inherits stars RB James Conner (1,765 rush yds, 26 TD) and WR Tyler Boyd (1,261 rec yds), and reliable QB Chad Voytik (16 TD, 7 INT). New DC Josh Conklin (FIU) is tasked with forcing more turnovers. SYRACUSE ORANGE2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 2-10
Points Scored: 17.1 PPG (121st in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.3 PPG (38th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 3
The inept Orange offense should improve with senior QB Terrell Hunt (6.8 YPA) back from injury, but the best skill player is WR Steve Ishmael (415 rec yds). The defense was strong in 2014, but needs to replace eight starters. VIRGINIA CAVALIERS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 3-8
Points Scored: 25.8 PPG (88th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.1 PPG (33rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
QBs Greyson Lambert (6.3 YPA) and Matt Johns (6.9 YPA) will compete to orchestrate a talent-deficient offense. The defense is also suspect with all three starting linebackers leaving, but FS Quin Blanding (122 tackles, 3 INT) is excellent. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 6-7
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 24.1 PPG (96th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 20.2 PPG (14th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 110/1 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Key components remain with QB Michael Brewer (18 TD, 15 INT), RB J.C. Coleman (533 rush yds) and WR Isaiah Ford (709 rec yds). DEs Ken Ekanem (9.5 sacks) and Dadi Lhomme Nicolas (9 sacks) lead a top-notch defense. WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 14.8 PPG (127th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 26.4 PPG (62nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field) 2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Wake has a QB controversy and a ground game that posted an FBS-low 1.3 YPC last year. LBs Marquel Lee (101 tackles) and Brandon Chubb (109 tackles) excel, but Ryan Janvion (115 tackles) is the lone returning DB starter.
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