Odds to Win ACC

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 3
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
Of all of the ACC quarterbacks, Virginia Tech may have the best in Logan Thomas. The 6-foot-6, 254-pound Thomas threw for 3,013 yards and 19 TD while also running for 469 yards and 11 TD in his first year as a starter. Running back is a huge weakness for the Hokies as their top three RBs have little experience -- freshmen Michael Holmes and J.C. Coleman, and senior Martin Scales all enter the 2012 season with zero career carries. However, the Hokies will have one of the best defensive lines in the country next year, led by junior DE James Gayle (7 sacks, 12.5 TFL). They stack eight in the box often, with the technique paying off way more than it doesn’t (12th in nation in sacks, 7th in points allowed). On the other side, VT will hope teams don’t put eight in the box as the Hokies return just one starter on the offensive line.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Georgia Tech opened up its QB competition this spring, but Tevin Washington still emerged as the starter. Last season, Washington threw for 1,652 yards and ran for 987 yards out of the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense. The team is returning four starters on the offensive line, so Washington should be well-protected. They lost all of their wide receivers, but they have two promising underclassmen in 6-foot-4 Jeff Greene and 6-foot-5 Darren Waller. An issue for this Georgia Tech team is its weak defensive line. It’s a unit that has trouble stuffing the run (94th in nation in TFL) and getting after the quarterback (77th in sacks), so somebody will need to step up. That somebody could be 6-foot-7 senior DT T.J. Barnes, who lost more than 25 pounds since last season to get down to about 340.

MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Miami is going to have to figure out its QB situation if the ‘Canes want to get back to challenging for an ACC title. Sophomore Ryan Williams seems like he’ll be the starter when the season rolls around. The transfer from Memphis impressed in the spring game and it seems as though he’ll edge out Stephen Morris (7 TD, 11 INT in career). The ground game should be a strength on the team as RBs Mike James (7 rush TD) and Eduardo Clements (5.5 YPC) are ready to step in and be a brilliant tandem for Miami. The defense was what really impressed in the spring game, forcing five turnovers. The ‘Canes get back DE Anthony Chickillo, who recorded five sacks in his freshman season. Head coach Al Golden brought in a top-10 recruiting class and they’ll need these guys to contribute immediately if they are to go anywhere this season.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
Michael Rocco is looking to build on a his strong 2011 season in which he threw for 2,671 yards and 13 TD after winning the starting job out of a group of three candidates. Now he has to tone down his turnovers (12 INT), which should be possible considering the Cavaliers are returning three running backs, all of whom are capable of starting on other teams -- Perry Jones (915 rush yds, 5 TD), Kevin Parks (709 rush yds, 9 TD) and Clifton Richardson (366 rush yds, 5.1 YPC). Defensively, Virginia is losing its experienced corners, but its best DB, Demetrious Nicholson (60 total tackles, 2 INT), will return. The defensive line is going to have to make more plays (90th in FBS in sacks), otherwise it’ll be a long year for the Cavaliers, who are coming off a strong 8-5 bowl season in 2011.

DUKE BLUE DEVILS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
This could be the year that Duke football finally becomes nationally relevant. QB Sean Renfree is coming off a year in which he threw for 2,511 yards and 14 TDs in his final 10 games. The 6-foot-5 junior has made great strides and he seems as though he’s ready to take Duke to the next level. The Blue Devils have little running game (94 rush YPG, 6th-lowest in FBS), but they do have a standout WR in Conner Vernon (956 rec yds). While the defense was a mess last season (425 YPG, 31.2 PPG allowed), it should be able to improve in its second year under coordinator Jim Knowles. If this happens, there’s an outside shot that the Blue Devils could be playing in a bowl game for the first time since the 1994 season.

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
If the spring game is any indication of how junior QB Bryn Renner is going to fare in new head coach Larry Fedora’s spread offense, then Tar Heel fans have a reason to be excited in a year in which the team is banned from playing in a bowl game. Renner completed 9-of-13 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in his new offense. North Carolina will get back RB Giovani Bernard (1,253 rush yds, 13 TD) and WR Erik Highsmith (726 rec yds, 5 TD), both of whom will play an even bigger role in the offense this year. The defense is a huge question mark as the UNC defensive coordinators are changing their scheme to a 4-3 after losing their most talented players to the NFL draft. This team doesn’t have a lot to play for, which doesn’t bode well considering its lack of talent at most positions.

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