ACC: contender-pretender
We have come to the end in our series categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The incoming Pitt Panthers wrap things up.
Why they're contenders: Start with the defense, which returns nine starters from a group that ranked No. 17 in the nation in total defense. Included in that group is defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who should be one of the best interior linemen in the ACC in 2013. Linebacker Todd Thomas is finally near 100 percent, and is poised for a breakout season. Safety Jason Hendricks, who led the team in tackles a season ago, should also make his name known in a hurry in this new league. Though the Panthers do have a new defensive coordinator in Matt House, he served as an assistant on this team a year ago, so there at least will be familiarity with him in charge and no scheme change. There is plenty of talent on offense as well, with Devin Street returning at receiver -- eyeing a 1,000-yard season -- and Rushel Shell hoping to build upon a steady freshman campaign. And while the starting quarterback is unknown right now, many expect either Tom Savage or Chad Voytik to be an improvement over the departed Tino Sunseri.
Why they're pretenders: Let's stay with the offense for a second. The offensive line has not been very good the last several years, and once again, this is an area of concern going into the spring. The top two linemen from a year ago -- guard Chris Jacobson and center Ryan Turnley -- are gone. Depth is not very good, either. At receiver, there are major question marks outside of Street, who will see his fair share of double teams as the player in the spotlight in that group. Shell, meanwhile, was inconsistent last season. How will he handle 20-plus carries in a game as the starter? While there is the expectation that quarterback play will improve, Sunseri did start for three years and led this team to three bowl games. So that position remains an unknown. Defensively, Pitt needs players to step up on the line next to Donald. Putting more pressure on the passer is a must, as the Panthers only had 24 sacks last year, compared to 43 in 2011. Getting Thomas back should be huge for a linebacker group that also has been inconsistent.
Final verdict: I truly believe Pitt will be a contender in Year 1 in the ACC. The defense should be solid; the offense should be better. And these players get the luxury of having the same head coach for two straight seasons. Believe you me, that is huge for a program that has been rocked by transition up at the top.
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Why they're pretenders: Let's stay with the offense for a second. The offensive line has not been very good the last several years, and once again, this is an area of concern going into the spring. The top two linemen from a year ago -- guard Chris Jacobson and center Ryan Turnley -- are gone. Depth is not very good, either. At receiver, there are major question marks outside of Street, who will see his fair share of double teams as the player in the spotlight in that group. Shell, meanwhile, was inconsistent last season. How will he handle 20-plus carries in a game as the starter? While there is the expectation that quarterback play will improve, Sunseri did start for three years and led this team to three bowl games. So that position remains an unknown. Defensively, Pitt needs players to step up on the line next to Donald. Putting more pressure on the passer is a must, as the Panthers only had 24 sacks last year, compared to 43 in 2011. Getting Thomas back should be huge for a linebacker group that also has been inconsistent.
Final verdict: I truly believe Pitt will be a contender in Year 1 in the ACC. The defense should be solid; the offense should be better. And these players get the luxury of having the same head coach for two straight seasons. Believe you me, that is huge for a program that has been rocked by transition up at the top.
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If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Hoos are up next.
Why they're contenders: Virginia returns a majority of its starters on offense and defense, so the Hoos should be a much more experienced team heading into the season. Though Perry Jones is gone from the running backs, a deep and talented group remains with Kevin Parks, Khalek Shepherd and Clifton Richardson having all played significant minutes in games. Then there is the much-anticipated arrival of five-star running back Taquan Mizzell. The receivers should be better, too, with the top five players from a year ago all returning. Yes, there are questions at quarterback, but there is some major talent on this team. A new coordinator in Steve Fairchild should help them put up more than 396 yards of total offense per game. Defensively, the secondary should turn into an area of strength with four returners. The defensive line has an opportunity to build on some of the progress it made toward the end of last season with Jake Snyder back at one end and Eli Harold set to start on the other side after a promising freshman season.
Why they're pretenders: OK, so I downplayed the quarterback questions in the first category. The Hoos have to pick one starter and go with him instead of playing musical quarterbacks if they want to try to find any semblance of consistency at this position. Easier said than done for sure. David Watford, Phillip Sims and Greyson Lambert are all competing for the starting job. Quarterback questions aside, this offense is not going to function the way it wants without a solid running game. The offensive line was not an area of strength last year. With Jones and Oday Aboushi gone, can the Hoos get back to the production they had on the ground in 2011? Defensively, losing Steve Greer in the middle is a huge blow, considering how sure of a tackler he was for this team throughout the course of his career. The pre-spring depth chart has strongside linebacker Henry Coley moving back to the middle. At least the Hoos will have an experienced player there. But linebacker is definitely a question mark heading into the season. Depth at defensive tackle also is an issue, particularly after the loss of Chris Brathwaite, who is no longer on the team.
Final verdict: I expect the Hoos to be much improved this year, but they remain a pretender. First, there are too many unknowns at quarterback. Second, the schedule is difficult. And third, there has been an overhaul to the entire coaching staff. How will this impact the offense and defense?
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Why they're pretenders: OK, so I downplayed the quarterback questions in the first category. The Hoos have to pick one starter and go with him instead of playing musical quarterbacks if they want to try to find any semblance of consistency at this position. Easier said than done for sure. David Watford, Phillip Sims and Greyson Lambert are all competing for the starting job. Quarterback questions aside, this offense is not going to function the way it wants without a solid running game. The offensive line was not an area of strength last year. With Jones and Oday Aboushi gone, can the Hoos get back to the production they had on the ground in 2011? Defensively, losing Steve Greer in the middle is a huge blow, considering how sure of a tackler he was for this team throughout the course of his career. The pre-spring depth chart has strongside linebacker Henry Coley moving back to the middle. At least the Hoos will have an experienced player there. But linebacker is definitely a question mark heading into the season. Depth at defensive tackle also is an issue, particularly after the loss of Chris Brathwaite, who is no longer on the team.
Final verdict: I expect the Hoos to be much improved this year, but they remain a pretender. First, there are too many unknowns at quarterback. Second, the schedule is difficult. And third, there has been an overhaul to the entire coaching staff. How will this impact the offense and defense?
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Contender or pretender: Virginia Tech
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
11:00
AM ET
By
Heather Dinich | ESPN.com
VIRGINIA TECH
If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Hokies are up next.
Why they’re a contender: The defense could be the best in the ACC. Virginia Tech returns nine starters from a defense that ranked No. 18 in the country last year in total defense. All four defensive linemen return, including all-ACC defensive end James Gayle and run-stopper Derrick Hopkins. All-ACC and leading tackler Jack Tyler is back at linebacker, and all four defensive backs return, including Antone Exum, once he recovers from an injury. Kyle Fuller, Kyshoen Jarrett, Detrick Bonner and Corey Marshall are also headliners, and there are big expectations for true freshman Kendall Fuller. There are also plenty of young, talented players who redshirted last season and will earn their way into the rotation.
Why they’re a pretender: Offensive questions remain. Coach Frank Beamer made sweeping changes to his offensive staff, including the hire of first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes, and receivers coach Aaron Moorehead. While most who paid attention to the Hokies last season would agree change was necessary, it’s a new playbook to learn, and the offensive line remains a concern. Virginia Tech still needs to establish a leader in the running game, still has to find physical, dependable receivers willing to block, and still needs to see improvement from quarterback Logan Thomas. Those things will take time, especially with new faces on the coaching staff.
Final verdict: Contender. Beamer is one of the best coaches in the ACC, as evidenced by eight straight seasons of 10 wins or more. The staff and players are determined to regroup and prove that last season’s disappointment was an anomaly. Thomas certainly didn’t come back to Virginia Tech to finish 6-6. The talent on defense will be enough to shoulder the team as the offense works out its kinks under Loeffler.
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If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Hokies are up next.
Why they’re a pretender: Offensive questions remain. Coach Frank Beamer made sweeping changes to his offensive staff, including the hire of first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes, and receivers coach Aaron Moorehead. While most who paid attention to the Hokies last season would agree change was necessary, it’s a new playbook to learn, and the offensive line remains a concern. Virginia Tech still needs to establish a leader in the running game, still has to find physical, dependable receivers willing to block, and still needs to see improvement from quarterback Logan Thomas. Those things will take time, especially with new faces on the coaching staff.
Final verdict: Contender. Beamer is one of the best coaches in the ACC, as evidenced by eight straight seasons of 10 wins or more. The staff and players are determined to regroup and prove that last season’s disappointment was an anomaly. Thomas certainly didn’t come back to Virginia Tech to finish 6-6. The talent on defense will be enough to shoulder the team as the offense works out its kinks under Loeffler.
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MIAMI
If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Canes are next up on the list -- assuming, of course, that they’ll be eligible to contend this fall ...
Why they’re a contender: The dynamic duo. Quarterback Stephen Morris will be one of the best in the ACC, and all-purpose threat Duke Johnson is coming off a Rookie of the Year season. As a true freshman, Johnson racked up 2,060 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games. Morris finished 2012 on a hot streak, as he threw for 1,131 yards and 11 touchdowns – with no interceptions -- in his final four games. Miami has two of the ACC’s top playmakers on offense, and they should be even better this year, considering Miami returns all five starters on the offensive line.
Why they’re a pretender: Defense, or lack thereof. Miami’s defense couldn’t make enough stops on third down last year. It wasn’t stingy enough in the red zone. It was one of the worst teams in the country at generating sacks. Overall, it just wasn’t very good, and there weren’t many encouraging signs through the season that it was getting much better. If Miami is going to be a contender in the Coastal Division this year, it can’t allow Virginia 41 points. The Canes beat Duke last year -- but gave up 45 points in the process. If Miami is going to win its first ACC championship, it has to find a championship-caliber defense.
Final verdict: Contender. One of Miami’s biggest strengths should be up front, where the Canes return every single starter on both the offensive and defensive lines. Miami also has the intangible of a favorable schedule, as it doesn’t have to play a league game until Oct. 5 against Georgia Tech. It doesn’t even have to leave the state until Oct. 17 at North Carolina. There is plenty of time for Miami to work any kinks out before it gets into the heart of the ACC schedule, and considering how poorly the defense played last year, it can only get better.
More in this series:
If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Canes are next up on the list -- assuming, of course, that they’ll be eligible to contend this fall ...
Why they’re a pretender: Defense, or lack thereof. Miami’s defense couldn’t make enough stops on third down last year. It wasn’t stingy enough in the red zone. It was one of the worst teams in the country at generating sacks. Overall, it just wasn’t very good, and there weren’t many encouraging signs through the season that it was getting much better. If Miami is going to be a contender in the Coastal Division this year, it can’t allow Virginia 41 points. The Canes beat Duke last year -- but gave up 45 points in the process. If Miami is going to win its first ACC championship, it has to find a championship-caliber defense.
Final verdict: Contender. One of Miami’s biggest strengths should be up front, where the Canes return every single starter on both the offensive and defensive lines. Miami also has the intangible of a favorable schedule, as it doesn’t have to play a league game until Oct. 5 against Georgia Tech. It doesn’t even have to leave the state until Oct. 17 at North Carolina. There is plenty of time for Miami to work any kinks out before it gets into the heart of the ACC schedule, and considering how poorly the defense played last year, it can only get better.
More in this series:
If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. Georgia Tech is up next ...
Why they’re a contender: Four starters return on the offensive line. Not bad for a team that finished No. 4 in the country in rushing offense at 311.21 yards per game. The Jackets welcome back left tackle Ray Beno, left guard Shaquille Mason, center Jay Finch, and right tackle Morgan Bailey. The biggest loss will, obviously, be All-ACC right guard Omoregie Uzzi, but overall it will be a veteran and experienced group that should again pave the way for one of the country’s best running games and help out first-year starting quarterback Vad Lee.
Why they’re a pretender: The schedule. Georgia Tech has two Thursday night games, including a road trip to Clemson on Nov. 14, and the Jackets have Virginia Tech at home on Thursday, Sept. 26. They also have back-to-back road trips to Miami and BYU. The good news is that Georgia Tech has a bye week to prepare for the trip to Death Valley. The bad news? That bye week won’t slow Clemson down.
Final verdict: Contender. Even at 5-3 -- and that should be the worst-case scenario, with losses to Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson -- Georgia Tech is still in the mix. (If you follow the ACC regularly, you should know to never count out a 5-3 team.) The defense improved in the second half of the season in 2012, and it should take another step forward under coordinator Ted Roof. The Jackets should also get up an upgrade at quarterback with Lee. Overall, this team should be much better than it was last year -- and even last year, it somehow found a backdoor to the ACC title game.
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Why they’re a pretender: The schedule. Georgia Tech has two Thursday night games, including a road trip to Clemson on Nov. 14, and the Jackets have Virginia Tech at home on Thursday, Sept. 26. They also have back-to-back road trips to Miami and BYU. The good news is that Georgia Tech has a bye week to prepare for the trip to Death Valley. The bad news? That bye week won’t slow Clemson down.
Final verdict: Contender. Even at 5-3 -- and that should be the worst-case scenario, with losses to Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson -- Georgia Tech is still in the mix. (If you follow the ACC regularly, you should know to never count out a 5-3 team.) The defense improved in the second half of the season in 2012, and it should take another step forward under coordinator Ted Roof. The Jackets should also get up an upgrade at quarterback with Lee. Overall, this team should be much better than it was last year -- and even last year, it somehow found a backdoor to the ACC title game.
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WAKE FOREST
If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Deacs? That’s debatable.
Let’s have at it:
Why they’re a contender: A great linebacker corps. This will be the strength of the team, as it blends experience with young talent. Redshirt juniors Justin Jackson and Mike Olson are the veterans of the group, but the staff is also very encouraged by redshirt freshman Teddy Matthews, who is a potential starter, and Kevis Jones. Overall, this group will lead a noticeably improved defense, which will give the Deacs a fighting chance against the ACC’s best.
Why they’re a pretender: The offensive line has been ravaged by injuries and it has yet to prove it has the depth to handle it again. Starting tackles Steven Chase and Colin Summers are expected to miss spring drills, along with starting guard Antonio Ford. Even with veteran quarterback Tanner Price returning, along with star receiver Michael Campanaro, the Deacs won’t go very far without a dependable line blocking for them.
Final verdict: Contender. Consider the Deacs a dark horse in the Atlantic Division race. Last year wasn’t the norm for the program, as it had both injuries AND suspensions to key players. The staff has recruited well the past two seasons and it has one of the best coaching staffs in the ACC. The schedule is favorable, and it has open dates before Duke and Maryland. Overall, the team has more depth. If the Deacs can stay healthy, they have a chance.
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If you’re just joining us, this series is categorizing the unranked teams in the ACC as either contenders or pretenders heading into the 2013 season. We’re leaving out Florida State and Clemson because they are the only two teams from the ACC expected to be ranked this preseason. Those rankings automatically qualify them as contenders. The Deacs? That’s debatable.
Why they’re a contender: A great linebacker corps. This will be the strength of the team, as it blends experience with young talent. Redshirt juniors Justin Jackson and Mike Olson are the veterans of the group, but the staff is also very encouraged by redshirt freshman Teddy Matthews, who is a potential starter, and Kevis Jones. Overall, this group will lead a noticeably improved defense, which will give the Deacs a fighting chance against the ACC’s best.
Why they’re a pretender: The offensive line has been ravaged by injuries and it has yet to prove it has the depth to handle it again. Starting tackles Steven Chase and Colin Summers are expected to miss spring drills, along with starting guard Antonio Ford. Even with veteran quarterback Tanner Price returning, along with star receiver Michael Campanaro, the Deacs won’t go very far without a dependable line blocking for them.
Final verdict: Contender. Consider the Deacs a dark horse in the Atlantic Division race. Last year wasn’t the norm for the program, as it had both injuries AND suspensions to key players. The staff has recruited well the past two seasons and it has one of the best coaching staffs in the ACC. The schedule is favorable, and it has open dates before Duke and Maryland. Overall, the team has more depth. If the Deacs can stay healthy, they have a chance.
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As the only two teams from the ACC that are likely to be ranked in the Top 25 this preseason, Clemson and Florida State are undoubtedly contenders in 2013. What about the rest of the conference? Contenders or pretenders? Does Wake Forest actually have a shot at surprising the Atlantic Division this year? It has in the past. How about Duke? Will the Blue Devils be bowl eligible and relevant in November again this year? This series will give you our take, and let you give yours.
We’ll go in order of the final 2012 standings, starting today with the NC State Wolfpack:
Why they’re a contender: First-year coach Dave Doeren is a contender. His overall record at Northern Illinois was 23-4 over two years and 17-1 against MAC opponents. Last year, he led the Huskies to a school-record 12-win season that came on the heels of an 11-win season in 2011. Doeren won two straight MAC championships. Yes, the competition is better in the ACC, but NC State has hired a proven winner and he has re-energized the program.
Why they’re a pretender: No Mike Glennon. You know that old saying, "you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone?" Yeah, NC State fans are going to be singing that song this fall. The offense is now in the hands of either Manny Stocker, a sophomore who has yet to take a collegiate snap, or Pete Thomas, a former transfer from Colorado State. At least Thomas has some game experience. He was a two-year starter at Colorado State and threw for 4,269 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Final verdict: Pretender. There are too many new faces in key places -- in the secondary, on the offensive line, at quarterback, at coordinator -- for NC State to challenge FSU or Clemson this year for the division title. With a new quarterback AND a complete staff overhaul, it will be too much for the Pack to overcome.
Why they’re a contender: First-year coach Dave Doeren is a contender. His overall record at Northern Illinois was 23-4 over two years and 17-1 against MAC opponents. Last year, he led the Huskies to a school-record 12-win season that came on the heels of an 11-win season in 2011. Doeren won two straight MAC championships. Yes, the competition is better in the ACC, but NC State has hired a proven winner and he has re-energized the program.
Why they’re a pretender: No Mike Glennon. You know that old saying, "you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone?" Yeah, NC State fans are going to be singing that song this fall. The offense is now in the hands of either Manny Stocker, a sophomore who has yet to take a collegiate snap, or Pete Thomas, a former transfer from Colorado State. At least Thomas has some game experience. He was a two-year starter at Colorado State and threw for 4,269 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Final verdict: Pretender. There are too many new faces in key places -- in the secondary, on the offensive line, at quarterback, at coordinator -- for NC State to challenge FSU or Clemson this year for the division title. With a new quarterback AND a complete staff overhaul, it will be too much for the Pack to overcome.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
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