ESPN College Football

2011 overall record: 2-10
2011 conference record: 1-7 (6th, Atlantic)
Returning starters: Offense: 5; defense: 10; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners
LG Pete White, RG Josh Cary, C Bennett Fulper, TE Matt Furstenburg, WR Kevin Dorsey, DE Marcus Whittifield, DE Keith Bowers, NG Andre Monroe, DT Joe Vellano, LB Demetrius Hartsfield, LB Darrin Drakeford, LB Lorne Goree, LB Kenny Tate, CB Dexter McDougle, S Eric Franklin, S A.J. Hendy

Key losses
LT R.J. Dill, RT Max Garcia, LG Andre Donnella, QB Danny O'Brien, RB Davin Meggett, WR Quintin McCree, CB Cameron Chism

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Davin Meggett (896 yards)
Passing: Danny O'Brien (1,648 yards)
Receiving: Kevin Dorsey* (573 yards)
Tackles: Demetrius Hartsfield* (108)
Sacks: Andre Monroe* (5)
Interceptions: Dexter McDougle*/Cameron Chism (3)

Spring answers

1. Defense has come a long way: The unit passed with flying colors in its first public test under new coordinator Brian Stewart and his 3-4 scheme. It overpowered the offense in the squad's spring game despite missing Joe Vellano and Kenny Tate. Both players should be back for the fall, giving the defense 10 returning starters.

2. Who is there and who isn't: Spring No. 2 is in the books and the remaining players are on board with Randy Edsall, giving the program a chance to push forward with less doubt regarding those who may not be all-in. After the Terrapins' spring game, senior Justin Gilbert told the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star: "I hate saying it, but now that the guys who don't want to be here are gone, we can really focus on next season. We don't have any distractions anymore. Everybody who's here wants to be here. I really saw that this spring with guys. The chemistry was better. There was no cancers on the team. Everybody was all together."

3. C.J. Brown holding steady: Brown was the only quarterback this spring who had any actual game experience, so he received most of the attention. With five starts under his belt, Brown, whom colleague Heather Dinich has labeled the conference's most indispensable signal-caller, survived the spring and enters the fall as the No. 1 guy.

Fall questions

1. Will anyone challenge Brown? Despite said strengths, Brown, who rushed for more than 500 yards last season, is switching from a spread attack to new coordinator Mike Locksley's pro-style system. Recruits Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe enter this summer and, depending on Brown's transition, could challenge for some snaps.

2. How will the new coordinators transition? We said this earlier with Wake Forest: Things have gone smoothly this spring, but the ultimate test comes in game action this fall. How Locksley, Stewart and Andre Powell (special teams) adjust in-season will ultimately affect the ruling on the reshuffled staff.

3. Everything else … It would appear, at this moment, that the defections have subsided. Two dozen players have left Maryland since Edsall arrived, none bigger than quarterback Danny O'Brien. Some were calling for Edsall's job after Year 1, and a debut season that featured just one win over an FBS team didn't do the program any favors. The spotlight is on College Park this season for the wrong reasons, and how the program adjusts this fall can possibly dictate its fate.

Pretty busy Monday, eh?

• Mike Locksley is ready to put his past behind him and go to work at Maryland, Jonas Shaffer writes in the Baltimore Sun.
• The Sporting News' Matt Hayes has a pair of ACC standouts on his list of the 25 best college football players.
• Miami's number of draft prospects coming off a six-win season doesn't add up, Jorge Milian writes in the Palm Beach Post.
• Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas is much more relaxed this offseason, Andy Bitter writes in The Virginian-Pilot.
• The future looks bright for Georgia Tech's Izaan Cross, Bill Murphy writes in the Gainesville Times.

New Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley talks to ACC blogger Heather Dinich about his philosophy heading into spring ball.

Back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes have already begun to separate Florida State and Clemson from the rest of the Atlantic Division -- at least on paper.

It’s only news, though, when those programs don’t bring in some of the nation’s most talented players.

Clemson, after all, just won its first ACC title for the first time since 1991. Florida State last year couldn’t beat Wake Forest. Which is why there is no reason for the Deacs or anyone else in the division to surrender just yet.

“They key for us is not how many stars they come in with, it’s how good they play when they’re juniors and seniors,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. “At least that’s our key. For us it’s all about developing players. It’s a standard joke among coaches, ‘How’d your recruiting go? Well, we’ll know in a couple of years.’ Sometimes that’s good to laugh and giggle about, but absolutely at Wake Forest, we know when they’re juniors and seniors if we’ve done the right thing in recruiting.

“For us, I think we know where we are. We’re a development program. We’ve got to do a great job of coaching our kids in the offseason and the weight room and out on the practice field, so by the time they’re juniors and seniors, there are a lot of other teams in the league that look at them and say, ‘Man, I wish I would’ve taken that guy.’”

Guys like Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry, Chris Givens and Joe Looney. At Boston College, guys like Montel Harris and Luke Kuechly.

“Here’s the way I’ve always looked at the competition,” said BC coach Frank Spaziani. “As the competition gets better, everybody else better get better and move forward. There are a lot of other areas to it than just that.”

Just how much of a talent discrepancy is there within the division? Can BC compensate for a lack of stars with its hard-working, disciplined, blue-collar traits? Can Wake Forest continue to develop diamonds out of its “recruiting puddle?” NC State already beat a No. 7-ranked Clemson team, but can it win consistently? Will the hire of offensive coordinator Mike Locksley change Maryland recruiting?

Florida State and Clemson are ahead of the race, there’s no question about it. But until either one of them plays and wins with more consistency, it won’t be a two-team race in the ACC.

For some, it might feel like the season just ended, but for others -- like Duke, Maryland and Boston College, which didn't get to play in a bowl game -- spring ball can't get here fast enough. The Eagles kick off spring practices in the ACC on Saturday, so today we'll take a quick look at the main storylines for each team in the conference heading into the spring:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Spring practice start date: Feb. 18
Spring game: March 31 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• Yet another offensive transition. Doug Martin will be the Eagles’ fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons, including Kevin Rogers, who took a medical leave of absence early last year and never returned, and Dave Brock, who replaced Rogers. Martin said he is looking for a physical downhill running game, wants to increase the tempo and add some no-huddle elements.
• The return of running back Montel Harris. The ACC’s leading rusher in 2010 missed most of last season with a knee injury, but he is expected to return for spring ball. How healthy and durable he is remains a question, but he’s still aiming to break a 33-year-old ACC rushing record.
• Who will replace All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly? It’s an open competition as Kuechly is the only linebacker departing. Sean Duggan was his backup last year, but Steele Divitto put in a lot of work this offseason on his own time.

CLEMSON

Spring practice start date: March 7
Spring game: April 14 (4 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• The rebuilding efforts up front. Clemson has to replace three starters on both the offensive and defensive lines. On defense, Malliciah Goodman is the only starter returning on the line, and he’ll be one of the candidates to replace the production of end Andre Branch, but Corey Crawford will be the next in line at the position.
• The defensive transition under first-year defensive coordinator Brent Venables. After giving up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, Dabo Swinney fired Kevin Steele and hired Venables. How quickly will he be able to make a difference and will everyone buy in?
• The linebackers. This is the year that the outstanding linebackers in the 2011 recruiting class will finally have their chance to shine. Venables is also the linebackers coach, and he’ll have a young, talented group to work with. The lineup of the future should include Stephone Anthony, Lateek Townsend and Tony Steward, all top 100 players coming out of high school.

FLORIDA STATE

Spring practice start date: March 19
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Maturation of the offensive line. FSU started four freshmen in the Champs Sports Bowl against Notre Dame, and those players will be expected to continue their improvement this spring. The most important question is who will replace the top two tackles from a year ago in Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko.
• The kicking game. Punters aren’t usually in the spotlight, but that wasn’t the case at FSU, where All-American Shawn Powell had an impact on every game. Finding a replacement for him this offseason will be a priority.
• The running backs. Chris Thompson, who broke his back last year, is expected to return this spring, and has been cleared for the most part, but the coaching staff isn’t likely to push him. Devonta Freeman will be the main man, but there are plenty of other candidates to emerge -- if, of course, the offensive line figures things out.

MARYLAND

Spring practice start date: March 10
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• The quarterback drama. Maryland’s two-quarterback storyline will continue this spring -- if, of course, Danny O’Brien decides to remain at Maryland instead of transferring. There has been much speculation about his future, but for now, the staff expects him to be limited this spring as he continues to recover from a broken arm. C.J. Brown should get the most reps.
• An overhaul of schemes. Maryland hired a new offensive coordinator in Mike Locksley and a new defensive coordinator in Brian Stewart. How quickly the Terps buy into their systems and philosophies will be critical in turning around last year’s 2-10 record.
• The running backs. This is a position where a true freshman could earn some playing time this year, but standout recruit Stefon Diggs won’t be on campus in time to compete this spring. Meanwhile, Justus Pickett returns, along with Brandon Ross, who redshirted last year. Wes Brown (who played at Good Counsel with Diggs) could also compete for major playing time when he arrives for summer camp.

NC STATE

Spring practice start date: March 23
Spring game: April 21 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• Who will emerge as dependable linebackers. With Audie Cole and Terrell Manning gone, this position is a big question mark for the Wolfpack. Cole was the team’s leading tackler each of the past two seasons, and Manning was one of the defense’s most disruptive players last year.
• The new go-to for Glennon. With T.J. Graham gone, NC State turns to a young group of receivers. Tobias Palmer and Bryan Underwood return, but there are several unheralded players who have a chance to make names for themselves by emerging as a go-to player for quarterback Mike Glennon.
• The running game. NC State returns four of five starters on the offensive line, but will Mustafa Greene return in time for the spring? When he does, the Pack will have another new running backs coach, who has yet to be announced. NC State had the No. 109 rushing offense in the country last year. Greene would be a big boost.

WAKE FOREST

Spring practice start date: March 1
Spring game: April 14 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• The revamped offensive line. The Deacs have to replace four starters up front. Coach Jim Grobe has played only one true freshman there in 11 years. He has several redshirt freshmen and sophomores who are expected to fill in.
• The next playmakers. Wake Forest is thin at running back (Josh Harris returns, but has a history of hamstring injuries), the Deacs lose two starting wideouts -- including record-setter Chris Givens -- their top two tight ends and 2011 leading rusher Brandon Pendergrass.
• Solidifying the secondary. The Deacs have to replace starting free safety Josh Bush and starting strong safety Cyhl Quarles. There is still plenty of talent at cornerback, but the safety position is thin.

Some interesting news today across the league ...

• Quarterback Juwaan Williams, who led his high school to the Georgia state championship this past season, was offered a scholarship by Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
• Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley is ready for a fresh start in College Park.
• The future of Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien is still uncertain.
• The Globe is reporting that Boston College will host Miami on Labor Day weekend in its 2012 opener.
• It cost Clemson $1.84 million to give up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Just sayin'.
• Former Clemson quarterback Randy Anderson died on Tuesday from cancer.
• Here are some recruits Virginia Tech is targeting for 2013.
• Miami's third-string running back has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
• Florida State received a "commitment" from a defensive tackle who is "still keeping his options open."

Maryland has its new offensive coordinator. It has its new defensive coordinator. The recruiting class has been inked.

The Terps are ready to move forward and put their abysmal 2-10 season behind them, but there’s only one piece missing -- the starting quarterback.

Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown, who were both used last year and sometimes in the same game, will continue to play out their competition this offseason, but O'Brien, who is still recovering from a broken left arm, will be limited this spring.

First-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said on Wednesday he is giving both quarterbacks a chance to start over.

“My thing is, and I told both of these guys -- I haven’t watched a lot of tape on either of them from last season or previous seasons because I wanted to have a blank slate when I go in and evaluate,” Locksley said. “Obviously Danny is a very talented quarterback, and I think he’s had some success here in both systems, whether it was two years ago in the West Coast, pro-style stuff, and last year he had some success in the spread system they’re running.

“I’m a guy who really believes in doing what your personnel allows you to do,” Locksley said. “We’ve got some tight ends and fullbacks. If you study our offense, we play under center, we play in the gun. We run power plays, we run lead plays, we spread them out and run zone read, we run zone read option, so a lot of that stuff will be predicated on our quarterback and what they’re capable of executing, as well as who the playmakers are with that personnel.”

There was some speculation this offseason as to whether or not O’Brien would return for the 2012 season or transfer. Locksley said he hasn’t talked to O’Brien about that.

“You hear those rumors,” Locksley said. “To me, I didn’t address it because unless I heard it from him, I wouldn’t address it. Everything I’ve talked to Danny about and C.J. about are things we want to do on offense and how I plan on shaping the offense to fit what they’re capable of executing.”

Locksley said he’d prefer, though, if only one of them were executing it this fall.

If you could choose one school other than your alma mater to play football at, which one would it be?

• When it comes to recruiting, Wake Forest has a different philosophy, but it works for the Deacs.
• Duke, though, beat the Deacs and the Wolfpack for this tight end.
• Recruiting with the NCAA investigation still looming has been a difficult task for first-year UNC coach Larry Fedora.
• Frank Beamer's coaching changes a year ago appear to have helped the Hokies' recruiting efforts.
• The ACC Sports Journal gives the big hits, misses and winner of conference recruiting in the state of Florida.
• Maryland defensive coordinator Brian Stewart will make less than his counterpart, offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, and doesn't have the same recruiting bonuses included in his contract.
• Former Maryland offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has agreed to become the offensive coordinator of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
• Clemson's spring game has been moved to April 14.
• The Tigers are on the verge of signing back-to-back top-10 classes.
• Grant Radakovich, the son of Georgia Tech’s athletics director Dan Radakovich, has made his college choice.

With both coordinators now hired, it's time for Maryland fans and those within the program to finally move forward and put last year's dreadful 2-10 season behind them.

As bad as it was, it's history, and with the recent hires of offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, there's no reason not to think Maryland football won't be better in 2012. Locksley will give the recruiting efforts an immediate boost, and Stewart's track record speaks to his ability to coach defenses. He and coach Randy Edsall are convinced the move to a 3-4 scheme will benefit the entire defense.

Stewart's main recruiting area will be in Northern Virginia, but he will also help in South Florida. He spoke to reporters this morning on a teleconference from Houston, but he will be in College Park by this evening and out recruiting on Wednesday. The new staff is wasting no time wrapping up this year's class, and with new coordinators and schemes, they also know there will be a lot of work to do this offseason.

“I’m very pleased with what we’ve done with our coaching staff and added them to the existing members of the staff," Edsall said. "Now what we want to do is move forward, finish this recruiting class, get down to work, get everyone acclimated to the new systems that we’re going to be running and being around our players. I’m very ecstatic in terms of what we’ve been able to do with the quality hires we’ve been able to have in Brian and Mike. Now we’re just looking forward to getting them here and getting going with what we need to do recruiting-wise and then football-wise.”

Former Houston defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has been hired as Maryland’s defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, the school announced on Tuesday morning.

Coach Randy Edsall has now made the two most important hires of the offseason, replacing Todd Bradford with Stewart and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton with Mike Locksley. The Stewart hire was obviously in the works for much longer than the school let on, as it only announced the firing of Bradford on Friday. Stewart will have his work cut out for him, as he has to turn around one of the worst defenses in the country. Then again, the entire staff has to turn around a 2-10 season.

Stewart spent the past two seasons with Houston, which finished 13-1. The Cougars ranked in the top 15 in the FBS in five categories: red-zone scoring (second – 67 percent), interceptions (t-third – 21), tackles for loss (sixth – 7.7 per game), turnovers gained (t-10th – 31) and opponent passing efficiency (12th – 111.75 rating).

Houston also improved from 96th nationally in scoring defense (32.2 points per game) in 2010 to 35th (22.4) this past year.

“I’m very pleased to have Brian come on board,” Edsall said in a prepared statement. “He is a proven defensive coordinator at both the collegiate and professional level. All of his experience will help us move forward as we look for him to implement his aggressive style. He will also be a great addition to our recruiting efforts.”

I'll have more on this hire later this afternoon.

Some of you weren't happy with the bowl-rewind posts this week. Not my fault the league went 2-6. You don't think I'm tired of writing that story? Onward to 2012, please ...

robert in amarillo,texas writes: i have a great feeling about my virginia cavaliers for 2012. we made a bowl game can we take the next big step?

HD: My biggest question regarding Virginia in 2012 is how the Hoos will replace so many talented veterans on defense, particularly on the defensive line and in the secondary. I'm not sure how many people realized the legitimate talent and experience Mike London inherited there. If he can rebuild on that side of the ball, I think they'll be a contender for the division again.

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Joe in Phoenix, AZ writes: So with Steele gone from Clemson, who does Clemson go after as a DC?

HD: I don't know Swinney's list of candidates, but I think they should go after former PSU defensive coordinator Tom Bradley.

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Benjamin in Santa Clara, CA writes: Hey HD, Just curious. What's your take on Boston College's hire of former OSU OC Jim Bollman as their new o-line coach? And between MD and BC, who do you think made the better hire at OC? Thanks for the blog, especially in these cold hard months without any college football.

HD: I haven't met with or spoken to Bollman yet, Benjamin, but there haven't been any rave reviews coming out of the Ohio State camp. As for the better hire at OC, we'll have to wait and see. The one thing I like about Mike Locksley for Maryland is his ability to recruit. I really think he'll give them a boost in that area. Doug Martin at BC is an unknown right now, and he's got a tough job. The offense and the turnover at the coordinator position there has been at the heart of their problems.

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Kenneth Macklin in charlotte, nc writes: Heather Dinich, do you believe either Florida State, Clemson, or Virginia Tech have a chance to make it to the big dance and face what looks to be another sec opponent in the national championship in 2012?

HD: Hype-squasher here. Until the ACC starts winning its big nonconference games and stops losing to FCS teams, my answer is no.

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Jim Perillo in Indianapolis, IN writes: Heather,I like all the Way to Early Preseason hype for my Noles. I do believe the Oklahoma game was more devistating to our team physically and mentally. Following that game with the Clemson game (thanks ACC schedulers) and the next thing you know we lose to Wake - no excuse for that one or at home against Virginia. With all that said - I think it is time we let them earn the ranking instead of giving it to them. A hungry team wanting it is better than a team reading clippings thinking they have arrived. What are your thoughts?

HD: I do think FSU, GT and Clemson in particular seem to be at their best when expectations are at the least. With that being said, those preseason polls are tough to do. At some point, you can't ignore what FSU has coming back. As far as the national hype goes, though, I think we should all believe it when we see it. Being expected to win the Atlantic Division is one thing. I think that's fair. National title contenders is pushing it, until proven otherwise.

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Doug in Amherst MA writes: Heather, we all know the ACC has athletes but if you look at the first 42 underclassmen to declare for the draft, 13 of them (or close to 30%) are from the ACC! I'm sure the SEC has more but if the ACC could keep an extra 7 or 8 of those guys each year do you think it would have a great influence on the strength of the conference?

HD: Oh no question, especially if guys like Stephen Hill and, well, half of Miami's roster stuck around. Again, it's a personal decision, but to me, unless the financial benefits are that good and guaranteed, the guys should stay in school unless they're a first- or second-round pick.

Maryland defensive coordinator Todd Bradford will not return in 2012, the school announced on Friday. Both parties agreed to a negotiated buyout of Bradford’s remaining contract.

“We appreciate Todd’s efforts this past season and wish him well in his future endeavors," Coach Randy Edsall said in a prepared statement. "It is the right time for us to move forward in a different direction.”

There's only one direction for Maryland to go at this point -- up.

Edsall, whose six-year contract was too lucrative for this season to cost him his own job, has now fired both of his coordinators. Gary Crowton has already been replaced by Mike Locksley. Bradford's dismissal should come as no surprise after the 2-10 finish. Maryland was ranked No. 108 in the country in total defense and No. 102 in scoring defense. With the move, Clemson and Maryland are now both in need of defensive coordinators.

Maryland is practically writing its own book of bad business decisions.

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley’s contract, which includes some of the most absurd incentives I’ve ever heard of, is the latest eyebrow-raising move by athletic director Kevin Anderson.

You would think that a $500k salary and a need to shake the ghosts of the past would be enough motivation for Locksley to succeed in College Park as both a coordinator and a recruiter. Oh no. Anderson took it even further:

Incentive: Locksley will receive $25,000 if Maryland is in the top 40 of the Rivals.com or Scout.com rankings on signing day. He also will receive $20,000 if the Terps rank among the top four teams in the ACC on signing day.

Problem: This is an embarrassing endorsement of fan-based recruiting services which coaches repeatedly, emphatically insist they do not pay attention to -- nor should they. Coaches should be trusting their own evaluations, not the star systems of others. This encourages the opposite. Not only that, but if Maryland isn’t bringing in top 40 classes -- regardless of the recruiting service -- there’s a problem. Add to that the danger of dangling thousands in front of a coach who is already immersed in the sketchy business of recruiting, and there’s even more temptation for the recruiter to break the rules. Here’s an idea: How about just giving Locksley a bonus for each recruiting class that sticks around long enough to graduate and finish in the Associated Press Top 25?

Incentive: Locksley will receive $15,000 each time Maryland finishes in the top four in the ACC in total offense and scoring offense, and an additional $10,000 if the Terps lead the conference in either category.

Problem: Poor William & Mary. Talk about incentive to run up the score on the little guys in the nonconference schedule, or to pull a West Virginia and keep throwing in the end zone when you’re up six touchdowns or so. Isn’t this what Locksley’s salary is for? Isn’t this what he’s getting paid to do? Score points??

Here's the kicker ... all of that money and those incentives completely trump the maximum of $5,000 Locksley would receive if the graduation success rate is greater than or equal to 85 percent. It's more than the $5,000 max he would get if the APR is greater than or equal to .950. Lead the ACC in total offense, though, and Locksley just got $25k richer.

Unlike former offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who was fired after just one season, you better believe this contract was actually signed. And don’t be surprised if Anderson winds up paying for it.

It’s way too early for this. But that’s the fun of it. Heck, the ACC is impossible to predict from week to week, let alone in January. Consider this a starting point. A base for your offseason arguments. Don’t like it? I’ve got a mailbag. Learn how to use it. Let the debate begin …

1. Florida State: I know, I know, you’ve heard this one before. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that nine starters return to one of the nation’s best defenses. Quarterback EJ Manuel will be back, and the Noles again have some of the nation’s best recruits.

2. Clemson: Quarterback Tajh Boyd and receiver Sammy Watkins were record-setters in their first seasons as starters. There’s plenty of incoming talent, and the Tigers should contend for the Atlantic Division again if the defense improves.

3. Virginia Tech: This staff knows how to develop players, and that quality will again be critical as the Hokies have to rebuild their offensive line and will lose their top playmaker in David Wilson. Quarterback Logan Thomas could be the best in the ACC, though, if the supporting cast emerges.

4. NC State: Consider the Pack the darkhorse candidate for the 2012 race. If NC State can stay healthy, it should have two of the league’s top players in quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback David Amerson.

5. Georgia Tech: The majority of the Jackets’ roster returns, and it should be better after growing pains in 2011. With an experienced offensive line, and the bulk of playmakers returning, Georgia Tech should again be a contender in the Coastal Division.

6. Virginia: If the Cavaliers were playing for the division title in just the second season under coach Mike London, there’s no reason to doubt them in his third. There were some important lessons learned down the stretch, and it was a strong season for UVa to build on.

7. Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons were a field goal away from winning the Atlantic Division title in 2011, and quarterback Tanner Price is good enough to put them in position to do it again.

8. North Carolina: The Tar Heels have another transition to go through with first-year coach Larry Fedora, and the defense will have to fill some big shoes. Offensively, though, there is enough in place that UNC can surprise some people in the Coastal Division race.

9. Boston College: The Eagles’ strong finish to 2011 left a lot of optimism within the program, and despite the loss of linebacker Luke Kuechly, the defense should still be strong. The return of running back Montel Harris will certainly help, but again the team must adjust to another offensive coordinator.

10. Miami: The biggest thing Miami has in its favor right now is a strong recruiting class. With eight starters leaving early for the NFL draft and the departures of the Class of 2008 -- plus possible NCAA sanctions looming -- there’s a lot of uncertainty in the program now.

11. Maryland: Look at it this way: It can’t get much worse. The hire of Mike Locksley as offensive coordinator will help, especially in recruiting, but how much, how fast? And has the dust finally settled, or will there be more changes?

12. Duke: Somebody has to be last, and until Duke proves otherwise, it’s status quo in Durham. Duke suffered from many of the same problems last year that it did in 2010.

Told ya Bama would win.

• Clemson's rebuilding efforts at defensive end are underway.
• What's the biggest concern for Georgia Tech heading into 2012? Talent.
• New Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley will make $500,000 a year.
• Florida State's defense will reload in 2012.
• David Teel and I were on the same page when it came to ranking Virginia Tech and Clemson in the final poll.
• Here's an early look at Virginia's running backs in 2012, and the receivers and tight ends.
• Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kwamaine Battle will not seek a sixth year of eligibility.