ACC Football Predictions

[Bob Green]

No hidden suprise in these football predictions, Duke is predicted to finish last in the Coastal Division:

http://www.wral.com/sports/story/3252136/

Hopefully, we can suprise some teams and start the long climb out of the cellar. UNC is receiving too much respect in my opinion as they've been horrible lately. Virginia is expected to have a down year and Miami isn't the powerhouse they were in the past.

[devilish]

In that link - The Atlantic division looks about right at the top, but I think I'd switch Maryland and BC. State's first game should set the tone for their season. If they go down to SC and pay well in a tough environment they could surprise some folks.

Coastal division is a big toss-up. 5 teams with first place votes? Va Tech lost a lot to the draft. UNC has been bad lately, but had a tremendous recruiting class 2 years ago and most of those guys havent't played yet. Duke has a chance against anyone in the division, save VT, but likely will only finish ahead of UVA in the final standings at best.

[Acymetric]

On the radio yesterday one guy gave a prediction that Duke would finish 5th, with Georgia Tech finishing 6th due to the coaching change, and maybe losing some starters I think. Granted, this was the sports guy on 96 rock, so not necessarily a valuable opinion, but hey, someone thinks we're not the bottom of the barrel!

[Bob Green]

The Preseason All-ACC team has been announced and not a single Blue Devil was selected:

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072308aab.html

I really hope we shock a lot of people this season.

[bill brill]

the bigger shock, from a history standpoint, is nobody from miami. and n.c. state got blanked, too, with wake foreszt getting four players. all that says to me that times are changing. and understand they didn't pick even a second team -- just 25 guys, including specialists.

[Olympic Fan]

I have no complaints with the preseason predictions in the ACC. Although I think Duke will be better than the voters think and that several Blue Devil players will be good enough to earn All-ACC recognition, I can't get upset that an outsider doesn't give any props to a team that hasn't won an ACC game since 2004.

You've got to earn respect ... and in recent years Duke football hasn't earned very much.

I was hoping that Eron Riley might get a spot on the preseason team. He has some good numbers and he was a second-team All-ACC pick a year ago. But he was the No. 4 vote-getter on that team and No. 1 vote-getter Aaron Kelly and No. 3 Hakeem Nicks are both back, so it's hardly an injustice that he was left off. And, realistically, was anybody else even a candidate?

Check back in postseason if Duke wins 2-3 ACC games and 4-5 overall. If the voters dis us then, then we can get upset.

[formerdukeathlete]

the bigger shock, from a history standpoint, is nobody from miami. and n.c. state got blanked, too, with wake foreszt getting four players. all that says to me that times are changing. and understand they didn't pick even a second team -- just 25 guys, including specialists.

I dont know who Duke will beat in Conference this year, but my sense is that it may be a bigger surprise than beating UVa or Tech. My expectation is at least one Conference win, even if it is out of Division with NC State. If we can stay competitive in our games, make adjustments quickly and decisively, and stop games from getting away from us early on due to qb fumbles and sacks (eg., the Notre Dame game), we surprise I think.

It would be great to win a couple of ACC games. My hopeful prediction is 4th in Division.

[smvalkyries]

In the US and ACC we call football soccer.
Real football is played in the NFL.
ACC football is that thing that is trying to ruin the ACC's real sport basketball and has already claimed our balanced round robin schedule.