2011 Preview: ACC

State of the Conference:
The ACC is dealing with a bit of turmoil this year, with Butch Davis out at UNC because of NCAA violations, and Al Golden starting at Miami, only to be surely hit with NCAA violations. It wouldn't surprise me if Golden up and left after this season; who wants to deal with all that? I know I wouldn't. Wait for some other high profile job to come open *cough*pennstate*cough*

The ACC has the most parity of any conference.
The ACC is the most mediocre of any conference.

Both are probably true to some extent over the past 10 years. But this year, two teams are clearly head and shoulders above the others. Virginia Tech has to deal with a schedule so easy it's barely AQ-worthy, and Florida State is probably the most talented team in the conference, but has a somewhat trickier schedule (by ACC standards).

...anyway, it's that time of year again, so let's spin the A! C! C!... Wheel! Of! Destiny!....

2010 Championship: Virginia Tech def. Florida State

2011 Championship Prediction: Florida State def. Virginia Tech

2011 Projected Finishes:
Atlantic:
1. Florida State (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
2. North Carolina State (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
3. Clemson (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
4. Boston College (6-6, 4-4 ACC)
5. Maryland (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
6. Wake Forest (3-9, 2-6 ACC)
Coastal:
1. Virginia Tech (12-0, 8-0 ACC)
2. North Carolina (6-6, 4-4 ACC)
3. Georgia Tech (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
4. Miami FL (6-6, 3-5 ACC)
5. Duke (5-7, 2-6 ACC)
6. Virginia (4-8, 1-7 ACC)

Surprise Team: North Carolina State
Even with Russel Wilson gone to Wisconsin, the Wolfpack and coach Tom O'Brien consistently have fielded better and better teams. This is the year to get close to that magical 10-win season.

Upset Alert: Clemson over Auburn
The Tigers (of Alabama) will get their first taste of life after sCam Newton (sorry, typo) and fall to the other Tigers (of South Carolina) in their first tough OOC game. The Tigers (of South Carolina) probably should have won last year, and this is their chance to take revenge not on just Auburn, but the SEC at large.