Coastal Division:

Last year the football season began in the ACC with a clear cut favorite – the Atlantic Division’s Clemson Tigers. It didn’t take long, however, for the #9 ranked Tigers to falter. Clemson was never able to fully recover after being routed by Alabama. Instead, it was Virginia Tech from the Coastal Division that represented the ACC nationally, eventually beating Cincinnati for the FedEx Orange Bowl crown. Virginia Tech will look to make it three straight ACC championships this year, but Frank Beamer’s Hokies know it will be no walk in the park.

Georgia Tech instituted a spread option last year that proved largely successful, as they finished the season with nine wins. They also return reigning ACC player of the year Jonathan Dwyer, quarterback Josh Nesbitt, running back Roddy Jones, and most of their defensive starters.

North Carolina begins the season ranked #21 and will look to take the ACC crown under Butch Davis. Nine starters are returning to the Tar Heels on defense, but it is the relatively young offensive line that may ultimately hold UNC back. The loss of Hakeem Nicks, arguably the best receiver in the ACC last year, to the NFL also may cost the Tar Heels.

While Duke does not get nearly as much publicity as any of the other teams, they do have one of the best quarterbacks in the league – Thaddeus Lewis. What they don’t have, however, is experience, as only 10 repeat starters are returning this year.

Miami and Virginia will also look to improve but are likely at least a year away from serious contention in the ACC.

Atlantic Division

The Atlantic Division appears to be up for grabs more so this year than in the recent past. NC State has arguably the best quarterback in the ACC in Russell Wilson. Returning 14 starters, NC State also has the experience that many other schools are lacking. Their opening loss to the SEC’s South Carolina may be an early strike against them.

This year, Florida State may not reach the expectations of football fans looking for a resurgence of FSU’s prestigious past, but they could certainly challenge for the league title. To contend, the Seminoles will have to build up their defense and replace eight starters from the 2008 season, and quarterback Christian Ponder will also need to show significant improvement from last year.

Riley Skinner will look to improve on an already outstanding tenure as Wake’s quarterback this year, but it’ll be tough replacing the defensive starters lost to the NFL. Though Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry, and Stanley Arnoux left gaping holes on the defensive side of the football, Jim Grobe and the Deacons are confident that they have the players to successfully replace them. Nine starters return on offense and the potential chemistry of this relatively experienced offense just might land the Deacons atop the division once again.

The Clemson Tigers return CJ Spiller and Jamie Harper to their backfield; both explosive players pose a serious touchdown threat every time they touch the ball. The real question for them will be at quarterback. Two-sport athlete Kyle Parker will leave the baseball diamond for the football stadium this season, but it remains to be seen if he and the Tigers can show consistency in their overall offense.

Two largely inexperienced teams, Maryland, returning only 10 starters overall, and Boston College, testing out an unproven new quarterback, complete the Atlantic Division. The 2009 season should prove exciting and unpredictable, as the league, and particularly the Atlantic Division, is largely up for grabs.

Predicted Standings
Atlantic
1. NC State
2. Clemson
3. Wake Forest
4. Florida State
5. Maryland
6. Boston College

Coastal
1. Virginia Tech
2. Georgia Tech
3. North Carolina
4. Miami
5. Virginia
6. Duke