Ranking the ACC’s Backup QB’s

You’re always just one play away.

Backup quarterbacks hear that phrase on a daily basis. It’s so commonplace now that it could be difficult to truly grasp its magnitude.

Just ask Stephen Morris, or EJ Manuel how quickly your responsibility goes from signaling in the play-call to having to dissect a cover-2 defense up close and personal.

The starting quarterback is the most important player on a football team, but the backup is not far behind. There are plenty of teams over the years that have had their seasons derailed after losing their top gunner.

The ACC is breaking in seven new full-time starting quarterbacks in 2011. In the world of college football today, where the best recruits go where they can play as soon as possible, it’s difficult to build quality depth at quarterback. It’s hard enough bring in one big-time prospect every three or four years. Which makes developing depth at the position an art at the collegiate level.

Let’s take a look at who’s in good shape with their backup quarterback situation, and who will be crossing their fingers this season.

1.     Miami

Morris and incumbent starter Jacory Harris are neck-and-neck for the starting spot this fall. While both have their flaws, either one will be a tremendous backup to the other. They figure to split time early in the season, but Miami is definitely in better shape than most of the country if its signal caller goes down.

2.     Boston College

David Shinskie was a major flop in his year and a half as the starter, but any time you have a guy with that much starting experience standing on the sideline, you can breathe a little easier. Shinskie completed only 48 percent of his passes in 2011, with five touchdowns and six interceptions. With Montel Harris capable of shouldering a heavy load at running back, Shinskie would be perfectly capable of managing the game in Chase Rettig’s absence.

3.     North Carolina

The Tar Heels have three guys fighting for the right to back up Bryn Renner. Braden Hanson is a former Under Armour All-American, and he may have the inside track to the spot. Blue, a sophomore, and Williams, a freshman, make up in athleticism what they lack in experience. It’s often beneficial to throw a young quarterback in the fire when he’s able to make big plays out of seemingly nothing. That gives Blue or Wiliams a leg up on Hanson. Either way, the Heels will have a backup quarterback who can handle the pressure.

4.     Duke

Brandon Connette has game experience, which is more than can be said for the rest of the teams on this list. He’s a significant running threat whom David Cutcliffe used in red zone situations in a Tim Tebow-esque role. While Connette only attempted 22 passes last season, he ran for eight touchdowns on 78 carries, second-most on the team. The Blue Devils will have to shift around their playing style if Connette has to take the reins for an extended amount of time, but he won’t be fazed by the opportunity.

5.     Georgia Tech

Tevin Washington, who took over after Joshua Nesbitt’s season-ending broken arm last season, is trying to fend off freshman Synjyn Days for the starting job. Washington was solid, not spectacular last year. He averaged 4.43 yards per carry (Nesbitt averaged 4.44) and ran for four touchdowns. He does not have a very strong arm, which is important for the Jackets who rely on the occasional vertical passing threat to keep defenses from loading the box to stop the run. Days is pushing hard for the job and is a more natural fit for the job. It’s likely Days will take over at some point this season. For now, Days has a lot of potential as the second-string guy.

6.     Virginia 

After a four-way battle ensued all spring, it seems like Mike London has settled on either Ross Metheny or Michael Strauss as his starting quarterback. Neither are going to take the Cavaliers to the Orange Bowl, but again, at least you know there’s not a big drop-off from the No. 1 to No. 2 guy.

7.     Florida State

Unfortunately for Jimbo Fisher, he doesn’t have a future high draft pick waiting in the wings any more. The EJ Manuel era has begun, and backing him up will be redshirt freshman Clint Trickett. According to Tomahawk Nation, Trickett is “competent, knows the scheme, grew up around Jimbo and the program.” Trickett’s father Rick is the team’s offensive line coach. He’s a former three-star recruit who can handle a large chunk of the playbook if called upon. He’s got plenty of weapons to work with, that’s for sure.

8.     Wake Forest

The Deacs are actually in pretty decent shape at quarterback, which is more than can be said for the rest of the roster. Ted Stachitas missed the second half of last season with a back injury, but returned with a strong effort this spring. He won’t beat out Tanner Price for the starting spot, but he’s definitely good enough to keep Price working to hold onto the job. Stachitas originally won the starting job last year before giving way to Price early on.

9.     Virginia Tech

Ju-Ju Clayton seemed firmly entrenched as Logan Thomas’ back-up, until redshirt freshman Mark Leal closed out spring practice very strong. Leal looked like a very…very poor man’s Tyrod Taylor during public scrimmages, but he already seems to be a better decision maker and clearly a better natural athlete than Clayton. If Leal can add some strength and further grasp the playbook, he’ll beat out Clayton in fall camp, that much seems clear. That said, Leal is not ready to hold down the ship in Thomas’ absence. It’ll be interesting to see how the coaching staff balances Thomas and Leal’s playing time in potential early-season blowouts against Appalachian State, Marshall and Arkansas State.

10.  Maryland

C.J. Brown broke his collarbone in week two last season, costing him precious practice time as a redshirt freshman. With the recent transfer of Tyler Smith, Brown is all of a sudden the unquestioned backup for Danny O’Brien. He was a three-star dual-threat recruit out of Pennsylvania in 2009, and has a good frame at 6-foot-3. Still, there’s quite a drop-off from O’Brien to Brown, and that’s something Maryland fans hope this is the most they read about Brown all year.

11.  NC State

Tyler Brosius is an intriguing prospect who could’ve easily used another year as the third-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon. With Wilson out of the fold, Brosius has to be ready to play now if need be. He seems competent, as evidenced by an 11-of-17 effort for 95 yards in the spring game. O’Brien likely will add someone in the upcoming recruiting class to compete with Brosius in two years when Glennon has departed, but Brosius seems to have starting-QB potential down the line.

12.  Clemson

Behind Tajh Boyd, it’s basically a mess for the Tigers. True freshman Cole Stoudt was in for spring practice and should be the back-up come September. He’s an extremely raw product who was just 6-of-22 passing in the spring game (of course, Boyd was only 8-of-24). Boyd has plenty of room for progress in his own right, but there’s no question he’s got to be on the field for Clemson to have any hope of competing for an ACC championship.

Post-Spring Power Rankings

1. Florida State

The Seminoles return 18 starters off a team that looked very, very good the last time we saw them. They beat the SEC East Champs South Carolina 26-17 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. I’m as high as anyone on EJ Manuel’s potential. The MVP of the ‘Noles past two bowl wins is a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback. He’s got weapons like Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling, and Chris Thompson to give the offense plenty of firepower. Brandon Jenkins anchors a defensive that should remind people of Seminole defenses of old.

2.     Virginia Tech

The Hokies’ biggest concern – literally – was answered this spring when 6-6, 250-pound quarterback Logan Thomas looked ready to assume the starting job. He has the most experienced receiving corps in the conference to help him out, including Marcus Davis, who looks like the next breakout star for the league. Bud Foster won’t allow another mediocre season defensively like 2010. The Hokies are deeper on that side of the ball, led by a dynamic secondary.

3.     Boston College

I have Boston College higher than most anywhere else I’ve seen. The Eagles are my pick to surprise everyone this year with a nine or so-win season. Chase Rettig got a big help when Frank Spaziani hired Kevin Rogers, whose former pupils include Brett Favre, Bryan Randall and Donovan McNabb, to coach the quarterbacks. He’ll be much more prepared to succeed as a sophomore. Luke Kuechly is still a tackling machine, and he’s going to be the leader of a young defense with a lot of potential. The Eagles aren’t going to be truly tested until an Oct. 8 trip to Clemson, meaning they should have five important wins under their belt out of the gate.

4.     North Carolina

The Tar Heels lost nine players to the NFL, yet somehow still seem chock full of future pros this upcoming season. Donte Paige-Moss is another prodigy at defensive end, as is Quinton Coples. The defense will be the fastest in the league. The question for Carolina is how long it takes Bryn Renner to be comfortable as a passer with a load of receiving talent. Thankfully, he has the conference’s best offensive line to protect him. There’s hardly any depth at running back, so it could be up to the Carolina defense to carry the burden, especially early in the season.

5.     Miami

Al Golden was successful this spring with integrating his philosophy into the program. He’s a gritty Midwesterner who instantly garnered the respect of his players. He’s got more talent now than he ever dreamed of dealing with at Temple, but there’s just one problem: he can’t pick a quarterback. Should it be the veteran but turnover-prone Jacory Harris, or the younger, less experienced Stephen Morris? Morris regressed during Miami’s embarrassing loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl, and the battle this spring ended in a dead heat. Most think Harris will get the nod, but an inevitable game of musical chairs at QB will hold the Hurricanes back in Golden’s first season.

6.     Clemson

The Tigers will look completely new on offense this fall with Chad Morris calling the offense. Morris, the former Tulsa offensive coordinator comes from the Gus Malzahn school of spread offense, and will have the Tigers operating at a breakneck pace. Can new starting quarterback Tajh Boyd keep up? He was 8-of-24 in the Tigers’ spring game, which is not encouraging. The learning curve is steep in this offense, and Boyd must come back to fall camp with a better grasp of the playbook, or everything else won’t matter. The middle stretch of the Tigers’ schedule is absolutely brutal, despite four home games.

7.     Maryland

Danny O’Brien connected a 65-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the Terps’ spring game. I’d say that’s picking up where the 2010 ACC Freshman of the Year left off. Maryland lost a helluva lot of talent on both sides of the ball, most notably RB Da’Rel Scott, WR Torrey Smith and LB Alex Wujciak. Kenny Tate was moved from safety to linebacker this spring in hopes that he can be even more of a playmaker. It’s working so far; he made 11 tackles in the spring game. The Terps won’t be an easy opponent for anyone, but there are just too many questions in important areas to rank them any higher right now.

8.     North Carolina State

I’m going to try to make it through this without mentioning Russell Wilson. Crap. Anyway, if Mike Glennon wasn’t ready for the big show, there’s no way Tom O’Brien would’ve been so comfortable shoving one of the most accomplished passers in ACC history out the door. Mustafa Greene showed a lot of potential as a freshman running back last year, and he must build on that in 2011. T.J. Graham is one of the fastest players in America at receiver. The passing defense was atrocious towards the end of last season, and lost its star in linebacker Nate Irving, who as a tremendous pass rusher. The ‘Pack are deeper across the board, but will still have to outscore teams again this season to win too many games.

9.     Duke

Nobody wants to admit it, but Duke is getting better. Last year its offense was one of the more powerful in the conference. Most every key part is back as well, including quarterback Sean Renfree and receivers Connor Vernon and Donovan Varner. The defense is what kept Duke at the bottom of the standings last year, but it showed improvement this spring and the Blue Devils are a capable foe for anyone – yes, anyone – they will face this season.

10.  Georgia Tech

A combination of issues derailed Georgia Tech’s season last year. Injuries of course, but also a lack of any threat to pass, and worst of all – the league is starting to figure out the triple option. Still, if executed at a high level, Paul Johnson’s offense can be successful. Tevin Washingon needs to make significant strides under center or he may lose the job to freshman Synjyn Days. Receiver Stephen Hill has to be more a downfield threat. The key to the Jackets’ 2009 ACC Title run was Demaryius Thomas’ big-play ability. Hill needs to fill that void. The defense is still adjusting to Al Groh’s 3-4 philosophy. It’s going to take another year or two to assemble the right personnel to have success.

11.  Wake Forest

The Deacons are still very young, but there is some reason to hope they’ll be better than the 3-9 outfit we saw in 2010. Tanner Price looks like the guy at quarterback, and he’ll look to have a more consistent sophomore season. Josh Harris is a track star who has 1,000-yard potential at running back if he can stay healthy. All four starters return in the secondary, and Kyle Wilber is back at defensive end after a six-sack campaign last season. The Deacons are still a year away from being in the mix for bowl eligibility again.

12.  Virginia

Plain and simple, it doesn’t matter what improvements the Wahoos make across the board if they don’t have a quarterback they’re confident in. Four players battled it out this spring for the starting job and no one stood out from the group. Ross Metheny or Michael Strauss will earn the starting job by all accounts, but it was clear during the Cavs’ spring game that it’s going to be difficult to move the ball. Mike London will have to put together a couple more 17^th-ranked recruiting classes before he pulls Virginia out of this mess.

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Disagree? Of course you do! Please leave a comment, or let me know on Twitter — @JoshParcell

Randy Shannon had to go

Randy Shannon looked like the perfect fit at Miami. For one reason or another, he just wasn’t.

He was a lifelong Hurricane player/assistant coach. The only time he spent away from the Hurricanes’ staff was a three-year stint with the Miami Dolphins.

He assembled some of the best defenses in college football history in the early 2000’s when the likes of Ed Reed, Dan Morgan and Sean Taylor helped Miami win 34 straight games and two national championships.

He recruited a large majority of the 67 former Hurricanes who were drafted by an NFL team since 1999.

When Shannon was hired in 2006, he was Miami football. That’s why the school took less than two weeks to name him as Larry Coker’s successor.

Four years and zero bowl wins and ACC championships later, Shannon is out as Miami’s head coach.

It was a move that had to be made.

Shannon was a master at keeping his players in line. His renowned ability to graduate players and keep them out of trouble was unprecedented for the program. The strides he made in that regard will never be matched.

Unfortunately for Shannon, it’s simply more important to win. Not just games, but championships. Miami never even threatened for the conference title under his watch.

He took the head coaching job and immediately instilled a level of respect from the players that was borderline frightening. He made the players so afraid to act up that it must have been impossible to concentrate on football.

He grew into the job as time wore on, and the players grew fonder of him every year. Yet the consistently paltry results make it hard to believe he ever really became the coach he needed to be.

This was supposed to be the year that he put everything together. The roster was finally comprised entirely of Shannon’s recruits, all of which were of the highest regard when they signed with the Hurricanes. Shannon had a returning quarterback in Jacory Harris who was a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate, to go with a wealth of talented players at running back and wide receiver. The defense was supposed to be on track to resemble Miami defenses of old, with future pros like Allen Bailey and Colin McCarthy leading the way.

It just never panned out, once again. Ohio State made Miami look silly in the second week of the season, exposing the same problems we’d seen from the ‘Canes for most of Shannon’s tenure.

Offensively, the receivers were clearly not on the same page with Harris. That’s a lack of preparation. It hardly improved the rest of the year, as Harris and backup Stephen Morris threw a combined 18 interceptions (to go with 19 touchdowns).

A 24-19 loss to Virginia was an absurdly confusing loss. The Cavaliers had yet to look competitive in an ACC game, let alone win one. Yet Virginia dominated for 50 minutes until Miami mounted a comeback that started much too late.

Shannon’s job may have been saved if he had beaten Virginia Tech on the next to last week of the season. Miami led in the second half before crumbling in the fourth quarter, handing the Coastal Division championship to the Hokies in the process.

If that loss wasn’t the final straw, it most certainly was a 23-20 overtime loss to South Florida at home on Saturday. The Bulls stunned the Hurricanes using mostly players whose high school profiles were used by Miami’s coaches to blow their noses on.

There was absolutely no reason the Hurricanes shouldn’t have won 10 games this season. Instead, they might be the worst team in Florida from a BCS conference, and we all know how Urban Meyer’s year has been.

With Shannon at the helm, whenever the ‘Canes strung together a loss or two within a few weeks, an already suspect fan base kept a safe distance from any Miami home game. A chronic optimist would describe the stadium as half-empty for the final three home games of this season.

Plain and simple, Shannon zapped the life out the Miami football program. The negatives clearly outweighed the positives in the eyes of the university’s brass, and now it’s about to be someone else’s chance to restore the glory at “The U.”

Weekend Forecast – October 9

1. Florida State at Miami

This game is nearly always a classic. Who could forget last year’s ending, when Christian Ponder thought he’d thrown the game-winning touchdown pass on the final play, only to see the official waving his arms signaling an incompletion?

The Seminoles looked strong last week at Virginia, especially on defense. Their secondary is extremely young but also very talented. Jacory Harris continues to struggle with his decision-making, but thankfully the Miami defense has played lights-out (leads the ACC allowing just 15 ppg).

Miami has the better combination of talent and experience, but Florida State has a more reliable signal-caller. It’s a tough call, but I think Miami’s defense does just enough to lead the ‘Canes to victory.

Miami 31, FSU 28

2. Boston College at North Carolina State

The Eagles will start a banged-up true freshman at quarterback in Chase Rettig, who looked good in limited action last week against Notre Dame. North Carolina State, meanwhile, is still licking its wounds after a monumental collapse against Virginia Tech.

The Wolfpack’s woeful run defense was exposed last week, allowing 306 yards on the ground to the Hokies. Boston College has a great running back in Montel Harris, except he’s struggled to get the ball rolling in 2010. So far, he’s averaging just 84 yards per game and has scored only one touchdown, and hasn’t exactly come against a who’s who of good defenses.

The Eagles’ secondary is average at best. They have allowed 230 passing yards per game, including 277 in the season opener to Weber State. While the group as a whole has matured over the past month, they’ve seen nothing like the passing attack that State will bring with Russell Wilson.

NC State will put up big numbers through the air and rebound from last week’s stunner.

NC State 35, Boston College 17

3. Central Michigan at Virginia Tech

The Hokies return home for a full month of games inside Lane Stadium, the first of which against the downtrodden Chippewas. The Hokies have yet to lead by more than seven points at halftime in any of their five games, but they’d love to do just that on Saturday.

CMU leads the MAC in scoring defense, giving up just 17.6 points per game. However, the most explosive offense they’ve faced belonged to Northwestern.

Ryan Williams is out for the third straight week for Tech, but it shouldn’t matter, as Darren Evans is back to his 2008 form after a 160-yard, two-touchdown showing last week.

The Hokies learned from the James Madison debacle not to overlook anyone, so expect a big win for the home crowd.

Virginia Tech 49, Central Michigan 14

4. Virginia at Georgia Tech

The Groh Bowl, as fans are putting it, pits former Cavaliers’ coach and current Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh up against his old team in a must-win game for both sides.

Virginia was embarrassed last week in a home loss to Florida State, while Georgia Tech has looked nothing like the team everyone expected to contend for the ACC title.

UVA coach Mike London is former assistant of Groh’s and has spent countless hours studying his style of defense. If you want to know whether or not that matters, look no further than Steve Sarkisian’s success at Washington against USC the past two seasons.

The Wahoos have a severe lack of playmakers offensively, but right now the Yellow Jackets can’t stop much of anything. Groh should throw some new wrinkles in the gameplan this week to try and rejuvenate his bunch.

Meanwhile, London may have trouble scheming against Paul Johnson’s triple option in his first try. It may not be pretty, but the Yellow Jackets move to 3-1 in the conference.

Georgia Tech 24, Virginia 20

5. Clemson at North Carolina

The Tar Heels get back another of their star defenders this week, safety Kendric Burney. Linebacker Quan Sturdivant is listed as questionable heading into the game.

Clemson looked as ugly as could be last week against Miami, yet the Tigers were a fourth-down conversion away from possibly winning that game. North Carolina has played so remarkably well in the absence of a multitude of starters that it’s starting to get hard to pick against them.

The play of Tar Heel quarterback T.J. Yates has been outstanding. The senior has completed 68 percent of his passes this season while throwing seven touchdowns and just one interception.

Kyle Parker threw three interceptions last week in what coach Dabo Swinney called the worst game of his young career.

I can’t help but to think that North Carolina will keep Clemson’s offense at bay again this week. The Heels are giving up just 2.8 yards per carry in the past two games.

At home, the Heels pull off another improbable win and nab their first conference win.

North Carolina 20, Clemson 13

6. Navy at Wake Forest

The Midshipmen are in a world of hurt right now after losing their first game to another service academy in seven years. Wake Forest lost in demoralizing fashion last week to Georgia Tech, when Joshua Nesbitt’s touchdown pass with 15 seconds left sealed the Deacons’ fate.

Tanner Price will start at quarterback for Wake Forest, after injuries to Ted Stachitas and Brendan Cross have depleted the Deacs’ supply of healthy arms.

Price has appeared in four games this season as a true freshman while completing 48 percent of his passes. He did not play in the loss to Georgia Tech last week, but Jim Grobe has confirmed Price will get a majority of the snaps on Saturday.

Wake’s opponents this year average 4.85 yards per carry, but they did hold Georgia Tech to just 4.3 yards per rush last week.

Facing the triple option after just playing against it the week before is a huge benefit that most teams never have. Navy is reeling right now, and despite the fashion of last week’s loss, Wake Forest took comfort in the fact that their young team hung with the defending ACC champions.

Wake holds on at home in a nail-biter.

Wake Forest 17, Navy 14

Doomsday

Whoever this guy Murphy is has some competition for the naming rights to his law.

Anything that could go wrong for the ACC did, and at the worst possible moment.

On a day when the two most prominent match-ups featured the most storied programs in the conference clamoring to reach the top of college football once more, both were annihilated.

Also, the conference favorite lost – to an FCS school, the second time a ranked team has lost such a game in the history of the sport.

So did the defending league champion – to school which failed to produce a touchdown in a loss to another FCS school the week before.

A season full of hope suddenly became one on the verge of disaster.

Five teams were ranked in the preseason AP top 25 poll, the most in six years. Only one remains, and not a single one has a winning record.

Look at it this way. Miami failed to score an offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter and threw four interceptions in a 36-24 loss at Ohio State, and they had the best day of the perceived “contenders” in the ACC.

Meanwhile, Florida State was getting beaten like a drum in Norman, Okla. by the Sooners.

Bob Stoops made mince meat of his brother’s defense at FSU, putting up 487 yards of total offense and 47 points on the Seminoles.

Entering the year, for Miami and Florida State to take the “next step” in rebuilding their respective programs, it was clear where they had to improve. Clearly neither has.

Miami is still undisciplined on offense. Head coach Randy Shannon admitted to several communication errors between the receivers and quarterback Jacory Harris on Saturday. That shouldn’t happen with an experienced group of pass-catchers and a seasoned veteran under center. That falls on not only the players, but the coaching staff as well. There is more than a simple problem down in Coral Gables.

Florida State had to revamp a defense that ranked at or near the bottom of the ACC in every category last season. A scheme that worked for three decades under Mickey Andrews suddenly failed for one year. Sounds like a personnel problem, rather than a coaching problem to me.

Mark Stoops clearly hasn’t made the impact head coach Jimbo Fisher thought he would as the new coordinator. Landry Jones torched the Seminole secondary for 380 yards and four touchdowns, succinctly shredding the supposed vaunted zone defense Stoops brought with him to Tallahassee.

Even Christian Ponder, the face of Florida State (and for that matter, ACC) football struggled mightily against a Sooner defense that is nothing remarkable. Ponder had perhaps the worst game of his career, completing just 11 of 28 passes and throwing two interceptions. It’s not going to be a fun week in Florida, that’s for sure.

Georgia Tech thought it could survive without the likes of Derrick Morgan, Morgan Burnett, Jonathan Dwyer, and Demaryius Thomas – all key components of last year’s ACC Championship team currently in the NFL. The Jacket’s can’t.

Joshua Nesbitt is still the same run-first quarterback with no ability to throw the football. He was bailed out time after time last year by Thomas catching deep balls like he was the world champion of “500″.

There is no such deep threat this year, rendering the Jackets so one-dimensional its criminal.

Kansas loaded the box and demolished the Jackets’ running game. When they had to play catch-up late in the game, Nesbitt was inept. He finished the game with five completions on fifteen attempts.

The Jackets’ did run for 291 yards, but most of that came between the 20-yard lines. They couldn’t cash in when it mattered most, in the red zone.

Georgia Tech is going to have a hard time winning games this year if they can’t grind it out near the end zone, or have some semblance of a passing game.

The most embarrassing loss of all came in Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech shockingly lost its first non-conference home game in its last 33 tries to FCS foe James Madison.

The Hokies struggled to tackle on a wet field, and the offensive line failed to open holes for its star running backs or protect Tyrod Taylor.

The Hokies succumbed to the hangover of the Boise State loss just five days earlier, and a drowsy environment inside Lane Stadium doomed the preseason sixth-ranked team in the coaches’ poll.

The most impressive game of the day came in the still of the night, when Virginia played inspired football in a 17-14 loss to USC. The Cavaliers were missing star cornerback Ras-I Dowling, yet still managed to keep the Trojans’ talented offense in check all night.

Mike London is doing wonders as Virginia’s new head coach. The spirit surrounding that program is at a level not felt in more than a decade. The Cavaliers have inferior talent to just about anyone in the ACC, yet they are playing better and more confidently than most of the league.

When the perennial cellar-dweller of your league carries the conference banner for the weekend, 99 percent of the time it’s a terrible thing. That’s the case this week, when the ACC didn’t just come to a standstill, but was launched backward in its climb to gain national respect.

On the Docket – Week One Preview

Two games on Monday: Boise St. – Va. Tech and Navy-Maryland, will be previewed later in the week.

Presbyterian at Wake Forest, Thursday 6:30 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: It really doesn’t. The Deacs will need a miracle to even dare competing for the ACC this year, and Presbyterian might need a bigger miracle to win this game. Presbyterian went winless in 2009 without playing a single FBS team. Wake Forest begins a year where they simply need an identity post-Riley Skinner.

Player to watch: Ted Stachitas, the redshirt sophomore dubbed Skinner’s replacement at quarterback. Stachitas won a four-way battle in August for the job. He’s a dual-threat option who led Nease High School from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. to three straight state championship appearances as a starter. The Deacs figure to operate mostly out of the shotgun in a spread option look. Expect to see Skylar Jones line up in the Wild Deacon formation some, too. This game is a good introductory level course in replacing a legend for Stachitas.

Who has the edge?

To call this a scrimmage might be insulting. The Deacs starters could play a game against the backups and third-stringers and it might be more competitive. This is simply a chance to give Stachitas as many reps as they can in a live situation and try and work out the kinks across the board.

Prediction: Wake Forest 41, Presbyterian 0

Florida A&M at No. 13 Miami, Thursday 7:30 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: Once again, this won’t be much of a contest. Like many of these creampuff season openers, this is a great chance for Miami to unleash some of its younger, unproven talent and see if anyone emerges. The Hurricanes are very deep across the board, and they can get those young backups some important reps in this game.

Player to watch: Sean Spence and Graig Cooper are two prominent players from who are recovering from injuries. Cooper’s is of a more serious nature (torn ACL), while Spence dealt with nagging injuries last season before missing three entire games late in the year. Cooper figures to get some carries at running back, but it will be interesting to see how much action he gets in a backfield loaded with talented ballcarriers.  Spence needs to be healthy this season and return to his stellar 2008 form at linebacker.

Who has the edge?

Miami will name the score in this game. ‘Nuff said.

Prediction: Miami 45, Florida A&M 10

Samford at No. 20 Florida State, Saturday 12:00 (ESPNU)

Why it matters: This will be the first time in 35 years that somebody not named Bobby Bowden will coach the Florida State football team. The Jimbo Fisher Era begins, and he hopes to bring a new energy to Doak Campbell Stadium. I’m looking to see what the environment is like for Fisher’s first game. If the fans come out hard for the Samford game, it will speak volumes for the support Fisher has from the fan base.

Player to watch: This could be a great way to pad the stats early for FSU quarterback Christian Ponder in his trek for the Heisman Trophy. He figures to play the first half, and maybe some of the third quarter, but that’s still enough time for close to 300 yards and three or four scores.

Who has the edge?

This won’t remind people of last year, when Florida State escaped a scare Jacksonville State at home. The ‘Noles will cruise as they try and smooth the wrinkles before traveling to Norman next week to face the Sooners.

Prediction: Florida State 52, Samford 7

Weber State at Boston College, Saturday 1:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: See player to watch

Player to watch: Mark Herzlich will play, and that’s the story in and of itself this week. Herzlich, whose story as the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year-turned-cancer survivor is well-read by now, was hobbled by a broken foot during August. Head coach Frank Spaziani said he wants to get Herzlich on the field this Saturday, and when he does trot between the white lines, I can’t wait to see what the reaction from the crowd is. A true miracle.

Who has the edge?

Boston College needs a crisp performance from David Shinskie, who battled inconsistency last year but managed to win the starting quarterback job again this past month. I expect to see him play most of this game no matter the score, unless he struggles. In that case, I’d be interested to see if Spaziani plugs in Marc Mascovetra to run the show.

Prediction: Boston College 35, Weber State 6

South Carolina State at No. 16 Georgia Tech, Saturday 1:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: The Yellow Jackets begin their defense of the ACC title with a cakewalk. However, they must do it without several key defensive stars from a year ago, most notably Derrick Morgan, now with the Tennessee Titans. I expect the offense to keep on chuggin’, despite the loss of former All-ACC performer Jonathan Dwyer.

Player to watch: Anthony Allen fills in for Dwyer at A-back, and I for one think Allen could have a big year. He’s a physical runner with breakaway speed (see: the first Clemson game last year). With Joshua Nesbitt under center, he will put the ball in the belly of the right runners, and I think Allen could have a sensational year because of that. He might touch 200 yards in this game.

Who has the edge?

Georgia Tech needs to sharpen its defense, which switched to a 3-4 this off-season under new coordinator Al Groh. The Jackets hit the road for the next two weeks after this Saturday to face Kansas and North Carolina. Both games will favor the Jackets, but they need the defense to be on top of its game heading into those contests. This is just a tune-up.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 49, South Carolina State 17

North Texas at Clemson, Saturday 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Why it matters: Clemson fans get to see Kyle Parker in a football jersey again, which at one point this summer seemed unlikely. Parker will quarterback the Tigers for this season and likely no more, but his return at least gives Clemson hope it can make another run at a division title in 2010.

Player to watch: Andre Ellington replaces C.J. Spiller at running back. Spiller was a legend, perhaps the greatest player to ever wear the Tigers’ uniform. However, Ellington is not too shabby himself. In 68 carries last year, Ellington averaged more than seven yards every time he had the ball. He won’t produce like Spiller, but I think he’ll be better than people expect.

Who has the edge?

At one point earlier in the decade, North Texas was a strong mid-major program (Name-drop: Patrick Cobbs). Now, they are one of the worst FBS programs in the country. Clemson cruises in this one.

Prediction: Clemson 31, North Texas 6

Richmond at Virginia, Saturday 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: Virginia breaks in new coach Mike London, against the team they pillaged for him – and also the one he led to an FCS national title two years ago. London built the foundation strong program in two years at Richmond, and it’s feasible that the Spiders are more talented at several positions than the Cavaliers. Virginia can not afford a second consecutive season-opening loss to an FCS opponent.

Player to watch: All eyes are on Marc Verica, who must cut down on his interceptions this season. He has thrown twice as many interceptions (17) as he has touchdowns (eight) in his career. He has a strong grip on the starting quarterback job, but if he struggles against an FCS team in week one, nobody’s job is safe.

Who has the edge? Virginia, but not by much. I’d say the Wahoos are maybe a three-point favorite. Richmond has a former USC Trojan under center in Aaron Corp, and Virginia really has in my opinion the least talented roster in the ACC. This will be the most competitive game of the day in the ACC.

Prediction: Virginia 23, Richmond 20

Western Carolina at NC State, Saturday 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: Not much does. The ‘Pack figure to be a non-factor in the ACC chase, and this game should be a snoozer. We’ll probably get a chance to see Mike Glennon, the backup quarterback for State who could probably start for 80% of college football teams.

Player to watch: Nate Irving, like Herzlich, also makes a miraculous comeback after nearly losing his life in a car accident last summer. Irving missed all of 2009 but will be in the starting lineup at middle linebacker for the Wolfpack on Saturday. Another example of a heroic human being. His return should severely help a defense that was downright awful in 2009.

Who has the edge?

The Wolfpack will score at will in this game. Russell Wilson could throw for a career-high number of yards. No chance of an upset here.

Prediction: NC State 48, Western Carolina 14

Elon at Duke, Saturday 7:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Why it matters: Duke needs to make sure it wins the easy ones as it tries to make its first bowl game in a decade in a half. The Blue Devils are repairing a defense that was terrible last season. Holding Elon under 10 points would be a promising start. They need a dominating performance to build confidence heading into a key week two matchup with Wake Forest.

Player to watch: Sean Renfree has to overcome a repaired ACL and the legend of Thaddeus Lewis. Lewis set every major passing record at Duke, and Renfree tore his left ACL last November, prompting him to miss all of spring practice. Duke has plenty of options on offense, particularly at wide receiver, where Donovan Varner was the leading receiver in the ACC last year as a sophomore. Renfree was a highly touted recruit who has the potential to flourish under head coach/quarterback guru David Cutcliffe.

Who has the edge?

Duke should win handily, but a suspect defense could let in some scores early and make it closer than it should be early.

Prediction: Duke 34, Elon 13

LSU vs. North Carolina (in Atlanta), 8:00 p.m. (ABC)

Why it matters: This was supposed to be the breakthrough game for Butch Davis’ program at UNC. Now, this might be a measuring stick of just how fall the Tar Heels have fallen thanks to the infamous NCAA investigation into improper agent contact and academic fraud. LSU is in a state of flux as well, with questions at quarterback and a coach in hot water. Still, it’s likely that several key players for UNC will sit out the game. If they do, the Heels have no shot.

Player to watch: T.J. Yates enters his senior season as the maligned starting quarterback trying fend off redshirt freshman Bryn Renner. Renner is the more dynamic player, while Yates is the calmer and obviously more experienced prospect. Don’t be surprised to see Renner get some snaps if Yates struggles and/or the game gets out of hand. The coaches are waiting to give Renner his chance.

Who has the edge?

LSU. Even if North Carolina is at full strength, the distractions from the past month and a half must have taken a toll on the team’s focus and preparation. LSU feels the pressure to win this game and contend in the SEC. Speaking of the SEC, it has dominated the ACC in recent years. It won’t stop Saturday.

Prediction: LSU 34, UNC 10

The Crystal Ball – How the ACC will fare in 2010

After all the waiting, the season is upon us. This Thursday, the college football season will officially begin. And it begins with Wake Forest hosting Presbyterian at 6:30, the first game to kick off the 2010 season.

That also means it’s about time to make an idiot out of myself by trying to predict what will happen this year. Here is my comprehensive breakdown of the upcoming season for the ACC, otherwise known is idiocy at its finest.

Championship Game: Virginia Tech over Boston College

This was my story a month ago, and I’m sticking to it. The Eagles have a strong defense and a workhorse running back. David Shinskie is back under center, and he can only improve on his freshman season – his first year of football in half a decade.

I’ve lost faith in Florida State’s chances enough to take the Eagles as the Atlantic champs. BC faces an easier conference schedule, where I think they can sneak six conference wins in.

The Hokies, meanwhile, figure to be either 7-1 or 8-0 when the calendar hits November. Their three-game stretch of Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami is treacherous, but with the uncertainty around the Tar Heels’ season, that stretch is a little calmer now, it seems.

When it comes to the Eagles-Hokies matchup, it really doesn’t do justice to call it a match up, because it hardly resembles one. The gap between the two divisions this year is immense. Whoever wins the Coastal Division wins the championship.

Player of the Year: Christian Ponder, FSU

Ponder, if healthy, could put up ridiculous numbers in his senior season with the ‘Noles. It figures to be more of the same with Florida State in terms of the offense loading up the scoreboard, while the defense struggles to do its job.

Ponder has the athletes around him to make big plays. He has a shot to become the first Heisman winner from the ACC in nine years, and he could also shoot up NFL Draft projections with a strong year.

Biggest upset of the year: Duke over Miami, Oct. 16

Before you stop reading, hear me out.

Miami will either be coming off a huge win over Florida State, or a devastating loss the week before. The ‘Canes have a history of sleepwalking through road trips to Duke.

In 2008, they trailed the Blue Devils 24-14 in the third quarter before coming back to win 49-31.

In 2006, the Hurricanes needed a last-second interception on the goal line to avoid falling to the winless Blue Devils, winning 20-15.

If Duke came that close when they had significantly inferior talent, the Blue Devils have a much better chance this time around when the talent pool is much better.

Duke has a strong offense capable of scoring on anyone. Donovan Varner is the most productive receiver in the league, and Sean Renfree was a highly recruited quarterback two years ago and the coaches have high hopes for him.

If Miami doesn’t watch its step coming off a potentially mammoth rivalry game the week before, it’s not absurd to think Duke could win that game.

Best newcomer: Jeff Luc, LB Florida State

Luc, the most prized recruit in the ACC in the class of 2010, saw his chances for playing time rise when projected starter Nigel Carr was booted off the team in July.

Luc is slotted to back up Kendall Smith at middle linebacker, but he could move around if need be as a backup. Everything I’ve heard is the Luc is the next great linebacker at FSU, following in the footsteps of Peter Boulware, Ernie Sims and Dekoda Watson.  Expect him to make an immediate impact on a defense desperate for that type of player.

Biggest disappointment: Clemson

The return of Kyle Parker was supposed to salvage the Tigers’ season. It will make nary a difference with a lack of supporting cast. Andre Ellington has 1,000-yard potential at running back, but there is no semblance of a receiving corps.

Clemson’s early-season schedule is too tough to overcome. The Tigers face Auburn, Miami and Georgia Tech in a four-week span. I don’t think Clemson wins any of those games.

A 7-5 season would impress me. A 6-6 year would be just about right.

Best offense: Virginia Tech

There are more proven weapons for the Hokies than anyone else. Florida State has Ponder, Miami has an abundance of former blue-chip recruits who should emerge this year, but the Hokies have by far the best combination of talent and experience.

David Wilson may emerge as the backup running back instead of Darren Evans, meaning the Hokies might have a former 1,000-yard rusher at third string.

Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor has his entire receiving corps back intact for the third consecutive year. Also, new starting tight end Andre Smith will be an improvement in the passing game over Greg Boone.

Ryan Williams should put up gaudy numbers again after breaking a number of school and conference rushing records as a freshman.

Best defense: Miami

I’m sorry, but until I know who will or won’t play for North Carolina, I’m not touching that team when it comes to predictions. So Miami earns this recognition with studs like Allen Bailey, who could be a top 10 pick next spring, and Colin McCarthy and Sean Spence at linebacker.

Brandon Harris anchors a secondary that is closing the talent gap between recent years and the early part of the decade.

Miami will have the fastest and fiercest defense this year, and Randy Shannon finally has the pieces in place again to wreak havoc on opponents like the ‘Canes used to do when Shannon was defensive coordinator.

Game of the year: Virginia Tech at Miami, November 20

This is the de facto ACC Championship game, if everything unfolds as planned. These are the two best teams of the year facing off in the next to last week of the season. Both teams have some road bumps before this date, but it’s possible both could be ranked in the top 10 come game time, maybe even the top five.

The winner of this game will likely punch their ticket to the ACC Championship Game two weeks later.

It’s going to be a great year for the ACC. Virginia Tech and Miami should carry the torch at the forefront of the national rankings most of the season.  Still, nine teams should reach the postseason, showing the true depth of a league that has taken it’s fair share of criticism in recent years.

Five ACC players who could contend for Heisman

There is a lot of hope surrounding the ACC this season. Miami and Florida State are relevant again (we think), Virginia Tech has a chance to be a national title favorite with a win in week one, and there is a laundry list of players with a legitimate shot at the Heisman Trophy.

The last Heisman winner from the ACC was Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke in 2000. There is a breadth of talent at several positions that could produce the next winner from right here in the ACC.

Here is the list, in order.

1. Christian Ponder, Florida State QB

Ponder is not just the symbol of hope for the ACC. He’s carrying the pressure of resurrecting the Seminole program. If he’s able to return FSU to glory, there’s no doubt he’ll be on the short list for the award. If he stays healthy, there’s little doubt he’ll put up close to 4,000 passing yards and approach 40 touchdowns.

2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech RB

Williams would likely get more attention for this award if people weren’t skeptical that Darren Evans will steal too many of Williams’ carries. It’s not going to be an issue. Williams will touch the ball between 20-25 times per game at least, which is plenty to put up Heisman-worthy numbers. The coaching staff knows Williams is a game-breaker, while Evans is much more suited to be a supplemental back. If the Hokies make a run at the national title, Williams will be the biggest reason why.

3. Jacory Harris, Miami QB

Harris knows something that nobody else in the ACC does. He knows what it’s like to be the Heisman favorite, albeit very briefly. Harris was the center of attention last September thanks to two prime-time performances against Florida State and Georgia Tech. This year, he’ll need to string together more than just two great games if he wants to finish the year in the mix for the award. Wins over Ohio State and Pittsburgh would be a good start. He needs to cut down on his turnovers, improve his decision-making and hope his offensive line protects him better than it did at the end of last year.

4. Joshua Nesbitt, Georgia Tech QB

Nesbitt is the darkhorse of the national Heisman race. He’s been largely discounted for the award because of the option he operates in. Do people forget what Eric Crouch did nine years ago? If the Yellow Jackets are in the national title hunt, or at least in the top 10 when the season ends, and Nesbitt dominates like many expect him to, there’s no reason his name shouldn’t be mentioned for the Heisman. He’s one of the best college football players in the country.

5. Montel Harris, Boston College RB

Harris is the best running back nobody has ever heard about (apologies to Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas). Harrs carried the Eagles last season when no quarterback could. He might have to do the same this year, but he’s up to the task. He was handed the ball 308 times last year, and that might touch 350 this year. He has no backup, and the receiving corps is thin. Basically, Harris could put up unavoidably impressive numbers. The Eagles aren’t going to be a national contender, and Harris isn’t going to be a future NFL star, but he’s going to get so much action that he just might make some noise in the Heisman race (see: Larry Johnson).

Why Miami is the ACC’s best hope at a title in 2010

If you were among the 98% of the country that hated hearing “The U is back” everywhere you turned last September, this post is not for you.

For the record, I was in that 98%.

Miami was the center of the college football world after barely escaping Florida State (which finished 6-6) and beating eventual ACC champion Georgia Tech soundly on Thursday night.

That was all it took to make Miami a revived program.

The wheels began to wobble after that, and the Hurricanes finished 9-3.

Start quarterback Jacory Harris admitted that Miami was too flashy, too cocky, and it cost them. He says they won’t pull the rug out from under their own feet this year.

If they don’t, look out, because Miami is scary.

The ‘Canes recruiting class of 2008, which was rated number one by most services, are coming into their own as redshirt sophomores and juniors.

The volume of playmakers is incomparable in this league.

Take last week’s scrimmage for example. There were seven touchdowns, including four of 20 yards or more.

Last year’s Miami team was athletic and immature. This year’s team is, well, athletic.

The Hurricanes could honestly lose their top two running backs to injury and be fine. Then they could lose the third back to suspension, and be fine. They could even lose that fourth running back for personal reasons, and be OK.

The reason Miami is the ACC’s best hope for a national title starts with the schedule. The ‘Canes travel to Ohio State in week two. A win would likely vault them close to the top five in the polls. A loss would not cripple them, because the rest of the schedule is strong enough that a 1-loss season would keep them in the hunt.

Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech all come to Coral Gables. Road trips include Pittsburgh, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Miami faces six teams ranked in the top 25 of the preseason coaches’ poll, most in the country.

The ‘Canes could easily be favored in five of them.

If the baby-Canes have truly grown up like Harris says, they could actually hold serve as the favorite in those games, unlike last year, when Virginia Tech and Clemson stunned them.

Meanwhile, the other best hope for a championship lies in Blacksburg, but the schedule is not promising. The Hokies could very easily start 8-0 if they get by Boise State in week one, but not many folks think they can navigate a tough November schedule.

Georgia Tech at home, followed with North Carolina and Miami on the road is as tough a 3-game stretch at the end of the season as anyone. A single loss, and the Hokies’ title dreams can be kissed goodbye.

Miami does play Georgia Tech on the road the week before the Hokies, but they get Maryland and South Florida at the beginning and end of the month. It’s a tough, but not as imposing as Virginia Tech’s.

Who is the best team in the ACC? I think it’s the Hokies. I think the rebuilt defense will not be the question mark people expect it to be. But those two straight road contests right before the finish line will be too grueling.

Miami has one less stumbling block at the end of its season, meaning they can afford a slip-up in that early season gauntlet.

Even if Miami loses a game early, but responds by winning out, the pollsters will be all over the U again.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford acknowledged last month that the league needed Miami and Florida State to be strong again for the welfare of the conference.

If there’s one team to make him proud this year, it just might be the ‘Canes.

ACC goes deep in 3 key places

One thing every team faces questions about in the pre-season is depth. There are always battles in fall camp to try and solidify the rotation at a variety of positions, whether it be in the starting group or fostering younger players in backup roles.

If you formed an All-ACC roster, the depth would be tremendous. It came to my attention after the All-ACC selections were made of just how many bona fide star players did not make the cut. There are several positions that are loaded with talent across the board in the league this year, here’s a few in reverse order:

3. Offensive Line

The ACC is tied with the SEC for the most players on the Outland Trophy watch list with 11 each. Eight of those are on the offensive line. Anthony Castonzo, a four-year starter at left tackle for Boston College, leads the way and figures to be a front-runner for the award. The 2009 first team all-conference selection allowed just one sack in 650 snaps last season, which came against Robert Quinn of North Carolina.

Florida State could have had their entire line named all-conference it seems. Highly praised coach Rick Trickett has built a spectacular core on the line as he enters his fourth year with the Seminoles. Senior guard Rodney Hudson is ready to become the first player in conference history to be earn first-team honors four times. He is a consensus preseason All-American and might be Castonzo’s toughest competition for the Outland Trophy.

The ‘Noles starting center is Ryan McMahon, a redshirt senior who’s started every game in his college career. He graded out as a blocker last season at 80.6 percent, second on the team only to Hudson.

Both Hudson and McMahon are four-year starters, but the experience drop-off is slim among the three other linemen. Andrew Datko (LT), David Spurlock (RG) and Zebrie Sanders (RT) are all entering their third year as starters. There are entire conferences that don’t have the combination of talent and experience on the line like Florida State.

Georgia Tech center Sean Bedford returns after earning first-team honors as a junior. He anchors a Georgia Tech line that must replace three starters. If the Yellow Jackets want to dominate the point of attack like they have the past two seasons, it starts with Redford leading the way.

Even Wake Forest, picked to finish near the bottom of the league, has a few studs up front. Despite serious question marks at both tackles, left guard Joe Looney and center Russell Nenon have All-ACC potential.

Best unit: Florida State

Best player: Anthony Castonzo, Boston College

2. Linebacker

There are more than a handful of teams with a premium duo of linebackers. North Carolina has Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, two of the most athletic players you’ll find at that position in the country. Sturdivant was a Butkus Award semi-finalist last season, and has led the Tar Heels in tackles the past two years. Despite a late summer arrest on drug charges, coach Butch Davis said Sturdivant will not face any suspension from game action. Bruce Carter has 4.45 speed in the 40-yard dash, a number only the most elite outside linebackers in the NFL can even think of.

Up north in Boston, the Eagles hope that Mark Herzlich can regain some or all of the form that made him the most feared linebacker in all of college football two years ago. In his absence, all Luke Kuechly did was come out of nowhere as a freshman to lead the ACC in tackles by a mile. He’s added close to 20 pounds of bulk since the end of last season as well. If he can avoid the sophomore slump and Herzlich’s leg (and mind) holds up, they will be quite a force.

Miami’s Sean Spence and Colin McCarthy are another pair of slobber-knockers that have the experts picking Miami to do big things this year. McCarthy returned in 2009 from a season-ending shoulder injury the year before to make second-team all-conference with 95 tackles. Spence didn’t live up to lofty expectations in 2009 after being one of Randy Shannon’s most consistent defenders as a true freshman in 2008. He missed three games last in the season with injury, but his 36 tackles were fifth-most on the team. If he’s healthy, he’s another speedy outside ‘backer that is a big play machine.

As much grief as Maryland’s received over last season’s abysmal 2-10 season, the Terps sure have a solid group of linebackers. Alex Wujciak is a wild child in the middle. He is one of just two players nationally to have at least 130 tackles in each of the past two seasons. Adrian Moten lines up on the outside, and he led the team with nine tackles for a loss and six sacks last year. Demetrius Hartsfield might have gotten more recognition for an outstanding freshman campaign in 2009 if it weren’t for his team’s record or Kuechly’s huge year. Hartsfield missed two games, but still made 64 tackles. Also, the three top reserves for Maryland at linebacker return, making this the deepest unit of any team in the league.

One other notable player in the league include FSU’s Nigel Bradham, a former super blue-chip recruit who led the team with 93 tackles last season as a sophomore in 2009.

Best unit: North Carolina

Best player: Alex Wujciak, Maryland

1. Quarterback

The buzz during ACC Media Days was all about the volume of talented and experienced quarterbacks throughout the league. There were three players not named to the all-conference preseason team that would likely be among the first 20 players mentioned as Heisman Trophy candidates.

The man who did manage to earn all-conference was Florida State’s Christian Ponder, who is the best quarterback to come through that program since Chris Weinke a decade ago. Ponder suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in game ten last year versus Clemson, but still was the only ACC quarterback to average 300 yards passing per game.

His replacement after the injury was E.J. Manuel, a former five-star recruit who turned in the MVP performance in the Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia. If Ponder goes down, the Seminoles are more than comfortable with Manuel.

As the season draws nearer, however, Ponder is gaining more and more acclaim as a cream of the crop quarterback and elite NFL Draft prospect. If Florida State returns to glory this season, he’ll get as much attention as his rookie head coach, Jimbo Fisher.

Just down the road at Miami, Jacory Harris is oozing potential. After a red-hot start to the 2009 season put him in the immediate discussion for the Heisman, Harris struggled down the stretch and finished with 24 touchdowns to go with 17 interceptions.

“Most everybody thinks when a quarterback has turnovers, it’s him not reading his keys,” coach Randy Shannon said, “It could be the receiver running routes too short…it could be Jacory forcing the ball…or it could be pressure. We’ve just got to calm him down in the pocket.”

Whatever the problem was, Harris showed flashes of brilliance last season, including a gutsy fourth-quarter performance in the season opener against Florida State, which the Hurricanes won 38-34. His receivers are a year older, his line is expected to be tremendously improved, and according to Shannon, his poise and understanding of the offense is markedly improved.

At Virginia Tech, the Hokies believe they have what could be their best offense ever. A big reason for that is the return of Tyrod Taylor, who has been starting since his freshman season and has a 23-5 career record under center. Taylor led the ACC in passing efficiency last season in a breakout season. In his first two years, his career touchdowns-to-interceptions numbers were 7-10 and had just 1,963 career passing yards. In 2009 he eclipsed that mark with 2,311 yards and 14 touchdowns with just five picks. He has his entire receiving corps back for the third straight year, not to mention a pair of former 1,000-yard rushers behind him in Darren Evans and Ryan Williams.

If it’s not enough to have one of the most talented quarterbacks in the ACC, NC State has two. Russell Wilson is consistent, accurate and mobile. Wilson’s streak of 379 consecutive passes without an interception is an NCAA record. His 31 touchdown passes were the fourth most in the country last season. There aren’t many times a player posts numbers like that and still has to fight off competition in fall practice. After missing spring ball to play baseball, Wilson’s absence allowed Mike Glennon to shine. Glennon threw for nearly 500 yards in the spring game. He was recruited to be the quarterback of the future for Tom O’Brien, but Wilson’s emergence has kept Glennon on the sideline. There are 80 schools in America that would love to have Glennon under center.

The guy who has arguably been the most successful yet gets little attention is Joshua Nesbitt at Georgia Tech. The reigning first-team all-conference quarterback got rave reviews by teammates and coach Paul Johnson about his competitiveness and work ethic. Pound for pound, he may be the strongest player on the Yellow Jackets’ roster. He also enters his third year running the triple option offense for Johnson. Every offense relies heavily on execution, but the Tech offense requires a quarterback who is adept with the timing and execution of the option. He needs 703 yards to top Woodrow Dantzler’s mark for career rushing yards for an ACC quarterback. Odds are Nesbitt reaches that after gaining 1,037 yards on the ground in 2009.

Best unit: Florida State

Best player: Christian Ponder, Florida State