DISCUSS: A Look At Our Preseason ACC Order Of Finish Ballot

The ACC will release the official Preseason ACC results on Monday, and here is a look at how we voted for the divisions and the ACC Champion with our reasons why.

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson

Rinse and repeat. The most talented team in the league, until someone actually knocks them off, it’s going to be the Tigers.

Critical Question: What if D.J. goes down? Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is a star, but if he gets injured the Tigers could be in real trouble.  Given their season often can hang on one or two losses, even a minor injury would be critical.

2. NC State 

This might be Dave Doeren’s most talented team as the Pack is loaded offensively and returns nearly 15 defensive players who have started college games.

Critical Question: Is the schedule too tough to finish second? NC State’s schedule won’t be easy with cross-over games against Miami and North Carolina, the two favorites in the Coastal, and road games at Wake and Boston College.  Often the schedule can be a factor in the division standings.

3. Boston College

I really like what I saw from Phil Jurkevic last year, and Zay Flowers is a star.   The offensive system is much more aggressive and that’s a positive.

Critical Question: Will the defense be good enough? Boston College's defense is a concern right now.  If it doesn’t come together, the team won't finish third.

4. Louisville

Look for the Cardinals to be solid this year and bounce back from last season's disappointing campaign.  Malik Cunningham is proven at quarterback and the defense made strides last year.

Critical Question: Are the skill position players going to be difference makers? Of all the teams, Louisville seems most impacted with losses at the skill positions, having to replace Tutu Atwell, Javian Hawkins, and Dez Fitzpatrick.  That is a concern.

5. Wake Forest

You can make a case for Wake being ranked higher.  I love what they return offensively.

Critical Question: The defense... will it be better?  Despite some personnel losses, there is a reason for optimism with Wake's defense. We'll see.

6. Florida State

Mackenzie Milton was a huge pickup and if he’s a full form, Florida State WILL finish higher than sixth. The roster is just too talented.

Critical Question: Can the success return this quickly?  Florida State was really ,really bad last year and this could be a multi-year rebuild. The Seminoles added a bunch of transfers and that can help this season.

7. Syracuse

Dino Babers is my guy, but it's not looking good.

Critical Question: Is Tommy DeVito still the guy?  Hell, I don't know, but somebody has to step up at quarterback if Syracuse is going to be competitive in 2021.

Coastal Division

1. Miami 

Miami returns their starting quarterback, tailback, and best wide receiver and the Canes are loaded on defense. They also added a potential difference maker at wideout in Rambo.

They are my pick to win the Coastal.

Critical Question: Is D’Eriq King healthy? This might be the biggest question in the ACC. A lot of the optimism is because of King. If he's not all the way back from his ACL injury, Miami won't win the Coastal.

2. North Carolina

The Heels could easily win this division as star quarterback Sam Howell returns and the defense should be improved.

Critical Question: Will the skill position players emerge? Like Louisville, North Carolina lost a ton at the skill positions with both running backs and the two top wide receivers. Howell is really good, but can this impact his play in 2021.

3. Pittsburgh

I'm a big Kenny Pickett fan and Jordan Addison will be a breakout player this season.

Critical Question: Will the running game be even decent?  It's crazy to think Pitt just a few years ago was known for the ground game.  It's been non-existent the last couple of years, and it's hard being really good as a one-dimensional offense.

4. Virginia

Bronco Mendenhall has built a solid program and he returns a lot on both sides. This is a bet on UVA's coaching staff figuring it out once again.

Critical Question: Can Armstrong take the next step? Quarterback Brennan Armstrong improved as the season went on, and he has a lot of upside.

If he does, watch out for the Cavaliers.

5. Virginia Tech

The Hokies have a really good schedule and I like their skill talent and defensive upside.

Critical Question: Is the program on a downward spiral? It seems there's not a lot of happiness around VT right now and that can carry over into the season.  Fuente could be in trouble.

6. Georgia Tech

I feel like Tech is too low. They added some impact transfers and quarterback Jeff Sims and tailback Jahmyr Gibbs could be stars. 

Critical Question: Is Tech a year away? I think so.  Look for 2022 to be the year they really move up in the Coastal. This was always a multi-year rebuild.

7. Duke

I just don't see any reason to be optimistic about the Blue Devils.

Critical Question: How great of a gig is this for Coach Cut?  He hasn't had a winning ACC season in five years and went 1-9 in the league last year. I'm not sure his seat is even warm.  

That's a great gig.

ACC Champion

Clemson

As stated above, Clemson is the most talented team in the conference, and I believe D.J. is going to win ACC Player of the Year.