Pretty good article overall.....
here is the intro:
Few will dispute that Florida State and Clemson are the frontrunners in the ACC this season. Yet while it would be surprising if any other squad from the conference reached the College Football Playoff, a few should challenge the Seminoles and Tigers along the way. Atlantic Division foe Louisville, led by one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, will push Florida State when they meet at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in September, and the Coastal Division features several good, if not quite elite, outfits such as North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Miami. It’s difficult to project how things will shake out in this league, given the lack of clarity beyond the top two, but the combination of national title contenders at the top and a strong middle class should make for an exciting season.
Projected 2016 ACC standings
Atlantic Coastal
TEAM Record TEAM RECORD
Florida State 12–0 (8–0)
North Carolina 9–3 (6–2)
Clemson 11–1 (7–1)
Pittsburgh 9–3 (6–2)
Louisville 8–4 (5–3)
Virginia Tech 6–6 (4–4)
NC State 7–5 (4–4)
Miami 7–5 (4–4)
Syracuse 4–8 (3–5)
Georgia Tech 6–6 (3–5)
Wake Forest 5–7 (2–6)
Duke 5–7 (2–6)
Boston College 4–8 (1–7)
Virginia 4–8 (1–7)
Conference title game: Florida State over UNC
Offensive MVP
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
2015 stats: 4,104 passing yards, 35 passing TDs, 13 INTs; 1,105 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs
2016 projected stats: 4,300 passing yards, 38 passing TDs, nine INTs; 950 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs
Watson isn’t just the most valuable offensive player in the ACC; he’s arguably the best player in the country and on the shortlist of candidates to claim the Heisman Trophy in December after finishing third in the voting last year. With a group of dynamic playmakers around him—including wide receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, tight end Jordan Leggett and running back Wayne Gallman—Watson should deliver another sensational season while helping Clemson compete for a spot in the playoff. His only obvious competitor for this award is Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, but Watson gets the edge because of his overall value to the Tigers’ attack.
Defensive MVP
Derwin James, DB, Florida State
2015 stats: 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles
2016 projected stats: 110 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles
James arrived at Florida State as the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2015, according to Scout.com, but he still managed to exceed expectations during his true freshman season. James’s listed position is a bit misleading. While he’s officially a “defensive back,” opposing offenses have to account for James all over the field. He can hang with speedy pass catchers, run down ball carriers in space, toss aside 295-pound linemen standing in his way and get after the quarterback. Pro Football Focus suggested earlier this year that James may already be the best defender in the nation. The good news is we’ll get to watch him develop for at least two more seasons.
Rest of the article is here: http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/08/15/acc-preview-picks-hot-seat-2016
There is more FSU stuff in there
here is the intro:
Few will dispute that Florida State and Clemson are the frontrunners in the ACC this season. Yet while it would be surprising if any other squad from the conference reached the College Football Playoff, a few should challenge the Seminoles and Tigers along the way. Atlantic Division foe Louisville, led by one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, will push Florida State when they meet at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in September, and the Coastal Division features several good, if not quite elite, outfits such as North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Miami. It’s difficult to project how things will shake out in this league, given the lack of clarity beyond the top two, but the combination of national title contenders at the top and a strong middle class should make for an exciting season.
Projected 2016 ACC standings
Atlantic Coastal
TEAM Record TEAM RECORD
Louisville 8–4 (5–3)
Wake Forest 5–7 (2–6)
Conference title game: Florida State over UNC
Offensive MVP
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
2015 stats: 4,104 passing yards, 35 passing TDs, 13 INTs; 1,105 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs
2016 projected stats: 4,300 passing yards, 38 passing TDs, nine INTs; 950 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs
Watson isn’t just the most valuable offensive player in the ACC; he’s arguably the best player in the country and on the shortlist of candidates to claim the Heisman Trophy in December after finishing third in the voting last year. With a group of dynamic playmakers around him—including wide receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, tight end Jordan Leggett and running back Wayne Gallman—Watson should deliver another sensational season while helping Clemson compete for a spot in the playoff. His only obvious competitor for this award is Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, but Watson gets the edge because of his overall value to the Tigers’ attack.
Defensive MVP
Derwin James, DB, Florida State
2015 stats: 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles
2016 projected stats: 110 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles
James arrived at Florida State as the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2015, according to Scout.com, but he still managed to exceed expectations during his true freshman season. James’s listed position is a bit misleading. While he’s officially a “defensive back,” opposing offenses have to account for James all over the field. He can hang with speedy pass catchers, run down ball carriers in space, toss aside 295-pound linemen standing in his way and get after the quarterback. Pro Football Focus suggested earlier this year that James may already be the best defender in the nation. The good news is we’ll get to watch him develop for at least two more seasons.
Rest of the article is here: http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/08/15/acc-preview-picks-hot-seat-2016
There is more FSU stuff in there
