With the kickoff of the 2015 College Football season just two days away, fans everywhere are gearing up for an exciting run to Glendale, Arizona for the 2016 College Football National Championship Game. The ACC placed one team in the College Football Playoff in 2014, with Florida State taking a 13-0 record into the postseason before bowing out to Oregon in the 2015 Rose Bowl.
The ACC features a couple teams with playoff aspirations this season with several other teams that are looking to take the next step toward catching the top tier teams in the ACC. Here’s a look at the teams that NC State will be tasked with competing with in the ACC Atlantic Division this season.
Clemson
The Tigers posted a 10-3 record last season, including a 40-6 rout of Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Gone are defensive end Vic Beasley and offensive coordinator Chad Morris as Clemson returns only four starters on offense and just two starters on defense from last year’s squad. The key to the Tigers’ season will be sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who emerged as one of the premier playmakers in the ACC. If Watson can stay healthy this season (he missed four full games with a broken finger and later a torn ACL in 2014) then you should be able to circle the Nov. 7 matchup against Florida State as the unofficial “Atlantic Championship Game.”
Florida State
Florida State’s season outlook took an immense upward turn when former Notre Dame senior quarterback Everett Golson transferred to the Seminoles in the offseason, lessening the blow of losing Heisman trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston to the NFL. Golson struggled with the Fighting Irish last season, eventually losing his job in their bowl game. The Seminoles have extreme youth all over the offense and should struggle as a unit in 2015-16. The defense has several playmakers, including junior cornerback Jalen Ramsey, perhaps the best defensive back in the ACC. The Seminoles have talent, but will undoubtedly take a step backward this season.
Louisville
Much like the first two teams at the top of these rankings, Louisville lost significant talent from their roster this offseason. Coupled with an incredibly tangled quarterback situation and you have the chance for trouble. Louisville has yet to announce a starting quarterback for the Cardinals’ season opener this Saturday, with four quarterbacks still, at least on paper, in the running for the job. If they can figure out the quarterback situation, the defense should hold up their end of the bargain backed by impact transfers. Former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, junior defensive end Devonte Fields, joined the team in the offseason, along with two former Georgia Bulldogs in junior safety Josh Harvey-Clemons and sophomore cornerback Shaq Wiggins, who were each dismissed from Georgia’s football program. Even with playmakers on defense, a tough schedule that starts with Auburn, Houston and Clemson in the first three games is a recipe for disaster.
Boston College
The Eagles made a name for themselves by running the ball behind a hulking offensive line and a speedy quarterback. Sophomore running back Jon Hilliman, who ran for 860 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, returns, but Boston College loses all five starters on the offensive line and quarterback Tyler Murphy to graduation. Sophomore Darius Wade, a dual threat quarterback, takes over for Murphy and could match the production when all is said and done. The defensive line should be the team’s strength again, as the Eagles allowed only 94.5 yards rushing last season, second in the nation. Still, with an offense so inexperienced it should be tough to compete. If Boston College can put it together on the offensive line, it will be knocking on the door beat out NC State and Louisville for third in the ACC.
Syracuse
The 2014 season was a disaster for Syracuse as it posted a 3-9 record, with the Orange’s only wins coming against Villanova, Central Michigan and Wake Forest. Head coach Scott Shafer enters the season on a hot seat and will need to show improvement to keep his job past 2015. The Orange, similar to Ohio State, lost several quarterbacks to injury, but returns senior quarterback Terrel Hunt this season. Hunt should provide consistency and strong running ability, although he needs to improve his passing game. The defense has eight new starters and will likely be weak as it adjusts. A new offensive system should slow the offense as well and it could be another long, cold season in upstate New York.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest had a historically bad football season last year, but showed signs toward the end of last season and on the recruiting trail that things may be improving in Winston-Salem. Unfortunately for the Demon Deacons, that improvement won’t vault them anywhere near contention in the ACC this season. The Deacons have a solid development project in sophomore quarterback John Wolford and several young prospects on both sides of the ball. However, they have a tougher, non-conference schedule than several teams in the ACC, which doesn’t bode well for them.
