ACC FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Previewing college football conferences that include schools from the Carolinas:
FAVORITE
Clemson: Led by sophomore QB Deshaun Watson, Tigers picked over three-time champion Florida State to win ACC’s Atlantic Division, first league title since 2011.
TOP CONTENDERS
Florida State: Seminoles may be down from last year’s College Football Playoffs semifinal team, but still a contender to win a fourth straight league championship.
Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets return 14 starters from 2014’s 11-3 team, favored to win ACC’s Coastal Division, return to league championship game.
FIVE TO WATCH
Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB, Soph. (6-2, 2-5): ACC’s preseason Player of the Year threw for 1,466 yards, 14 TDs during injury-plagued freshman season.
James Conner, Pittsburgh, RB, Jr. (6-2, 240): Last year’s ACC Player of the Year was sixth in nation in rushing with 1,765 yards, 26 TDs.
Quin Blanding, Virginia, S, Soph. (6-4, 215): ACC’s defensive Rookie of the Year was top freshman tackler in nation last season, averaging 10.2 per game.
Brad Kaaya, Miami (Fla.), QB, Soph. (6-4, 209): ACC’s offensive Rookie of the Year led conference in passing TDs (26), passing efficiency (145.9) in 2014.
Marquise Williams, North Carolina, QB, Sr. (6-2, 220): Mallard Creek High grad was second in conference in total offense last season at nearly 297 yards per game.
DON'T MISS THIS GAME
Oct. 10: Georgia Tech at Clemson – Tigers, Yellow Jackets square off in potential preview of ACC championship game.
OUTLOOK
Clemson and Georgia Tech are both being looked at as favorites to win the ACC championship, and as potential candidates for the College Football Playoffs. But while weaker, Florida State can’t be counted out just yet.
Next: Big South
Bill Kiser
Previewing college football conferences that include schools from the Carolinas:
ACC
Next: Big South
This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 8:34 PM with the headline "ACC FOOTBALL PREVIEW."