ACC Coastal Division Outlook

Sean Higgs

1. Virginia Tech Hokies – Have to like what this team returns. A veteran QB in Tyrod Taylor and pair of explosive RBs in Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. Coach Beamer will have the week run defense up to snuff and this team must be looked at as a dark-horse BCS Title contender. We will find out September 6th vs Boise State what both of these teams are made of. Can’t Miss Trend…. Va Tech is 8-1 ATS last 9 vs Miami Hurricanes

2. Miami Hurricanes – Here is a trendy pick for many people this year. Canes look to bring back the swagger that the 80’s and early 90s ‘U’ teams had. With 8 starters back on defense and 6 on defense, this team is ready to take off. QB Jacory Harris has emerged as a solid arm. Before we get all warm and fuzzy inside, this Miami schedule is a rough one. A tough 3 game road trip vs Ohio State September 11th , Pittsburgh the 23rd and then vs ACC rival Clemson October 2nd will show us where this team belongs. Can’t Miss Trend Miami is 0-3 ATS its last 3 vs Clemson

3. North Carolina Tar Heels – Can Butch Davis get this team over the hump. The defense is stacked. But the question is if QB TJ Yates can do anything with the ball. This team does have the most returning starters (19) of any ACC team. The defense alone makes this team a threat. Can’t Miss Trend… NC is 1-9 last 10 vs Florida State

4. Georgia Tech – The defending ACC Champs. Big losses for Tech as running threats Jonathan Dwyer and Demaryius Thomas are gone. QB Josh Nesbitt is back and should get some help with RB Anthony Allen stepping into HC Paul Johnson’s offensive machine. New DC Al Groh is bringing a new 3-4 scheme to Atlanta so look for a step back from the Yellow Jackets. Can’t Miss Trend G-Tech is 3-1 ATS last 4 vs Virginia Tech

5. Duke Blue Devils – Duke did win 3 ACC games last year after going 7-73 the previous 10 years. But with the teams listed above them here, they still have a long way to go. They avoided last place last season and with a new regime in Virginia, should end up 5th once again. Can’t Miss Trend... UNDER has gone 11-4 in Duke’s last 15 road game

6. Virginia Cavaliers – New HC Mike London takes the reigns after being at Richmond. With new schemes on both sides of the ball, new coaches everywhere and with a league low 12 returning starters, it is clearly a rebuilding year in Charlottesville. Can’t Miss Trend … Virginia is 11-1 ATS last 12 vs North Carolina
 

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