Saturday, January 3, 2009

An early ranking of ACC teams in '09

An otherwise disappointing bowl season for the ACC ended with a major accomplishment when Virginia Tech’s 20-7 defeat of Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl broke the league’s eight-game BCS losing streak.

Of course, Cincinnati is hardly an established BCS power and the ACC finished 4-6 overall in bowl games. But there’s no need to point this out and add to the disappointment of a conference that improved in the computer rankings because of its depth in 2008 but hasn’t had a legitimate national championship contender in several years.

There’s always next season for ACC football, and although it seems unlikely that anyone in the conference will challenge for the 2009 title, there’s always a chance if John Swofford will just invite Utah or Boise State to join the league.

It’s way too early to start going through the 2009 ACC schedule game by game and predicting who might win the league. But here’s an early ranking of the teams in terms of the talent they should have returning in 2009:

ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. Florida State: After averaging an ACC-high 32.7 points per game, the Seminoles have a solid quarterback returning in Christian Ponder. The Seminoles will have some key defensive losses, including linebacker Derek Nicholson, but always seem to have speed on defense.

2. N.C. State: Unless opposing defensive coaches figure out a way to stop quarterback Russell Wilson during the offseason, the Wolfpack should average close to 30 points per game. But if Nate Irving leaves for the NFL, N.C. State will be hurting at linebacker.

3. Maryland: Da’Rel Scott will be one of the ACC’s best running backs again, and quarterback Chris Turner is solid. Wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey’s production didn’t always match his talent, but won’t be easy to find the kind of speed he provides if he leaves early for the NFL.

4. Boston College: If linebacker Mark Herzlich turns pro early, the Eagles are bound to suffer defensively. And if you watched Boston College lose to Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl, you know this team will miss quarterback Chris Crane.

5. Wake Forest: We saw how much the Deacons missed kicker Sam Swank when he was hurt in 2008. Losing linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith will be huge blows to the defense, but the Deacons still will have Riley Skinner at quarterback and the ACC’s best coach in Jim Grobe.

6. Clemson: Here’s a guess that C.J. Spiller turns pro and Dabo Swinney shows his inexperience by botching the offensive coordinator hire. The Tigers still should be strong on defense, though, and quarterback Cullen Harper’s departure should help the team.


COASTAL DIVISION
1. Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets’ defensive front won’t be nearly as formidable, but this team will be scary on offense in its second year in the flexbone under Paul Johnson. Forget the blowout Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to LSU, which had almost a month to prepare. Teams only get a week to get ready for the option during the season.

2. Virginia Tech: The Hokies will have Frank Beamer coaching a returning backfield of Tyrod Taylor and Darren Evans. That formula was good enough to win the Orange Bowl, and it should keep Virginia Tech in contention again.

3. North Carolina: Assuming Hakeem Nicks leaves for the NFL, the Tar Heels will miss him almost as much as the 2009-10 basketball team will miss Tyler Hansbrough. But North Carolina still has a quality quarterback returning in T.J. Yates and a lot of speed on defense.

4. Virginia: If quarterback Jameel Sewell returns as expected from academic suspension, underrated coach Al Groh will find a way to get the Cavaliers into bowl contention. New offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon will install the spread offense to take advantage of Sewell’s run-pass skills.

5. Miami: No matter who gets the offensive coordinator job, he will be an upgrade over Patrick Nix. But when a transferring quarterback (Robert Marve) says he can’t play for coach Randy Shannon, there’s something wrong at the U., whose results are falling short of the level of talent that’s being recruited.

6. Duke: Thaddeus Lewis will be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC again, and tackle Vince Oghobaase’s return should bolster a solid defensive front. But the Blue Devils’ problems in the secondary aren’t going to magically disappear in the offseason.

- Ken Tysiac

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Al Groh underrated? Ken, give me a break. UVA has constantly under achieved based on their NFL talent in the last 4-5 season.

Anonymous said...

I think Paul Johnson is a great coach, but the speed and discipline of defenses like VT and UNC and the improving familiarity of them with what GT wants to do, will make it harder for the Jackets going forward.

Anonymous said...

Clemson worst in their division? Idiotic.

MichaelProcton said...

"Duke's problems in the secondary???" Like the kind you have when you're forced to start a pair of freshman at CB because two (returning) experienced starters are out with injuries? Duke won't be a contender for a diviison, but there's no reason they shouldn't make a bowl next year.

Anonymous said...

I can think of a lot of reasons why Duke won't make a bowl next year.

Anonymous said...

I can give you one reason Duke may struggle next year - Duke graduates 25 or 26 football players in June!! That is almost a whole team!! We shall see who Coach Cut has comming in. I would say he has a stellar class!! I hope so. GO, DUKE!!!

Anonymous said...

Tysiac is still having a love fest for NC State but has forgotten they had a losing record last year. GT backed into the Chick Bowl and got hammered. There will be more of the same next year because Johnson is not at Navy now.
Watch for UNC and Fla State to be the class of the league. Great recruiting builds programs. GT and NCSU do not have that advantage.

Anonymous said...

Nice back-handed comment on VT's win over Cincy. At least they won, what more do you want? Why isn't there a mention of UNC's choke job against WVU?

GT will be a solid team, but the rest of the ACC will adjust to their O. The DC at VT, perhaps you've heard of him, only needs a week to prepare for that o.

Anonymous said...

This article is a complete joke. Clemson in last huh? zero credibility.

Anonymous said...

NC State in 2nd in the Atlantic???? Miami in 4th in the Coastal???? Clemson in 6th in the Atlantic??? Ken, who is going to play defense for NC State next year... maybe that under average recruiting class they're bringing in? Have lost a lot of respect for your opinions.

Anonymous said...

Are you on crack? Clemson has finished no worse than .500 in the league in how long and you pick them last? NC State at the head of the Atlantic, please. And FSU throwing the ball up to tall receivers b/c Ponder has no accurracy is only going to work for so long. You should write something else that you know more about...

Anonymous said...

What will it take, 2 more, 3 more ACC Titles for VT? They've won it 3 out of 5 years since being in the conference and have only been picked to win it 1 out of 5 years. When will you hard-heads get the message? Do you realize VT returns 18 starters? They return more than any team in the conference. Do you realize option offenses haven't worked against Bud Foster's defense at any point in his 14 years as DC? Even this year, the team that in fact, did shut down the GT offense was guess who...Virginia Tech. Things will not change next year. Virginia Tech will likely have the greatest team it's ever had on paper at least going into the season.

Anonymous said...

I agree about VT next year. They will be dangerous but to say that they were the team to shut down GT you'd be wrong. UNC shut down the Jackets better than any other team in the ACC. Look for VT and UNC to be the best of the Coastal division. Sorry but GT has already been figured out.
In the Atlantic FSU should be the head of that division. NCSU could be good but it all depends on the health of Russell Wilson. Kid is a stud but I'm afraid teams will figure out how to shut him down as well.

Anonymous said...

You forget about UNC's biggest weakness... Butch Davis. Great recruiter but a lousy game coach. Why do you think we keep hearing about how UNC is only 5 or 6 points away from being a national champion? Miami will finish ahead of UNC. BTW, is UNC going to be the youngest team in the NCAA again?

Anonymous said...

Man, Va Tech is going to win the ACC Championship Game again in 2009!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am certainly not as smart as you sportswriter boys, but I really do not see GT losing 4 of 5 starting OL and 3 of 4 DL as being all that good in 2009. Certainly not winning the division. Nesbitt will be seeing the blue sky a lot early on. Someone has to open holes and someone has to close em. The second time around the ACC for the GT coach and team will be special. I think Bud Foster will have a little something for GT.

Anonymous said...

To have Clemson in last place in their division is crazy! Clemson will be a much better team next year. They were overrated this year due to skill players. Next year they will have something they never had under Bowden; talent at the O-line and D-line with experience.

Anonymous said...

Is this guy high? How is VT not at the head of the division? They beat GT this year and they're offense will be twice as good next year (I honestly don't think that's an exaggeration either). Besides Paul Johnson's option offense has been figured out already. Beamer's game plan works and it doesn't matter if people 'figure it out'

Anonymous said...

i found this link through SI, and I stopped reading when I read "al groh underrated"...at least i didnt make it to the end, because that is a few minutes of my life I i will never have back.

remember me how i found this blog spot from SI again? just because google and wordpress made blogging easy, doesnt mean everyone should do it....

Anonymous said...

To the person who made the comment about GT losing 4 of 5 OL. This is absolutely incorrect.

GT returns 100% of it offense that was used in the last few games of the season. In fact 16 of the 22 starters were only Freshmen or Sophmores.

Also, the LSU game was just one of those weird games where everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Until the last few seconds when GT recovered their own fumble for a loss, GT had more yards than LSU in the 38-3 loss. In fact you will see that a -3 turnover margin is a common theme in the games that GT lost. Ball control will get better as this team matures.

Also keep in mind that Paul Johnson said that he only was able to run 50% of the offense this year in an effort to keep it simple. There will be many more wrinkles and passing to worry about next year.

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised you didn't have UNC first in both divisions.

Anonymous said...

Hey guys, this is just a way of the sports writers to create a "story" and get everyone all riled up! After this past year in the ACC, one can only wonder what is going to happen in 2009. If I had to put $$ down though now, I would go with FSU, Clem, and BC to be at the top of the Atlantic (in no particular order) and in the Coastal, I would have VT and UNC at the top. I think teams will handle GT. That was obvious in the smashing they took against LSU. They looked putrid at best! Also, look at what UNC did against GT in the regular season... kicked the bee's butts! They adjusted with a week's preparation to their offense and i'm sure other teams will too.

Putting Clemson last and Cow College 2nd is just to get people to write into these comments and create controversy.

Anonymous said...

you show you lack of football knowledge by saying Clemson will be better without CH. Take a look at the Ol. Steve Young would have a hard time playing!!!

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely the worst piece of garbage I have ever read about ACC football and I can't believe it was published. What a joke!

Anonymous said...

The ACC did go 4-6. But consider this: despite GaTech's 35 point loss the ACC still outscored its opponents in bowl games this year.

The other five losses (UNC, NCSU, BC, Miami & Clemson) were by a combined total of 21 points. And of that group only 5-3 BC finished better than .500 in conference play. Parity.

I'm not sure that any team in Div I could go undefeated in the ACC. There might not be any "title contenders" but there is NOT a bad team.

The other 6 BCS conferences (and the Mtn West) all are very top heavy -- outstanding couple of teams and a few bad ones too.

I think if FCS had a 16 team playoff the ACC's representative(s) would surprise some of the higher ranked teams with their size & speed on both sides of the ball.

Look at Julius Peppers, Mario Williams, Phillip Rivers or any other NFL Pro-Bowler that came from middle of the pack ACC schools as examples.

Anonymous said...

Its amazing how much credence some people are putting on recruit rankings. If you've ever been a part of HS recruiting/rankings, you'd know its 50% paper talent and 50% politics. Neither of which say much about how a kid will play when the lights are on. Miami has been trying to recruit themselves back into contention for the past decade and you see where that's got them. It's all about the coaching. If you think some non-athlete journalist writing for rivals, scout or any of the likes can predict a kid's future potential with a 15min highlight run, a HS combine I've got some future beach-front property in Nevada to sell you. Get a clue.

Anonymous said...

how could you be so stupid!!??

Anonymous said...

GO NOLES!

Anonymous said...

GO FSU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Worst football predictions I have ever read, how can you really put 2-time defending acc champs who are returning 18 starters in second place. this article is a joke!

Anonymous said...

Tyrod Taylor will be leaving Blacksburg with 4 acc rings! The fact that they somehow won the acc is a credit to the great discipline and coaching at VT, next year the rushing attack will improve with the combination of darren evans and ryan williams at running back and of course the best running QB in all of the ncaa next year, the receiving corps will be very much improved as well! go hokies

Anonymous said...

To the person who said MIAMI has been trying to recruit it's way back into contention for the last decade you must already be in 2012,becaused last I checked MIAMI played in the BCS national title game in 01 and 02 which was less than 10 years ago according to my calendar, So if your are from the furutre hopefully my Canes have turned it around(lol). As far as the recruiting not meaning anything I'd have to disagree I think that Rivals has been pretty accurate with their assessment of talent. And I'm sure USC and Gators fans can agree with that since they've had numerous #1 classes since the site began and they've also finished serveral season ranked pretty high in the final polls during that time frame.

But anyways this writer has no credibility with these rankings. The fact that Virgina is ahead of any team other than duke is silly they lost to all teams that made bowls except one or two. get out of here with that.

Anonymous said...

I think Ken is really Heather Dinich from ESPN. It all sounds like crap.

Anonymous said...

Everyone will adjust to GT's offense???? Look at CPJ's track record. That is what was said after his 1st year at Georgia Southern and Navy. The loss to LSU was more GT didn't come to play. They turned the ball over 5 times, in their own territory. That blowout was the best thing that could have happened to GT going into next year. The ACC will have some solid teams but GT will dominate the Coastal Div. And the ACC-CG will be a good one in which GT will play FSU. And I am from the Hokie nation...so I hope I am wrong!

Anonymous said...

Clemson WILL be better w/o Harper...how can a senior QB get sacked so many times when there was ample of time to throw the ball away? Plus, I can read his throws all day long as he locks in on one receiver and has that hitch in his throwing motion....defenses pick up on that right away.

Anonymous said...

Why is everyone picking GT to be #1 in the Costal? i don't get this, they couldn't beat VT even with one of the best D lines in the league, they are losing all that, not to mention you can't run the option on Bud Foster anyways so it won't make a difference, i find it a bit funny actually

Anonymous said...

Regarding VT's winning the ACC this year... it had nothing to do with "coaching" or "discipline" but rather the coastal division just sucked, and then BC lost its starting QB and lost to you guys.

I would agree FSU is the team to beat next season.

Anonymous said...

But when a transferring quarterback (Robert Marve) says he can’t play for coach Randy Shannon, there’s something wrong at the U.

- it's not possible that Robert Marve is immature and lost out to a better QB, is it??

, whose results are falling short of the level of talent that’s being recruited.

- You're referring to the 1 full recruiting class he's been responsible for that yielded 9 true freshmen starters for a bowl team??

Anonymous said...

If Spiller declares for the draft, where will the offense for Clemson come from? Willie Korn to a double covered Jacoby Ford? Again, IF Spiller leaves, on paper, Clemson will probably be the weakest offense in the Atlantic.

Anonymous said...

Ken, I hope that you don't actually accept money from the Observer for posting this kind of crap. You've obviously been drinking the ESPN Kool-Aid about GT and have just got to learn to say no and think for yourself. You should be looking for a poor season from GT in 2009. As the ACC keeps improving with faster and more disciplined defenses it inevitably means disaster for any triple option offense based team like GT. In any case, the VT defense will not have any trouble with GT again next season so that means no better than 3rd in the Coastal for the Yellow Jackets since UNC will have way too much talent for them as well. Not to make too fine a point of it but your simpleton analysis is pathetic and it is simply shocking that you can get anyone to pay you for posting it.

Unknown said...

GT "backed into the Chicken Bowl?" HAHAHA... Tech earned it because they had the best record in the conference and were the highest ranked, you tard. If anyone backed into anything, it was VT backing into the ACCCG. They got lucky to beat Duke and UVA the last two weeks to squeak past the real Tech.

GT will be returning its entire offense all of which were sophs and frosh this year. We also add Anthony Allen (Louisville transfer-Dwyer clone) and Richard Watson (redshirt) at B-back to give Dwyer some rest. Though we lose 3 of 4 on the DL, we have quality depth behind them and the league will sure enjoy seeing big TJ Barnes next year (6'7" 330).

The LB depth will be ridiculous and much more experienced as will the secondary. We will more than likely get Jerrard Tarrant back at corner which will bolster one side of the field with TSN All-Freshman corner Rashaad Reid and Junior Mario Butler returning, as well.

Like another poster said, CPJ only instituted about 50% of the offense this year so good luck figuring it out. Oh, and about VT shutting down GT's offense... 278 rushing yards is shutting it down? Nah, bad penalties and turnovers cost GT the game... Not to mention the wide open dropped TD pass by Roddy Jones. And UNC's "shutting down" consisted of 326 rushing yards. Three turnovers giving UNC a short field in that game cost Tech another opportunity for a win.

Know your facts before you talk.

Anonymous said...

UNC stopped GT? GT had 100 more yards than UNC? GT stopped GT with a fumbled punt and two OTHER turnovers.

GT can't recruit? GT's last three year average Scout 'rankings' 25.6

This years class is currently 25. ENTIRE O comes back with BETTER RFR OL coming in to replace two to three of the OL that put up 479, yes 479, yards on Miami. This without a decent second reciever and a first year starting QB.

People keep saying they are going to figure out GT's 'gimmick' O. VT? GT had three UNFORCED TO's. UNC? three UNFORCED TO's. Either Paul Johnson is a liar or his statement of only 50% of the O was able to be utilized this year due to inexperience and 'poor' OL play. DL (due to graduation) and LB are definate areas that need improvement. Watch for a FR that redshirted this year to step in at DL and perform VERY WELL, TJ Barnes. GT returns 19 of 22 starters that started from Miami game on. The other thing that hurt GT this year that will NOT be a factor next year is depth. GT was still several schollies short from NCAA Academic 'stuff'. Next year GT will finally have full 85 schollie roster with MUCH better depth at B back, A back, OL, WR and LB. Will GT win as many games? Everyone, it seems, will be improved in the ACC with a few exceptions. Will BC? Will Clemson? I'd bet VT and UNC improve. This will make the Coastal VERY tough.

Unknown said...

We have people losing jobs due to the economy and we have folks picking up paychecks for writing useless articles liks this. Only in America.

Unknown said...

Hey Trey, the facts are VT won the ACC and the Orange Bowl. Turnovers are part of the game and the offense you run. Know a little about advice before you dish it out.

Anonymous said...

When looking at recruiting, you can't just look at one year, you have to look at 3-4 years worth. So, anyone knocking NC States recruiting, needs to look at the entire picture. We had a great class in 2007, and they were all basically redshirted. Yes, the 2008 class is not looking as good star wise, but its deep, and will add the depth that we are badly missing right now.

Anonymous said...

Hey Trey:

VT returns 17 out of 22 starters from the Orange Bowl, plus 3 more players who started earlier in the year, but were injured for the Bowl. Add to that many great players who were red-shirted this year, or who are set to enroll this semester or in August. Anyone who doesn't pick VT to win the Coastal Divison next year is CRAZY. And one other thing, you tard, which ACC team do you think is going to be ranked the highest in the final 2008/09 polls?

Anonymous said...

Trey,
The Real Tech has played GT 6 times in football, 5 of those being since The Real Tech joined the ACC. The Real Tech has won 4 of 5 games since then. Sounds like somebody has the sour taste of Hokie dust in their mouth. Could that be you Trey?

Anonymous said...

Wow, everyone here is still on the VT wagon... they played the worst possible team in a BCS bowl game and won because of miscues by the other team... Maryland's Da'Rel Scott played less than 2 quarters and racked up 174 yards... and Maryland returns the 2nd leading tacklers in the ACC with Alex Wujciak along with the Torrey Smith, a redshirt freshman who broke the ACC kickoff return yardage and he plays wideout. Get ready for a break out year by the Terps... Remember Maryland beat 4 teams ranked in the top 25 this year with an inconsistent team and the only other program in the nation to do that was Texas... Just because Clemson has all the talent in the world doesn't mean you will be a good team it takes heart and the desire to win to make it the ACC.. Get real folks

Anonymous said...

Can we start calling the VT-GT game the "TECH"mobowl? TECHmobowl '09 will be tough but VT will win again. Its not that anyone has figured out the GT offense, which is very fast and very good, but its that VT will just have a better, more experienced team all around. Returning so many starters that won the championship against better (on paper) teams this year is an advantage like none other.

Anonymous said...

It really doesn't matter what order the coastal division is or the atlantic for that nature. The truth of the matter is that FSU is going to take the ACC without any problems next year, and for you VT fans out their we will see you at the ship and thats when you go home baby. GO NOLES!!!!! orange bowl next season baby...

Anonymous said...

GT was the youngest team in the ACC and like VT, will be much improved and CPJ will install the other half of his flex offense. The writer's case for GT ranking first in coastal is about right. It will come down to GT/ VT for the coastal again.

Yes, turnovers are part of the game but w/ 16 underclassmen learning a brand new, complex offense breeds many unforced errors and they are sure to improve in this area next year.

Case closed. Deal with it VT fans. Preseason rankings don't mean squat but GT will be very good as will VT, Miami, and UNC.

Anonymous said...

VT and BC not only had the two best defenses in the ACC but two of the best in all college football. Vt will face FSU in the 2009 ACC game where beamer has never beat bobby bowden and his NOLES....until he does in 2009 and VT wins a 3peat.

Anonymous said...

trey,
let's not talk about VT barely getting by UVA and Duke, When GT lost to UVA. and barely slipped by Gardener-Webb. and dont blame losing the game to VT on penalties and turnovers. The lack of discipline on their side of the ball cause them to get those penalties and turnovers. well they're turnovers, need to learn how to take care of the ball. btw that chickfila bowl performance was horrible. and to say that teams only have a week to prepare for that offense? LSU had a month to prepare for the option. but GT had a month as well to prepare for LSU's defense.

and to the fool for saying that VT only won the orange bowl because of miscues on the other side of the ball. were you not watching the game? 4 interceptions by Bud Foster's defense. One which could have gave them a TD before halftime. and a goal line stand by a redshirt freshman by the name of Barquell Rivers. Cincy went 58 mins after their first TD without ever scoring again. VT did what they had to do and they won. unlike alabama. which that will be an interesting match up next year. no wagon hopping here.

With a team that is returning 18 starters that won the ACC championship, its kinda hard to not pick them to be top of the division or better yet the conference. Though it will be a tough one.

Anonymous said...

Nobody said anything about pre-season rankings. My comment was about the final rankings for this season, which will be coming out in a couple of days. The last poll of the year means a lot more than squat. It is the most important poll of the season, as it sums up everthing that happened that year, not what happened in one game or another. And in the final poll that will be released in a couple of days, VT will without a doubt be the highest ranked ACC team, with the best final record, and the biggest bowl win for the ACC this year. And oh yeah, VT is the ACC champ once again. The facts are obviously eating at a lot of you fans of other teams (GT, MD, FSU, Clemson), but as the back-to-back ACC champs, and having the returning and new players that we'll have next year, VT has another 8 months to enjoy being at the top of the ACC, and is poised to be in the exact same place on year from now, ACC champs. Threepeat.

Anonymous said...

people hate vt. its simple. as long as i have been a fan people harp on how vt is overrated. we might not be the best but we get stuff done when it matters. look at our recruiting ranks compared to most other schools in the ACC. tbh most other schools get better recruits yet our coaches get more out of our players.

i am excited about va tech next year. ga tech and va tech i believe will be the ones to look for. i call for either one of those to win it but quite frankly with how the ACC has constantly been lately (up in the air until the end) i can not make a true prediction.

i am happy to say that the ACC is overall one of the better conferences whether people like it or not. i expect people to hate vt and im used to it. it just fuels us to win more and work harder.

Anonymous said...

FSU will play VT in the championshiop game next year would be a very early and aggresive prediction, but Im almost certain of it. With VT returning so many players and that coaching staff, as long as they dont beat themselves they are in.

FSU will win the Atlantic, returning the entire offensive line that was the youngest in the nation last year, great offensive coaches now, averaging 32 points a game. The defense is always on point for the noles, ask any team that has to play them.

Bottom line, Noles vs VT...we know how this story goes. 1999 with Vick VT couldnt beat FSU, when VT was 14 point favorites in the 2005 ACC championship, FSU beats them handily. What else do you want? FSU has lost once in their history to Va Tech. FSU beat Va tech this year for god sake. Go ahead Va tech, return those players that FSU beat last year, FSU will beat them again.

FSU 27
V Tech 21

FSU goes orange bowling...maybe Natl Championship?...nah, but two years from now perhaps...

Anonymous said...

^^^ to you above yea they lost to FSU. with the # 1 and 2 qb's going down. im not gonna take the W away from FSU cause they capitalized on that victory and took advantage. VT's team is gonna be scary next year. and i mean scary.

Anonymous said...

The only way to shut these narrow minded prognosticators up is to beat their teams in an embarrasingly decisive manner. When GT mops the field up with ALL contendors next year (yes, undefeated) by 3 TD plus margins across the board, then maybe some of you whining whana bee's (pun) will finally get the idea that there's a new power in the conference.

Next year, there WILL be:
1. many less turnovers in GT's offensive play
2. significantly bigger, faster, and more talented recruits in GT's offense and defense (we are competing with UGA for a few big gets)
3. significant improvements in the offenses diversity and trickery

To those short bus fools who said the PJ offense will be "figured out" next year, the offense is not about secrets. Everyone knows EXACTLY what Johnson is going to do - there are only 3 choices! KEEP IT, PITCH IT SHORT, or PITCH IT WIDE. The fun part is you guys can't stop it even when you KNOW WHATS COMING!

The ACC will get it's front running dominant team next year! Johnson is an offensive genius in ANY league. The proof will be in the pounding - stay tuned......

Anonymous said...

Let's say there have many surprises in 2008 in the ACC. GT for one was predicted to win no more than 3 or 4 games but they finished 9-4. As for 2009, I am sure that CPJ will have more schemes and that players (recruited by Coach Gailey) will mature and get deeper understanding of CPJ's offense. While many posts indicated that other teams have figured out the Option-based offense, perhaps it's true to some extense, but remember that this offense is still in the work. Has anyone seen that pass in the end zone that Bey-Bey dropped, that was just a glimpse of what a great offense GT is going to be in years to come. CPJ will continue to improve, specially with the recruits that he wants. Once Nesbit and his young teamates learn the additional schemes, running/passing will be awesome. Can't wait for 2009.

Anonymous said...

Wolfpack No 1. He's wrong about Clemson being so bad but my Pack will be great next year, no doubt.

Even if Wilson has problems, don't forget we've got stud Mike Glennon waiting in the wings.