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Title: ACC Spring Football Preview
Post by: YoFuggedaboutit on March 09, 2006, 05:06:32 pm
Here's a cool piece from collegefootballnews.com:

Atlantic Division



Boston College     Spring practice starts March 18, Spring Game April 22

The big spring question is ... Can QB Matt Ryan grow from a solid passer to an All-ACC caliber star? Known more for getting his block knocked off in the Clemson game than for leading the Eagles to a great first season in the ACC, Ryan has to build on his great 256-yard, three touchdown performance in the win over Boise State in the MPC Computers Bowl. This is his team and he has to be the leader from practice one.

The most important position to watch is ...  Wide receiver. The offensive line will be a strength and Ryan should be fine, but he needs receivers to throw to. Will Blackmon, Larry Lester, and tight end Chris Miller are gone, so Tony Gonzalez and Jason Lilly have to prove they can be reliable targets. Gonzalez has to be a consistent deep threat, or at least prove he can get deep once in a while.

Spring attitude... Be even more of a big player in the ACC race. It'll be asking for too much to win the Atlantic with road games at Florida State and Miami, but the Eagles have to win the close games against everyone else to be in the hunt. Clemson, the other really strong Atlantic team along with FSU and BC, comes to Boston for the ACC opener on September 9th. The Eagles have to win this game to have any hope of winning the ACC, which means they need to use every spring practice, every summer practice, and the season opener at Ohio, to prepare to come out roaring.


Clemson    Spring practice starts March 4, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can Will Proctor be the type of quarterback who can lead the team to an ACC title? Clemson was involved in seven games decided by a touchdown or less losing four of them. Charlie Whitehurst was good, but Proctor has to be better if the Tigers are going to take the next step and play for the championship.

The most important position to watch is ... Defensive lineman. Charles Bennett, Cory Groover and Trey Tate are gone off a rock solid defensive line that was great against the run. End Gained Adams returns to lead a young line that needs several young players to step up and shine right away. Last year's freshmen, who provided the depth last year, have to be this year's star sophomores.

Spring attitude... Continue to be good in all phases and hope good things come from it. Outside of the punting game, there weren't any major weaknesses on the 2005 Tigers. The offense was balanced, the defense finished 20th in the nation and 11th in scoring D, and PK Jad Dean was tremendously clutch. As long as the team doesn't fall off the map in any one area this spring, this summer can be used to become even more explosive on both sides of the ball.


Florida State     Spring practice starts March 13, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden really get the job done? Blasted by several segments of Nole fans over the last few years, Bowden has to prove he can do more with an offense that finished last in the ACC in rushing (but first in passing) and 59th in the country in scoring. He has weapons to work with, and now he has to create a more balanced attack. 

The most important position to watch is ... Offensive lineman. Injuries and inconsistency on the line turned out to be a killer for the running game and almost got QB Drew Weatherford killed, but those problems could turn into positives in 2006. Jacky Claude can grow into an anchor at left guard, and tackles David Overmyer and Mario Henderson can become big factors. The better the line gets this spring, the closer FSU's offense will get to being like the old FSU offense.

Spring attitude... Act like the ACC champion. Florida State doesn't have to apologize to anyone for winning the ACC title last year despite a four-loss regular season. There are a ton of big holes to fill on defense, but the offense should be better and, as always, there are great young talents to build around. Opening day is at Miami, and everyone saw what happened in last year's ugly slopfest between the two superpowers when they weren't really ready. If FSU wins that, it'll be favored in every game the rest of the way with only a road trip to NC State and a season ender against Florida to worry about.


Maryland    Spring practice starts April 1, Spring Game April 29

The big spring question is ... Will Ralph Friedgen be able to regain the magic? Expect there to be more of a sense of urgency and more intense practices after a few down years, but there's a lot to be excited about with a good offensive backfield and a sound defense. Also important to note is how sharp QB Sam Hollenbach is. He can't be off because there are major problems at ...

The most important position to watch is ... Receiver. With All-America tight end Vernon Davis leaving early for the NFL, that means the top four receivers from last year are gone. The Terps had the ACC's second best passing attack last year, (behind Florida State) and now it loses 160 catches, 2,352 yards and 13 touchdowns from the big four. Drew Weatherly needs to be the main target right away.

Spring attitude... Focus, focus, focus. With tune-up games against William & Mary and MTSU before the road trip West Virginia, there's time to get everything in place before the Terps have to shine. Getting back to a bowl game is a top priority, but with five nasty road games (West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Clemson and Boston College) along with home dates with Florida State and Miami, Maryland had better be supremely confident. That starts with good practices.



NC State    Spring practice starts March 14, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can Marcus Stone become a real, live ACC-caliber quarterback? Now a junior, Stone has got to be far more consistent after fewer than half his passes with eight touchdowns and six interceptions, but he occasionally showed a nice deep arm and played well in important games against Maryland and South Florida. The defense will be worse than last year, so Stone and the offense had better be a whole bunch better.

The most important position to watch is ... Defensive end. The loss of playmaking LB Stephen Tulloch and CB Marcus Hudson hurts, but the loss top five-caliber draft pick Mario Williams and right end Manny Lawson will be a killer. James Martin had better be a force right off the bat this spring after only making eight tackles as a back up behind Williams.

Spring attitude... Fundamentals have to be stressed from day one. NC State was awful last year when it came to penalties and was 118th in the nation in third down conversion completing a horrendous 25.5% of its chances. The ACC is too tough, and NC State isn't good enough, for the little things not to be sound.


Wake Forest     Spring practice starts March 15, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can Ben Mauk generate more of a passing game? Wake Forest led the ACC in rushing last year, and should be close again with Micah Andrews ready to shine in place of Chris Barclay, but QB Ben Mauk has to become a consistent passer and Nate Morton has to be even more of a weapon as the team's top receiver. If Mauk is good this year, Wake Forest will be a major thorn in the side of other Atlantic teams.

The most important position to watch is ... Punter. Ryan Plackemeier led the Demon Deacon punting game to the nation's top spot averaging 41.38 yards per kick. Field position is a big deal for all teams, but it's even more important for a running team like Wake Forest. There isn't a designated punter on the spring roster, so the job is wide open.

Spring attitude... All the experience has to take the team to another level, and it has to happen right away. Everyone returns on defense and the losses are minimal on offense as long as Andrews plays as expected. Jim Grobe's club has an honest shot at a 5-0 start playing Syracuse, Duke, at Connecticut, at Ole Miss and Liberty, but that only happens if all the experience turns into more production. With a tough second half of the season, being flawless to start the year is vital.

 

Coastal Division


Duke    Spring practice starts March 25, Spring Game April 15

The big spring question is ... Can the team ever, ever, ever, ever, ever score? The Blue Devils finished second-to-last in the nation in total offense averaging less than one yard per game more than Temple. Scoring against D-I teams was a bigger issue averaging 13.7 points per game, but things got a little bit better by the end of the year. Offensive playmakers must be found in the spring session, especially at ....

The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Mike Schneider has been given opportunity after opportunity, but he doesn't appear to be the answer. Zack Asack got his feet wet last year and has to show more accuracy after only completing 50% of his throws. Marcus Jones will be given every shot to take over the job.

Spring attitude... Speed bump time is over. After finishing dead last in the ACC in every important category other than rushing, Duke has to find something to build on this spring. There has to be one thing that it does really, really well that can throw a scare into an ACC team or two. The schedule is way too nasty to think about a bowl game, but being more competitive is an important step.


Georgia Tech     Spring practice starts March 29, Spring Game April 22

The big spring question is ... Will Reggie Ball ever be consistent? Just good enough to not lose his job over the last few years, Ball has shown good mobility and an excellent ability to come through in the clutch, but he can be painful at times completing fewer than half his passes with 37 career touchdowns and 41 interceptions. He has one of the nation's best receivers to work with in Calvin Johnson and a great ground game to fall back on. If he can make the jump up and become a 65% passer, Tech will be a factor in the Coastal race.

The most important position to watch is ... Number two receiver. The secondary will need the most attention losing three defensive backs, but there's talent there to hope things won't be too bad. Finding a reliable second target to take the heat off Johnson is vital. Ball spent way too much time focusing on getting the ball to his star receiver, and then spent too much time trying to get the ball to other receivers while using Johnson as a decoy. It would be nice if James Johnson became more vital to the attack than Damarius Bilbo was.

Spring attitude... It's time to win the Coastal Division. The defense will once again be strong, and there's more than enough talent on offense to be better 103rd in the nation in scoring. There's a tough game at Virginia Tech to deal with, but Georgia Tech showed last year that it can win big games on the road with victories at Auburn and Miami. The Canes come to Atlanta, and the games against Atlantic teams aren't too bad missing Florida State and Boston College.


Miami       (Spring schedule not provided)

The big spring question is ... How will all the new coaches fit in? Head man Larry Coker knows how important this year is, and he needs his new hires to quickly make Miami a national title contender again. Rich Olson returns as offensive coordinator after leading the attack in the glory days of the early 1990s. John Palermo is the other big hire coaching the defensive line after doing a great job at Wisconsin. 

The most important position to watch is ... Offensive lineman. The line was a major issue all season long, and you don't get better by losing tackle Eric Winston and longtime line coach Art Kehoe. The pass protection has to be far, far better, while the ground game has to crank out more than 138 yards per game.

Spring attitude... ACC title or bust. How could the Canes be good enough to obliterate Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and bad enough to lose at home to Georgia Tech and get blown out by LSU? If the Canes lose the opener to Florida State and can't beat Louisville on the road, things will be very ugly. However, a 3-0 start might mean smooth sailing with Virginia Tech coming to the Orange Bowl and the toughest remaining road games at Georgia Tech, Maryland and Virginia.  All are winnable.


North Carolina    Spring practice starts March 22, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can the Tar Heels find any semblance of offense? After averaging a mere 316 yards and 18 points per game, North Carolina has to find more pop to the attack, especially in the running game. Backs Ronnie McGill, Justin Warren and Barrington Edwards have to be the stars of the offense with a new quarterback being broken in and three new starters coming in on the line.

The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Matt Baker might not have had problems, but he wasn't a bad passer overcoming a midseason lull to finish fine. Not great, but fine. Big Joey Bozich was the only other player to get any throws in completing three of nine passes for 12 yards with an interception, but Ben Johnson will get a few looks at the starting gig. However, it'll likely be up to former Nebraska QB Joe Dailey and Cam Sexton for the gig.

Spring attitude... Bowl game or bust. Credit head coach John Bunting for never complaining about the brutal schedule last year, but now it's bowl game or bust with an easier slate. The defense has the potential to be much better, and the offense can't be any worse, so a bowl game has to be the goal or there might be a new coaching staff in place next year at this time.

 
Virginia    Spring practice starts March 29, Spring Game April 22

The big spring question is ... Did the window shut? That great recruiting class of a few years ago didn't help Virginia get over the hump, and now stars like Kai Parham, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Marques Hagans are gone. The Cavaliers certainly won't be a pushover and should get back to a bowl game, but several new playmakers have to emerge at several key positions this spring if there's going to be any hope of challenging for a Coastal Division crown.

The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Hagans might not have been the prototype, but he was smart, clutch, and a solid leader. He was a much better all-around quarterback than he ever got credit for, and his versatility will be missed. Christian Olsen and Kevin McCabe are big, strong passers more like former Cav star Matt Schaub. It's a must that one of them rocks right away.

Spring attitude... "No one respects us." At best, most will put Virginia third in the preseason Coastal rankings, and maybe as low as fifth depending on what someone believes North Carolina will do. The pressure might be on for Al Groh and his coaching staff to have a big season, but the team can play relatively loose considering the preseason expectations from most outsiders won't be high.


Virginia Tech     Spring practice starts March 22, Spring Game April 15

The big spring question is ... What's the Vick aftermath going to be like? Tech would've been viewed by some as a top five team going into the year head Marcus Vick kept his head on straight, but now the offense should revolve more around the ground game, as long as Branden Ore can get back in the mix after sitting out for a semester to rehabilitate his shoulder. Sean Glennon, who's a pocket passer, is the odds on favorite to be the starting quarterback, and he'll have a tremendous receiving corps to work with.

The most important position to watch is ... Running back, specifically, George Bell. The team's top four leading rushers from last year won't be around this spring, but Ore should be back by fall. If the Hokies are going to contend for the ACC title again, they need a steady ground game and Bell, who has yet to live up to his prep hype, has to be more of a factor. If he and/or Elan Lewis shines this spring, there will be a big overall sigh of relief.

Spring attitude... Use the ACC title game as motivation. Virginia Tech was two bizarre losses away from being unbeaten with the Miami and Florida State games all the more puzzling after flat-out dominating just about everyone else highlighted by scary-good wins over Georgia Tech, Boston College and Virginia. Let's be honest; it's a two-game schedule for the Hokies traveling to Boston College and Miami. Win those, and don't come up with another powerfully stupid 2005 ACC championship game performance against anyone else, and there might be a trip to Arizona awaiting.


Title: Re: ACC Spring Football Preview
Post by: DolFan619 on March 09, 2006, 09:57:54 pm
Here's a cool piece from collegefootballnews.com:

Florida State     Spring practice starts March 13, Spring Game April 8

The big spring question is ... Can offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden really get the job done? Blasted by several segments of Nole fans over the last few years, Bowden has to prove he can do more with an offense that finished last in the ACC in rushing (but first in passing) and 59th in the country in scoring. He has weapons to work with, and now he has to create a more balanced attack. 

The most important position to watch is ... Offensive lineman. Injuries and inconsistency on the line turned out to be a killer for the running game and almost got QB Drew Weatherford killed, but those problems could turn into positives in 2006. Jacky Claude can grow into an anchor at left guard, and tackles David Overmyer and Mario Henderson can become big factors. The better the line gets this spring, the closer FSU's offense will get to being like the old FSU offense.

Spring attitude... Act like the ACC champion. Florida State doesn't have to apologize to anyone for winning the ACC title last year despite a four-loss regular season. There are a ton of big holes to fill on defense, but the offense should be better and, as always, there are great young talents to build around. Opening day is at Miami, and everyone saw what happened in last year's ugly slopfest between the two superpowers when they weren't really ready. If FSU wins that, it'll be favored in every game the rest of the way with only a road trip to NC State and a season ender against Florida to worry about.

    Just like all the other years he's been at the helm, Jeff Bowden still won't get it done.  Dave Wannst....  Err....  I mean Jeff Bowden's ineptness at calling plays will ultimately lead to Bobby Bowden's undoing.  Jeff Bowden is more suited for a coloring book than he is a playbook.  Jeff Bowden sucks, he has always sucked, and will continue to suck.  When Jeff Bowden's time on this Earth is over, he will float up to heaven and stand before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter will say unto him: "Yay my son, thou hast lived a good Christian life and has obeyed the word of our Lord and Savior.  However, my son....  you are just absolutely the worst offensive coordinator to have ever graced college football!!!  YOU ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, SUCK!!!

  Anyways, enough about Jeff Bowden.  Let's move onto the winner of the Jay Fiedler Award.  The winner of this not so distinguished award, goes to the quarterback who displays great amounts of ineptitude at the quarterback position.  Such things as throws into triple coverage, pick six throws, lateraling balls to lineman, and other mistakes that will get your ass rightfully booed off the field and out of the stadium.  That dishonor belongs to the one and only  Drew Weatherford.  This guy showed me nothing last year.  Nothing, Nada, Zip, Zilch, Zero, Cero, call it what you will, the result is still the same.  This dude brings nothing to the table.

  Personally, I think FSU should apologize for winning the ACC Title game.  Their championship reign was an absolute joke!  Last year's Orange Bowl, was probably one of the worst Orange Bowl games I had seen in years.  Florida State was a fluke champion, and they shall be exposed this season.  Also, why can't Bowden recruit a damn kicker???  Seminoles haven't had a good kicker since Janikowski and quite honestly they didn't have one before Janikowski.  RECRUIT A GODDAMN KICKER BOWDEN!!!  Maybe Florida State would win more games if you didn't have to worry about wide left, and wide right all the time. 

  The Seminoles are a damn joke, which is a shame considering where they used to be.