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The “Experts” over at CBSSports.com have made some Predictions for the upcoming 2014 ACC football season. Here are some predictions from various experts that I thought should be highlighted.
Dennis Dodd
Top newcomer: Jacoby Brissett, QB, N.C. State. The Pack’s first winless conference season since 1959 will be a distant memory. After sitting out, Brissett, the former Gator, brings experience and athleticism to a position Dave Doeren couldn’t get going in ’13.
Coach of the year: Larry Fedora, North Carolina. Tar Heels’ coach looks more ripped than some of his players. But few teams have more momentum than North Carolina which six of its last seven.
Jeremy Fowler
Top newcomer: Jacoby Brissett, QB, N.C. State. The Dave Doeren era can begin in earnest now. He has his quarterback. The Florida transfer has the size and the arm. Can he rally a young team?
Most overrated team: North Carolina. This is tough because no ACC team save FSU was ranked in the top 15 of the Coaches Poll. The Tar Heels are the only Coastal Division team in the top 25, so since I’ve picked Virginia Tech to win the division, UNC is rated slightly too high.
Jon Solomon
Most overrated team: North Carolina. The Tar Heels are a trendy pick to win the Coastal thanks to winning six of their last seven games in 2013, including a rout of Cincinnati. They were still a 7-6 team that got blown out by East Carolina at home.
Most underrated team: Duke. Call Duke a fluke at your own peril. The Coastal is so jumbled that there’s no reason to think the Blue Devils can’t be a regular contender and make losing to Florida State in the ACC championship game an annual tradition.
Tom Fornelli
Bold conference prediction: NC State will finish third in the Atlantic. Somewhat insane to think after the Wolfpack went 0-8 in conference play last year, but I believe the combination of Jacoby Brissett, Shardrach Thornton and Bryan Underwood, along with four returning starters on the line should lead to a much-improved offense. That will help a young (but year older!) defense that struggled last season stay off the field a bit more.
Jerry Hinnen
Top newcomer: Jacoby Brissett, QB, N.C. State. Brissett showed flashes of his blue-chip recruiting potential during his abbreviated Florida career, displaying above-average athleticism, a powerful arm, and all the requisite size for the position at the Power 5-level. He should fit Dave Doeren’s offense to a T, and lead the Wolfpack back to the postseason.
Most overrated team: Clemson. No Sammy Watkins, No Martavis Bryant, no Roderick McDowell, and especially no Tajh Boyd. The Tigers might have the best defensive line in the country, but can a team with Chad Morris as its offensive coordinator really win big with a defense-first philosophy?
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