SJS College Football Extravaganza
Preseason 2000

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ACC Forecast

	2000 SJS Forecast				1999 Summary
		Overall	Conf.	Rank		Overall	Conf.
Florida State Seminoles	1	12-0	8-0	1	1	11-0	8-0
Clemson Tigers	2	10-1	7-1	8	3	6-5	5-3
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets	3	7-5	5-3	33	2	8-3	5-3
Maryland Terrapins	4	7-4	4-4	35	8	5-6	2-6
Virginia Cavaliers	5	5-6	4-4	47	4	7-4	5-3
North Carolina State Wolfpack	6	4-7	3-5	62	5	6-6	3-5
North Carolina Tar Heels	7	5-6	3-5	50	9	3-8	2-6
Wake Forest Demon Deacons	8	3-8	1-7	72	6	6-5	3-5
Duke Blue Devils	9	1-10	1-7	88	7	3-8	3-5

ACC Skinny   ACC Breakdown     Conference Champion: Florida State Biggest upset: Maryland over Virginia Offensive Player of the Year:      Rod Gardner, Clemson Defensive Player of the Year:      Roland Seymour, Florida State Best Coach: Tommy Bowden, Clemson Best Game: Florida State vs. Miami   The ACC appeared to undergo a moderate upgrade with the admission of Florida State into its ranks. North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Virginia all upgraded their games in the 90s, and the conference emerged as one of the top 4 or 5 in the country. But that initial shot in the arm seems to have faded, and this year the Seminoles' conference slate looks as easy as it has ever been. With Chris Weinke back at quarterback and Travis Minor at running back, the best offensive line in the ACC, and a stable of good receivers ready to take the place of Peter Warrick, the Noles may break a few records on offense. The defense features senior ends Roland Seymour and Jamal Reynolds, the linebacking corps seniors Tommy Polley and Brian Allen, and the secondary seniors Clevan Thomas, Derrick Gibson, and Tay Cody. That's a lot of talent and experience, so much so that it is a good bet Florida State beats an all-star team formed from the other 8 ACC schools nine times out of ten. What's left? Well, Clemson, for starters. The Tigers were the only conference team to really test the Seminoles last year outside of the offensive showdown with Georgia Tech. That 17-14 loss against the Seminoles was one of many close games Clemson couldn't win in 2000, but that situation must improve. I'm betting that it does in a big way: a 7-1 conference mark, marred only by a 20 point loss in Tallahassee. Strengths for Clemson are the offensive line and wide receiver; the starters in both units are senior-laden and all started last year. If coach Tommy Bowden can vary the offense enough (and Travis Zachary, a capable, if unspectacular rusher is back), then receiver Rod Gardner has a chance to be the ACC's best offensive player. On the defensive side of the ball, Clemson should improve from last year's unit that was third in the conference. Stars are Keith Adams (LB) and Robert Carswell (safety). From there, the ACC is a mess. Georgia Tech will struggle in the post Joe Hamilton era. On offense, only Kelly Campbell is a productive returner, and the fortunes of WR Campbell depend on whether a strong quarterback emerges. Finding a potent offense in especially crucial if the defense continues to give up points the way it did in 1999. Maryland comes in with a borderline Heisman Trophy candidate in LaMont Jordan, who will run behind a senior fullback and a very good offensive line. The Terps have three quarterbacks to choose from: Calvin McCall, junior college transfer Shaun Hill, and Latrez Harrison; if one of them proves a reliable leader, the Terps could find themselves fighting for third in the conference and may get that elusive sixth win for bowl eligibility. Virginia is the other upper-division ACC school, with senior Dan Ellis back under center. The Cavs don't really have any game breakers, however, and the defense will likely struggle as in 1999 (90th nationally). Of the Carolina schools, Duke will surely be the worst (7 returning starters from last year's anemic team) and North Carolina--if Ronald Curry finally plays up to his potential--will likely be the best. The Tar Heels will have another solid defense, but they must get a running game going on offense and that will be difficult if an inexperienced offensive line doesn't gel. That line is paper thin, too, with several freshman penciled in on the second team. The storyline for Wake Forest is that prized quarterback recruit C.J. Leak will take over the team this season. It is a mystery to many why he would pick such a struggling program to come to, and he should find out how little help he has this season. For North Carolina State the storyline is a new coach: former FSU assistant Chuck Amato. As a defensive coach, Amato will find a lot more talent and experience on that side of the ball than on offense. If the Wolfpack are going to win games in 2000, it will be by keeping the score low.