The college football season is right around the corner now and with less than a month until kickoff the anticipation continues to build. However, every single team still has a lot of work to do in preparation for the season and that includes a number of ACC teams that still have some major question marks to answer with the month of September on the horizon. Here is a look at the biggest concerns for teams from the ACC Coastal division.
Duke Blue Devils
David Cutcliffe has done a tremendous job transforming Duke in to a perennial contender in the ACC Coastal and there is plenty of optimism surrounding the program following last year’s division title. The Blue Devils have the talent to repeat, but first they need to answer whether or not quarterback Thomas Sirk will be healthy enough to play? Sirk’s 2016 season is in jeopardy after he suffered a ruptured his Achilles tendon in February and while he is on pace to play Duke’s opener in September he needs to prove he can stay healthy. The Blue Devils’ success is tied directly to their quarterback play and Cutcliffe needs Sirk to stay healthy in order to contend.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Can Justin Thomas bounce back as the quarterback at Georgia Tech? The Yellow Jackets went from an 11-win season that included an Orange Bowl title to 3-9 a year ago and Thomas’ misfortunes had a lot to do with the drop off. One year after throwing for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns while topping the 1,000-yard rushing mark, Thomas threw for just 1,345 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for only 488 yards. Georgia Tech’s offensive line needs to be better in order to protect their star quarterback and at the end of the day this team will only go as far as Thomas can take them.
Miami Hurricanes
How long will it take for Mark Richt to turn Miami in to a winner in the ACC? There was certainly plenty of buzz surrounding the arrival of the Hurricanes’ new head coach and it helps that Al Golden left some very solid pieces in place including quarterback Brad Kaaya. The problem is that the ACC is absolutely loaded with Clemson, Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina all standing in Miami’s way of challenging for a conference championship. The Hurricanes will be improved under Richt this season but they might not be ready to challenge for an ACC title just yet.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Expectations are high for a Tar Heels’ side that returns 13 starters from a team that won 11 games a year ago and claimed the ACC Coastal division title. Will quarterback Mitch Trubisky be able to keep them on top now that he takes over for the departed dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams? Trubisky has the talent to lead the North Carolina offense but he isn’t as dynamic as Williams and that could result in some stumbles along the way. The Tar Heels’ defense also needs to step up after allowing 247.4 rushing yards per game a year ago.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Can Pittsburgh be a true contender in the ACC Coastal division this season? With 16 returning starters, the Panthers appear primed to make a run. One of the biggest issues will be finding a reliable target at wide receiver following Tyler Boyd’s departure to the NFL. Dontez Ford returns as the leading receiver on the roster after he had just 26 catches for 505 yards and two touchdowns last season and Pittsburgh will need more pass-catching threats to step up.
Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia has the talent to be a solid team in 2016 but they will need more efficient play at the quarterback position. Matt Johns threw an FBS-worst 17 interceptions a year ago and will need to cut down that number in order for the Cavaliers to be taken seriously. Connor Brewer and East Carolina graduate transfer Kurt Benkert will push Johns for the starting job and it won’t be a surprise if the coaching staff had their returning starter on a short leash to begin the season.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Justin Fuente takes over for Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech with high expectations but it could take some time for the Hokies to make the transition. Part of the problem is a lack of talent along the offensive line, which is a major concern with Fuente looking to run a fast-paced offense. Virginia Tech also needs one of Brenden Motley and Jerod Evans to step up and seize the starting quarterback job. There isn’t much doubt that Fuente will eventually succeed with the Hokies but there will be some obvious growing pains along the way.
