The ACC Atlantic is battling the Big Ten East for the right to be called the toughest division in college football. The Big Ten East’s top three teams were slightly better last year, as Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan all made New Year’s Six bowls. Louisville, from the ACC Atlantic, did not make a prestigious bowl, and Florida State – though able to reach the Orange Bowl – lost three games in a season that didn’t quite go according to plan.
However, in the bowl games, the ACC Atlantic directly defeated the Big Ten East twice. Florida State beat Michigan in the Orange Bowl, and in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl, Clemson shut out Ohio State. By the end of the bowl season, the ACC leapfrogged the Big Ten as the strongest conference in college football, with the ACC Atlantic making powerful statements against the Big Ten East.
Can the ACC Atlantic carry that momentum into the regular season? Can defending national champion Clemson remain a top team? Can Louisville’s Heisman Trophy quarterback, Lamar Jackson, produce a great encore? These and other top questions are waiting to be answered.
Odds:
Boston College +12,500
Syracuse +10,000
Wake Forest +8,000
North Carolina State +1,200
Louisville +350
Clemson +175
Florida State -125
Team On The Rise:
The Florida State Seminoles lost Dalvin Cook and some talented receivers, but they can ably restock the skill positions due to their recruiting acumen and their proximity to talent-rich high schools in the state of Florida. They get back quarterback Deondre Francois, who should be much better in his sophomore season. If their offensive line is better – and many think it will be – they will be able to throw the ball extremely well and make life hell for opposing defenses. The other big thing with Florida State is that safety Derwin James was injured for most of last year, and when he was out, the defense suffered badly. If James can stay healthy this season, FSU’s defense becomes far better, and that should be more than enough to help the Seminoles push past Clemson to win the Atlantic and the ACC and reach the College Football Playoff again. Florida State’s prospects look very good as long as James is healthy and the offensive line improves.
Team In Decline:
The Clemson Tigers will still be a very good team this season. Their defensive front seven will be one of the best in the country. The Tigers will grind down any mediocre offense they face in 2017. The problem will come against the elite quarterbacks, two of which reside in the Atlantic: Francois at Florida State and Jackson at Louisville. Clemson will have a tough time replacing two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson, who played well in his first NFL preseason game on Wednesday night and seems destined to enjoy a very productive NFL career. Watson was a special player, and it will almost certainly take time for the new coaching staff to cultivate someone who can make Watson’s decisions and make the kinds of plays he made. It is hard to see how Clemson will navigate every test the way it did with Watson the past two seasons. Even though Clemson will be good, the record will almost certainly decline relative to last year.
Hot Seat:
Dave Doeren of North Carolina State has a loaded veteran roster. He has done nothing of note in Raleigh over the past few years, and this year he is expected to win at least nine games if not more. A disappointing season will get him kicked out the door. It is time for him to put up or shut up with the Wolfpack.
Outlook
The Seminoles look like they’re the team to beat this year. Yes, the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies are on the rise, but Florida State is the team that’s ready to do it right now. With Clemson rebuilding, the ACC looks like it is Florida State’s to lose – especially the Atlantic Division this year.
Prediction: Florida State to win the ACC Atlantic
Click here to bet on the college football futures for the 2017 college football season right now. DSI will have all of the latest lines, spreads and props for this year’s action!
