ATLANTIC DIVISION
FLORIDA STATE - Let's be honest. I can go on and on here. But the simple fact of the matter is that FSU is loaded on both sides of the ball. I can't find a game that would be considered a 'look ahead' where they can get picked off. Virginia (for homecoming) between road games at Louisville and Miami? Not likely. Seminoles will be double digit faves in every game and have a chance to be the first team to repeat since Nebraska. QB Jameis Winston will look to repeat his Heisman campaign and another undefeated season. HC Jimbo Fisher has the talent to make history here.
CLEMSON TIGERS - I really like this defense. It is the strength of the unit. HC Dabo Sweeney has some work to do on offense replacing their QB, a 1000 yard rusher and their top 2 WRs. If the rest of the division wasn't so weak, I would probably have them lower regardless of how good the defense will be.
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS - HC Bobby Petrino is back for another round replacing Texas-bound Charlie Strong. He will have a new QB in sophomore Will Garner, but the youngster has some upperclassmen to help him out. A good RB tandem, plus a solid group of WRs will help out Garner. For me though, leaving the AAC and coming to the ACC will be the biggest hurdle. Petrino brought in Todd Grantham from Georgia to run the defense. If he can help build a SEC type defense, then the offense will be just fine. That being said, there is no shot at a repeat at a 12-1 season.
SYRACUSE ORANGE - I like this bunch. They won their bowl game last year, and their offense is building some confidence behind Terrel Hunt. I am putting it down right now in mid-August. I am betting the Cuse over ND when they face each other September 27th. I think these guys should be 4-0 heading into conference play. And I won't be shocked if they knock of Louisville at home after beating ND!
NC STATE - Wolfpack went 0-8 LY in ACC play. That alone has me thinking they double that win total. They do have 14 starters back, 7 on each side of the ball. Their new QB in Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett. NCST needs the defense to improve and for their new QB to get real comfortable with his WRs for these guys to think about a bowl.
BOSTON COLLEGE - 2nd year HC Steve Addazio had a nice first year going 7-6. But reality will smack him right in the face here. He loses the nation's top rusher, the school's all-time leading receiver and a 4 year starter at QB. Big shoes to fill. He did grab Florida transfer Tyler Murphy who he recruited. But I think they are too many questions on the offensive side of the ball as they have just 3 starters back. Rebuilding in Chestnut Hill for 2014.
WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS - Wake went 4-8 LY, and bring in a new HC, Dave Clawson who was the man at Bowling Green. I normally think first year HC's have problems. In this case, coming from a mid-major and taking over a struggling ACC team, expectations can't be high. New schemes, coaches and turnover will lead to a long year for Wake.