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30 ACC Questions for 09
Bowden and the Seminoles are likely to be holding more trophies in 2009
30 Questions for the ACC in 2009
3.3.09
30. What Player Faces the Most Pressure in the ACC in 2009?
A. Christian Ponder QB FSU- Playing the highest profile position on the higest profile team in the ACC is always tough, but Ponder is going to be looked at as the guy who could lead FSU back to the glory days. Ponder led FSU to its first 9 win season since 04 last season, but this season will determine if he becomes another great FSU QB or another flop like most FSU QBs this decade.
29. What Coach faces the most pressure in 2009?
A. Randy Shannon- Sorry, but 12-13 isn't going to cut it at "The U". Shannon has not only struggled to win games, but he's struggled to keep it close in many games. Why is Miami losing by double digits to Georgia Tech and NC State? Why in the last game at the Orange Bowl did Shannon lose 48-0 to Virginia. The Miami program has fallen hard and actually had lower attendance figures than Central Florida and South Florida. Miami plays at both USF and UCF this year, it's possible the program that was once the best in the nation might become the 5th best in its state. Heck, maybe 6th if Howard and the boys at FAU continue to improve. Note to Shannon......Tuberville is waiting
28. Who's the Most underrated player in the ACC?
A. Riley Skinner QB Wake Forest- Skinner might be the most fun player to watch in the ACC. As a freshman he was named ACC Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore he led the nation in completion %. By the end of his career, Skinner is likely to have thrown for over 9,000 yards. Not bad for a guy that might not have ever started if not for an injury to Ben Mauck.
27. Who's the ACC's Most Underrated Coach?
A. Ralph Friedgen Maryland- In 8 seasons at Maryland The Fridge is 64-36 with 6 bowls, in the 8 seasons prior to Ralph the Terps went 32-56 and no bowls. Friedgen won the school's first ACC title since 1985 in 2001. Three Ralph Friedgen teams have won 10+ games. In the 45 years prior to Friedgen taking over the Terps only had one 10+ win season. Despite all this, some think he's on the hotseat every year.
26. What's the Biggest ACC Game for 2009?
A. Miami at Florida State- This game will be played on Labor Day Night and is a great chance for the ACC to get back into the national spotlight. For a league that most have considered down for sometime now, highlighting your 2 most nationally known programs could do wonders for the league's image. The key will be for these 2 teams to put together a solid game and try and remind us of the FSU-Miami classics of the past.
25. What Assistant Coach has the most Head Coaching Potential?
A. Bud Foster Virginia Tech DC- This man has been ready to be a head coach for a decade now. 4 of Fosters last 5 teams have been ranked in the top three nationally in total defense. Foster has won the Broyles award and the AFCA's top defensive coordinator award. 6 times Foster has been the defensive coordinator for a conference champion(3 Big East and 3 ACC)
24. Who has the Toughest Schedule in the ACC?
A. Florida State- The Seminoles have a very tough OOC schedule. Road trips to play Florida and BYU, plus a tough home game against South Florida. In the ACC FSU must travel to Boston College, Clemson, UNC, and Wake Forest.
23. Who has the Easiest Schedule in the ACC?
A. North Carolina- The Heels OOC schedule consists of UConn, East Carolina, The Citadel, and Georgia Southern. UNC should be ashamed to schedule 2 SoCon schools in 1 season.
22. What's the Worst OOC Game for the ACC in 09?
A. Coastal Carolina at Clemson- If this were a college baseball game then it would be great, but this is a game between a traditional CFB power and a program that's only played football for 5 seasons. Besides doesn't Clemson beat up on the other Roosters in the Palmetto State enough?(For those who don't know a Chanticleer is a mythical rooster).
21. What's the Best OOC Game for the ACC in 09?
A. Nebraska at Virginia Tech- The ACC actually has several that are interesting in 09, but this will be the best one. Nebraska will try and paint Lane Stadium Red, but those rabid Hokies won't allow it. Last season VT beat Nebraska 35-30. This should be a battle of 2 teams that will win their respective divisions.
20. Is Dabo the next Danny Ford or the next Tommy West?
A. Closer to Tommy West- In the last 30 years Clemson has had 3 coaches take over before the season ended. Danny Ford won a NC and was one of the 80's winningest coaches. Tommy West went 31-28 and was fired after 5 seasons. Dabo will win more than he will lose, but this program will continue to fail and realize its true potential. Clemson is #1 in the ACC in fan support and has the best facility in the conference, but they continue to fall towards the bottom in coaching. CFB agent Jimmy Sexton stated Clemson was the hottest job in the nation last year, but Terry Don Phillips goes out and hires a position coach.
19. Who's the ACC's Best Player?
A. C.J. Spiller- The most exciting senior in CFB next year will be C.J. Spiller. Very few backs have the speed or awareness of Spiller. Not only is he a danger in the backfield, but he can return kicks and catch passes with the best of them. If a running back should be in the Heisman race, then its Spiller.
18. What ACC coaches won't be on the sidelines next season?
A. Al Groh and Randy Shannon- Groh has been on the hotseat now for several seasons. 2 of his last 3 seasons have produced 5-7 records and nothing points to a change in 2009. Many give props to Shannon for his recruiting, but anyone can bring in big time talent to Miami. .500 records should not be acceptable for a program that has won 5 NCs since 1983.
17. What team will be the most improved in 09?
A. NC State- The Wolfpack looked like a Big South Conference team at the start of last season, but kept improving each week. Despite a bowl loss to Rutgers, Tom O'Brian has this program going in the right direction. The final 4 games of the regular season were all wins and they included a 10 point win over Miami and a 31 point win over UNC.
16. How do the ACC Coaches Rank(currently)?
A. 1. Frank Beamer 2. Jim Grobe 3. Butch Davis 4. Paul Johnson 5. Ralph Friedgen 6. Bobby Bowden 7. Tom O'Brian 8. David Cutcliffe 9. Dabo Sweeney 10. Frank Spaziani 11. Al Groh 12. Randy Shannon
15. Is the ACC as bad as the national media makes it out to be?
A. No- The ACC has gotten a bad rep lately, but its a little better than its given credit for. Last season the ACC did win a BCS game and had 9 teams make it to a bowl game. The league posted a very respectable 37-11 OOC record(same as SEC). It's a league made up of lots of good teams, but no great teams. There is potential for this league to be great, but programs like Clemson, FSU, Miami, and North Carolina need to realize their potential.
14. Is Duke Ready to go Bowling?
A. Not yet, but they are close- After a 4-8 season last year the Blue Devils will continue to improve under Cutcliffe. This year the team has 3 very winnable OOC games with Richmond, Army, and NC Central. Still they would have to win 4 games in the ACC since they play 2 1-AA teams. 4 wins is asking a little too much, but don't be shocked to see them with a 5-7 record this year. If Duke stays patient with Cutcliffe like Vandy has with Bobby Johnson then good things will come
13. What ACC team will have the biggest drop off in 2009?
A. Boston College- As consistant as the Eagles have been in the last decade, they will fall a bit under new coach Spaziani. This program has been to 2 straight ACC title games, but the 20 Eagle fans that made the trip last season shouldn't plan to do so in 09.
12. What true freshman will have the biggest impact in 09?
A. Donte Moss DE North Carolina- This 6'4 240 defensive end from Jacksonville, NC is ready to make an impact on defense for the Tar Heels. Moss' speed should fit in very well in Butch Davis' defensive scheme.
11. With low attendance, where should the ACC Title Game be played?
A. Charlotte, NC- True, the traditional powers are in Florida. Yes, Florida does have better weather. But if you are the ACC and you want to sell tickets you will put this game in North Carolina where your league started. The Carolina Panthers have a great facility and just look at the attendance at Charlotte's bowl game last year between UNC and WVU. The city is filled with ACC alumni and if UNC, VT, Clemson, or NC State end up in the ACCCG then you will have a sellout. Florida State couldn't even sell tickets in Jacksonville last year for a regular season contest with Colorado.
10. What ACC team will be beat by a Non BCS team first?
A. Virginia- The Cavs travel to Southern Miss for a Sept 19 game. Southern Miss is known for knocking off BCS conference schools and Virginia has been known to lose games like this one(see Wyoming trip). Southern Miss ended the season hot last year and Virginia lost 4 straight. All signs point to the Golden Eagles in this one
9. What team is most fun to watch in the ACC?
A. Georgia Tech- In an age where everyone is running pass happy spread formations, it's fun to watch Paul Johnson's triple option attack. The option attack causes tons of problems for opposing defenses and is very hard to prepare for. It will be interesting to see if other teams try and copy what Johnson is doing at Tech in the future
8. What should the ACC rid itself of?
A. Lincoln Financial/Raycom/Jefferson Pilot Sports- The SEC has left this broadcast, but it isn't likely that the ACC will anytime soon. Clemson fans hated the 12:00 kickoff last year as they had not 1 single night home game. Give us more Erin Andrews and less Mike Hogwood!
7. Does the ACC have a Heisman Candidate?
A. Probably Not- C.J. Spiller should be, but the Tigers running back is likely playing for a 7-8 win team and would have to put up huge numbers to get consideration. If T.J. Yates can get the Tarheels to 10+ wins then he could have an outside shot, but the Big XII QBs and Tebow are likely to put up bigger numbers
6. Who will be the most improved player in 2009?
A. Russell Wilson QB NC State- Wilson ended the season last year by throwing 249 consecutive passes without an INT, the longest active streak nationally. If he can stay healthy then he will continue to improve and lead State to another bowl game.
5. Is this the last season for Bobby Bowden?
A. No- Bowden won't retire this year because FSU will look more like a championship contender by year's end. Bowden will look at 2010 as a shot at one last national championship, but Bowden won't be on the sidelines in 2011
4. ACC or Big East Which is the better conference?
A. The ACC- These 2 are usually mentioned as being the worst of the BCS conferences. Without a doubt the ACC is the better conference. Since 1981 the ACC has 4 different members win NCs Clemson, Georgia Tech, FSU(2), and Miami(5). The Big East is made up of basketball schools and Independents that didn't get invited into the ACC or SEC. Pitt, Syracuse, and WVU all have very respectable football traditions but they come nowhere near that of the ACC's top 3 football powers. The Big East has 1 school that can consistantly draw 60,000+ to its stadium, the ACC has 2 that every year will average over 80,000. Plus the ACC has much better rivalries that have history behind them. The best Big East rivalry is Pitt-West Virginia, and that comes nowhere close to the likes of FSU-Miami.
3. The ACC Player of the Year will be who?
A. C.J. Spiller- Dabo has already stated he will give Spiller the attention he deserves. With the ball in his hands C.J. will amaze crowds with his moves and put up big numbers. If he had left for the NFL he would've been a first rounder, Dabo promised him the big time and Spiller is about to see that.
2. Who wins each Division?
A. North Carolina(Coastal) Florida State(Atlantic)- Virginia Tech has dominated the ACC the past few years, but finally a new team will be at the top. The Tar Heels continue to put together great recruiting classes and they have a great coach to go along with those players. Yates, is the type leader you want on offense and a Butch Davis offense will always be tough.
Florida State is without a doubt the most talented team in the ACC. A 9 win season last year was topped off with a dominating 42-13 bowl win over Wisconsin. The Seminoles will use that momentum to win the Atlantic Division
1. Who wins the ACC in 2009?
A. Florida State- Don't worry UNC Fans your title is coming soon, but this will be another ACC title for FSU. The Seminoles and Tarheels will meet in the best attended ACC Championship game yet and play a tight, defensive contest.
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Matt Barber
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