2015-16 College Football Preview: ACC (Coastal Division)

It's that time of year again.

No, it's not time for football just yet. However, it is time to start predicting how every team will fare this upcoming season. And what's the only thing better than seeing actual football getting played?

That's right.....

TALKING ABOUT POWER 5 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL!

After weeks of previewing the "lesser" conferences in college football, the time has officially arrived to start taking a long hard look at the "big boys" of the sport. No offense to the guys playing in conferences like the MAC, Mountain West, or American Athletic....but most of the people care about what's going on in the "Power 5" conferences, simply because it's highly likely that the two teams playing for the National Championship at the end of the year are coming from these conferences.

 First up on the plate? Those delicious teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference!

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

ACC

Coastal Division

1. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2014 Record: 11-3 (6-2)

Head Coach: Paul Johnson (59-35 all-time at Georgia Tech, 104-64 all-time overall)

2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 123 (134.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 2 (342.1 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 12 (37.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 53 (25.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Justin Thomas (1,719 yards, 51.3% completion, 18 TD's, 6 INT's)

Rushing - Justin Thomas (190 carries, 1,086 rushing yards, 8 TD's)

Receiving - DeAndre Smelter (35 receptions, 715 receiving yards, 7 TD's)

Top Returning Players: Justin Thomas (QB), Freddie Burden (C), Trey Braun (LG), Errin Joe (RT), Bryan Chamberlain (LT), Rod Rook-Chungong (DE), KeShun Freeman (DE), Adam Gotsis (DT), P.J. Davis (LB), Chris Milton (CB), D.J. White (CB), Demond Smith (SS), Jamal Golden (FS), Harrison Butker (K), Ryan Rodwell (P)

Top Incoming Players: Christian Campbell (QB), Mikell Lands-Davis (RB), TaQuon Marshall (RB), Christian Philpott (WR), Will Bryan (OL), Anree Saint-Amour (DL), Victor Alexander (LB), Tyler Cooksey (LB), Brant Mitchell (LB), A.J. Gray (CB)

2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Alcorn State

vs. Tulane

vs. @ Notre Dame

vs. @ Duke

vs. North Carolina

vs. @ Clemson

vs. Pittsburgh

vs. Florida State

vs. @ Virginia

BYE WEEK

vs. Virginia Tech

vs. @ Miami (FL)

vs. Georgia

BYE WEEK

ACC Title Game: vs. Florida State (L)

Early Prediction: 9-3 (7-1)

2. Virginia Tech Hokies

2014 Record: 7-6 (3-5)


Head Coach: Frank Beamer (231-115-2 all-time at Virginia Tech)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 77 (217.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 89 (147.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 96 (24.1 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 14 (20.2 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Michael Brewer (2,692 yards, 59.4% completion, 18 TD's, 15 INT's)

Rushing - J.C. Coleman (107 carries, 533 rushing yards, 3 TD's)

Receiving - Isaiah Ford (56 receptions, 709 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Michael Brewer (QB), Marshawn Williams (RB), Isaiah Ford (WR), Cam Phillips (WR), Ryan Malleck (TE), Bucky Hodges (TE), Augie Conte (RG), Jonathan McLaughlin (LT), Dadi Nicolas (DL), Ken Ekanem (DL), Corey Marshall (DT), Luther Maddy (DT), Deon Clarke (LB), Kendall Fuller (DB), Donovan Riley (DB), Brandon Facyson (DB), Chuck Clark (DB), Joey Slye (K), A.J. Hughes (P)


Top Incoming Players: Dwayne Lawson (QB), Deshawn McClease (RB), Chris Cunningham (TE), Austin Clark (OL), Trevon Hill (DL), Darius Fullwood (DL), Houshun Gaines (DL), Tim Settle (DL), Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Carson Lydon (LB), Mook Reynolds (DB), DuWayne Johnson (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Ohio State
vs. Furman
vs. @ Purdue
vs. @ East Carolina
vs. Pittsburgh
vs. N.C. State
vs. @ Miami (FL)
vs. Duke
vs. @ Boston College
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Georgia Tech
vs. North Carolina
vs. @ Virginia
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 9-3 (6-2)

3. Miami (FL) Hurricanes

2014 Record: 6-7 (3-5)


Head Coach: Al Golden (28-22 all-time at Miami, 55-56 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 48 (249.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 50 (180.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 62 (29.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 37 (24.3 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Brad Kaaya (3,198 yards, 58.5% completion, 26 TD's, 12 INT's)

Rushing - Duke Johnson (242 carries, 1,652 rushing yards, 10 TD's)

Receiving - Phillip Dorsett (36 receptions, 871 receiving yards, 10 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Brad Kaaya (QB), Joseph Yearby (RB), Stacy Coley (WR), Braxton Berrios (WR), Herb Waters (WR), Daniel Isidora (RG), Trevor Darling (LT), Chad Thomas (DL), Calvin Heurtelou (DT), Tyriq McCord (LB), Jermaine Grace (LB), Raphael Kirby (LB), Artie Burns (DB), Jamal Carter (S), Deon Bush (S),


Top Incoming Players: Mark Walton (RB), Lawrence Cager (WR), Jahair Jones (OL), Tyree St. Louis (OL), Bar Milo (OL), Kendrick Norton (DL), Scott Patchan (DL), Charles Perry (LB), Jamie Gordinier (LB), Jaquan Johnson (DB), Michael Jackson (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Bethune-Cookman
vs. @ Florida Atlantic
vs. Nebraska
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Cincinnati
vs. @ Florida State
vs. Virginia Tech
vs. Clemson
vs. @ Duke
vs. Virginia
vs. @ North Carolina
vs. Georgia Tech
vs. @ Pittsburgh
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 8-4 (4-4)

4. Pittsburgh Panthers

2014 Record: 6-7 (4-4)


Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (0-0 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 104 (185.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 16 (249.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 46 (31.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 59 (26.3 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Chad Voytik (2,233 passing yards, 61.3% completions, 16 TD's, 7 INT's)

Rushing - James Conner (298 carries, 1,765 rushing yards, 26 TD's)

Receiving - Tyler Boyd (78 receptions, 1,261 receiving yards, 8 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Chad Voytik (QB), James Conner (RB), Tyler Boyd (WR), Scott Orndorff (TE), J.P. Holtz (TE), Artie Rowell (C), Dorian Johnson (LG), Adam Bisnowaty (LT), Shakir Soto (DE), Tyrique Jarrett (DT), Darryl Render (DT), Matt Galambos (LB), Lafayette Pitts (DB), Avonte Maddox (DB), Reggie Mitchell (FS), Chris Blewitt (K), Ryan Winslow (P)


Top Incoming Players: Darrin Hall (RB), Quadree Henderson (WR), Anthony McKee (LB), Saleem Brightwell (LB), Jordan Whitehead (DB), Jay Stocker (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Youngstown State
vs. @ Akron
vs. @ Iowa
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Virginia Tech
vs. Virginia
vs. @ Georgia Tech
vs. @ Syracuse
vs. North Carolina
vs. Notre Dame
vs. @ Duke
vs. Louisville
vs. Miami (FL)
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (5-3)

5. North Carolina Tar Heels

2014 Record: 6-7 (4-4)


Head Coach: Larry Fedora (21-17 all-time at North Carolina, 55-36 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 28 (278 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 83 (151.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 38 (33.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 119 (39.0 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Marquise Williams (3,068 yards, 63.1% completion, 21 TD's, 9 INT's)

Rushing - Marquise Williams (193 carries, 788 rushing yards, 13 TD's)

Receiving - Ryan Switzer (61 receptions, 757 receiving yards, 4 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Marquise Williams (QB), Elijah Hood (RB), Quinshad Davis (WR), Mack Hollins (WR), Ryan Switzer (WR), Lucas Crowley (C), Landon Turner (RG), Caleb Peterson (LG), Jon Heck (RT), Bentley Spain (LT), Dajaun Drennon (DE), Justin Thomason (DT), Jeff Schoettmer (LB), Brian Walker (CB), Desmond Lawrence (CB), Sam Smiley (SS), Donnie Miles (FS), Freeman Jones (K)


Top Incoming Players: Anthony Ratliff-Williams (QB), Ty'Son Williams (RB), Juval Mollette (WR), Carl Tucker (TE), Jake Bargas (TE), Tommy Hatton (OL), Mason Veal (OL), William Sweet (OL), Jalen Dalton (DL), Johnathon Sutton (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. South Carolina
vs. North Carolina A&T
vs. Illinois
vs. Delaware
vs. @ Georgia Tech
BYE WEEK
vs. Wake Forest
vs. Virginia
vs. @ Pittsburgh
vs. Duke
vs. Miami (FL)
vs. @ Virginia Tech
vs. @ N.C. State
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (4-4)

6. Duke Blue Devils

2014 Record: 9-4 (5-3)


Head Coach: David Cutcliffe (40-48 all-time at Duke, 84-77 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 79 (216.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 48 (181.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 43 (32.4 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 24 (21.8 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Anthony Boone (2,700 yards, 56.3% completion, 19 TD's, 8 INT's)

Rushing - Shaquille Powell (134 carries, 618 rushing yards, 2 TD's)

Receiving - Jamison Crowder (85 receptions, 1,044 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Shaquille Powell (QB), Max McCaffrey (WR), Braxton Deaver (TE), Matt Skura (C), Lucas Patrick (LG), Casey Blaser (RT), Carlos Wray (DT), Kelby Brown (LB), DeVon Edwards (LB), Byron Fields (CB), Breon Borders (CB), Jeremy Cash (SS), Deondre Singleton (FS), Ross Martin (K), Will Monday (P)


Top Incoming Players: Quentin Harris (QB), Keyston Fuller (WR), Trevon McSwain (DL), Joseph Giles-Harris (LB), Ben Humphreys (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Tulane
vs. N.C. Central
vs. Northwestern
vs. Georgia Tech
vs. Boston College
vs. @ Army West Point
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Virginia Tech
vs. Miami (FL)
vs. @ North Carolina
vs. Pittsburgh
vs. @ Virginia
vs. @ Wake Forest
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 4-8 (1-7)

7. Virginia Cavaliers

2014 Record: 5-7 (3-5)


Head Coach: Mike London (23-38 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 58 (236.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 100 (137.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 88 (25.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 33 (24.1 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Greyson Lambert (1,642 yards, 59.0% completion, 10 TD's, 11 INT's)

Rushing - Kevin Parks (189 carries, 745 rushing yards, 4 TD's)

Receiving - Canaan Severin (42 receptions, 578 receiving yards, 5 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Matt Johns (QB), Canaan Severin (WR), Ross Burbank (C), Ryan Doull (RG), Eric Smith (RT), Michael Mooney (LT), Mike Moore (DE), David Dean (DT), Andrew Brown (DL), Maurice Canady (SS), Quin Blanding (FS), Ian Frye (K)


Top Incoming Players: Nick Johns (QB), Olamide Zaccheaus (RB), Richard Burney (TE), Tanner Cowley (TE), Jahvoni Simmons (LB), C.J. Stalker (LB), Dominic Sheppard (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ UCLA
vs. Notre Dame
vs. William & Mary
vs. Boise State
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Pittsburgh
vs. Syracuse
vs. @ North Carolina
vs. Georgia Tech
vs. @ Miami (FL)
vs. @ Louisville
vs. Duke
vs. Virginia Tech
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 2-10 (1-7)

ACC Coastal Division's Potential NFL Talent:

(These are guys playing in the conference this year who are already on NFL team's radars)

Marquise Williams - QB (North Carolina)

Justin Thomas - QB (Georgia Tech)

James Conner - RB (Pittsburgh)

Tyler Boyd - WR (Pittsburgh)

Ryan Switzer - WR (North Carolina)

Quinshad Davis - WR (North Carolina)

Stacy Coley - WR (Miami)

Patrick Skov - FB (Georgia Tech)

Bucky Hodges - TE (Virginia Tech)

Ryan Malleck - TE (Virginia Tech)

Matt Skura - C (Duke)

Landon Turner - OG (North Carolina)

Caleb Peterson - OG (North Carolina)

Dorian Johnson - OG (Pittsburgh)

Adam Bisnowaty - OT (Pittsburgh)

Dadi Nicolas - DE (Virginia Tech)

Ken Ekanem - DE (Virginia Tech)

Jabari Hunt-Days - DE (Georgia Tech)

Adam Gotsis - DT (Georgia Tech)

Corey Marshall - DT (Virginia Tech)

Raphael Kirby - LB (Miami)

Kelby Brown - LB (Duke)

Deon Clarke - LB (Virginia Tech)

Kendall Fuller - CB (Virginia Tech)

Brandon Facyson - CB (Virginia Tech)

Maurice Canady - CB (Virginia)

Jamal Golden - S (Georgia Tech)

DeVon Edwards - S (Duke)

Deon Bush - S (Miami)

Jeremy Cash - S (Duke)