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

The 2015-16 College Football Preview at THE Ultimate Sports Blog continues with a look at the teams playing in the ACC's Atlantic Division. All you Florida State honks should be happy (so please don't find me on Twitter and harass me, thanks!)......

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

ACC

Atlantic Division

1. Florida State Seminoles

2014 Record: 13-1 (8-0)


Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (58-11 all-time at Florida State)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 14 (303.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 98 (138.1 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 35 (33.7 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 50 (25.6 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Jameis Winston (3,907 passing yards, 65.3% completions, 25 TD's, 18 INT's)

Rushing - Dalvin Cook (170 carries, 1,008 rushing yards, 8 TD's)

Receiving - Rashad Greene (99 receptions, 1,365 receiving yards, 7 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Dalvin Cook (RB), Ermon Lane (WR), Travis Rudolph (WR), Roderick Johnson (OT), DeMarcus Walker (DE), Derrick Mitchell (DL), Terrance Smith (LB), Reggie Northrup (LB), Jalen Ramsey (CB), Tyler Hunter (SS), Roberto Aguayo (K), Carson Beatty (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Deondre Francois (QB), Jacques Patrick (RB), Da'Vante Phillips (WR), George Campbell (WR), Jalen Wilkerson (TE), Abdul Bello (OL), Josh Sweat (DL), Derwin James (DB), Tarvarus McFadden (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Texas State
vs. South Florida
vs. @ Boston College
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Wake Forest
vs. Miami (FL)
vs. Louisville
vs. @ Georgia Tech
vs. Syracuse
vs. @ Clemson
vs. N.C. State
vs. Chattanooga
vs. @ Florida
BYE WEEK


ACC Title Game: vs. Georgia Tech (W)


Early Prediction: 11-2 (6-2)

2. Louisville Cardinals

2014 Record: 9-4 (5-3)


Head Coach: Bobby Petrino (50-13 all-time at Louisville, 92-34 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 47 (252 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 95 (142.7 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 53 (31.2 ppg)

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

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Will Gardner (1,669 passing yards, 57.5 % completions, 12 TD's, 3 INT's)

Rushing - Brandon Radcliff (737 rushing yards, 12 TD's)

Receiving - DeVante Parker (43 receptions, 855 receiving yards, 5 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Will Gardner (QB), Brandon Radcliff (RB), James Quick (WR), Tobijah Hughley (C), Aaron Epps (RT), Sheldon Rankins (DE), Pio Vatuvei (DE), Keith Kelsey (LB), James Burgess (LB), Shaq Wiggins (DB), Josh Harvey-Clemons (DB), John Wallace (K)


Top Incoming Players:  Lamar Jackson (QB), James Allen (RB), Jeremy Smith (RB), Emonee Spence (WR), Traveon Samuel (WR), Paul Harris (WR), Devante Peete (WR), Khalil Hunter (OL), Drew Bailey (DL), Devonte Fields (LB), Amonte Caban (LB), Dee Smith (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Auburn
vs. Houston
vs. Clemson
vs. Samford
vs. @ N.C. State
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Florida State
vs. Boston College
vs. @ Wake Forest
vs. Syracuse
vs. Virginia
vs. @ Pittsburgh
vs. @ Kentucky
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 9-3 (6-2)

3. Clemson Tigers

2014 Record: 10-3 (6-2)


Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (61-26 all-time at Clemson)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 39 (261.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 91 (146.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 54 (30.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 3 (16.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Deshaun Watson (1,466 passing yards, 67.9% completions, 14 TD's, 2 INT's)

Rushing - Wayne Gallman (161 carries, 769 rushing yards, 4 TD's)

Receiving - Mike Williams (57 receptions, 1,030 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Deshaun Watson (QB), Wayne Gallman (RB), Artavis Scott (WR), Mike Williams (WR), Jordan Leggett (TE), Ryan Norton (C), Isaiah Battle (LT), Korrin Wiggins (DB), Mackensie Alexander (DB), Jayron Kearse (FS), Ammon Lakip (K)


Top Incoming Players: Deon Cain (WR), Ray Ray McCloud (WR), Garrett Williams (TE), Jake Fruhmorgen (OL), Mitch Hyatt (OL), Christian Wilkins (DL), Mark Fields (DB),


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Wofford
vs. Appalachian State
vs. @ Louisville
BYE WEEK
vs. Notre Dame
vs. Georgia Tech
vs. Boston College
vs. @ Miami
vs. @ N.C. State
vs. Florida State
vs. @ Syracuse
vs. Wake Forest
vs. @ South Carolina
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 9-3 (6-2)

4. N.C. State Wolfpack

2014 Record: 8-5 (3-5)


Head Coach: Dave Doeren (11-14 all-time at N.C. State, 34-18 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 84 (204 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 39 (204.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 58 (30.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 66 (27 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Jacoby Brissett (2,606 passing yards, 59.7% completions, 23 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Shadrach Thornton (164 carries, 907 yards, 9 TD's)

Receiving - Bo Hines (45 receptions, 616 receiving yards, 1 TD)


Top Returning Players: Jacoby Brissett (QB), Shadrach Thornton (RB), Bra'lon Cherry (WR), David Grinnage (TE), Quinton Schooley (C), Tony Adams (RG), Joe Thuney (LG), Mike Rose (DE), B.J. Hill (DT), Jerod Fernandez (LB), Dravious Wright (DB), Juston Burris (CB), Jack Tocho (DB), Josh Jones (SS), Hakim Jones (FS)


Top Incoming Players:  Johnny Frasier (RB), Reggie Gallaspy (RB), Nyheim Hines (RB), Emanuel McGirt (OL), Darian Roseboro (DL)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Troy
vs. Eastern Kentucky
vs. @ Old Dominion
vs. @ South Alabama
vs. Louisville
vs. @ Virginia Tech
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Wake Forest
vs. Clemson
vs. @ Boston College
vs. @ Florida State
vs. Syracuse
vs. North Carolina
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 8-4 (4-4)

5. Boston College Golden Eagles

2014 Record: 7-6 (4-4)


Head Coach: Steve Addazio (14-12 record at Boston College,  27-23 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 124 (129.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 15 (254.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 86 (26.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 21 (21.3 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Tyler Murphy (1,623 yards, 57.0% completion, 13 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - Tyler Murphy (181 carries, 1184 rushing yards, 11 TD's)

Receiving - Josh Bordner (27 receptions, 346 receiving yards)


Top Returning Players: Jon Hilliman (RB), Charlie Callinan (WR), Dan Crimmins (TE), Michael Giacone (TE), Kevin Kavalec (DE), Mike Strizak (DE), Truman Gutapfel (DT), Connor Wujciak (DT), Steven Daniels (MLB), Justin Simmons (FS), Mike Knoll (K), Alex Howell (P)


Top Incoming Players: Wyatt Knopfke (OL), Elijah Robinson (QB), Jeff Smith (QB), Ben Glines (RB), Jake Burt (TE)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Maine
vs. Howard
vs. Florida State
vs. Northern Illinois
vs. @ Duke
vs. Wake Forest
vs. @ Clemson
vs. @ Louisville
vs. Virginia Tech
vs. N.C. State
BYE WEEK
vs. Notre Dame
vs. @ Syracuse
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (4-4)

6. Syracuse Orange

2014 Record: 3-9 (1-7)


Head Coach: Scott Shafer (10-15 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 105 (184.1 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 93 (145.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 121 (17.1 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 38 (24.3 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Terrel Hunt (983 passing yards, 57.2% completions, 1 TD. 4 INT's)

Rushing - Prince Tyson-Gulley (128 carries, 614 rushing yards, 1 TD)

Receiving - Jarrod West (49 receptions, 700 receiving yards)


Top Returning Players: Terrel Hunt (QB), Ashton Broyld (RB), Steve Ishmael (WR), Josh Parris (TE), Rob Trudo (C), Nick Robinson (LG), Omari Palmer (RT), Ron Thompson (DE), Marqez Hodge (LB), Julian Whigham (CB), Cole Murphy (K), Riley Dixon (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Eric Dungey (QB), Dontae Strickland (RB), Tyrone Perkins (RB), Trey Dunkelberger (TE), Troy Henderson (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Rhode Island
vs. Wake Forest
vs. Central Michigan
vs. LSU
BYE WEEK
vs. @ South Florida
vs. @ Virginia
vs. Pittsburgh
vs. @ Florida State
vs. @ Louisville
vs. Clemson
vs. @ N.C. State
vs. Boston College
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 4-8 (1-7)

7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

2014 Record: 3-9 (1-7)


Head Coach: Dave Clawson (3-9 all-time at Wake Forest, 35-40 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 109 (176.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 127 (39.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 127 (14.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 62 (26.4)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - John Wolford (2,037 passing yards, 58.3% completions, 12 TD's, 14 INT's)

Rushing - Dezmond Wortham (84 carries, 240 yards)

Receiving - Cam Serigne (54 receptions, 531 receiving yards, 5 TD's)


Top Returning Players: John Wolford (QB), Dezmond Wortham (RB), Jared Crump (WR), Cam Serigne (TE), Ryan Anderson (C), Dylan Intemann (RG), Josh Harris (LG), Tylor Harris (DT), Josh Banks (DT), Wendell Dunn (DE), Brandon Chubb (LB), Marquel Lee (LB), Hunter Williams (LB), Ryan Janvion (DB), Mike Weaver (K), Alex Kinal (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Kyle Kearns (QB), Kendall Hinton (QB), Matthew Colburn (RB), Rocky Reid (RB), Steven Claude (WR), Tabari Hines (WR), Bowman Archibald (TE), Dionte Austin (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Elon
vs. @ Syracuse
vs. Army West Point
vs. Indiana
vs. Florida State
vs. @ Boston College
vs. @ North Carolina
vs. N.C. State
vs. Louisville
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Notre Dame
vs. @ Clemson
vs. Duke
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 4-8 (1-7)

ACC Atlantic Division's Potential NFL Talent:

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

Jacoby Brissett - QB (N.C. State)

Shadrach Thornton - RB (N.C. State)

Mike Williams - WR (Clemson)

Freddie Stevenson - FB (Florida State)

Cam Serigne - TE (Wake Forest)

Jordan Leggett - TE (Clemson)

David Grinnage - TE (N.C. State)

Sheldon Rankins - DE (Louisville)

Shaq Lawson - DE (Clemson)

Connor Wujciak - DT (Boston College)

Terrance Smith - LB (Florida State)

Devonte Fields - LB (Louisville)

Brandon Chubb - LB (Wake Forest)

Reggie Northrup - LB (Florida State)

James Burgess - LB (Louisville)

Keith Kelsey - LB (Louisville)

Jalen Ramsey - CB (Florida State)

Mackensie Alexander - CB (Clemson)

Nate Andrews - S (Florida State)

Jayron Kearse - S (Clemson)

Robert Aguayo - K (Florida State)