2014 ACC Power Rankings: Atlantic Division

With the 2014 college football season ready to kick off in just a couple of weeks, it’s time to roll out the preseason edition of Rubbing the Rock’s ACC Power Rankings, starting with the Atlantic division.

Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons cornerback Kevin Johnson addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

No. 7 Wake Forest Demon Deacons

There seems to be very little hope for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2014. Long-time head coach Jim Grobe is out, new head coach Dave Clawson is in and, unfortunately for Clawson, Grobe resigned just as most of his offense was graduating. The biggest lost was an outstanding wideout, Tyler Campanaro.

However, the Demon Deacons had one of the worst offenses in the Atlantic division last year. Even with Campanaro gone, there is really nowhere to go but up.

If there is reason for hope though, it will come from the defense. While Wake Forest has to replace their best player on defense—Nikita Whitlock—as well, they return quite a bit of talent in the secondary. Cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel compose one of the better duos of defensive backs in the ACC. However, they are beatable, and Wake will continue to give up a lot of points to the ACC’s elite offenses if the front-seven can’t find a way to produce a pass-rush.