ACC Football: 2015 Preseason Power Rankings
Every week, you can check here on Rubbing the Rock to get our updated ACC Power rankings. These will be based upon opponent, results, and standings.
ACC football is beginning to pick up more and more respect each year. The ACC has come back to have some respectable teams and now it will have the chance it isn’t just top-heavy, but has quality depth throughout. Each week on Rubbing the Rock, we will be giving you an updated look as the ACC football season progress so that you can keep up with all that is going on around the conference.
We will rank the teams based upon how they looked in their game, their overall record, and we will also take standings and rankings into effect, as well. Here are our preseason ACC football power rankings for the 2015 season.
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1. Clemson Tigers
Reason: It’s pretty easy to see why Clemson is number one on our list. The Tigers return the top quarterback in the nation, as well as the deepest wide receiver group in the country. All that said, the defense is still expected to be solid and Clemson is our number-one preseason ACC football team.
2. Florida State Seminoles
Reason: The Seminoles have lost one game in the past two seasons. Even though they look to have a bit of a “fall off” after losing several key pieces, they still will compete for the ACC Atlantic Championship. They are ranked number-eight in the coaches’ poll and they are most definitely not a force to be reckoned with.
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Reason: Georgia Tech returns quarterback Justin Thomas and one of the best defenses at forcing turnovers in the conference. The Yellow Jackets also return Jabari Hunt-Days to help the defensive line be stronger this season.
4. Louisville Cardinals
Reason: The Cardinals are beginning to become one of the top-tier teams in the ACC. They competed with both Clemson and Florida State last season and have a chip on their shoulder coming into this year. They fully expect to contend for the championship and are ready to make a run. However, Louisville has several questions in the secondary and will have a new starter at quarterback this season.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
Reason: Many of you are wondering what North Carolina is doing this high up on the list. I’m here to tell you the Tar Heels are going to contend in the Coastal this season. They return 10 starters off of an offense that was electric last season (they scored 35 on Clemson’s defense last season on the road) and the defense can’t be any worse than it was last year. They are my dark horse to beat the Yellow Jackets in the Coastal this season and make a run at the ACC Championship Game.
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6. Virginia Tech Hokies
Reason: The Hokies have been the picture of inconsistency and terrible offense the past couple of seasons. There is no doubt that Virginia Tech will have an elite defense, the question is on the offense. Virginia Tech fans are positive about this season, but for now they are a middle-of-the-pack team for me.
7. N.C. State Wolfpack
Reason: Watch out for N.C. State this season. The Wolfpack returns quarterback Jacoby Brissett and their schedule is cupcake city, for at least the first few weeks. N.C. State could see themselves in the back end of the top-25 midway through the season and, with all the confidence in the world, try to upset Clemson, Florida State, and Louisville in the Atlantic.
8. Miami Hurricanes
Reason: The best part of the Miami Hurricanes is quarterback Brad Kaaya. He may be the second best quarterback in the ACC this season and that could be the difference this season. The Hurricanes are inconsistent at best, but this may be the year they come back.
9. Duke Blue Devils
Reason: The Duke Blue Devils also have incredible upside this season. Duke could easily be an ACC Coastal contender this season, but I expect them to be a 7 to 8 win team this year.
10. Boston College Eagles
Reason: The Boston College Eagles are a hard-nosed football team that will look to replace their quarterback and a strong offensive line this season. Coach Steve Addazio has a great task ahead of him this year and I would expect them to be a 5 or 6 win team this season.
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11. Pittsburgh Panthers
Reason: If Pitt can fix the defense, there is no reason they can’t contend in the Coastal. The Panthers have proven stars in players such as quarterback Chad Voytik and Tyler Boyd. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers fair this season.
12. Virginia Cavaliers
Reason: Virginia finished the season last year without a bowl-bid, but they look to improve this year. They have more talent than most would expect from the outside looking in, but their schedule is tough as they open the season on the road at UCLA and then follow that up with a match up with Notre Dame.
13. Syracuse Orange
Reason: The fighting Scott Shafers will be back looking to rebound this season, but they will be hard-pressed to find themselves in a bowl game. They will improve this year, but they need to find play makers on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see what kind of team Syracuse is come November, but it looks to be another long year for the Orange.
14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Reason: Dave Clawson is starting to rebuild the Wake Forest football program from the ground up, but this will take a ton of time. The Demon Deacons will struggle this season to win 4 games. They are lacking in depth on both sides of the ball and will be in trouble for many games this season.
What’s your thoughts, Clemson fans? What would your ACC football power rankings look like to begin the season? Comment below!