NCAA football preseason report: ACC Atlantic and Coastal Divisions August 11 by The GamingToday’s Mark Mayer

The No. 5 preseason ranking in the Coaches Poll marks a return to national prominence for FSU in the post Bobby Bowden era. Virginia Tech is the other ACC team considered worthy of national championship talk.

Here’s an early look at the ACC Atlantic and Coastal Divisions.

NCAA Football ACC (Atlantic)

FLORIDA ST (7-6 ATS): Preseason No. 5 in Coaches poll is highest in years. Suggests Seminoles have best team since 2005. Overwhelming pick at the ACC Kickoff pow wow to win the Atlantic and league title

MARYLAND (8-4 ATS): Ralph Friedgen was dumped after a 9-win season which shows the type of pressure new “savior” Randy Edsall (UConn) faces. Opener with Miami at College Park (Sept 5) on national TV will tell a lot.

NC STATE (9-3 ATS): Last year’s 9-4 SU and bowl win over West Virginia was first over .500 record in the four seasons under Tom O’Brien. Redshirt QB Mike Glennon is the key, having to replace Russell Wilson (now at Wisconsin).

BOSTON COL (6-6 ATS): Strange 2010 in that the Eagles were 5-1 ATS on the road and just 1-5 at home.RB Montel Harris was voted Player of the Year at ACC Kickoff and LB Luke Kuechly finished third in the voting. A sleeping giant.

CLEMSON (5-7 ATS): Tigers must improve 2-5 ATS mark at home. Open with two cupcakes before Murderer’s Row – Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech in succession. The Auburn matchup at Clemson will be key.

WAKE FOREST (4-7 ATS): The Demon Deacons won the ACC five years ago and have slipped ever since. The 3-9 SU in 2010 and 1-5 ATS very distressing for bettors since Wake often shines as a dog. Look for a bounce back.

NCAA Football ACC (Coastal)

VIRGINIA TECH (10-3 ATS): High expectations behind 6-6, 245-lb giant QB Logan Thomas. Coach Frank Beamer’s Hokies are loaded on both sides of the bowl. Some say we’re looking at this year’s Auburn. Could be. Week 1 is Appalachian St, not Boise of a year ago.

N. CAROLINA (7-5 ATS): Suspensions ruined possible monster 2010 and just cost Butch Davis his job. The late firing and NCAA violations meeting in October hangs over Heels. Likely 3-0 after James Madison, Rutgers and Virginia at home. Then look out.

MIAMI (4-8 ATS): Going 1-5 ATS at home not acceptable at the U. As a result, there’s a new coach (Al Golden) facing an old problem – who’s the QB? Either senior Jacori Harris or soph Stephen Harris needs to step up or Canes will disappoint again.

GEORGIA TECH (5-6 ATS): The Yellow Jackets just could not throw the ball last year, which led to first losing season since 1996. Plus sanctions cost GT its 2009 ACC title. GT is angry, which is fine, but strength again is defense. Look for a lot of UNDERS.

VIRGINIA (4-6 ATS): The Cavaliers fired Al Groh and inherited a favorable early season schedule, which features five of the first seven games at home, including four in a row. That’s good because the Cavs did not a win a road game (0-5) in 2010.

DUKE (5-5 ATS): The Blue Devils lost four games by 6 points or less in 2010. Big coup was landing Andrew Luck and Stanford at home Sept. 10. This could be Coach David Cutcliffe’s breakout game at Duke. Or, it could lead to another 3-win season.

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