ACC Football Preview 2019

By Tyler Smith
The ACC has been one of the more difficult conferences to predict. We have been predicting the ACC since 2012. 
Here's a list of our accolades over the years. Accolades based of the Stassen.
2012 MOST ACCURATE 
ACC 
​ACC Atlantic (perfect)
2015 MOST ACCURATE
ACC Coastal 
​ACC
2016  MOST ACCURATE
ACC Atlantic (perfect)
ACC Coastal
​ACC
2018 MOST ACCURATE
ACC Coastal

Coastal

#1T Miami 10-2 (7-1)

Picture
​Coach: Manny Diaz
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Enos
Defensive Coordinator: Blake Baker and Ephraim Banda
Stadium: Sun Life Stadium (65,326)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 7-6
​2017 10-3
​2016 9-4
2015 8-5
2014 6-7

Top Returners


Offense:
Passing
N'Kosi Perry, SO, QB

Rushing
DeeJay Dallas, Jr, RB

Receiving
Jeff Thomas, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
3 Players tied

Sacks:
Shaquile Quarterman, SR, LB
Tackles:
Shaquile Quarterman, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 5
RB 4
WR 4
OL 11
DL 2
LB 1
DB 6

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 24 vsFlorida * L
Sat, Sep 7 @North Carolina W
Sat, Sep 14 vsBethune-Cookman W
Sat, Sep 21 vsCentral Michigan W
Sat, Oct 5 vsVirginia Tech L
Fri, Oct 11 vsVirginia W
Sat, Oct 19 vsGeorgia Tech W
Sat, Oct 26 @Pittsburgh W
Sat, Nov 2 @Florida State W
Sat, Nov 9 vsLouisville W
Sat, Nov 23 @Florida International W
Sat, Nov 30 @Duke W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Florida
Toughest Road Game: at FSU
Biggest Conference Game: Virginia

#1T Virginia 10-2 (7-1)

Picture
​​Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
Offensive Coordinator: Robert Anae
Defensive Coordinator: Nick Howell and Kelly Poppinga
Stadium: Scott Stadium (61,500)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 8-5
​2017 6-7
​2016 2-10
2015 4-8 
2014 5-7

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Bryce Perkins, SR, QB

Rushing
Bryce Perkins, SR, QB

Receiving
Hasise Dubois, SR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Joey Blount, JR, DB

Sacks:
Jordan Mack, JR, LB and Charles Snowden, JR, LB

Tackles:
Jordan Mack, SR, LB
​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 2
RB 12
WR 8
OL 6
DL 9
LB 4
DB 4

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 @Pittsburgh W
Fri, Sep 6 vsWilliam & Mary W
Sat, Sep 14 vsFlorida State W
Sat, Sep 21 vsOld Dominion W
Sat, Sep 28 @Notre Dame L
Fri, Oct 11 @Miami L
Sat, Oct 19 vsDuke W
Sat, Oct 26 @Louisville W
Sat, Nov 2 @North Carolina W
Sat, Nov 9 vsGeorgia Tech W
Sat, Nov 23 vsLiberty W
Fri, Nov 29 vsVirginia Tech W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Virginia Tech
Toughest Road Game: Notre Dame
Biggest Conference Game: Virginia Tech

#3 Virginia Tech 9-3 (6-2)

Picture
​​Coach: Justin Fuente 
Offensive Coordinator: Brad Cornelsen 
Defensive Coordinator: Bud Foster
Stadium: Lane Stadium (66,233)

​Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 6-7
2017 9-4
2016 10-4
2015 7-6
2014 7-6

Top Returners


Offense:
Passing
Ryan Willis, SR, QB

Rushing
Deshawn McClease, JR, RB

Receiving
Damon Hazleton, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Caleb Farley, SO, CB

Sacks:
Houshun Gaines, SR, DE

Tackles:
Rayshard Ashbry, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 3
RB 11
WR 2
OL 2
DL 7
LB 3
DB 5

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 @Boston College W
Sat, Sep 7 vsOld Dominion W
Sat, Sep 14 vsFurman W
Fri, Sep 27 vsDuke W
Sat, Oct 5 @Miami W
Sat, Oct 12 vsRhode Island W
Sat, Oct 19 vsNorth Carolina W
Sat, Nov 2 @Notre Dame L
Sat, Nov 9 vsWake Forest W
Sat, Nov 16 @Georgia Tech W
Sat, Nov 23 vsPittsburgh L
Fri, Nov 29 @Virginia L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Virginia
Toughest Road Game: At Notre Dame
Biggest Conference Game: At Virginia

#4 Duke 7-5 (5-3)

Picture
​​Coach: David Cutcliffe 
Offensive Coordinator: Zac Roper
Defensive Coordinator: Ben Albert and Matt Geurrieri
Stadium: Wallace Wade Stadium (33,941) 

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 8-5
​2017 7-6
​2016 4-8
2015 8-5
2014 9-4

Top Returners


Offense:
Passing
Quentin Harris, SR, QB

Rushing
Deon Jackson, JR, RB

Receiving
Deon Jackson, Jr, RB

Defense:
Interceptions:
4 players tied at 1

Sacks:
Victor Dimukeje, JR, DE

Tackles:
Jordan Mack, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 8
RB 8
WR 13
OL 7
DL 10
LB 14
DB 2

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsAlabama * L
Sat, Sep 7 vsNorth Carolina A&T W
Sat, Sep 14 @Middle Tennessee W
Fri, Sep 27 @Virginia Tech L
Sat, Oct 5 vsPittsburgh W
Sat, Oct 12 vsGeorgia Tech W
Sat, Oct 19 @Virginia L
Sat, Oct 26 @North Carolina W
Sat, Nov 9 vsNotre Dame L
Sat, Nov 16 vsSyracuse W
Sat, Nov 23 @Wake Forest W
Sat, Nov 30 vsMiami L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Virginia Tech
Toughest Road Game: At Virginia
Biggest Conference Game: At Virginia Tech

#5 Pittsburgh 6-6 (4-4)

Picture
​Coach: Pat Narduzzi 
Offensive Coordinator: Mark Whipple
Defensive Coordinator: Randy Bates
Stadium: Heinz Field (68,400)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 7-7
​2017 5-7
2016 8-5
2015 8-5 
2014 6-7

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Kenny Pickett, JR, QB

Rushing
Kenny Pickett, JR, QB

Receiving
Maurice Ffrench, SR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Damar Hamlin, SR, S and Jason Pinnock, JR, CB

Sacks:
Rashad Weaver, JR, DE
​
Tackles:
Damar Hamlin, SR, S
​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 4
RB 13
WR 10
OL 9
DL 6
LB 9
DB 8

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsVirginia L
Sat, Sep 7 vsOhio W
Sat, Sep 14 @Penn State L
Sat, Sep 21 vsUCF L
Sat, Sep 28 vsDelaware W
Sat, Oct 5 @Duke L
Fri, Oct 18 @Syracuse L
Sat, Oct 26 vsMiami L
Sat, Nov 2 @Georgia Tech W
Thu, Nov 14 vsNorth Carolina W
Sat, Nov 23 @Virginia Tech W
Sat, Nov 30 vsBoston College W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Virginia
Toughest Road Game: At Penn State
Biggest Conference Game: Virginia 

#6 North Carolina 3-9 (1-7)

Picture
​​Coach: Mack Brown
Offensive Coordinator: Phil Longo
Defensive Coordinator: Jay Bateman and Tommy Thigpen
Stadium: Kenan Memorial Stadium (62,980)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 2-9
2017 3-9
2016 8-5
​2015 11-3
2014 6-7

Top Returners

​Offense:
Passing
Cade Fortein, FR, QB

Rushing
Micheal Carter, JR, RB

Receiving
Dazz Newsome, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Myles Dorn, SR, S and Patrice Rene, SR, CB
​
Sacks:
Jordan Strowbridge, SR, DL

Tackles:
Myles Dorn, SR, DB
​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 13
RB 10
WR 11
OL 10
DL 8
LB 11
DB 11

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsSouth Carolina * L
Sat, Sep 7 vsMiami L
Fri, Sep 13 @Wake Forest L
Sat, Sep 21 vsAppalachian State L
Sat, Sep 28 vsClemson L
Sat, Oct 5 @Georgia Tech W
Sat, Oct 19 @Virginia Tech L
Sat, Oct 26 vsDuke L
Sat, Nov 2 vsVirginia L
Thu, Nov 14 @Pittsburgh L
Sat, Nov 23 vsMercer W
Sat, Nov 30 @NC State W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: App State
Toughest Road Game: At Virginia Tech
Biggest Conference Game: At Wake Forest

#7 Georgia Tech 1-11 (0-8)

Picture
​Coach: Geoff Collins
Offensive Coordinator: Dave Patenaude
Defensive Coordinator: Nathan Brown and Andrew Thacker
Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium (55,000)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 7-6
​2017 5-6
​2016 9-4
2015 3-9
2014 11-3

Top Returners 

Offense:
Passing
Tobias Oliver, SO, QB

Rushing
Tobis Oliver, SO, QB

Receiving
Jalen Camp, SR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
​3 Players tied with 2

Sacks:
Christian Campbell, SR, DB

Tackles:
Tariq Carpenter, JR, DB
​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 14
RB 5
WR 14
OL 13
DL 14
LB 13
DB 13

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Thu, Aug 29 @Clemson L
Sat, Sep 7 vsSouth Florida L
Sat, Sep 14 vsThe Citadel W
Sat, Sep 28 @Temple L
Sat, Oct 5 vsNorth Carolina L
Sat, Oct 12 @Duke L
Sat, Oct 19 @Miami L
Sat, Nov 2 vsPittsburgh L
Sat, Nov 9 @Virginia L
Sat, Nov 16 vsVirginia Tech L
Thu, Nov 21 vsNC State L
Sat, Nov 30 vsGeorgia L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: South Florida
Toughest Road Game: At Clemson
Biggest Conference Game: North Carolina

Atlantic

#1 Clemson 12-0 (8-0)

Picture
​​Coach: Dabo Swinney 
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Scott and Tony Elliot
Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables 
Stadium: Memorial Stadium 81,500

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 15-0
​2017 12-2
2016 14-1
2015 14-1
2014 10-3

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Trevor Lawrence, SO, QB 

Rushing
Travis Etienne, JR, RB

Receiving
Tee Higgins, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
A.J. Terrell, JR, CB

Sacks:
Xavier Thomas, FR, DL

Tackles:
A.J. Terrell, JR, CB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 1
RB 1
WR 1
OL 1
DL 1
LB 2
DB 1

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Thu, Aug 29 vsGeorgia Tech W
Sat, Sep 7 vsTexas A&M W
Sat, Sep 14 @Syracuse W
Sat, Sep 21 vsCharlotte W
Sat, Sep 28 @North Carolina W
Sat, Oct 12 vsFlorida State W
Sat, Oct 19 @Louisville W
Sat, Oct 26 vsBoston College W
Sat, Nov 2 vsWofford W
Sat, Nov 9 @NC State W
Sat, Nov 16 vsWake Forest W
Sat, Nov 30 @South Carolina W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Texas A&M
Toughest Road Game: At South Carolina
Biggest Conference Game: At Syracuse

#2 Syracuse 9-3 (6-2)

Picture
​Coach: Dino Barbers 
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Lynch 
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Ward
Stadium: Carrier Dome (49,250)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 10-3
2017 4-8
2016 4-8
​2015 4-8
2014 3-9

Top Returners

​Offense:
Passing
Tommy DeVito, SO, QB

Rushing
Moe Neal, SR, RB

Receiving
Sean Riley, SR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Andre Cisco, SO, FS

Sacks:
Kendall Coleman, SR, DE and Alton Robinson, SR, DE
​
Tackles:
Eavn Foster, SR, S​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 6
RB 7
WR 5
OL 3
DL 3
LB 12
DB 3

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 @Liberty W
Sat, Sep 7 @Maryland L
Sat, Sep 14 vsClemson L
Sat, Sep 21 vsWestern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 28 vsHoly Cross W
Thu, Oct 10 @NC State W
Fri, Oct 18 vsPittsburgh W
Sat, Oct 26 @Florida State W
Sat, Nov 2 vsBoston College W
Sat, Nov 16 @Duke L
Sat, Nov 23 @Louisville W
Sat, Nov 30 vsWake Forest W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Clemson
Toughest Road Game: At Florida State
Biggest Conference Game: Clemson

#3 Florida State 6-6 (4-4)

Picture
​Coach: Willie Taggart
Offensive Coordinator: Kendall Briles
Defensive Coordinator: Harlon Barnett
Stadium: Doak Campbell Stadium (82,300)

​Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 5-7
​2017 7-6
2016 10-3
​2015 10-3
2014 13-1 

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
James Blackman, SO, QB

Rushing
Cam Akers, JR, RB

Receiving
D.J. Matthews, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Stanford Samuels III, JR, CB

Sacks:
​Kyle Meyers, SR, DB

Tackles:
Hamsah Nasirildeen, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 9
RB 3
WR 3
OL 14
DL 4
LB 5
DB 7

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsBoise State * L
Sat, Sep 7 vsUL Monroe W
Sat, Sep 14 @Virginia L
Sat, Sep 21 vsLouisville W
Sat, Sep 28 vsNC State W
Sat, Oct 12 @Clemson L
Sat, Oct 19 @Wake Forest W
Sat, Oct 26 vsSyracuse L
Sat, Nov 2 vsMiami L
Sat, Nov 9 @Boston College W
Sat, Nov 16 vsAlabama State W
Sat, Nov 30 @Florida L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Boise State
Toughest Road Game: At Clemson
Biggest Conference Game: Miami

#4T NC State 6-6 (3-5)

Picture
​Coach: Dave Doeren 
Offensive Coordinator: Des Kitchings and George McDonald 
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Huxtable and Tony Gibson
Stadium: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 9-4
2017 9-4
​2016 7-6
​2015 7-6
2014 8-5

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Matthew McKay, SO, QB

Rushing
Ricky Person Jr., SO, RB

Receiving
Emeka Emezie, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Jarius Morehead, SR, S

Sacks:
JAmes Smith-Williams, SR, DE

Tackles:
Jarius Morehead, SR, S
​

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 12
RB 9
WR 6
OL 4
DL 5
LB 8
DB 10

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsEast Carolina W
Sat, Sep 7 vsWestern Carolina W
Sat, Sep 14 @West Virginia L
Sat, Sep 21 vsBall State W
Sat, Sep 28 @Florida State L
Thu, Oct 10 vsSyracuse L
Sat, Oct 19 @Boston College L
Sat, Nov 2 @Wake Forest W
Sat, Nov 9 vsClemson L
Sat, Nov 16 vsLouisville W
Thu, Nov 21 @Georgia Tech W
Sat, Nov 30 vsNorth Carolina L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At West Virginia
Toughest Road Game: At West Virginia
Biggest Conference Game: At Florida State

#4T Boston College 6-6 (3-5)

Picture
​​Coach: Steve Addazio
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Bajakian
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Sheridan
Stadium: Alumni Stadium (44,500)

Last Five Year's Win Totals
2018 7-5
​2017 7-6
​2016 7-6
2015 3-9 
2014 7-6

Top Returners

​Offense:
Passing
Anthony Brow, JR, QB

Rushing
AJ Dillon, JR, RB

Receiving
Kobay White, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Brandon Sebastian, SO, DB

Sacks:
Tanner Karafa, JR, DL

Tackles
Isaiah McDuffie, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 10
RB 2
WR 12
OL 8
DL 12
LB 6
DB 14

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsVirginia Tech L
Sat, Sep 7 vsRichmond W
Fri, Sep 13 vsKansas W
Sat, Sep 21 @Rutgers W
Sat, Sep 28 vsWake Forest W
Sat, Oct 5 @Louisville W
Sat, Oct 19 vsNC State W
Sat, Oct 26 @Clemson L
Sat, Nov 2 @Syracuse L
Sat, Nov 9 vsFlorida State L
Sat, Nov 23 @Notre Dame L
Sat, Nov 30 @Pittsburgh W

Schedule Analysis 

Biggest Game: Virginia Tech
Toughest Road Game: At Clemson
Biggest Conference Game: Virginia Tech

#6T Louisville 3-9 (1-7)

Picture
​Coach: Scott Satterfield
Offensive Coordinator: Dwayne Ledford
Defensive coordinator: Bryan Brown and Cort Dennison
Stadium: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium (55,000)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 2-10
​2017 8-5
2016 9-4
2015 8-5
2014 9-4

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Jawon Pass, JR, QB

Rushing
Malik Cunningham, SO, QB

Receiving
Dez Fitzpatrick, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
C.J. Avery, JR, LB

Sacks:
4 players tied a 2

Tackles:
C.J. Avery, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 11
RB 14
WR 7
OL 12
DL 11
LB 7
DB 12

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Mon, Sep 2 vsNotre Dame L
Sat, Sep 7 vsEastern Kentucky W
Sat, Sep 14 vsWestern Kentucky * W
Sat, Sep 21 @Florida State L
Sat, Oct 5 vsBoston College L
Sat, Oct 12 @Wake Forest W
Sat, Oct 19 vsClemson L
Sat, Oct 26 vsVirginia L
Sat, Nov 9 @Miami L
Sat, Nov 16 @NC State L
Sat, Nov 23 vsSyracuse L
Sat, Nov 30 @Kentucky L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Kentucky
Toughest Road Game: At Miami
Biggest Conference Game: Boston College

#6T Wake Forest 3-9 (1-7)

Picture
​Coach: Dave Clawson 
Offensive Coordinator: Warren Ruggiero 
Defensive coordinator: Lyle Hemphill
Stadium: BB&T Stadium (31,500)

Last Five Year's Win Totals
2018 7-6
​2017 8-5
​2016 7-6
​2015 3-9
2014 3-9

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Sam Hartman, SO, QB

Rushing
Cade Carney, SR, RB

Receiving
Sage Surratt, SO, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
6 Players tied at 1

Sacks:
Carlos Basham Jr., SO, DL

Tackles:
Justin Strnad, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit ACC Ranking
QB 7
RB 6
WR 9
OL 5
DL 13
LB 10
DB 9

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Fri, Aug 30 vsUtah State L
Sat, Sep 7 @Rice W
Fri, Sep 13 vsNorth Carolina W
Sat, Sep 21 vsElon W
Sat, Sep 28 @Boston College L
Sat, Oct 12 vsLouisville L
Sat, Oct 19 vsFlorida State L
Sat, Nov 2 vsNC State L
Sat, Nov 9 @Virginia Tech L
Sat, Nov 16 @Clemson L
Sat, Nov 23 vsDuke L
Sat, Nov 30 @Syracuse L

Schedule Analysis 

Biggest Game: Utah State
Toughest Road Game: At Clemson
Biggest Conference Game: Duke