Prediction:
7-5 (3-5 Atlantic)

The Eagles' defense will carry them during the early portion of the schedule, allowing a new QB to get comfortable. That said, the backend of the schedule is... "whew!"

Key Game(s): at NC State, Clemson, Notre Dame

Prediction:
11-1 (7-1 Atlantic)

This is arguably Tommy Bowden's best squad in Clemson and the schedule sets up nicely for an ACC title run -- the Tigers catch a huge break not having Virginia Tech and Miami on the schedule.

It's even conceivable the Tigers could 'run the table' if they can steal a win in Winston-Salem. It's also conceivable they could go 2-3 in their last 5 games.

We do give the Tigers credit for having the season's best opening game.

Key Game(s): vs Alabama, at Wake Forest, at Florida State, South Carolina

Prediction:
5-7 (1-7 Coastal)

Optimism is aplenty at Duke with new head coach David Cutcliffe. We're still not expecting much from this outfit until we see some on-field results, though. We do believe the Blue Devils are good enough to go 4-0 versus the OOC schedule, and we're looking forward to the first conference game against Virginia.

Key Game(s): Virginia, North Carolina

Prediction:
6-6 (3-5 Atlantic)

The good news is, we're picking the 'Noles to qualify for a bowl game. The bad news, however, is that we don't think the 'Noles are good enough to win games in the tough Atlatic division.

The Wake Forest game on 9/20 will tell us all we need to know about Bobby Bowden's squad. You know they'll want to avenge the blowout home loss to the Deacons from 2006.

Key Game(s): Wake Forest, at Miami, Virginia Tech, Florida

Prediction:
4-8 (2-6 Coastal)

We wonder how long it'll take for Paul Johnson to fully sell his players on the triple-option attack. The Ramblin' Wreck could qualify for a bowl game if they can handle their home games late in the season. Then again, with road games with Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, and Georgia, this could very well be a long season for the 'Jackets.

Key Game(s): Virginia Tech, Virginia, at Georgia

Prediction:
6-6 (3-5 Atlantic)

Ralph Friedgen's Terps have posted only 1 winning season the last 4 years, and in order for them to become bowl-eligible this season, they'll have to win some key home games late in the season. We're also concerned about those OOC games, because a 1-3 OOC record is not out of the question (we're sure they'll beat Eastern Michigan).

Key Game(s): California, NC State, at Virginia

Prediction:
7-5 (5-3 Coastal)

With OOC dates in Gainesville and College Station, we're not expecting the Hurricanes to return to national prominence just yet. The good news is that North Carolina, FSU, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech come to Miami -- a 4-0 against them, and the 'Canes could be the Coastal division champs.

Oh yeah, the North Carolina game marks the return of former head coach Butch Davis. You can bet Hurricane fans have that game marked and circled.

Key Game(s): at Florida, North Carolina, Virginia Tech

Prediction:
8-4 (5-3 Atlantic)

Maybe its because the author of these predictions lives in the same county, or maybe its because the author saw this squad go on the road and whip his alma-mater last season, but for whatever reason, I disagree with the ACC Media's prediction that the Wolfpack will finish next to last in the Atlantic division.

Look for NC State to travel to Columbia, beat the Gamecocks, and use it as a springboard to a surprising season.

Key Game(s): at South Carolina, at Clemson, at North Carolina

Prediction:
9-3 (5-3 Coastal)

Butch Davis' first Tar Heel squad lost 6 games last season by 7 points or less. With this season's schedule, the Tar Heels should make a return to the top-25 and challenge Virginia Tech and Miami for the top spot in the Coastal division.

While there several key games for the Tar Heels, we're anticipating Butch Davis' return to his old stomping grounds (well, kinda) when North Carolina travels to Miami.

Key Game(s): at Rutgers, at Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame

Prediction:
5-7 (3-5 Coastal)

Understatement: The Southern Cal game will give the nation an indication of how good these Cavaliers are. Overstatement: The Cavaliers finish the season with three ACC heavyweights, 2 of them on the road.

How Virginia fares out-of-conference will determine their bowl eligibility status.

Key Game(s): Southern Cal, at Virginia Tech

Prediction:
9-3 (6-2 Coastal)

Assuming the Hokies can survive an opening weekend test against mighty East Carolina (in Charlotte), and can avoid embarassing themselves (and the conference) when they travel to Lincoln, NE, we expect them to hover around the top-10. In order for Virginia Tech to win the Coastal division, they will have to navigate four(4) tough road games.

Key Game(s): vs ECU, at North Carolina, at Miami, at Boston College, at FSU

Prediction:
8-4 (5-3 Atlantic)

It's strange looking at ACC predictions and seeing "Wake Forest" at or near the top, isn't it? Truth is, LOWF's (Little Ole' Wake Forest) rise to the top of the standings is legit. Their schedule is favorable, and they'll actually win the Atlantic divison if they can survive several key road games, and/or if Clemson suffers another late-season slump.

The Demon Deacons return to the scene of arguably their biggest triumph -- Tallahassee, where they posted a shutout win against the once mighty Seminoles. We'd be crazy to expect them to win 2 games in a row down there... right...?

Key Game(s): at Florida State, Clemson, at Miami, at NC State