One of these days I have to find my way to an ACC Football Kickoff. I wasn’t there but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some thoughts on what went on. You can check out the media’s preseason division picks, conference winner pick, and player of the year pick at the theACC.com’s article ACC Football Kickoff #ACCfbk Media Tabs Florida State as 2011 Favorite.
It doesn’t surprise that the Seminoles were picked as the conference champion, but what does surprise me is how wide the margin in voting was between them and Virginia Tech (50-18). If I’m Frank Beamer this is going on the bulletin board. The Hokies have been the ACC’s best football program since conference expansion. They have 4 ACC Titles since 2004 and are the defending ACC Champions. They have plenty to replace in their backfield, but when has Beamer not put a contender together in the ACC? I like the direction of Florida State under Jimbo Fisher, and I expected them to get plenty of first place votes, just not that many.
I thought The Divisional picks were pretty reasonable. The Division winners being Florida State and Virginia Tech are hard to argue. Only 70 points separated the 2nd place Atlantic pick Clemson from 5th place pick Maryland. There’s a lot of balance between Clemson, Boston College, NC State and Maryland. Miami was somewhat of a default 2nd place finisher to Virginia Tech. UNC still has off the field issues hanging over their head, and Georgia Tech simply doesn’t have much proven talent.
Montel Harris was the top vote getter for player of the year. I have no problem there. Florida State’s EJ Manual edged Boston College All-American LB Luke Kuechly for 2nd highest vote getter. That’s debatable there, but OK. I don’t like Virginia Tech RB David Wilson being voted ahead of Maryland QB Danny O’Brien or Clemson RB Andre Ellington. O’Brien is the ACC’s best returning QB, and Ellington when healthy might be the ACC’s most explosive back. Wilson is a very good player, but shouldn’t have been ahead of those two.
ACCSports.com highlighted some of the more interesting comments from the ACC Coaches and players. One thing stood out to me. To anyone talking to Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson the rest of this year, don’t ask him about the Jacket’s NCAA probation.
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