Mid-Season awards in the ACC.

Contributing writer HokieGuru is working on an article where he checks in several of our twitter friends for their feelings on the ACC at the mid-season point. What I’m doing here is you give some of my thoughts on the ACC up to this point.

Surprise Team – Wake Forest Demon Deacons

If you had Wake Forest 4-1 (3-0) at this time, I want to see proof. Most previews I read had Wake Forest winning anywhere from 2-4 games the entire year. Their defeat of Florida State this past weekend stunned me, and now the Deacs sit at the mid-point of the ACC season tied for the Atlantic Division lead. This offense has some weapons in QB Tanner Prices, RB Josh Harris and WR Chris Givens.

Disappointing Team – Boston College Eagles

I thought about putting Florida State here, but considering BC is 1-5 (0-3) with their only win is over UMASS they ended up getting the nod. RB Montel Harris has been hobbled all year, and the lines are the worst I’ve seen at Boston College since they joined the ACC. I watched them up close at Clemson this past week and the difference in team speed and athleticism was huge. I don’t think Frank Spaziani finishes the year as head coach.

ACC’s Best Offensive players of the first half.

1) Sammy Watkins WR Clemson 

2) Lamar Miller RB Miami

3) David Wilson RB Virginia Tech

4) Tajh Boyd QB Clemson

5) Chris Givens WR Wake Forest

Honorable Mention

Orwin Smith, Georgia Tech

Tanner Price, Wake Forest

Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

Dwight Jones, North Carolina

ACC Best Defensive Players of the first half

1) Luke Kuechly LB Boston College

2) Andre Branch DE Clemson

3) Jayron Hosley CB Virginia Tech

4) Sean Spence LB Miami

5) J.R Collins DE Virginia Tech

Honorable Mention

Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech

Bjoern Werner, Florida State

Joe Vellano, Maryland

David Amerson, NC State

Earl Wolff, NC State

Can the ACC get two teams into the BCS?

It’s a stretch, but it is possible. With two undefeated teams Clemson and Georgia Tech at this point in the season, both ranked in the top 12 it can happen. First Clemson or Georgia Tech probably needs to run the table until the ACCG, then if they lose a 12-1 Clemson or Georgia Tech maybe able to get that second bid. A 2 loss ACC team will not get an at-large BCS bid. 

Who’s going to win the ACC Atlantic?

It’s looking more and more like the Clemson Tigers are the class of the ACC. Getting through the gauntlet of Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech proved this could be a special year for the Tigers. The offense has the best skill position talent in the ACC, and the defense has had some strong moments this year. I like Wake Forest, but Clemson just seems too strong at this point. I’m picking the Tigers to win the whole ACC too.

Who’s going to win the ACC Coastal?

This is a two team race. Georgia Tech has raced out to 6-0 (3-0) start, but Virginia Tech is right on their tails with just one conference loss. Frank Beamer teams just don’t go away even when they lose early; they’ll be there in the end challenging the Yellow Jackets. North Carolina is also on radar screen, but they already have a loss to Georgia Tech, and still have to play at Clemson. If they win at Clemson in two weeks consider them a legitimate contender to win the Division.