CLEMSON
A much needed nine-win season put an end to the ‘Tommy must go’ chants, at least for the time being. In the end, Bowden signed a contract extension through 2010. Now, with hopes running as high as ever, he returns 57 lettermen, including quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and running back Duane Coleman. They were the two key elements that helped lead the Tigers to wins in each of their final four games of the season, by 108 points (only USC finished stronger). On the defensive side of the ball, Clemson features linebacker Leroy Hill, a legitimate Butkus award candidate. A fast start will be necessary considering four of their first five games are against ACC foes. Death Valley welcomes any and all unwanted visitors.
PLAY ON: vs Wake Forest

DUKE
The Blue Devils are living life under a new Roof – Ted, that is – as changes continue to abound at Duke. New head coach Ted Roof was actually the interim coach for the final five games of the season last year. In the process they managed to snap a 30-game conference-losing streak while also covering the number on four different occasions. Heavy graduation losses on offense (all ACC RB’s Chris Douglas and Alex Wade plus four senior linemen), coupled with a tough schedule (opponents were 82-57 .590 in ’03) will make it difficult for this team to realize its first winning season in ten years. Still, though, if a similar enthusiasm with which they finished the season last year appears in ‘ 04, they just may like the look of the new Roof in Durham.
PLAY AGAINST: Fav vs North Carolina

FLORIDA STATE
Looking at the likes of Joe Paterno and Bear Bryant in his rear view mirror, Bobby Bowden assembles a deep team lead by nine offensive returning starters in 2004. Given the fact his 2003 edition featured only one senior, the feeling from this side of the counter is the Seminoles will be hell-bent on defending their ACC title in this the year of the Big East invasion. They will once again be lead by QB Chris Rix, Bowden’s first ever four-year starter, who was voted most improved player in spring camp. The last time a Florida State team finished the season unranked was 1986. The last time a Seminole team failed to win its season opener was 1989. The bottom line is anything less than a national championship is now a disappointment in Tallahassee.
Play On: as Dog vs Miami Fla

GEORGIA TECH
ACC Rookie of the Year QB Reggie Ball keyed a young, lightning-quick squad into a school record seventh straight bowl game last year, making the Ramblin’ Wreck one of only 11 teams to carry that honor into the 2004 season. They did so despite taking on no less than eight fellow bowl opponents. Relying on head coach Chan Gailey’s 30 years of coaching experience (14 in the NFL), and 14 returning starters they’ll square off against no less than seven bowlers this year. If the seven returning starters from last year’s defense can somehow play to the level they enjoyed last season, and Gailey manages to ratchet the passing offense up to his standards, this team will be bowling again this season. Our major concern is the quality of the opposition - be careful here.
PLAY AGAINST: vs Connecticut

MARYLAND
Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen is still literally and figuratively the ‘Big Man On Campus’ in College Park. That’s because the Fridge is the only coach in ACC history to win 10 or more games in each of his first three years at the helm. Only five Division 1-A teams to have accomplished this double-digit win feat the last three seasons – Maryland, Miami Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington State . The only thing lean appearing at the Turtle’s dinner table is the amount of returning starters (nine). Fear not, however, no one around here will be starving. As Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com says, "One thing we know is that the Terrapins will be good at the end of the year, because they always are. They don’t play Miami and they get Florida State in College Park."
PLAY ON: vs Georgia Tech

MIAMI FLORIDA
When a team holds their opponents to more than 120 less yards per game than their season average for the year, they are obviously very talented, which explains the record number six players that went in first round of this year’s NFL draft. The Hurricanes look to blow the doors off the ACC in 2004, moving over from the BIG EAST, benefactors of three bye weeks this season. It all begins with a season ending rematch against rival Florida State. (With that we note Miami is 9-0 SU against fellow Florida-schools since 2000, with five of those wins by less than 10 points.) The most amazing stat in all of college football is Miami’s 137-0 mark in games in which they score more than 30 points. Now that’s one mean machine.
PLAY AGAINST: vs Louisville

NORTH CAROLINA
Despite back to back beatings the past two seasons, John Bunting returns in 2004 hoping to recreate the magic of his first season in Chapel Hill. The main culprit to last year’s 2-10 campaign was a 505-yard defense, one that ranked 116th in the nation. Two new defensive coordinators were immediately replenished, namely John Gutekunst (former Minnesota head coach and South Carolina DC the L5Y) and Marvin Sanders (former defensive back coach at Nebraska). They will share duties in an effort to bring the defense back up to an acceptable standard. Bunting is well respected, especially by his players. "I think coach Bunting can be the next Dean Smith, but for football," said former Tar Heel Adam Metts. "He knows the game … and is a great motivator." The time for enchantment is now.
PLAY ON: vs Duke

NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Don’t feel too sorry for Chuck Amato. Sure he lost star QB Philip Rivers, who started all 51 games the last four years, to the NFL. But 41 lettermen are back, including 17 starters from last season. In addition, three former starters from the 2002 season who didn’t play last year because of academics and injuries, are back on the scene as well. The most valuable player in camp, though, is T.A. McClendon, the 2002 ACC Rookie of the Year who, when healthy, is quite possibly the best running back in the country. Replacing Rivers will be Marcus Stone, a cannon-armed redshirt who was his understudy last year. "We’ve got a lot of big holes to fill. Big holes, not just sink holes, but craters,"
chides Amato. We’re not buying it, and neither should you.
PLAYON: vs Wake Forest

VIRGINIA
" The ACC hasn’t expanded. We’ve joined a new league." That’s the take of Cavaliers head coach Al Groh on the Big East invasion this year. The former NFL head coach and Bill Parcells’ assistant, Groh is deeply excited about the team he’ll field this year. Despite the loss of QB Matt Schaub to the NFL draft, the Cavs return the entire offensive line, plus both tight ends. In addition, the top two running backs return to enhance the attack. Defensively, the entire line returns for the 2nd straight year. Add to the mix the fact that three of the four returning linebackers may be among the very best in the nation – Butkus Award candidates all. If they can improve their defensive numbers another 40 yards like they did last year they may augment their way to new heights in ‘04.
PLAY ON: as Dog vs Miami Florida (Key)

VIRGINIA TECH
For the first time in many a year there are plenty of holes to fill in 2004. The departure of 1st round picks Kevin Jones and DeAngelo Hall, coupled with only nine returning starters, makes Frank Beamer’s task this year a difficult one. Adding to the dilemma is the confusion of who – Brian Randall or Marcus Vick – will settle in as the team leader at quarterback. Thus far trying to find time for each has only led to contentious dissension. Opening with defending champion USC and closing against five pre-season Top 25 teams might lead to the end of an 11-year bowl run. VPI is 34-1 SU and 24-9 ATS in their first five game of the season since 1996. Conversely, they are a disappointing 11-13 SU and 6-18 ATS from Game Six on out the last four years. Ouch!
PLAY AGAINST: vs Miami Florida

WAKE FOREST
Not only did the Demon Deacons fall back under the .500 barrier last year, they were flat out fortunate to win the five games they did. That’s because they actually outgained only ONE opponent (two-win North Carolina) the entire season. Junior QB Cory Randolph, who started all 12 games in 2003, will be challenged by talented redshirt freshman Ben Mauk (Ohio’s player of the year in 2002). Jim Grobe’s group is extremely young, as 24 sophomores and 21 freshmen heavily outnumber the 29 juniors and seniors on the roster. The best news is the return of RB Chris Barclay, the ACC’s leading rusher last year. Grobe’s love for pounding the ball on the ground will keep them in games they have no business being in. It’s the games they’re supposed to win that concern us.
PLAY AGAINST: vs Duke