College Football 2018 Conference Previews -- ACC

 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

 OVERVIEW

Clemson's Dabo Swinney

 The ACC 2018 looks a lot like the ACC 2017 -- Clemson and everybody else.
 The Tigers juggernaut, which has appeared in the College Football Playoff three straight years, shows no signs of slowing down, which means everyone else is playing for second place -- or a berth in the league title game, where, conceivably, anything can happen. Clemson has the most talent, a frightening defensive front, the best coach and most of its trickiest games at home, which means an unblemished season is not only possible, but likely. There is some intrigue on offense as freshman wunderkind quarterback Trevor Lawrence may have the goods to start from day one, but even if he doesn't he'll push incumbent Kelly Bryant and make him better. 
 As for the rest of the league, Florida State is trending upward behind first-year coach Willie Taggart, who has invigorated the program after it got stale under Jimbo Fisher, and who has been aggressive on the recruiting trail. That means the Seminoles could actually be a challenger to the Clemson throne, though not this year. Boston College is rising behind running back AJ Dillon and a mammoth offensive line, North Carolina State won't go away thanks to the return of quarterback Ryan Finley while a healthy Wake Forest has one of the best secondaries in the league, buoyed by cornerback Essang Bassey.
 Miami should reign supreme in Coastal, though there are still concerning quarterback issues. The Canes have an abundance of speed at the skill positions, notably with receiver Ahmmon Richards and freshman running back Lorenzo Lingard. The Canes also have the ACC's best linebacker group and a stout secondary, which should make it a favorite in most games. Virginia Tech may, for once, need to lean on its offense after injuries and departures make the defense appear mortal -- at least on paper. But as long as Bud Foster is around the Hokies will be tough. Defensive tackle Ricky Walker will become a star this year.
 Georgia Tech is looking for a cleaner offensive performance, and has quarterback Taquon Marshall back to handle the triple option. The defense needs to improve and just might under new coordinator Nate Woody, the architect of solid defenses at Appalachian State for the last five years. Pat Narduzzi has a young but talented squad in Pittsburgh, one that may have learned from three one-score losses a year ago. Linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu is a tackling machine and will anchor an athletic stop unit. Quarterback Daniel Jones needs to get better with his decision making and accuracy if Duke is going to make a move, but the pieces are in place for a run at a bowl bid -- but trips to Miami and Clemson may temper the optimism.
RISING: Florida State
FALLING: Louisville
BOWL TEAMS (10): Clemson, Florida State, Boston College, NC State, Wake Forest, Miami,
Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Duke          

ACC PROJECTED STANDINGS

ATLANTIC 
1 Clemson (13-0, 8-0)
2 Florida State (9-3, 6-2)
3 Boston College (7-5, 5-3)
4 NC State (8-4, 4-4)
5 Wake Forest (6-6, 3-5)
6 Louisville (6-6, 3-5)

7 Syracuse (4-8, 1-7)

COASTAL

1 Miami (10-3, 6-2)

2 Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3)

3 Georgia Tech (7-5, 4-4)

4 Pittsburgh (7-5, 4-4)

5 Duke (6-6, 4-4)

6 North Carolina (5-7, 2-6)

7 Virginia (4-8, 1-7)

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Clemson over Miami

ALL-ACC TEAM

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB Ryan Finley/NC State

RB AJ Dillon/Boston College

RB Cam Akers/Florida State

WR Kelvin Harmon/NC State

WR Greg Dortch/Wake Forest

WR Jaylen Smith/Louisville

TE Tommy Sweeney/Boston College

OT Mitch Hyatt/Clemson

OT Mekhi Becton/Louisville

OG Chris Lindstrom/Boston College

OG Parker Braun/Georgia Tech

  C  Justin Falcinelli/Clemson

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE Clelin Ferrell/Clemson
DE Zach Allen/Boston College

DT Christian Wilkins/Clemson

DT Dexter Lawrence/Clemson

LB Shaq Quarterman/Miami

LB Joe Giles-Harris/Duke

LB Kendall Joseph/Clemson

LB Ben Humphreys/Duke

CB Mark Gilbert/Duke

CB Michael Jackson/Duke

  S  Lukas Denis/Boston College

  S  Jaquan Johnson/Miami

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS

  K Ricky Aguayo/Florida State

  P Sterling Hofrichter/Syracuse

KR Anthony Ratliff-Williams/North Carolina

PR DJ Matthews/Florida State

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Daniel Jones/Duke

RB Travis Etienne/Clemson

RB Ricky Person/NC State

WR Tee Higgins/Clemson

WR Dez Fitzpatrick/Louisville

WR Ahmmon Richards/Miami

TE Daniel Helm/Duke

OT Tyler Jones/NC State

OT Alex Bookser/Pitt

OG Phil Haynes/Wake Forest

OG Landon Dickerson/Florida State

  C  Ryan Anderson/Wake Forest

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DE Austin Bryant/Clemson
DE Joe Jackson/Miami

DT Ricky Walker/Virginia Tech

DT DeMarcus Christmas/Florida State

LB Chris Peace/Virginia

LB Dontavious Jackson/Florida State

LB Michael Pinckney/Miami

LB Oluwaseun Idowu/Pitt

CB Levonta Taylor/Florida State

CB Essang Bassey/Wake Forest

  S  Cameron Glenn/Wake Forest

  S  Juan Thornhill/Virginia

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS

  K Blanton Creque/Louisville

  P Pressley Harvin/Georgia Tech

KR Joe Reed/Virginia

PR Michael Walker/Boston College

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: AJ Dillon/Boston College
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Christian Wilkins/Clemson
COACH OF THE YEAR: Willie Taggart/Florida State
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: RB Ricky Person/NC State