ACC Preseason Poll Released: Florida State Cursed Again
by T.H. on Jul 26, 2010 6:45 PM EDT
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PrintSo the ACC preseason media poll came out today at the golf-heavy and news-light media days, and there's no surprises, really. Virginia Tech and Florida State are tapped to win their respective divisions, and... well, why I don't I let 2009 Carolina March take it from here?
The Coastal Division was picked to finish in the exact order as last year final results, with Virginia Tech getting 78 first place votes and Georgia Tech 9. I would have expected less of a spread since the top four teams in the Coastal were all separated by a game in conference and everyone had at least one victory among the four. Defaulting to the biggest name is always the safe bet, which explains Florida State's 56 votes atop the Atlantic Division as well.
Vote totals aside, the only difference between that paragraph and what happened today is that GT was dropped to third despite winning the ACC last year – a reasonable move, actually. Everything else still applies, from the order of the Coastal Division down to FSU's default slot at the top of the Atlantic.
Which, by the way, is bad news for the Seminoles. The ACC media hasn't picked the correct winner of the Atlantic Division since 2005, mostly because they keep picking FSU, and FSU keeps failing. The one year the Seminoles did make it to the title game... the media went with Clemson. But I'm open to hearing the logic of people on this. Sure there's Christian Ponder, who we'll assume has a healthy and injury-free season, but the defense is still the one that gave up 434.6 yards a game. What's changed that garners them 78 of 98 votes?
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Picking FSU
The margin was huge but I think FSU is the best team. The bad pick was Clemson over BC. The Eagles have the easiest schedule of the 3 and should be in the thick of it with only 3 “losable” league games VT, Clemson, FSU.
FSU has changed the defense and most importantly the staff is working together not against each other. They won’t get back to a Top 10 defense but they’ll move back into the top 50 or so nationally. When Carolina switched from Hux-Fleming in 03 to Gute-Sanders in 04 the lift was similar and FSU has better athletes.
That jump could be the difference from losing to Clemson and Miami just at a glance last season. Plus a QB, full OL and ability to put up 38 a game will take them far
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by InTheBleachers on Jul 26, 2010 6:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I agree with everything you said. I still think BC takes it over FSU again this year though, but it’s July.
The media is batting just .200 in terms of preseason Atlantic Division hits. One more strikeout and they’ll be below the Mendoza line. Time to send the media down to Triple-A and call up bloggers who can likely more accurately predict this thing.
BC Interruption, SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
Triple-A
Brian we’ve had this discussion before and I don’t see how FSU is any different from Clemson or BC. 3 teams each with a flaw. I’m leaning BC as well, although I’ll officially start dropping predictions soon.
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by InTheBleachers on Jul 27, 2010 9:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Virginia Tech
On paper VT looks very tough. FSU looked great last year at times but didn’t show up at least twice. If both stay healthy this sounds like the logical ACC championship game. Looking forward to see what both VT and Boise State bring to the table on Sept. 6th. Should be one heck of a game.
BOISE STATE FANATIC
FSU 2009
It wasn’t that they didn’t show up so much as they were absolutely putrid on defense. The 1 game “they didn’t show up” for was the FCS contest and they eeked out a win there.
As for VT and Boise State its going to be an interesting game. Biggest match up to watch is going to be how Boise State’s front 7 handles the twin barrel rushing attack of Williams & Evans and that physicality. If the Broncos get off the mat and stay up through all 4 quarters they’ll win. If VT can outmuscle them then the Hokies are in a position to be a BCS player.
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by InTheBleachers on Jul 27, 2010 9:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
FSU has the athletes it needs to play good D on the team now
they are young and arguably haven’t been coached up in prior years…it is a matter of time before they are good…this year seems too early to bet on without any games played yet – I think the outside date is 2012…but the past is coming back to the future
Spare me the "we have the athletes now" comment
Your issue hasn’t been defensive athleticism, its been discipline, scheme and technique issues. Yes, this current class is a slight upgrade talent-wise but they won’t be the difference, that defensive staff will be the make or break point.
Getting rid of Mickey’s wide-9, roaming LBs and athleticism over technique scheme is the first step. Eliminating missed tackles and missed assignments is the second step and developing talent to full potential is the third step.
That defense will be fine so long as they listen to Stoops. He’s a technician who had Arizona turning folks over and getting to the football. With the athletes FSU has always had he will be able to work magic.
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by InTheBleachers on Jul 28, 2010 8:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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