The ACC Atlantic division has the potential to be one of the best in the entire country this season led by a pair of legitimate national championship contenders in Clemson and Florida State. Both teams have the potential to win an ACC title and more but just like every other team in their division they aren’t completely void of concerns. Here is a look at the biggest concerns for teams from the ACC Atlantic division.
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers proved they could be legitimate national title contenders when they reached the championship game a year ago. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson returns to lead an offense that brings back eight starters but Clemson isn’t nearly as deep on the defensive side of the football. The Tigers return just three defensive starters after losing six underclassmen to the NFL Draft. Can the defense do enough to keep up with the offense and help Clemson repeat as ACC champions?
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State went 10-3 and made a New Year’s Six bowl in what was considered a reloading year in 2015. With 15 returning starters including nine on offense, the Seminoles are ready to contend for a national championship. The biggest concern for Florida State will be at quarterback after senior Sean Maguire missed spring practice while recovering from ankle surgery. Freshman Deondre Francois and true freshman Malik Henry both flashed their skills throughout the spring with Maguire sidelined and the Seminoles need to figure out who their starting quarterback will be for week one.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has posted a 16-10 record with a pair of bowl wins over the last two seasons under Bobby Petrino. The Cardinals have the potential to be very good again if they can stay healthy and play to their potential. The key will be more consistency on the offensive line where four starters return to the mix. Louisville has plenty of experience on its roster and if they can protect emerging star quarterback Lamar Jackson under center they could be a dark horse contender in the ACC Atlantic.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack have recorded 15 combined wins over the past two seasons and made bowl games in each of those years. While it’s obvious they have made progress, a tough division could prevent them from reaching their overall potential. NC State has plenty of talent but they need to address their quarterback situation before we can give them a vote of confidence. The Wolfpack lost mobile quarterback Jacoby Brissett, leaving backup Jalan McClendon and freshman Jakobi Meyers to battle for the starting job. A soft early scheduled could help NC State but they are going to need to find their starting quarterback and rally behind him early on.
Syracuse Orange
There is plenty of reason for optimism at Syracuse where former Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green head coach Dino Babers brings a championship pedigree after winning the MAC last season. Babers will install a fast-paced, exciting offense led by quarterback Eric Dungey and wide receiver Steve Ishmael and while there will be growing pains the Orange have enough talent to make a successful transition. However, there are concerns about a defense that returns just seven starters from a year ago, especially after they ranked worst in the ACC in yards allowed per game. Syracuse is very thin on the defensive side of the football and that could limit their progression in year one under Babers.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Dave Clawson’s first two seasons at Wake Forest haven’t gone as planned but the combination of 15 returning starters and a relatively soft schedule could help in 2016. The key will be whether or not the Demon Deacons can improve their rushing attack, which ranked No. 123 in the nation with 105.2 yards per game a year ago. Tyler Bell was their leading rusher with 451 yards and one rushing touchdown and that isn’t nearly good enough. Wake Forest has the talent to improve after registering a combined six wins over the last two years but they need to get their rushing attack going in order to improve in the standings.
Boston College Eagles
Boston College hit a wall a year ago when it went from two consecutive bowl games to a 3-9 record. The Eagles defense was solid but the offense had zero punch and opponents made them pay for it. New offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler will hope to turn things around this season but he needs a capable quarterback to emerge. Kentucky graduate transfer Patrick Towles and dual-threat Darius Wade will battle for the starting job and Boston College desperately needs one of those two to emerge. The Eagles have the defense to be a good team but they need their offense to make significant progress in order to climb out of the ACC Atlantic division.
