ACC Preview: Prospects to watch and team predictions

ACC Preview: Prospects to watch and team predictions

Coastal Division

Duke Blue Devils: Vegas Win Total- 5.5 

This line at 5.5 feels like easy money as it is hard to envision Duke winning more than three games, which should be the first three of the season. This offense was terrible last season and I don’t see any reason why that would change, especially with a shortened off-season. This coaching staff feels desperate even bringing in a transfer quarterback, which is weird for David Cutcliffe to do. Prediction: Under 5.5

Top Prospects:

Jack Wohlabaugh, C, 6-4, 305 pounds, Sr.: Wohlabaugh is a fifth year Senior with very few accolades, but he is consistent and could see his stock rise in 2020.

Victor Dimukeje, DE, 6-2, 265 pounds, Sr.: An All-ACC performer, Dimukeje may not have the eye-popping stats of other top edge rushers, but he is a great pass rusher that demands double teams.

Damond Philyaw-Johnson, WR, 6-1, 170 pounds, Jr.: Another All-ACC selection, Philyaw-Johnson is an elite return man and averages 32.3 yards per kick returns on his 17 total returns last season. He housed two against Wake Forest and this offense needs to do a better job of manufacturing touches for him in 2020.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Vegas Win Total- 3

This line is perfect and it’s hard to envision this Georgia Tech team being any better than last season’s train wreck. The offense was just sad and even if they do get better, the schedule gets harder. It is realistic for this team to get dominated early in 2020 and lose all momentum and hope, which would result in an even worse season. This roster does not have the talent needed to compete in the ACC. Prediction: Under 3

Top Prospects:

David Curry, ILB, 6-2, 230 pounds, Sr.: An All-ACC level performer, Curry enters his sixth year as the leader and quarterback of this defense. He led the Jackets in tackles last season with 97.

Jordan Mason, RB, 6-1, 219 pounds, Jr.: Mason earned All-ACC honors last season and should have an even better 2020 considering how rough the offensive line was last season.

Tre Swilling, CB, 6-0, 200 pounds, Jr.: Another All-ACC selection, Swilling is the son of Pat Swilling and has lived up to the name as one of the best defensive backs in the country.

Miami Hurricanes: Vegas Win Total- 9

Nine games? That feels like a huge leap after Miami only earned six wins in 2019 and ended the season by being blown out by Louisiana Tech in their bowl game. Manny Diaz was banking on incoming freshman and transfers to take this team to the next level in 2020, but with a limited off-season, those hopes seem bleak. Prediction: Under 9

Top Prospects:

Quincy Roche, DE, 6-4, 235 pounds, Sr.: Roche dominated at Temple last season with 19 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and five passes batted down and he will look to continue this dominance as a graduate transfer at Miami. He is a tad undersized, but has enough athleticism to overcome that at the next level.

Brevin Jordan, TE, 6-3, 235 pounds, Jr.: A first-team All-ACC selection, Jordan was also a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season. He snagged 35 receptions for 495 yards last season.

Gregory Rousseau, DE, 6-7, 253 pounds, So.: An All-American level performer, Rousseau had a huge freshman season earning 54 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. Those stats weren’t just earned against cupcake opponents either as he earned 12 of those sacks in ACC games and had four against Florida State and three against Pittsburgh.

North Carolina Tar Heels: Vegas Win Total- 8.5

North Carolina is legit and after winning seven games last season and Sam Howell likely to be even better in 2020, this seems like an easy over bet. The Coastal Division has been rampant with parody, but if the Tar Heels can work through their tough non-conference slate, they should roll through conference play. Prediction: Over 8.5

Top Prospects:

Sam Howell, QB, 6-2, 225 pounds, So.: An All-American performer, Howell was the crown jewel of Mack Brown’s first recruiting class and didn’t look back after earning the starting gig. He threw for 3,641 yards and an eye-popping FBS true freshman record 38 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Chazz Surratt, OLB, 6-3, 230 pounds, Sr.: Named All-ACC, Surratt is a former quarterback who found his calling on defense. He led the Heels with 115 tackles and 15 tackles for loss last season.

D.J. Ford, S, 6-3, 210 pounds, Sr.: A bit under the radar, Ford doesn’t have a lengthy resume filled with accolades, but he is a consistent defender looking to break out in 2020.

Pittsburgh Panthers: Vegas Line Total- 6.5

This line is tight, but Pittsburgh won eight games last season and shouldn’t be much worse if at all. It wouldn’t be shocking to see them hit double-digit victories considering they return 15 starters with eight on their strong defense. This could be the year Pat Narduzzi takes the Panthers to the next level. Prediction: Over 6.5

Top Prospects

Paris Ford, S, 6-0, 190 pounds, Sr.: An All-American candidate, Ford could have declared after an impressive 2019 season and would have likely been taken early. He led the Panthers with 97 tackles and three interceptions and was second on the team with 11 pass break-ups.

Jimmy Morrissey, C, 6-3, 305 pounds, Sr.: Looking to build upon his first-team All-ACC recognition last season. Morrissey is the anchor of an impressive Pittsburgh offensive line.

Patrick Jones II, DE, 6-5, 260 pounds, Sr.: Another All-ACC selection, Jones tied for team leader in tackles for loss with 12 and was fifth in the FBS in forced fumbles with four. Jones also 43 tackles, 18 quarterback hurries and 8.5 sacks.

Virginia Cavaliers- Vegas Team Total- 6.5

Bronco Mendenhall has done a spectacular job rebuilding the Virginia program. Although they might not match last season’s nine wins, it is hard to imagine them falling back to only six. The Cavaliers have a rough early-season slate, but Mendenhall has his team poised to build on the momentum built from 2019. Prediction: Over 6.5

Top Prospects:

Charles Snowden, OLB, 6-7, 235 pounds, Sr.: An All-ACC selection, Snowden is dynamic coming off the edge and has an intriguing mix of size and athleticism. He is every inch of 6-7 and his basketball background is obvious.

Terrell Jana, WR, 6-0, 190 pounds, Sr.: Another All-ACC performer, Jana came on strong during the second half of the 2019 season snagging 49 of his 74 receptions.

Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, 6-3, 305 pounds, Jr.: Oluwatimi was named All-ACC after an impressive sophomore season and is the anchor on one of the more experienced offensive lines in the country.

Virginia Tech Hokies- Vegas Win Total- 8

Virginia Tech won eight games last season and should be even better in 2020. The Hokies have slowly improved under Justin Fuente and hitting double-digit wins is doable. There is some concern surrounding the defense after the departure of legend, Bud Foster, but the unit returns ten starters and is very solid up front and in the secondary. Prediction: Over 8

Top Prospects:

Caleb Farley, CB, 6-2, 207 pounds, Jr.: Farley is an All-American level performer and has been a stud since his freshman season in 2018 when he recorded 36 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Last season he was downright elite with 12 pass breakups and four interceptions.

Justus Reed, DE, 6-5, 235 pounds, Sr.: A Youngstown State grad transfer with well-deserved hype, Reed racked up 12.5 sacks last season in the FCS. He is a pass-rushing specialist looking to prove his worth at the next level.

Divine Deablo, S, 6-3, 223 pounds, Sr.: Versatile safety with the ideal size to dominate as a strong safety in the NFL, but he currently roams the field as a free for the Hokies and has unique athleticism.

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