COACH: Bobby Bowden (259-64-4, 28th year; 332-96-4 overall).
2002 RECORD: 9-5, 7-1 (first in the ACC). Lost to Georgia 26-13 in the Sugar Bowl.
NOTES: The troubled Seminoles did win the ACC for the 10th time in 11 tries, but their league brethren, especially at the top, are far better than ever and few of them fear the Seminoles. Should they? Defensively, the Seminoles return 10 starters. But that group did allow an average of 366 yards (61st nationally). Better depth should help. Offensively, questions outnumber givens. QB Chris Rix must win back his teammates after being suspended for the Sugar Bowl, TB Greg Jones needs to pick up where he left off before tearing his right ACL, WRs Craphonso Thorpe, P.K. Sam and Dominic Robinson must show they are first-stringers, and FSU is counting on a rebuilt offensive line. A daunting non-conference schedule won't be forgiving.
Virginia
COACH: Al Groh (14-12, third year; 40-52 overall).
2002 RECORD: 9-5, 6-2 (tied for second). Beat West Virginia 48-22 in the Continental Tire Bowl.
NOTES: Despite relying heavily on freshmen, the Cavaliers, picked to finish eighth in the league, won nine of their last 11. LB Darryl Blackstock (107 tackles, 10 sacks, defensive freshman of the year by Collegefootballnews.com), DE Brennan Schmidt (87 tackles) and S Willie Davis (started last four games) should be even better as sophomores. Sophomores on the offensive line - LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LG Brian Barthelmes and TE Heath Miller - also should be stronger, which is good news for senior QB Matt Schaub, one of the nation's most improved players (school-record 2,976 yards, 28 TDs). The Cavs close the year with four of their last six at home.
North Carolina State
COACH: Chuck Amato (26-12, fourth year).
2002 RECORD: 11-3, 5-3 (fourth). Beat Notre Dame 28-6 in the Gator Bowl.
NOTES: Amato, the longtime FSU assistant, has it going at his alma mater and expectations are higher than ever. QB Philip Rivers (3,353 yards, 20 TDs) is on the verge of becoming the league's all-time passing leader. Jerricho Cotchery (67 catches, 1,192 yards, 7 TDs) is a big-play WR, while TB T.A. McLendon (1,101 yards, an ACC-high 18 TDs), the league rookie of the year, balances the offense. But the Wolfpack's resurgence under Amato has more to do with what he has done defensively. He has recruited speed, an homage to FSU's winning formula. S Andre Maddox (122 tackles) and LB Pat Thomas (103 tackles) lead the way. A trip to Ohio State on Sept. 13 could be pivotal.
Maryland
COACH: Ralph Friedgen (21-5, third year).
2002 RECORD: 11-3, 6-2 (tied for second). Beat Tennessee 30-3 in the Peach Bowl.
NOTES: The Terrapins won 10 of their last 11, including the statement-making game against Tennessee. Why? QB Scott McBrien grew more comfortable in the offense and blossomed (2,497 yards, 15 TDs). TB Bruce Perry, the ACC's offensive player of the year in 2001, looks to be back after struggling much of last season with a torn groin. Although the ACC's defensive player of the year, LB E.J. Henderson, is gone, nine other starters, including DE Randy Starks (93 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 17 QB hurries), are back from a group that led the ACC in scoring defense (16.3 ppg). The problem? They play both FSU and N.C. State on the road.
Clemson
COACH: Tommy Bowden (29-20, fifth year; 47-24 overall).
2002 RECORD: 7-6, 4-4 (tied for fifth). Lost to Texas Tech 55-15 in the Tangerine Bowl.
NOTES: Bowden understands the pressure that comes from passion in a town of 12,000 that swells to 85,000 on game days. Fans demand more than middling records and middle-tier bowls. If the Tigers are to improve, they need the offense to make a quantum leap from 71st nationally. QB Charlie Whitehurst (1,554 yards, 10 TDs) took over late last season and showed promise. He has a fine set of receivers in Kevin Youngblood (59 catches, 591 yards, 2 TDs) and Derrick Hamilton (52 catches, 602 yards, 2 TDs), but needs someone to emerge at RB. Dazzling CB Justin Miller (a league-best eight INTs) leads the defense and figures to be incorporated into the offense at times, too.
North Carolina
COACH: John Bunting (11-14, third year; 49-28-2 overall).
2002 RECORD: 3-9, 1-7 (eighth).
NOTES: Statistically, the Tar Heels were dismal on both sides of the ball last season: 108th in scoring offense (18.6 ppg) and 102nd in scoring defense (35.1 ppg). They've got to be better because they can't be worse. QB Darian Durant missed four games with a thumb injury, but when healthy is a multiple threat (he led the ACC in total offense, averaging 285.5 yards). Former Bradenton Southeast star WR Jarwarski Pollock could break out after a solid season (31 catches, 464 yards, 4 TDs). S Dexter Reid did it all last year, leading the league in tackles (166). But then, that's not a good sign when a DB is forced to make that many stops. He better get help sooner or else.
Wake Forest
COACH: Jim Grobe (13-11, third year; 46-44-1, overall).
2002 RECORD: 7-6, 3-5 (seventh). Beat Oregon 38-17 in the Seattle Bowl.
NOTES: Under Grobe, the Demon Deacons use misdirection, motion and aggressive low blocking techniques to run the ball. They led the ACC and were seventh nationally (241.2 yards) last season. The scheme will be put to the test this season. The Deacons return just three starters (all linemen) and officials will be looking at a new blocking-below-the-waist rule. But TB Chris Barclay did thrive as a backup (703 yards, 9 TDs). Linebackers Brad White (a team-high 94 tackles) and Kellen Brantley (61 tackles) anchor a defense, but the team must replace all three DL starters, including All-America end Calvin Pace.
Georgia Tech
COACH: Chan Gailey (7-6, second year; 31-17 overall).
2002 RECORD: 7-6, 4-4 (tied for fifth). Lost to Fresno State 30-21 in the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
NOTES: The Yellow Jackets lost 10 players to academics, including star TB Tony Hollings. That means Gailey will have to rely heavily on newcomers such as RB Rashaun Grant (Tampa Jefferson) and depth will be an issue. On the bright side, the defense should be solid up front, especially with the return of DE Greg Gathers, who missed most of last season with a kidney disorder. He's the school's all-time sack leader (31) and is nine behind ACC leader Chris Slade of Virginia. Gailey, the former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator and Dallas Cowboys head coach, must have consistent play at QB, something neither A.J. Suggs nor Damarius Bilbo could do last year.
Duke
COACH: Carl Franks (5-40, fifth year).
2002 RECORD: 2-10, 0-8 (ninth).
NOTES: You have to go back to Nov. 13, 1999, to find the Blue Devils' last ACC win (Wake Forest for you trivia buffs). They since have lost 25 straight. Oh, they came close to busting through last season against Virginia, N.C. State, Clemson and UNC (all by five or fewer points), but until they do, the success in the Steve Spurrier days seems longer and longer ago. The good news for Franks, a former Spurrier assistant at Florida, is the return of all 11 offensive starters, including senior RB Alex Wade (979 yards, 4 TDs), and nine defensive starters, led by senior linebacker Ryan Fowler (a team-high 138 tackles). Experience, good and largely bad, has got to count for something. Maybe even an ACC win or two.
