For the last few years the NCAA Football Championship has practically been a mirror of the America’s Cup Yachting Race. There is a defender series (SEC) and a challenger series (everyone else). While there have been some significant changes to College Football over the last season, nothing shifted seismically enough to alter the thought that once again a team from the SEC will be crowned the Mythical National Champion in early January 2013.

A couple of teams changed conferences – West Virgina to the Big XII along with TCU; Missouri and Texas A&M to the SEC; Fresno St, Nevada, and Hawai’i to the Mountain West; four teams joined the ranks of the FBS and more teams will be on the move next season.

While anything can happen on any given day, for the most part the college football world will follow the script for most of the year. An upset here or there, then one weekend where nearly everyone is in trouble, followed up by teams winning out and finding some arbitrary computer poll to say that they are deserving of trip to the Mythical National Title Game. While in a few years we will have a ‘playoff system’ in place it will consist of only four teams. While it is not the perfect system, it is better than what is present and what has been in the past.

With that over the next couple of days the silent crackpot (not the prolific history blogger) will post thoughts and predictions for the upcoming football season.

ACC

North Carolina is ineligible for post season play this year. The ACC has some quality teams that either have something to prove or want to erase the endings of last season from everyone’s collective memories.

Atlantic Division – predicted order of finish

Florida State – This is Jimbo Fishers third year at the helm of the program. Last year was a bit of unmet expectations, with the amount of starters returning this should be the Seminoles year to contend.

Clemson Tigers – The Tigers want to erase the memories of the Orange Bowl loss to West Virginia where the whole team collectively found the ditch in the 70-33 dismantling. Clemson’s offense will move the ball and will score.  New DC Brent Venables was hired to get the defense on the same page as the offense.

Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons started strong last year, muddled late in the season and lost their bowl game. Wake has a lot of spots to fill quickly, but this team could be dangerous if the team gels quickly.

North Carolina State – The Wolfpack have bought into coach Tom O’Brien’s enthusiasm, but this team will succeed or fail based on the offensive line play. Four starters return to that unit.

Boston College – The Eagles face a make or break season, without defensive pressure and a consistent offense the Eagles will most likely be broken.

Maryland – The Terrapins brought in a good recruiting class and that may be the highlight of the season. With QB
C.J. Brown lost for the season to injury, Maryland will start a freshman.

Coastal Division – predicted order of finish

Virginia Tech – Losing the last two games of the season, ACC Title Game and Sugar Bowl, the Hokies do not want to revisit the ending of last season. The opening showdown with Georgia Tech will set the tone for both squads.

Georgia Tech – Jekyll and Hyde last season opening 6-0 finishing 2-5. Consistency will be the key for the Jackets.

North Carolina Tar Heels – Still smarting from NCAA punishment coach Larry Fedora will have a bit of a tough road ahead. Since going to a bowl game is unattainable the Heels coaches may struggle with keeping the players focused, especially if things go downhill quickly.

Virginia – While being respectable over the last few seasons the Cavaliers will more than likely struggle on the defensive side of the ball. The offense will keep them in games, but the defense may wear down just too quickly.

Miami – The Hurricanes lost a lot of players from this past season. One benefit is that Miami does not have a tremendously difficult schedule.

Duke – The Blue Devils continue to improve slowly and surely. Each game Duke seems to improve on some aspect of its game. If the Devils execute flawlessly they can stay in games, but in general the talent disparity is too much to overcome.

FSU vs VA Tech title game

VA Tech – ACC Champion