http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/80502/accs-most-intriguing-nos-1-5
Friday, February 27, 2015
ACC's most intriguing Nos. 1-5
By David M. Hale
We're still 26 long weeks away from the start of the 2015 season, but there promises to be plenty of twists and turns for ACC teams before the action kicks off. While some of the drama will come as a surprise, there are a number of key figures around the ACC that are already big stories. With that in mind, we're counting down the 25 most intriguing figures in the conference this offseason -- from players to coaches to administrators -- and digging into the impact they might make on how 2015 unfolds once the games finally begin. Last up, Nos. 1 through 5.
1. Jimbo Fisher
Jimbo Fisher
The loss of numerous impact players on offense will likely test Florida State's Jimbo Fisher in 2015.
Role: Head coach, Florida State
Intrigue: Fisher won a national title in 2013 and took FSU to the College Football Playoff last year, but now he'll be presiding over an offense without Jameis Winston. Finding his next quarterback will be job No. 1, and it also figures to be the most discussed storyline of the spring. Winston set a standard that no one is likely to match, but J.J. Cosentino and Sean Maguire will do battle to get a chance to try. Adding more pressure to the decision, Fisher will also need to find four new starters on the O-line and replace the most prolific receiver and tight end in program history.
Possible impact: There's no such thing as rebuilding in Tallahassee. The expectation is for Florida State to reload. But is that realistic this year? The defense was already a concern, and four underclassmen have left for the NFL draft. Meanwhile, the offense won't be there to cover up many mistakes this time around, and Fisher's ability to develop his inexperienced QBs and find the right man for the job will likely be the biggest differentiator between a fourth straight ACC title for Florida State or making that 29-game winning streak a distant memory.
2. Deshaun Watson
Role: Quarterback, Clemson
Intrigue: There are no more questions about how good Watson will be, how well he'll acclimate himself to the college game or what could be in store for the Tigers once he gets on the field. As a freshman in 2014, he provided resounding answers to those concerns. Now, it's a matter of whether the future star can simply stay on the field. He suffered three different injuries that cost him time last year, and he's now rehabbing an ACL tear this offseason. Add to the intrigue, Watson said goodbye to coordinator Chad Morris -- the man who recruited him to Clemson -- after Morris took the head coaching job at SMU.
Possible impact: Last year was a rebuilding season on offense for Clemson, but the Tigers identified a host of young talent, including Artavis Scott, Wayne Gallman and Mike Williams. But Watson was the key ingredient, and when he was on the field, the Tigers were difficult to slow down. The ACL injury ended his season before the bowl game, but he'll also have nine months to rehab before the 2015 season begins. If he's at 100 percent or close to it, Clemson could easily have the most dangerous offense in the ACC.
3. Al Golden
Role: Head coach, Miami
Intrigue: It's been four years at Miami for Golden, and patience is wearing thin among the fan base. The front-level talent on the roster has been solid, but depth and consistency have been hard to come by. Last year's team fell apart down the stretch, and the Canes are now just 8-11 since starting the 2013 season with seven straight wins. It may well be now or never for Golden to get Miami back into the national conversation.
Possible impact: With Brad Kaaya, Joseph Yearby and a host of talented young offensive players, Miami has weapons. But there's also a ton of talent walking out the door from last year's squad that finished 6-7. If all the chips fall into place, Miami has a shot to win its first ACC Coastal title and take the heat off its head coach, but it certainly seems like the Canes might have been better positioned to do that in each of the past two seasons and couldn't finish the job.
4. Gene Chizik
Role: Defensive coordinator, North Carolina
Intrigue: Just five years removed from coaching a national champion at Auburn, Chizik takes over the ACC's worst defense with a huge job ahead of him. Last year, North Carolina allowed at least 30 points in nine games and finished last in the ACC in both rushing and pass defense. Chizik has coached up his share of exceptional defenses, however, and if anyone is capable of reshaping what's been a dismal unit for the Heels, it's him.
Possible impact: Chizik will completely revamp the scheme, and the spring will be about identifying which players are best equipped for his new defense. If the scheme takes root quickly, UNC has a strong offense and more returning starters than any team in the ACC. It seems like every year, the Heels get some preseason love as a possible Coastal favorite, only to disappoint. But with Chizik in the fold, this could potentially be the year UNC finally pulls it all together.
5. Brent Venables
Role: Defensive coordinator, Clemson
Intrigue: Venables took over Clemson's D in 2012 and the unit improved every year, culminating with a No. 1 ranking nationally in total defense in 2014. But now the foundation of that rebuilding project are moving on, and Venables will be looking for replacements for departing stars like Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett and Stephone Anthony.
Possible impact: Venables knew this day would come, of course, and he's made a habit of getting his backups plenty of snaps. Shaq Lawson, .J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and others have seen plenty of action, and the secondary already promises to be sensational. If Venables can manage the transition, Clemson has an exceptional chance to be the best team in the ACC in 2015.
Friday, February 27, 2015
ACC's most intriguing Nos. 1-5
By David M. Hale
We're still 26 long weeks away from the start of the 2015 season, but there promises to be plenty of twists and turns for ACC teams before the action kicks off. While some of the drama will come as a surprise, there are a number of key figures around the ACC that are already big stories. With that in mind, we're counting down the 25 most intriguing figures in the conference this offseason -- from players to coaches to administrators -- and digging into the impact they might make on how 2015 unfolds once the games finally begin. Last up, Nos. 1 through 5.
1. Jimbo Fisher
Jimbo Fisher
The loss of numerous impact players on offense will likely test Florida State's Jimbo Fisher in 2015.
Role: Head coach, Florida State
Intrigue: Fisher won a national title in 2013 and took FSU to the College Football Playoff last year, but now he'll be presiding over an offense without Jameis Winston. Finding his next quarterback will be job No. 1, and it also figures to be the most discussed storyline of the spring. Winston set a standard that no one is likely to match, but J.J. Cosentino and Sean Maguire will do battle to get a chance to try. Adding more pressure to the decision, Fisher will also need to find four new starters on the O-line and replace the most prolific receiver and tight end in program history.
Possible impact: There's no such thing as rebuilding in Tallahassee. The expectation is for Florida State to reload. But is that realistic this year? The defense was already a concern, and four underclassmen have left for the NFL draft. Meanwhile, the offense won't be there to cover up many mistakes this time around, and Fisher's ability to develop his inexperienced QBs and find the right man for the job will likely be the biggest differentiator between a fourth straight ACC title for Florida State or making that 29-game winning streak a distant memory.
2. Deshaun Watson
Role: Quarterback, Clemson
Intrigue: There are no more questions about how good Watson will be, how well he'll acclimate himself to the college game or what could be in store for the Tigers once he gets on the field. As a freshman in 2014, he provided resounding answers to those concerns. Now, it's a matter of whether the future star can simply stay on the field. He suffered three different injuries that cost him time last year, and he's now rehabbing an ACL tear this offseason. Add to the intrigue, Watson said goodbye to coordinator Chad Morris -- the man who recruited him to Clemson -- after Morris took the head coaching job at SMU.
Possible impact: Last year was a rebuilding season on offense for Clemson, but the Tigers identified a host of young talent, including Artavis Scott, Wayne Gallman and Mike Williams. But Watson was the key ingredient, and when he was on the field, the Tigers were difficult to slow down. The ACL injury ended his season before the bowl game, but he'll also have nine months to rehab before the 2015 season begins. If he's at 100 percent or close to it, Clemson could easily have the most dangerous offense in the ACC.
3. Al Golden
Role: Head coach, Miami
Intrigue: It's been four years at Miami for Golden, and patience is wearing thin among the fan base. The front-level talent on the roster has been solid, but depth and consistency have been hard to come by. Last year's team fell apart down the stretch, and the Canes are now just 8-11 since starting the 2013 season with seven straight wins. It may well be now or never for Golden to get Miami back into the national conversation.
Possible impact: With Brad Kaaya, Joseph Yearby and a host of talented young offensive players, Miami has weapons. But there's also a ton of talent walking out the door from last year's squad that finished 6-7. If all the chips fall into place, Miami has a shot to win its first ACC Coastal title and take the heat off its head coach, but it certainly seems like the Canes might have been better positioned to do that in each of the past two seasons and couldn't finish the job.
4. Gene Chizik
Role: Defensive coordinator, North Carolina
Intrigue: Just five years removed from coaching a national champion at Auburn, Chizik takes over the ACC's worst defense with a huge job ahead of him. Last year, North Carolina allowed at least 30 points in nine games and finished last in the ACC in both rushing and pass defense. Chizik has coached up his share of exceptional defenses, however, and if anyone is capable of reshaping what's been a dismal unit for the Heels, it's him.
Possible impact: Chizik will completely revamp the scheme, and the spring will be about identifying which players are best equipped for his new defense. If the scheme takes root quickly, UNC has a strong offense and more returning starters than any team in the ACC. It seems like every year, the Heels get some preseason love as a possible Coastal favorite, only to disappoint. But with Chizik in the fold, this could potentially be the year UNC finally pulls it all together.
5. Brent Venables
Role: Defensive coordinator, Clemson
Intrigue: Venables took over Clemson's D in 2012 and the unit improved every year, culminating with a No. 1 ranking nationally in total defense in 2014. But now the foundation of that rebuilding project are moving on, and Venables will be looking for replacements for departing stars like Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett and Stephone Anthony.
Possible impact: Venables knew this day would come, of course, and he's made a habit of getting his backups plenty of snaps. Shaq Lawson, .J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and others have seen plenty of action, and the secondary already promises to be sensational. If Venables can manage the transition, Clemson has an exceptional chance to be the best team in the ACC in 2015.
