ACC Atlantic Preview: Tougher Than We Think?
by: Grayson Mann
Since the days of Deshaun Watson, The Atlantic and the ACC as a whole has been Clemson’s conference to lose. Clemson would face new challengers from Pittsburgh to NC State and fight off the last years of the Jimbo Fisher era at Florida State.
Quietly, the conference has improved drastically, taking a year where Clemson lost three games to show there is much more to the Atlantic than just the Tigers.
Let’s look at last year’s Atlantic division champs in Wake Forest. Coached by Dave Clawson, the Demon Deacons had a stellar year, backed by quarterback Sam Hartman, finishing 11-3 on their way to an ACC Championship. This year presents challenges to their quest to repeat as champions without Sam Hartman, but this roster still has some star-caliber players like A.T. Perry.
NC State is the team within this division that has talked the most this offseason. NC State, in 2021, beat the Tigers in an overtime game in Raleigh that has given this team the confidence they can do it again in 2022. Led by quarterback Devin Leary, this team has one of the best QBs in the country, which will undoubtedly lead to many wins this season. College football is closely eying the big matchup between Clemson and NC State, which could fall under the “Gameday” slot.
Two teams that I pair together are Louisville and Boston College. Both did not finish at the top of the division but gave Clemson some challenges last year. Both have excellent playmakers like Malik Cunningham for the Cardinals, and Phil Jurkovec and Zay Flowers for the Eagles. Both may not compete for the division crown but would not shock anyone if they went on a significant run this season.
The two teams I expect to finish at the bottom are Syracuse and Florida State. While they both gave Clemson a close game last year, this season for the Tigers should be different, and these teams are behind the mark as where the majority of this conference has built and established their program. Both programs can pull off a major upset that could shock the country.
This division has it all. You have championship expectations and exciting rivalries. The Atlantic has undoubtedly built up its status as a top division within college football. It is more than just one powerhouse school; a combination of many great teams. It should make Clemson’s run back to the ACC crown much sweeter.
