ACC not expected to contend in '06
Don't expect the Atlantic Coast Conference to play a role in the national-title picture this fall.
"We think very highly of the ACC, but we've got Clemson as our top team in the ACC, and 12th overall," said Mitchell Light, a senior editor at Athlon Sports.
"With their schedule, I think they can win the league, but I just can't see them navigating that schedule without a loss. If they can catch some breaks and run the table in the ACC, of course they can be in the hunt for a national title. But I just don't see that happening this year," Light said.
The league's depth top to bottom is a factor here, Light said.
"Sometimes it's good for a league to have a super super power, and then three or four other good teams. But the ACC doesn't seem to have anybody this year capable of emerging as that super super power," Light said.
Steven Lassan, a senior editor at Football.com, agrees with Light about 2006 - but he thinks the conference will be back in the title picture next year.
"Florida State is a team that can realistically start next season as a top-five team, and the young players on the team will have time to gain valuable experience by then," Lassan said.
"Additionally, Miami and Virginia Tech will always be a player for the title, and Clemson is stockpiling young players for a run as well," Lassan said.
- Chris Graham