Atlantic Coast Conference capsules
ATLANTIC DIVISION
CLEMSON
Coach: Tommy Bowden (44-29, seventh year).
2004 finish: 6-5 (4-4 ACC, tied sixth).
Players to watch: QB Charlie Whitehurst, who needs to bounce back from a subpar junior season in which he threw for just 7 touchdowns and had 17 interceptions; RB Reggie Merriweather, the team's leading rusher last year (670 yards, 11 TDs); CB Tye Hill and SS Jamaal Fudge, the ranking members of the secondary with 22 and 24 career starts, respectively.
Outlook: Last season ended with an embarrassing on-field brawl against rival South Carolina that resulted in the Tigers declining a bowl bid and six players facing one-game suspensions this season. The Tigers are going to need better production from Whitehurst and a revamped defense if they're going to avoid any more black eyes.
Predicted finish: Fourth.
FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Bobby Bowden (278-70-4, 30th year).
2004 finish: 9-3 (6-2, second).
Players to watch: RB Leon Washington, an All-ACC preseason first-team selection who led the Seminoles with 951 rushing yards (a 6.9-yard average) and 7 TDs; RB Lorenzo Booker, who added 887 yards and 4 TDs on the ground in 2004; LBs A.J. Nicholson and Ernie Sims, the top two returning tacklers who ran afoul of the law during the offseason.
Outlook: The winningest coach in college football history, Bowden's 30th season in Tallahassee could be one of his most challenging after his Seminoles failed to win 10 games for the third time in the last four years. A new quarterback must emerge after Wyatt Sexton was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Predicted finish: First.
MARYLAND
Coach: Ralph Friedgen (36-14, fifth year).
2004 finish: 5-6 (3-5, tied eighth).
Players to watch: LB D'Qwell Jackson, an All-ACC preseason first-team selection and one of five returning starters on a defense that finished 21st in the nation in total defense (315.3 yards per game); QB Joel Statham, 126 of 234 for 1,590 yards, 8 TDs, and 15 INTs; TE Vernon Davis, who led the Terrapins last year with 441 receiving yards and 3 TDs.
Key New Englanders: DE Jared Harrell, Milton; FS J.J. Justice, Lisbon, Conn.; LB Dave Philistin, Manchester, N.H.
Outlook: After 31 wins, an ACC championship, and three bowl berths in Friedgen's first three seasons, the Terrapins were slowed by breakdowns at quarterback, offensive line, and wide receiver. Last year's sobering season should serve as a wake-up call.
Predicted finish: Fifth.
N.C. STATE
Coach: Chuck Amato (39-23, sixth year).
2004 finish: 5-6 (3-5, tied eighth).
Players to watch: WR Tramain Hall, an All-ACC preseason first-team selection who has caught 97 passes for 1,123 yards and 10 TDs over the last two seasons; QB Jay Davis, who completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,104 yards and 12 TDs last season; LB Oliver Hoyte, who led the team with 70 tackles last season despite missing the last two games.
Outlook: With six of their front seven returning from a group that led the NCAA in total defense last year (221.3 yards per game), the
Predicted finish: Third.
WAKE FOREST
Coach: Jim Grobe (22-25, fifth year).
2004 finish: 4-7 (1-7, tied 10th).
Players to watch: QB Cory Randolph, 78 of 147 for 972 yards and 3 TDs; RB Chris Barclay, a preseason all-conference first-team selection who rushed for 1,010 yards and 9 TDs last season; P Ryan Plackemeier, another preseason first-teamer who finished eighth in the nation with a 43.9-yard average.
Key New Englanders: TE Chris Griebel, Weatogue, Conn.
Outlook: Grobe's squad again will be young, but it will be experienced after losing two overtime games and four others by a touchdown or less.
Predicted finish: Sixth.
COASTAL DIVISION
DUKE
Coach: Ted Roof (4-12, third year).
2004 finish: 2-9 (1-7, tied 10th)
Players to watch: QB Mike Schneider, ranked third in ACC completion percentage (59.3) last year while throwing for 1,527 yards and 8 TDs; TB Cedric Dargan, who led the Blue Devils in rushing last year with 462 yards on 125 carries; LB Brendan Dewan, the team's No. 3 tackler (76) last year.
Key New Englanders: QB Zack Asack, Newton; FB Tielor Robinson, Greenwich, Conn.
Outlook: The Blue Devils, who return seven starters on each side of the ball, will face an uphill battle for respectability.
Predicted finish: Sixth.
GEORGIA TECH
Coach: Chan Gailey (21-17, fourth year).
2004 finish: 7-5 (4-4, tied sixth).
Players to watch: QB Reggie Ball, whose 2,147 passing yards and 16 TDs rank as the highest totals of any returning QB in the ACC; TB P.J. Daniels, who rushed for a team-high 714 yards and 8 TDs despite missing four games; WR Calvin Johnson, the 2004 ACC Rookie of the Year who set Tech freshman records with 48 receptions, 837 yards, and 7 TDs.
Outlook: Gailey endured a difficult spring when he suffered a heart attack and underwent an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery. The 53-year-old coach could face the added stress test of relying upon a retooled offensive line to protect Ball.
Predicted finish: Fourth.
MIAMI
Coach: Larry Coker (44-6, fifth year).
2004 finish: 9-3 (5-3, tied third).
Players to watch: OT Eric Winston, a 17-game starter, returns to anchor a stalwart offensive line after missing most of last season with a knee injury; DB/WR/KR Devin Hester, an all-purpose threat who ranked sixth nationally in punt returns (17.6) and 13th in kickoffs (25.9); SS Greg Threat, an All-ACC preseason selection who led Miami in tackles (110); RB Tyrone Moss, (102 carries, 445 yards, 6 TDs); QB Kyle Wright, a 6-5 sophomore who won the starting job in the spring.
Outlook: Coker is going to need his offensive line to stay healthy to usher Wright into his first year as starting QB. Wright, though, will be surrounded by an experienced group of skilled athletes.
Predicted finish: Second.
NORTH CAROLINA
Coach: John Bunting (19-30, fifth year).
2004 finish: 6-6 (5-3, tied third).
Players to watch: QB Matt Baker, who will succeed Darian Durant after completing 44 of 80 career passes for 623 yards and 3 TDs; OG Kyle Ralph, a 17-game starter who earned All-ACC preseason first-team honors; WRs Jarwarski Pollock and Jesse Holley, who combined last season for 75 receptions and 4 TDs.
Key New Englanders: OT Brian Chacos, Darien, Conn.
Outlook: Despite eight returning defensive starters, the Tar Heels will be hard-pressed to succeed against a brutal schedule that includes eight bowl teams from 2004.
Predicted finish: Fifth.
VIRGINIA
Coach: Al Groh (30-21, fifth year).
2004 finish: 8-4 (5-3, tied third).
Players to watch: QB Marques Hagans, who completed a league-best 62.8 percent of his attempts for 2,024 yards and 9 TDs; RB Wali Lundy, 175 carries for 864 yards and an ACC-high 17 TDs; OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, an All-ACC preseason first-teamer who has made 39 career starts; LB Ahmad Brooks, another preseason first-teamer who led the team in tackles (90) a year ago.
Key New Englanders: C David Fairbrothers, White River Junction, Vt.
Outlook: Groh saw plenty of talent leave for the NFL, but he still returns enough players to challenge the upper-tier teams in the conference.
Predicted finish: Third.
VIRGINIA TECH Coach: Frank Beamer (135-77-2, 19th).
2004 finish: 10-3 (7-1, first).
Players to watch: QB Marcus Vick, younger brother of Michael who hopes to make his mark on the field after serving a year suspension for off-field problems; WR Eddie Royal, who led Hokies with 28 receptions, for 470 yards and 3 TDs, as a freshman last season; OL Will Montgomery, a 23-game starter who is one of three returning starters up front; DE Darryl Tapp, led the team last year in sacks (8 1/2); CB Jimmy Williams, an All-ACC performer who is the lone returning starter in the secondary.
Key New Englanders: FB Jesse Allen, Monson; FS Vygngley Moore, Attleboro.
Outlook: Picked to finish sixth a year ago, the Hokies surprised everyone by winning the conference in their first ACC season. Things could get a little bumpy as Vick settles into the starting QB job.
Predicted finish: First.
Compiled by Michael Vega 
