College Football Predictions Virginia Cavaliers ACC Preview 2008: Coming off a disappointing 28-31 loss to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl, head coach Al Groh (51-37 at Virginia, 77-77 overall), will try to put things into perspective this upcoming 2008 season. At SportsBook.com the Virginia Cavaliers’ betting odds to win the BCS National Championship game in 2009 are dim: 100 - 1.

Besides surrendering the lead and loosing to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl, the other blemish in the Cavaliers’ 2007 season was even more catastrophic. With a trip to the ACC Championship game on the line, Virginia lost to their rivals, the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The key for the Cavaliers’ offensive success will be the health and play of RB Cedric Peerman. Last season he was sidelined due to injury, but when he was healthy he was a rushing machine, as he averaged just fewer than 100 rushing yards per game.

Other weapons in the Cavaliers’ offensive arsenal include: TE John Phillips, WRs Kevin Ogletree and Mikell Simpson. The Virginia Cavaliers’ betting odds to win the ACC in 2008 are 50 - 1.

The defensive side of the ball will indeed be the Achilles heel for Virginia in ’08, specifically at the D-line. Defensive coordinator, Bob Pruett, will have to find a way to make up for 21 sacks, which are now gone with the departures of (DEs) Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald. This upcoming season, the defensive line duties will be handled by: Sean Gottschalk, Eugene Monroe, and Will Barker.

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Boston College Eagles ACC Preview 2008 College Football Predictions: Last season, first year Boston College's head coach, Jeff Jagodzinski (11-3), walked into a great situation, and did the job. According to expert Odds-makers at BetUS.com, the Boston College Eagles don’t stand much of a chance to win the BCS National Championship game in 2009 with their ML betting odds of +12,500.

In his first-ever college football coaching gig, Jagodzinski delivered the goods by going 11-3 and 6-2 against ACC teams, and thus, earning a trip to the ACC Championship game. However, this upcoming season, with so many excellent players gone, life might become a bit tougher at Chestnut Hill.

In contrast to last year, BC’s strength this upcoming season will certainly be on the defensive end, specifically the front 7.

The main returning leaders from last season are: (LB) Mark Herzlich’s 97 tackles, (LB) Kevin Akins’ 2 INT, (DE) Alex Albright’s 8½ sacks, and (S) Paul Anderson’s 2 INT. Not to mention the return of another quality LB, Brian Toal, who was forced to be a spectator last season due to injury.

BC’s weakness will be on the opposite side of the ball. It is impossible to replace a QB like Matt Ryan –who was drafted as the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, by the Atlanta falcons– but Senior Chris Cane will give it a shot.

Another question mark for BC this season will also be on offense, specifically in the backfield. Freshman RB Josh Haden is a huge question mark at that position. At only 5’ 8” and 190 lbs, he is hoping the aerial attack works to perfection in 2008. Simply because, if the QBs struggle and/or are ineffective, there will surely be a lot of pressure weighing down on Haden’s shoulders to move the sticks.

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Maryland Terrapins ACC Preview 2008 College Football Predictions: Maryland’s head coach, Ralph Friedgen (56-31), who had been also playing the part of offensive coordinator will hand those duties over to ex-Kansas State OC, James Franklin. The Maryland Terrapins’ betting odds to win the ACC in 2008 are +1400, according to BetUS.com.

Franklin will immediately have to decide which QB is best fit to run his offensive attack. The QB position right now is up for grabs between these three guys: Jordan Steffy, Chris Turner, and (transfer) Josh Portis.

Who ever it is that the coaching staff decides will run the offense, one thing is certain, he will have quality weapons to throw to.

Maryland’s receiving core is arguably the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With Wide Receivers such as: Darrius Heyward-Bay, Isaiah Williams, LaQuan Williams, and Danny Oquendo.

Yet another positive aspect of the 2008 Maryland offensive team is the Offensive line. Last season, the O-line was pretty much a disappointment due to numerous injuries. This season, however, those same players return healthy and more experienced.

The weakest link in this Maryland Terrapin’s team is on defense. By loosing defensive-linemen Carlos Feliciano and Dre Moore, along with LB Erin Henderson, defensive coordinator, Chris Cosh, has some holes. Cosh is apparently making some shifts in the line by sliding DE Jeremy Navarre towards the middle of the line, to fill in the void left by Carlos Feliciano. 

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College Football Predictions Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ACC Preview 2008: Last season the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets finished with a 7-6 (4-4) record, including a 28-40 loss to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl. At BetUS.com the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ betting odds to win the BCS National Championship game are +10000.

After leaving Navy, (first year) head coach, Paul Johnson (107-39 overall) will try his luck in the ACC with sort of a diminished, unproven team. Nevertheless, there are some bright spots for Georgia Tech fans, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

This upcoming season, Georgia Tech will have some holes to fill in the offense: QB Taylor Bennett, RB Tashard Choice, FB Mike Cox, and WR James Johnson.

However, the key to Georgia Tech last season was their first ranked (sacks) defense. At BetUS.com the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ betting odds to win the ACC in 2008 are +1200.

Even though most of the players that made the Yellow Jackets’ “D” great are gone, two key pieces remain intact for next season: DTs Vance Walker and Darryl Richard; together they combines for 13 sacks (Walker: 8.5 and Richard: 4.5).

A big question mark for Georgia Tech this season will be at the QB position. The two guys fighting for the starting QB job are Josh Nesbitt and Calvin Booker. It appears as though for the first few games, Josh Nesbitt, will be the starting QB after beating Booker for the job during the spring.

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