ACC Coastal Appears To Be Three-Team Race Between Miami, Virginia Tech And UNC

While the ACC’s Atlantic Division figures to be a walk in the park for the Clemson Tigers, the ACC Coastal Division should give us a race. The Miami Hurricanes, Virginia Tech Hokies and North Carolina Tar Heels are all about the same in terms of quality, but the question is which team can put it all together? Let’s take a closer look at this division race.

MIAMI HURRICANES

ODDS TO WIN ACC COASTAL: +200

The Hurricanes have a new quarterback – D’Eriq King, a transfer from Houston – and a new offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee, who replaces Dan Enos. These two improvements are why Miami is seen as the favorite in some odds lists pertaining to the ACC Central. Miami also has Gregory Rousseau and transfer Quincy Roche to fortify its defensive line. The Hurricanes have several reasons to recommend them as ACC Coastal champions.

The problem for Miami is its offensive line, a persistent problem over the past several years. If the Hurricanes can fix their offensive line, it could all come together for them, but if they don’t, they might not finish any better than fourth place in the division. That is the big key for the Hurricanes this year.

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

ODDS TO WIN ACC COASTAL: +250

The Hokies’ strengths are their veteran offensive line, their linebackers, and their secondary. Their weaknesses are their skill-position players and their defensive line. Quarterback Hendon Hooker improved throughout the 2019 season, and he should be a reasonably good leader for the Virginia Tech offense. However, there is a difference between reasonably good and noticeably great. It might require Hooker to be great (or close to it) for Virginia Tech to win the division title. Nevertheless, Virginia Tech should be one of the top two teams in the ACC Coastal by season’s end.

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

ODDS TO WIN ACC COASTAL: +250

The other team likely to join Virginia Tech in the top two of the ACC Coastal is North Carolina, which is seen in many eyes as the true favorite, even though Miami is currently placed higher. The Tar Heels have Sam Howell, who is probably the most talented quarterback in the ACC Coastal. They have four wide receivers who are back from last year’s team. They have the best offense in the division plus elite linebacker Chazz Surratt. They improved a lot last year from 2018, and could take the next step this year. North Carolina might not play great defense, but it will outscore a lot of teams.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

ODDS TO WIN ACC COASTAL: +1000

The Cavaliers lost quarterback Bryce Perkins and defensive back Bryce Hall, the two cornerstones of their 2019 ACC Coastal championship team. Perkins made plays as a scrambler and was hard for opposing defenses to contain. Hall was the anchor of a defense which had a nose for the ball. Virginia’s defense is still expected to be solid, but replacing Perkins will be a tough task. Virginia will have to get better than expected QB play to make a run at the division title.

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

ODDS TO WIN ACC COASTAL: +1000

The Panthers have two outstanding defensive linemen, Jaylen Twyman and Patrick Jones. They also have two excellent safeties in their secondary: Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin. Their defense is strong. Their offense is a question mark. Getting production from the running backs and receivers will be their primary challenge in a division they are unlikely to win.

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