ACC: Seminoles, Jackets meet early

By Jonathan Ganz, CNN/SI

Peter Warrick surprised many by returning for his senior year and is now a Heisman candidate.   Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport   Projected Order of Finish 1. Florida State 2. Georgia Tech 3. Virginia 4. N.C. State 5. North Carolina 6. Clemson 7. Duke 8. Maryland 9. Wake Forest

Top Storylines Bowden takes aim at title No. 2 Florida State is loaded this season with 16 starters returning, including every key skill position player on offense. The Seminoles should blow through the ACC, and, if they beat Florida on the road, end up in the national championship game yet again. This year's pretender attempting to overtake FSU is Georgia Tech, quarterbacked by Heisman trophy candidate Joe Hamilton. And questions at quarterback could keep Virginia from having its 13th straight season with at least seven wins.

Going Bowling Locks: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia, N.C. State Maybes: North Carolina, Clemson, Duke No Way: Maryland, Wake Forest

Trev's Take CNN/SI's Trev Alberts offers his team to watch "Everyone in this conference knows what Florida State and Georgia Tech can do, but Virginia is the team you really have to keep your eye on. George Welsh is a guy who always gets the best out of his players. They have some major holes to fill, losing QB Aaron Brooks and Anthony Poindexter on defense, but they've still got guys who can compete on that elite level. There's speed at the corners. Scoring, though, may be a problem."

Top Five Offensive Players Peter Warrick, WR, Sr., Florida State He delighted Seminole fans and sent ACC cornerbacks into depression when he decided to return for his senior season. In his three previous seasons, the potential Heisman frontrunner averaged 19 yards per catch and caught 24 touchdown passes. Joe Hamilton, QB, Sr., Georgia Tech With a solid senior season, this four-year starter could end up at No. 1 in practically every passing category in the Tech record books. The man he would overtake, Shawn Jones, was the last player to lead the Yellow Jackets to a national title. Thomas Jones, RB, Sr., Virginia The ACC's only 1,000-yard rusher last season, Jones also led the conference in rushing touchdowns (13), total touchdowns (15) and 100-yard games (seven). Scary thought for linebackers: He'll carry even more of the load this year. Jamie Barnette, QB, Sr., N.C. State After throwing for 3,169 yards last season, Barnette could end up as the ACC's career leader in passing yards and total offense with a good year. He's thrown for 200 or more yards in 21 of 29 starts. Travis Minor, RB, Jr., Florida State The only thing that has kept from being a superstar his first two season has been an inability to avoid injuries.

Top Five Defensive Players Corey Simon and Jerry Johnson, DT, Srs., Florida State This tandem in the middle for the Seminoles combined for 127 tackles last season, including 27 for loss. They're also both bound to be terrorizing quarterbacks in the NFL for years to come. Brandon Spoon, LB, Sr., North Carolina The Tar Heels' defensive signal caller led the team with 138 tackles last season. A pre-season All-America candidate, Spoon is one of the best-conditioned athletes in the conference. Mario Edwards, CB, Sr., Florida State Standout pass rusher (five sacks in '98) has become one of the league's best linebacker covermen. Chris Combs, DE, Sr., Duke Combs has 18 career sacks and 42.5 tackles for a loss. He leads a defense with nine returning starters. Lloyd Harrison, CB, Sr., N.C. State A Thorpe Award candidate, Harrison led the conference with seven interceptions last year. He's been overshadowed until now by former UNC star Dre Bly.

Top Special Teams Player Sebastian Janikowski, K, Jr., Florida State The Polish Powder Keg, Janikowski established FSU and ACC records for field goals in a season last year (27). With his strong left leg, the Seminoles are in scoring range when they cross midfield.

You Don't Know Him Yet, But... Dan Ellis, QB, Jr., Virginia He's played just eight games in two years, but Ellis will be the key to the Cavaliers' season. After throwing just six passes last season, this former prep All-America will assume the reins from Aaron Brooks.

Hot Coach Tommy Bowden, Clemson It's hard to be much hotter than this Bowden, who lost fewer games last season at Tulane (zero) than his father did down the road in Tallahassee. Tommy brings his innovative offense to a school that desperately needs it. But the cupboard is quite bare with no returning starters on the offensive line and questionable talent at the offensive skill positions.

Coach on the Hot Seat Jim Caldwell, Wake Forest Expectations were high last season in Winston-Salem, and Caldwell's team responded with Wake's fifth 3-8 record in the last nine seasons. Caldwell has a 17-49 record in six seasons at Wake, and the Demon Deacons have not had a winning season since 1992.

Secret Weapon Noel LaMontagne, G, Sr., Virginia The Cavaliers have rushed for over 2,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, and LaMontagne is a big reason for that production. Playing at both guard and tackle, he garnered first-team All-ACC honors last season.

Toughest Schedule Florida State The 'Noles play both of their in-state, non-conference rivals -- Miami and Florida -- the latter on the road. In the conference, they travel to Virginia and have an early home contest with pesky Georgia Tech.

Kansas State Schedule North Carolina What to do when you return just nine starters? Schedule games with Indiana, Houston and Furman. The Tar Heels could start slow and win their last six games very easily.

Mark Your Calendar Georgia Tech at Florida State, Sept. 11 The high-flying Yellow Jackets think they have a shot to beat the Seminoles this season. Georgia Tech at Virginia, Nov. 6 This game will likely determine if the ACC gets two teams into the BCS. Florida State at Florida, Nov. 20 Flat-out a war every time these two powers meet.

Make sure to check out CNN/SI's previews of all nine ACC teams on Aug. 11.