2005 Expected order of arrival

ATLANTIC

1. STATE OF FLORIDA

The Seminoles’ offensive strength is three players. Leon Washington, who gained 6.9 carries last year, and Lorenzo Booker (5.1 yards per carry) lead the offense, while Wyatt Sexton takes over as the full-time starting quarterback. US candidates Ernie Sims and AJ Nicholson can do it all at linebacker.

2. UNIVERSITY OF BOSTON

Big Eight defensive player Mathias Kiwanuka, with 11.5 sacks, guides a defense that returns to eight starters. Star cornerback Will Blackmon will play part-time wide receiver to give quarterback Quinton Porter another offensive weapon. Redshirt freshman Andre Callender and LV Whitman combined for 1,260 rushing yards last season.

3. NC STATUS

NC State’s defensive line returns to the starting four with first-team All-ACC winger Mario Williams leading the charge. The Wolfpack will have to look to running back Reggie Davis, who has just 309 career rushing yards from him to replace TA McLedon this year. The good news is that three starters are back on the offensive line.

4.CLEMSON

Charlie Whitehurst hopes to put it all together in his final season at quarterback. He performed very well in spring practice and should have a solid year with the return of running back Reggie Merriweather and wide receiver Chasi Stuckey. Vic Koenning, the new defensive coordinator, comes from Troy, where the Trojans were one of the highest scoring defenses in the nation.

5.MARYLANDS

Maryland must rely on quarterback Joel Statham’s passing attack after starting running back Josh Allen tore two knee ligaments in the final game of 2004. Josh will be out for the 2005 season. Joel will have wide receiver Derrick Fenner as its main objective. The Terrapins have a linebacker who could challenge defensive player of the year in D”Qwell Jackson, 123 tackles last season.

6. WAKE UP THE FOREST

The Demon Deacons have one of the best running backs in the conference. Senior Chris Barclay rushed for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns. He will be the center of the offense. For Defense, Wake Forest will need to replace five starters, including the two starting cornerbacks. With the right motivation, Wake Forest will finish better than their 1-7 ACC record last year.

COASTAL

1. VIRGINIA TECHNOLOGY

All eyes will be on Hookies quarterback Marcus Vick as part of the excellent returning talent. In his senior year, Marcus will look to put his off-field struggles behind him and finally live up to his potential. He will have two talented wide receivers in Eddie Royal and Josh Hyman. He will also have the best tight end in the conference, Jeff King, to help him in his search.

2.MIAMI

With nine starters returning from last year’s team that ranked 13th in the nation in points allowed, defense is the name of the game in Coral Gables. The anchor up front is defensive tackle Orien Harris while the secondary is loaded. The offense needs to play better than last season as Miami will get a new starter at quarterback in sophomore Kyle Wright.

3. GEORGIA TECH

The Yellow Jackets will look to improve on last year’s 7-5 team and could be the sleeper in the ACC title race. They expect their starting 17 to be the focal point this season. Ten defensive starters return this year and they’re led by defensive end Eric Henderson and Gerris Wilkerson. In yards allowed, last year’s defense ranked 12th in the nation. Also returning on offense are quarterback PJ Daniels and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

4. VIRGINIA

The Cavaliers return a talented artist base despite losing key players. Quarterback Marques Hagans is back after last season’s 2,024-yard passing, 394-yard rushing performance. Also returning is running back Wali Lundy, who had 17 touchdowns. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks and offensive tackle D’Brickshaw Ferguson are back and should easily earn All-ACC honors.

5. DUKE

The bad news is that Duke has only one returning starter on the offensive line. However, Cedric Dargan, who led the Blue Devils with 462 rushing yards in just seven games, could provide an offensive backup. On defense, the Blue Devils’ strength is in the secondary. John Talley and Brian Greene led a group that ranked third in the ACC in interceptions.

6. NORTH CAROLINA

Backup quarterback Matt Blake will take over and have to lead an inexperienced offense. Ronnie McGill and LSU transfer Barrington Edwards will have a chance to run the ball, but this team will struggle. Defensive end Khalif Mitchell and linebacker Larry Edwards could become defensive stars.