Atlantic Division Coaches Speak Out

Decided to see what meaningful things the ACC coaches in the Atlantic Division said at the ACC Kickoff meeting according to their respective school sites:

Clemson's Tommy Bowden who has managed to never win a conference or division championship talked about his team.

"A big reason we are the preseason favorite is our returning offensive skill position players. But, we have holes to fill in the offensive line - we must replace four starters, including two All-Americans. We also have three new linebackers. "I believe our players will embrace this and it will motivate them in our August practices. But it will also motivate the opposition, including our non-conference opponents. We will get everyone's best shot. "

Meanwhile, Wake Forest's head coach Jim Grobe commented on the fact that being picked to finish second in the division is an unusual thing for the Demon Deacons.

"I've been used to being picked 13th out of 12 teams before, so it's a little different to be picked as high as we've been picked. I think our players will handle it well, though."

The official FSU site doesn't have any comments from Bobby as yet but I think we can all anticipate the quotes.

Second-year Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic and will be without QB Matt Ryan. He discussed the biggest question mark facing Boston College.

"It is our offense. Our defense will be very strong. The addition of BJ (Raji) and Brian (Toal) is big. We were very good against the run last year and we will be again this year."

Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen who like Tommy Bowden seems to underperform every year talked about his players being ready for 2008.

"They better be [itching] because I'm itching. I'm ready to play. We're not fooling around. They've had a great summer, a great spring and a great winter. We just have to have a great fall now and get going. I haven't made any votes, but I expect us to be good."

Last but not least we have NC State head coach Tom O'Brien who is unaccustomed to being at the bottom. Among the many issues he discussed was how to be better on offense.

“We have to run the ball better. We can’t be second-to-last in the conference in rushing offense. We can’t have the quarterback position throw 14 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions. Those numbers have to be reversed if you are going to be a championship football program. The offensive line has to protect the quarterback.” Sound familiar?