Syracuse’s opening night clash with Colgate is just three weeks away and getting closer by the day. Last week, the preseason ACC poll came out, in which the Orange were picked to finish 10th out of 14 teams. Here’s what Team Fizz has to say about the upcoming ACC football slate.
ACC CHAMPION
Florida State- 3 votes
Adam: “It’s as simple as this. A 6th year quarterback against a true sophomore. Jordan Travis is one of the best players in the country and a heisman front runner. He has what it takes to lead FSU to the college football playoff and beyond. Cade Klubnik was good last year in the small amount of time he saw. But with a new offensive coordinator there’s just too much risk in picking the tigers.”
Clemson- 2 votes
ACC CELLAR DWELLAR
Virginia- 3 votes
Virginia Tech- 1 vote
Boston College- 1 vote
Francesco: “BC had one playmaker last year in Zay Flowers, and he’s now a Baltimore Raven. Their offensive line has seemed to always have some talent on it in recent years, but, looking up and down the roster, there’s not much talent to be found. It will be a race to the bottom between BC, Georgia Tech, Virginia and Virginia Tech.”
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Georgia Tech- 2 votes
Liam: “In a year where the depth from top-to-bottom in the ACC is among the best its ever been, there aren’t many bad answers here. I’m rolling with the Yellow Jackets because they put on a very respectable performance in Brent Key’s first eight games at the end of last season- a pair of road ranked wins over Pitt and North Carolina as well as a victory over Duke, the team many considered to be the best in the Atlantic. Additionally, with the exception of November clashes with Clemson and Georgia, GT’s schedule doesn’t give off terrible difficulty. Key preached growth and continuing last season’s momentum at the ACC Kickoff a few weeks ago- we’ll see a little more of that from the Yellow Jackets in 2023.”
Boston College- 1 vote
Ethan: “Despite losing Zay Flowers, who went 22nd overall on April’s NFL Draft to the Baltimore Ravens, Boston College should have a strong season in Jeff Hafley’s 4th season as head coach. With his two first full recruiting classes now fully entrenched in the program, Hafley has the players he wants to be playing for the Eagles, and a presumptive starting quarterback in Emmett Morehead after the departure of Phil Jurkovec. BC has disappointed in recent years but should be a frisky team in 2023, keep your eye on the Eagles.”
NC State- 1 vote
Louisville- 1 vote
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
North Carolina- 2 votes
Tyler: “The Tar Heels have something special on their hands with quarterback Drake Maye. He’s got a great arm and the ability to run, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have a Heisman-caliber season. However, Maye still has his work cut out for him. UNC’s top two receivers last year in terms of receiving yards, Josh Downs and Antoine Green, have departed for the NFL.
The defense has many more issues to deal with. North Carolina is coming off a season in which it had the worst ranked defense in the ACC in points allowed, yards allowed, and sacks. If the Tar Heels give up more than 30 points per game again, then don’t be surprised if they disappoint this year.”
Miami- 2 votes
NC State- 1 vote
WHERE SYRACUSE FINISHES IN THE ACC
8th- 2 votes
9th- 1 vote
10th- 1 vote
11th- 1 vote
This is the first of a few “Polling the Fizz” pieces we’ll have for you over the next couple weeks. Stay tuned next week for when we talk offensive superlatives.
