Steve Addazio took a big first step in leading the Boston College football team back to respectability last season, but apparently those who cover the ACC are not convinced the Eagles have turned the corner.
Steve Addazio
In a poll of media members at the ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C., BC was predicted to finish sixth of seven teams in the ACC Atlantic Division.
BC went 7-6 in Addazio’s first season at BC in 2013 — rebounding from a 2-10 finish the year before — but the Eagles lost Heisman Trophy finalist Andre Williams, who led the nation with 2,177 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, and will break in a new quarterback as well.
Defending national champion Florida State, which returns 15 starters, was the runaway winner to capture another league title, grabbing 109 of 112 first-place votes to win the Atlantic and 104 votes to win the ACC championship game. Only Clemson and Virginia Tech, with two each, received votes to finish as ACC champion.
In the Atlantic, following Florida State (780 points) is Clemson, which had three first-place votes and 660 points. Then there’s league-newcomer Louisville (564 points), Syracuse (368), N.C. State (326), BC (301) and Wake Forest (136).
Voting was split in the Coastal Division. Miami leads the way with 26 first-place votes and 614 points, followed by Duke (33 first-place votes; 597 points), Virginia Tech (23 and 571), North Carolina (27 and 570), Georgia Tech (1 and 322), Pittsburgh (2 and 319) and Virginia (142).
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is expected to repeat as ACC Player of the Year, as the Florida State quarterback garnered 99 points. He’s followed by Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley (6 points), Miami running back Duke Johnson (1), Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder (1) and Virginia Tech quarterback Brenden Motley (1).