The ACC has heard all of the criticisms about its reputation as a "football league":

• No team from the ACC has won a BCS bowl since the 1999 season when Florida State beat Virginia Tech for the national championship.

• In 10 years the ACC has never sent an at-large team to a BCS Bowl.

But the ACC must be doing something right. The league had the first skill player taken in the NFL Draft when Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan went to the Falcons at No. 3. It had the first defensive player taken in the draft for the third consecutive year when Virginia's Chris Long went to St. Louis at No. 2.

The ACC had more first-round draft picks (seven) than any other conference on Saturday.

"Maybe we haven't had that one dominant team but what we see as coaches is an incredible balance in this league," said Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. "And it's going to be that way again this season."

Spring practice has ended in the ACC and questions abound about the 2008 season:

• Can Clemson win its first ACC championship since 1991?

• Is Florida State on its way back or will it struggle again?

• Can new Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson make his offense work in a BCS conference?

• Will the hiring of David Cutcliffe make any difference at Duke?

Those questions will not be answered until this fall. Until then, here's what we learned and what we still don't know about each team in the ACC.

• ACC ATLANTIC

• BOSTON COLLEGE

What we learned: Chris Crane seems likely to replace Ryan. Crane, a senior, threw four passes last season. Crane will be pushed, however, by redshirt freshman Dominique Davis. ... Brian Toal is back at linebacker. Toal, who has 24 starts, sat out last season because of a shoulder injury.

What we still don't know: Who's going to run the ball? The top two rushers in 2007, Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth, are gone. But Josh Haden (5-8, 190), who graduated from high school in December and enrolled in January, may be the starter as a true freshman. ... The offensive line remains iffy with three sophomores. ... The defensive line took a hit when end Brady Smith, who had 20 starts, was kicked off the team after being charged with rape.

First game: August 30 vs. Kent State (in Cleveland).

• CLEMSON

What we learned: The Tigers will make plays. Quarterback Cullen Harper (Alpharetta), running backs James Davis (Atlanta) and C.J. Spiller, plus receiver Aaron Kelly (Marietta) are as good a group of skill players as any in the country. ...Clemson lost a pair of playmaking linebackers in Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie, but there are two very talented redshirt freshmen coming in. Brandon Maye and Stanley Hunter showed in the spring that they are ready to play.

What we still don't know: It's great to have all this talent on offense but what if the line can't block? Only one starter, center Thomas Austin, returns. There is some young talent like Mason Cloy and William Norris at guard but nothing is settled.

First game: August 30 vs. Alabama at the Georgia Dome (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN).

• FLORIDA STATE

What we learned: Florida State finally found some playmakers. Wide receivers Bert Reed and Taiwan Easterling were impressive. ... With starting QB Drew Weatherford sitting out, backups Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson (Leesburgh) both made the case for playing time. Both are athletic and can make plays when the protection breaks down. This is important because ...

What we still don't know: The offensive line is a question mark. Rodney Hudson moved from left guard to left tackle. Florida State had only eight offensive linemen during the spring. OC Jimbo Fisher said if the Seminoles had to play tomorrow, there would be four freshmen on the No. 2 offensive line. ... There is also a lot of uncertainty about WR Preston Parker, who caught 62 passes last year, but was recently arrested on gun charges. Who makes up for those catches if he doesn't return?

First game: Sept. 6 vs. Western Carolina.

• MARYLAND

What we learned: After Maryland lost five of its last seven games to finish 6-7, head coach Ralph Friedgen decided to make some changes. He hired three new coaches and fired himself as the offensive coordinator. Enter new offensive coordinator James Franklin, who came from Kansas State. Franklin, a former wide receivers coach under Friedgen, spent the spring installing portions of the West Coast offense. Friedgen hopes this change will free him up during the week and make the offense less predictable.

What we still don't know: Who will start at quarterback? Friedgen said if the Terps had to play today Chris Turner, who started eight games last season, would have the edge over Jordan Steffy, who started the first five games before getting injured. Florida transfer Josh Portis is still in the mix. ... Friedgen said he is still concerned about the secondary, where three starters have to be replaced. ...There is also concern at running back, where Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball are gone. Both Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green looked good in the spring, Friedgen said.

First game: Aug. 30 vs. Delaware.

• N.C. STATE

What we learned: The Wolfpack spent the spring working on a number of things but none was more important than correcting their turnover problems. N.C. State turned over the ball 32 times last season and forced 16 turnovers. That minus-16 put the Wolfpack 116th out of 119 Division I-A schools. ...Coach Tom O'Brien said that no one distinguished themselves at quarterback this spring. That means that true freshman Mike Glennon will get a look when he arrives this summer.

What we still don't know: Who is going to fill all those holes on defense? The Wolfpack lost seven starters but that's not all bad because last season N.C. State was 11th in the league in total defense (393.9 ypg) and 11th in scoring defense (28.2 ppg). "We are much better this spring even with the losses," O'Brien said.

First game: Aug. 28 at South Carolina (8 p.m., ESPN)

• WAKE FOREST

What we learned: Coach Jim Grobe spent the spring rebuilding his offensive line but he likes what he sees. There will be four new starters but this group is leaner and more versatile and will allow the Deacons to put a few more wrinkles into the offense. ... Grobe's redshirt program continues to pay off. The Deacons have won 20 games in the past two seasons but this team has superior depth than the other two. ... DE Matt Robinson (Cedartown) will be in his sixth season at Wake Forest due to injuries. Robinson will turn 24 before the 2008 season begins.

What we still don't know: The Deacons finished spring practice still looking to replace playmakers and receivers Kenny Moore and Kevin Morton. D.J. Boldin, the brother of former Florida State star Anquan Boldin, could be one of the guys. ... One of Grobe's biggest concerns is replacing long snapper Nick Jarvis, who held that position for four seasons and earned a spot in a couple of all-star games. He was that good.

First game: Aug. 30 at Baylor.

• ACC COASTAL

• DUKE

What we learned: One of the first things Cutcliffe did was put his offensive linemen on a diet. "Our guys up front have go to be quicker to work at the pace we want to work at," Cutcliffe said. ... Looking for a spark on offense, Cutcliffe moved defensive back Tony Jackson to running back right before the spring game. Jackson had a 75-yard touchdown run in the spring scrimmage. ... The spring was also spent teaching Cutcliffe's offense to quarterbacks Thaddeus Lewis and Zack Asack. Lewis is the returning starter while Asack was the starter in 2005. Incoming freshman Sean Renfree will get a look when he arrives this summer. ... WR Eron Riley will be the big playmaker in the passing game.

What we still don't know: Cutcliffe is concerned about his special teams. "Our kicking game has been atrocious here and there is a reason for that," Cutcliffe said. "We don't have a punter, a placekicker, or a snapper. We're one of those teams that if we don't get a kicking game it will be difficult." Duke made only 3 of 11 field goal attempts last season and was 11th in net punting.

First game: Aug. 30 vs. James Madison.

• GEORGIA TECH

What we learned: Georgia Tech has a bunch of guys on the defensive line who can run . The concerns are at linebacker and in the secondary where as many as six freshmen and sophomores may have to play. ... Coaching transitions are rarely easy, but Johnson believes this spring has gone well. "The players are now becoming more comfortable with the coaches," Johnson said. "We now have a base that we can build on."... Replacing punter Durant Brooks and placekicker Travis Bell is not going to be easy.

What we still don't know: Will quarterback Josh Nesbitt be ready for the opener? "Josh has a lot of ability," Johnson said. "I think he has a chance to be the starting quarterback. It would be premature to say he is in the lead right now."... Will Jonathon Dwyer step up and be a running back in Johnson's offense? Dwyer gets his shot now that Tashard Choice is gone.

First game: Aug. 28 vs. Jacksonville State.

• MIAMI

What we learned: Eight members of Miami's recruiting class enrolled in school early and were able to take part in spring practice. "I think those guys will be able to contribute right away," coach Randy Shannon said at the end of spring practice. "They aren't true freshmen any more."... Redshirt freshman Robert Marve looks like the starting quarterback with a pair of true freshmen (Cannon Smith, Jacory Harris) behind him. ... Shannon praised the play of sophomore DE Allen Bailey, who could weigh as much as 300 pounds in the fall. ... The Hurricanes also found a couple of good linebackers in freshmen Sean Spence and Arthur Brown.

What we still don't know: Miami is still looking for a wide receiver who can make big plays. Freshman Aldarius Johnson may be the guy but all of the receivers struggled in the spring game. ... Can RB Jarvarris James bounce back? James ran for 802 yards as a freshman in 2006 but struggled last season after an early neck injury and a late ankle injury slowed him down. ...What impact will new defensive coordinator Bill Young make? Young came from Kansas to rebuild the Miami defense, which finished 10th in the ACC, giving up 26 points per game.

First game: August 28 vs. Charleston Southern.

• NORTH CAROLINA

What we learned: Starting quarterback T.J. Yates of Marietta did not take part in spring drills because he was recovering from shoulder surgery. Yates was finally cleared the throw in early April. ... The spring was spent rebuilding the offensive line in hopes of improving the Tar Heels' anemic running game. The school that has produced 24 running backs that have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season was 10th in the ACC (and 107th nationally) in rushing offense (99.2 ypg) last season. The good news is that sophomore running back Greg Little, a former wide receiver, showed in the spring that he can be a star in this league.

What we still don't know: The Tar Heels are still looking for a replacement for Hilee Taylor at defensive end. Taylor had 16 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last season. North Carolina needs to find a player at that position who can make big plays. ... The Tar Heels are not close to having what they need a linebacker. Former H-back Ryan Taylor was moved to that position in an effort to build some depth.

First game: Aug. 30 vs. McNeese State.

• VIRGINIA

What we learned: The Cavaliers lost six starters on defense, including a great pair of ends in Chris Long, the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, and Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who ran into academic problems. Still, the Cavaliers came out of spring practice thinking they have enough veterans to field a good defense. Three of four starting linebackers return led by OLB Clint Sintim. ...Virginia came out of spring ball looking very solid at running back with Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson. ... The wide receivers, which were already pretty good, will only be helped by the return of Kevin Ogletree, who was set to have a breakout season before a torn ACL caused him to miss all of 2007.

What we still don't know: The rest of the offense, however, is very much up in the air. Virginia used three quarterbacks in the spring — Peter Lalich (sophomore), Marc Verica (sophomore), and Scott Deke (fifth year senior). None stood out. The Cavaliers will clearly miss the athleticism of Jameel Sewell, who had started 22 career games when he was declared academically ineligible in January. ... Virginia must replace three starters on the offensive line.

First game: Aug. 30 vs. USC.

• VIRGINIA TECH

What we learned: The Hokies lost seven starters off the ACC's best defense (296.9 ypg) and among those losses were linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi. Defensive end Jason Worilds, a redshirt sophomore, was impressive throughout the spring and is destined to be a star. DT Cordarrow Thompson has lost 30 pounds also looks like a big-time player. ... Ike Whitaker has moved from quarterback to wide receiver and could be a playmaker at that position.

What we still don't know: It was not a good spring for running backs at Virginia Tech. Starter Brandon Ore was kicked off the team. Backup Kenny Lewis had shoulder surgery and will be out for at least four months. Jahre Cheesman suffered a broken leg. True freshman Ryan Williams, who arrives this summer, will get a long look in preseason practice. ... The Hokies aren't quite sure what they will do at quarterback. Sean Glennon looks like the starter after a strong finish in 2007 but sophomore Tyrod Taylor is too talented not to play.

First game: Aug. 30 vs. East Carolina in Charlotte.

TONY BARNHART PROJECTS THE ACC, 2008

ACC ATLANTIC

Team Last season Comment

Clemson 9-4 Best set of skill players in ACC; can Tigers finally close the deal?

Florida State 7-6 Seminoles get better but still a year away from contending

Wake Forest 9-4 Deacons, who have won 20 games the past two seasons, continue to be a tough out

Boston College 11-3 Life without Matt Ryan will be quite an adjustment for Eagles

Maryland 6-7 Ralph Friedgen gives up play calling; Terps still have a lot of questions

N.C. State 5-7 Wolfpack could finish higher if frosh QB Mike Glennon can play early

ACC COASTAL

Team Last season Comment

Virginia Tech 11-3 Hokies have issues at RB; some big holes to fill on defense

North Carolina 4-8 Tar Heels make big jump in second year under coach Butch Davis

Miami 5-7 Young talent on defense and QB must come through for 'Canes to get better

Virginia 9-4 Cavaliers will miss QB Jameel Sewell, who flunked out in January

Georgia Tech 7-6 If Josh Nesbitt comes through at quarterback, Jackets could surprise

Duke 1-11 Blue Devils start over under new HC David Cutcliffe