It has been one of the strongest years in the ACC in recent memory.
Often seen as the little brother to the mighty SEC, the league in late October boasted three top 10 teams for the first time since 2005.
Top-ranked Florida State looks capable of capturing the national championship, which would be a first for the Seminoles — and the ACC — since the 1999 season. The league has four teams with at least nine wins for the first time since 2002, and if Miami wins its bowl game would have four 10-win teams for the first time.
Saluting the season’s best in the conference:
Coach of the year: David Cutcliffe, Duke
Is there any other choice? In his sixth year in Durham, N.C., the 59-year-old Cutcliffe brought the Blue Devils to the ACC championship game, earning national respect for a program that was 21-125 in the 13 years before he took over. This was Duke’s first winning season since 1994. The Blue Devils beat two ranked teams (Miami, Virginia Tech) for the first time since 1971. They won 10 games for the first time in their history, which dates to before 1920.
Offensive MVP: Andre Williams, Boston College
The nation’s leading rusher now holds the ACC records for yards in a season (2,102) and a game (339). Williams is ninth on the FBS single-season rushing list behind Ricky Williams (2,124) and needs 84 yards to pass Troy Davis for fourth. BC likely would have finished much worse than 7-5 without Williams, who won’t win the Heisman but should hear his name called for the Doak Walker Award (top running back).
Defensive MVP: Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
It was an up-and-down season for the Panthers (6-6), but not for Donald, who led the nation in tackles for loss (26.5) and was 12th in sacks (10). Drawing a steady diet of double-teams, the 6-foot, 300-pound senior still made an impact in nearly every game and is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy as national defensive player of the year.
Breakout player of the year: Jameis Winston, Florida State
Winston took over for a first-round NFL draft pick (EJ Manuel) and could have a similar future. The redshirt freshman with loads of confidence guided a star-studded Seminoles squad to its first undefeated regular season since its title season of 1999 and is the prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman.
Surprise of the season: Duke
Of the 120 media members who cast preseason votes at the ACC kickoff in July, none chose the Blue Devils to win the Coastal. In fact, a majority picked them to finish last, which is where Duke has often wound up since the ACC split into divisions in 2005. Now the Blue Devils are ranked 20th in the BCS standings and headed to the ACC championship game.
Disappointment of the season: North Carolina
In their second year under Larry Fedora and boasting offensive weapons like senior quarterback Bryn Renner and tight end Eric Ebron, the Tar Heels (6-6) were expected to contend for the ACC Coastal, not lose to East Carolina by 24 points on their way to a 1-5 start. A nod here to Virginia, which should be better than 18-31 in four years under Mike London (and 6-20 over its last 26 games).
Top moment of the season: Clemson beats Georgia
The ACC’s renaissance season began Aug. 31 when No. 8 Clemson defeated No. 5 Georgia, leading fans in Death Valley to chant “A-C-C.” The next week, Miami topped No. 12 Florida, keeping the ACC’s chest puffed out and spurring Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to crow, “How about that ACC?” to reporters after a news conference. While Florida State is far and away the ACC’s flag bearer, thank Clemson for bringing the swagger back to what Dabo himself called that “spunky little old league.”
Championship game prediction: Look for Florida State, a 29-point favorite as of Tuesday, to take care of business against Duke in Charlotte, N.C., and secure a spot in the BCS title game.
