BOSTON COLLEGE
Last season: 7-6, 4-4 ACC
Star power: Former Marist School running back Myles Willis is one of the ACC's faster players.
Top recruit: They signed two good ones out of Westminster, athlete Cameron Seward and offensive lineman Sam Schmal.
They'll win the division if: They won't, but they're making nice progress under coach Steve Addazio.
They'll come up short if: They can't find some wide receivers to step up after Alex Amidon's graduation and Harrison Jackson's knee injury.
Must-see game: ACC pride will be on the line when Boston College plays host to USC on Sept. 13.
CLEMSON
Last season: 11-2, 7-1 ACC
Star power: Defensive end Vic Beasley (13 sacks in 2013) turned down NFL riches for another season.
Top recruit: Former Gainesville High quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to appear in the opener at Georgia.
They'll win the division if: They upset FSU on the road Sept. 20. Last year's blowout loss could be motivation.
They'll come up short if: New quarterback Cole Stoudt can't manage the offense.
Must-see game: Clemson will try to zip Steve Spurrier's mouth and break a five-year losing streak against archrival South Carolina on Nov. 29.
FLORIDA STATE
Last season: 14-0, 8-0 ACC
Star power: Quarterback Jameis Winston, who is favored to repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner.
Top recruit: Five-star running back Dalvin Cook flipped from Florida to FSU.
They'll win the division if: FSU's offensive line, led by Wayne County High's Tre Jackson and Colquitt County High's Cameron Erving, lives up to advanced billing as nation's best unit.
They'll come up short if: Winston succumbs to pressures of spotlight.
Must-see game: FSU will be favored in every game, including the annual matchup with Florida on Nov. 29.
LOUISVILLE
Last season: 12-1, 0-0 ACC (new member this season)
Star power: Wide receiver DeVante Parker is a top NFL prospect.
Top recruit: Former McEachern High defensive end Henry Famurewa has a high ceiling of potential.
They'll win the division if: First-year coach Bobby Petrino can perform his magic sooner than later. He can't ever be counted out.
They'll come up short if: Former Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham struggles with installing his new scheme.
Must-see game: Expect Petrino to pull all of his tricks out the bag when Louisville makes its ACC debut in a Monday night game against Miami on Sept. 1.
N.C. STATE
Last season: 3-9, 0-8 ACC
Star power: Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett is eligible to play at quarterback after sitting out last season.
Top recruit: Defensive end Kentavius Street turned down many SEC schools.
They'll win the division if: They won't after going winless in the ACC for the first time since 1959.
They'll come up short if: Brissett doesn't bring any upgrade to the quarterback position. Backup Bryant Shirreffs transferred to Connecticut.
Must-see game: There's an upset alert for the season opener against Georgia Southern on Aug. 30.
SYRACUSE
Last season: 7-6, 4-4 ACC
Star power: All-ACC candidate Sean Hickey is one of four returning starters on the offensive line and a top NFL prospect.
Top recruit: Four-star athlete K.J. Williams was the highest-ranked recruit in his class.
They'll win the division if: They won't. They're playing for third place behind FSU and Clemson.
They'll come up short if: They struggle at quarterback again like they did early last season. However, Terrel Hunt (1,638 passing yards) vastly improved by season's end.
Must-see game: The entire ACC will root for Syracuse against former conference member Maryland on Sept. 20.
WAKE FOREST
Last season: 4-8, 2-6 ACC
Star power: Coach Dave Clawson was hired to bring new energy to the program after five consecutive losing seasons.
Top recruit: Pace Academy wide receiver Kameron Uter flipped from Vanderbilt, but will not play football after he was drafted by the Los Angles Dodgers.
They'll win the division if: They won't, but winning a game or two in the ACC would be mighty progress. They are picked to finish last in the Atlantic.
They'll come up short if: The offense, which ranked last in the ACC last season, can't make significant improvements.
Must-see game: Wake Forest's best chance for an ACC win will be at N.C. State on Nov. 15.
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