Clemson was voted the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC in the media preseason poll at the ACC media days event. Clemson received 95 of 120 votes, followed by Florida State with 15.
Miami was chosen the favorite to win the Coastal Division, with 65 first-place votes and 736 points overall. In the Coastal, the Hurricanes were followed by Virginia Tech (27 first-place votes and 654 points), North Carolina (22 and 649) and Georgia Tech (6 and 522). Pitt, Virginia and Duke rounded out the seven-team division.
Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, the reigning conference player of the year, was the runaway favorite as preseason player of the year with 105 votes. Tech defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu received one vote.
It’s Clemson’s first time as preseason favorite since 2008, when the Tigers stumbled and fired coach Tommy Bowden midseason and named Dabo Swinney as his replacement. In the eight years that the ACC has been divided into two divisions, the media has picked the eventual champion four times.
In coach Paul Johnson’s five years, the Jackets have equaled or bettered their predicted finish each year. In 2008, they were picked fourth and shared first place with Virginia Tech. In 2009, they were predicted to finish second and won the ACC title. In 2010, they were picked third and finished third. In 2011, they were pegged third and tied for second. Last year, they were projected to finish in second place and won the division.
ACC Championship Votes
1. Clemson………………………….. 95
2. Florida State………………….. …15
3. Georgia Tech……………………… 3
Miami……………………………… 3
North Carolina………………….. 3
6. Virginia Tech…………………….. 1
Atlantic Division
1. Clemson (102)……………….. 815
2. Florida State (18)…………… 731
3. NC State ………………………. 490
4. Wake Forest………………….. 392
5. Maryland……………………… 373
6. Syracuse……………………….. 320
7. Boston College………………. 211
Coastal Division
1. Miami (65)……………………. 736
2. Virginia Tech (27)…………… 654
3. North Carolina (22)………… 649
4. Georgia Tech (6)……………. 522
5. Pitt………………………………… 313
6. Virginia………………………….. 230
7. Duke…………………………….. 228
ACC Player of the Year
1. Tajh Boyd, Clemson…………………………… 105
2. Duke Johnson, Miami……………………………. 4
3. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech…………………. 3
Sammy Watkins, Clemson……………………… 3
5. Bryn Renner, North Carolina………………… 2
6. Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech………….. 1
Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State………………. .1
Stephen Morris, Miami…………………………. .1
ACC Championship Game Predictions
Clemson over Miami…………………………… 55
Clemson over Virginia Tech…………………. 19
Clemson over North Carolina………………. 18
Florida State over Miami………………………. 7
Florida State over Virginia Tech…………….. 7
Clemson over Georgia Tech…………………… 3
Georgia Tech over Clemson…………………… 3
Miami over Clemson…………………………….. 2
North Carolina over Florida State…………… 2
Virginia Tech over Clemson……………………. 1
North Carolina over Clemson………………… 1
Miami over Florida State………………………. 1
Miami over Florida State………………………. 1
Florida State over North Carolina…………… 1
