Stewart Mandel's 2016 ACC predictions

Stewart Mandel's 2016 ACC predictions – FOXSports.com

ACC Atlantic No. 7: Syracuse (3-9, 1-7 ACC)

Dino Babers will eventually score points and win games with his Baylor-style offense but doesn’t yet have the necessary personnel. Last year: 4-8, 2-6, no bowl game. Photo: Leon Halip

ACC Atlantic T-No. 4: NC State (5-7, 2-6 ACC)

NC State has some nice pieces on defense, but Dave Doeren’s program has yet to show it can compete with the ACC’s upper tier. Last year: 7-6, 3-5, lost to Mississippi State in Belk Bowl. Photo: Mark Konezny / USA TODAY Sports

ACC Atlantic T-No. 4: Wake Forest (5-7, 2-6 ACC)

Dave Clawson’s long rebuilding job continues. The Deacons could be tough on defense but still lack explosiveness on offense. Last year: 3-9, 1-7, no bowl game. Photo: Jeremy Brevard

ACC Atlantic T-No. 4: Boston College (5-7, 2-6 ACC)

BC managed to go 3-9 despite boasting the nation’s No. 1 defense. Kentucky transfer QB Patrick Towles should breathe life into BC’s offense. Last year: 3-9, 0-8, no bowl game. Photo: Melina Vastola

ACC Atlantic No. 3: Louisville (10-2, 6-2 ACC)

Electrifying QB Lamar Jackson will soon be a household name, and OLB Devonte Fields could become an All-American. Last year: 8-5, 5-3, beat Texas A&M in Music City Bowl. Photo: Jamie Rhodes

ACC Atlantic No. 2: Clemson (11-1, 7-1 ACC)

Deshaun Watson and the offense are going to score a whole lot of points, but underclass defections may catch up to the defense. Last year: 14-1, 8-0, lost to Alabama in national championship. Photo: Christian Petersen

ACC Atlantic No. 1: Florida State (12-0, 8-0 ACC)

Redshirt freshman QB Deondre Francois doesn’t need to be Jameis Winston with a cast of stars led by stud RB Dalvin Cook. Last year: 10-3, 6-2, lost to Houston in Peach Bowl. Photo: Brett Davis

ACC Coastal No. 7: Virginia (3-9, 1-7 ACC)

New coach Bronco Mendenhall takes over a team that has struggled for several years to find its offensive identity. Last year: 4-8, 3-5, no bowl game. Photo: Steve Helber

ACC Coastal No. 6: Virginia Tech (5-7, 3-5 ACC)

Justin Fuente worked miracles at Memphis but does not inherit much cause for excitement on either side of the ball in Year 1. Last year: 7-6, 4-4, beat Tulsa in Independence Bowl. Photo: Chuck Burton / AP

ACC Coastal T-No. 4: Duke (6-6, 4-4 ACC)

QB Thomas Sirk, recovering from an Achilles injury, may be limited early, but the Blue Devils’ strong stable of running backs helps. Last year: 8-5, 4-4, beat Indiana in Pinstripe Bowl. Photo: Derick E. Hingle

ACC Coastal T-No. 4: Georgia Tech (6-6, 4-4 ACC)

Coming off a nightmarish 3-9 season, Paul Johnson’s team is bound to have a bounce-back year, especially on offense. Last year: 3-9, 1-7, no bowl game. Photo: Mark Dolejs

ACC Coastal No. 3: Miami (7-5, 5-3 ACC)

QB Brad Kaaya is the ‘Canes’ saving grace. They lack speed on offense and are not exactly brimming with top-end defensive players. Last year: 8-5, 5-3, lost to Washington State in Sun Bowl. Photo: Justin K. Aller

ACC Coastal No. 2: North Carolina (10-2, 6-2 ACC)

RB Elijah Hood and the UNC offense should be even more explosive in 2016, but the defense remains suspect, especially against the run. Last year: 11-3, 8-0, lost to Baylor in Russell Athletic Bowl. Photo: Jim Dedmon

ACC Coastal No. 1: Pittsburgh (9-3, 6-2 ACC)

Second-year coach Pat Narduzzi has the Panthers in position to surprise with a talented, aggressive defense and the return of RB James Conner. Last year: 8-5, 6-2, lost to Navy in Military Bowl. Photo: George Gojkovich / WPPROD

ACC championship: Florida State over Pittsburgh

Pat Narduzzi gets Pitt into a conference title game in only his second season, but the Panthers won’t be able to match the talent of the Seminoles. FSU runs the regular-season table and enters the College Football Playoff with a chance to win its second national title in four years. Photo: Melina Vastola