Can anyone catch Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference?
Virginia gave a surprising run last year, but was no match for the Hokies in the regular-season finale.
Here is a quick primer on each team in the division heading into spring practice:
VIRGINIA TECH (11-3, 7-1 in the ACC)
Recap: The Hokies earned an at-large bid to a BCS bowl making it the first time the ACC placed multiple teams in the BCS. Two of Tech’s losses came at the hands of ACC champ Clemson by a combined score of 61-13, but the Hokies were otherwise pretty sharp and laid the foundation to what might be a special season in 2012.
Key departures: Super fast tailback David Wilson left a year early form the NFL and replacing him might be difficult. But one program that seemingly never runs out of quality 1,000-yard backs is Frank Beamer’s. Replacing the steadiness and dependability of WR Fanny Coale might be tougher.
Priorities: Replacing a lot of lost starters on offense. Wide receiver, the bigs up front, and finding some new backs ready to explode are what spring is all about.
Keep an eye on: Senior wide receiver Marcus Davis hasn’t posted the numbers many expected from him, but now that Coale and Jarrett Boykin are gone, look for him to step forward and have a big season.
Spring game: April 21.
VIRGINIA (8-5, 5-3)
Recap: Mike London’s team came from nowhere to challenge for the Coastal Division title before getting blown out at home by rival VPI in the final regular season game.
Key departures: Defensive tackle Matt Conrath and end Cam Johnson both moved on and will be difficult to replace. They not only made plays but they were excellent leaders who made their plays at the right times. Losing Chase Minnifield from the secondary also hurts.
Priorities: Rebuild the defensive front, develop some depth, and increase aggressiveness in attacking and closing in. There’s some solid talent on board, but it may take some time.
Keep an eye on: Sophomore linebacker Henry Coley has big-play potential, and as he continues to mature he could become the leader of the defense. But that process begins in the spring.
Spring game: April 14.
GEORGIA TECH (8-5, 5-3)
Recap: The Yellow Jackets exploded to open the season, winning their first six games while compiling some incredible offensive numbers. But Tech lost five of its last seven games as the offense was apparently figured out by opposing defenses.
Key departures: WR Stephen Hill allowed Tech QB Tevin Washington to stretch defenses and give the unit needed balance. With him gone, it will be difficult for Tech to find another pass-catcher capable of doing what Hill did.
Priorities: Georgia Tech needs to grow offensively as the season does, so while it’s great this team is often unstoppable early, it must add some wrinkles during the season, and that really begins in the spring by working on some new looks.
Keep an eye on: Freshman QB Vad Lee is so talented that some people near the program believe he will eventually unseat Washington as the starter. In high school, he ran for 1,300 yards and passed for 3,200 in 2010.
Spring game: April 21.
MIAMI (6-6, 3-5)
Recap: Al Golden’s first season in Coral Gables was chock full of missed opportunities, in part because so many players were suspended amid an NCAA investigation, and ultimately the Hurricanes were just mediocre and ended up self-imposing a bowl ban.
Key departures: Five Canes left early for the NFL, including tailback Lamar Miller, who may have been the best back in the ACC last season.
Priorities: This is Golden’s program, and while it took him a full season and then some to get an accurate gauge on the hand he was dealt on and off the field, this spring is when the team and program needs to begin taking on his personality.
Keep an eye on: QB Stephen Morris doesn’t have to worry about Jacory Harris anymore, and neither does Canes fans, as the job is his. But he has a lot of work to do in fine tuning his game and becoming a leader. Spring is so huge when it comes to making that happen.
Spring game: April 14.
NORTH CAROLINA (7-6, 3-5)
Recap: Carolina spent last season with an interim head coach and dealing with the NCAA regarding the charges that recently resulted in serious punishment. UNC had a solid team, but it came up short in its biggest game (at N.C. State) and was blown out in the bowl.
Key departures: Donta Paige-Moss is incredibly talented and will be missed, though he wasn’t as productive as expected last season. WR Dwight Jones could grab passes on any kinds of routes and will be tough to replace.
Priorities: New coach Larry Fedora will run a spread, no huddle offense, and UNC’s defense will attack more, too. So the main priority is getting the players to trim down in some position groups (OL) and to get used to the new speed with which UNC will play.
Keep an eye on: QB Bryn Renner. He went to UNC to play in a pro-style offense, but now must learn the no-huddle spread.
Spring game: April 14.
DUKE (3-9, 1-7)
Recap: After winning three straight games and owning a 3-2 mark going into mid-October, the Blue Devils collapsed and lost their last seven games. An offense that struggled, and was also tinkered with too much, was a primary reason for the problems.
Key departures: Safety Matt Daniels was an amazing player and even better leader. WR Donovan Varner complemented Connor Vernon so well, losing him could affect chemistry.
Priorities: Settling on a quarterback and making the system that best suits his skills work. David Cutcliffe knows offense, but he messed around too much last season playing reserve Anthony Boone too often. Settle on one style or the other.
Keep an eye on: The offensive line could finally be a strength for the Blue Devils. They lost a starter along with some tight ends, bit Duke may finally have a line that can provide QB Sean Renfree the time he needs to read pass coverages.
Spring game: March 31.
