Picks vs. schedules

Clemson and Virginia Tech are supposed to meet for the ACC football championship. That's according to the media voting from the ACC Kickoff in Georgia.

The Atlantic Division is a beast although I don't agree with N.C. State being picked last. Maryland can't decide on a quarterback and Boston College lost Matt Ryan and their entire backfield. The Eagles and Terps were picked ahead on the Pack and State plays them both _ BC at home and Maryland on the road.

Now that the picks are out let's take a look at who plays the top two teams from each division. (Clemson and Wake Forest are the top two from the Atlantic. Virginia Tech and North Carolina from the Coastal.)

Boston College, Duke, Maryland and Virginia are the fortunate four that draw the top two preseason picks in each division. 

Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and NC State will face three of the four. 

Clemson is the preseason pick as overall champion. The Tigers visit Wake Forest on October 9th--which is the Deacons only match-up against the remaining top three. This will determine the early inside track to the title game.

Like Clemson, North Carolina will only go up against one of the other top 3 picks. September 20th, the Tar Heels host Virginia Tech.  That's the only time the Hokies will face one of the top three.

Bottom line, the top two selections in each division never have to cross over to play one of the top two in the opposite division. Just remember _ these are based on preseason picks.

ACC teams have 8 conference games to state their case and I'm sure each of the 12 league coaches see no guarantees in ACC play. 

If we were to erase the division lines and look at the preseason picks according to vote totals it would look like this:

1) Clemson  (59 first place votes)--383 points

2) Virginia Tech (58)--383 points

3) Wake Forest (5)--304 points

4) North Carolina (4)--288 points

5) Florida State (1)--265 points

6) Miami (1)--253 points

7) Georgia Tech (1)--195 points

8) Virginia (1)--161 points

9) Boston College--154 points

10) Maryland--147 points

11) N.C. State--112 points

12) Duke--85 points