2012 College Football Previews: The ACC Is Done

Today, both the Florida State and Virginia Tech previews went live at the mothership. And with that, we completed our ninth of 11 conferences in the 2012 preview series. Only two conferences remain: the Big 12 and SEC. (Though I should also note that all 124 statistical profiles have now been completed. Huzzah!)

If anybody in the Coastal Division can put together a solid fight (Georgia Tech, perhaps), Virginia Tech could probably be had this year. This will be a bit of a rebuilding year for them. But if Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets can't figure it out (and to be sure, they have their own issues to deal with), then the Hokies should win their sixth division crown in eight years.

And yes, I'm once again putting all of my conference title eggs in Florida State's basket. This is the year, you guys. I think. Maybe. Possibly.

By the way, a side note: I still haven't been able to memorize which damn teams are in which damn ACC division. I've written lengthy season previews about each ACC team for two straight years, and it still isn't coming to me. That's ridiculous, especially considering that the only reason these no-geography-whatsoever divisions were drawn up was for competitive balance and, in theory, to get a Florida State-Miami title game matchup every year. In seven years, however, that matchup has yet to actually come to fruition.

Please, ACC: it isn't too late. You're adding two more northern programs next year, and while you say you're putting them in opposite divisions, that is just absurd.

It isn't too late. If you're looking for even competition, check this out:

• ACC NORTH: Boston College, Maryland, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech
• ACC SOUTH: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, N.C. State, Wake Forest

Average Five-Year F/+ Rk
North: 45.6
South: 42.9

That seems rather even, no? (And yes, Duke skews the South downward; Syracuse does the same to the North.) Of course, this arrangement would prevent UNC from playing both N.C. State and Duke annually. Fine. Flip UNC and Wake Forest, and it's still at least reasonably similar. And you still get the same Virginia Tech vs. FSU/Clemson title games you're most likely looking at for most years in the current arrangement. Do me a solid, ACC. Think about it. Toss it around. Consider it. Boston College and "division rival" Florida State are separated by 1,300 miles. Meanwhile, B.C. will not be in the same division as Pittsburgh. And I just had to look up which division Pittsburgh was going to be in for the 17th time. It doesn't have to be this difficult. It really doesn't.