“Bald spot, I’m looking for some predictions.  The measure of a good sports blog relies mainly on his preseason predictions.  Will UVA make a bowl?  Will VT win another ACC title only to be narrowly defeated in the BCS game they play in?  Will Clemson have an all-too-common meltdown?  Will FSU and Miami return to greatness?  Nobody wants to focus on just the Wahoos…”

-Benny Who

Benny has a point. The motivation to read sports sites is really just the opportunity to trash the prognosticator when he turns out to be dead wrong 3 games into the season. And, of course, “I don’t want to deprive you of that one.” (Mitch Hedberg fans out there?)

With that, I introduce The Bald Spot’s first recurring feature: “Reputation Annihilation.” At the start of each sports season that I pay attention to (and maybe even a few I don’t), I will review the schedules and predict the winners with unquestionably uninformed judgment. Periodically, I will re-visit the predictions throughout the season and gloat in the midst of my own genius, or more likely, I will apologize profusely for the level of stupidity.

Final ACC Standings

ATLANTIC DIVISION

School		Conference	Overall	Key ACC Wins
Wake Forest	7-1		11-1	CU, @UM, UVA, BC
Clemson		7-1		10-2	GT, @BC, @UVA
Florida State	3-5		6-6	WF
Boston College	3-5		6-6	VT
Maryland		2-6		4-8	FSU
NC State		0-8		2-10	none

COASTAL DIVISION

School		Conference	Overall	Key ACC Wins
Virginia Tech*	6-2		8-4	GT, UVA
Georgia Tech	6-2		8-4	@BC, UVA, @UNC
North Carolina	6-2		9-3	VT, @UM, BC
Virginia		4-4		7-5	UNC, UM
Miami		3-5		5-7	FSU
Duke		1-6		2-10	NC St.

*VT wins the Coastal Division with the same 4-1 record within the division as GT 
due to its win over GT. UNC finishes 3rd because of its 3-2 division record.

Much to my own displeasure, the wins and losses, coupled with the ACC tiebreaking system, are going to allow the Hokies to backdoor their way into the ACC Championship Game (note: VT is the only school that lists the championship game on their team schedule...non-Hokies enter your own derogatory remark here). The Heels could make it interesting if they are able to overcome the bias which led me to predict their loss in Charlottesville. However, Georgia Tech is going to be the most interesting team to watch in the Coastal Division. Their defense is going to keep them in ballgames, and Michael Johnson should contend for defensive player of the year in the conference. So depending on the development of their quarterback situation, they could either surprise a few teams, or they could sink to the bottom half of the standings.

Clemson and Wake are the class of the conference and should make the Atlantic Division interesting at the top. Their game on October 9th in Winston-Salem should be for the division title if neither slip up anywhere else in their schedules. Wake has by far an easier path having their only four ACC road games at FSU, Maryland, Miami, & NC State. If they can manage those, the Deacs get Clemson, Duke, Virginia, and BC at home, where they have been extremely tough the last couple years. Clemson, meanwhile, has to go to Wake, BC, FSU, and Virginia. Bottomline, I see Wake winning the Atlantic and the ACC Championship game. Also, Riley Skinner will turn some heads this year and will insert his name in the Heisman debate. As for the Hoos, they will have the honor of participating in the Inaugural Congressional Bowl against Navy…flippen sweet

On the national scene, USC will beat Ohio State and cruise to a national championship match-up with Florida, which the Gators will win. Missouri is going to win the Big 12, and Chase Daniel will take home the Heisman. Other conference champs will include, Ohio State (Big Ten), Oklahoma (Big 12 South), Auburn (SEC West), West Virginia (Big East), East Carolina (C-USA), BYU (Mtn. West), & Boise State (WAC).

I’m on the record, so feel free to tell me where I’m wrong. And enjoy the college football this weekend!