Too Early 2023 College Football Hot Takes: ACC
We’re moving right along here with the hot takes. The 2023 too early college football hot takes continues with the ACC. The ACC has underperformed but we hope that 2023 is different. Clemson may have more competition than you think heading into this year. Let’s not waste any time and get right into the takes.
The gap between North Carolina and Duke’s quarterback is a lot smaller than you think
We gotta stop blowing Drake Maye. I’m not saying the guy sucks. I obviously have him ranked really high on my quarterback list for next year. I would just caution people about what’s to come. RG3 was never close to Andrew Luck regardless of how strong you felt otherwise. Ditto for Zach Wilson in the Trevor Lawrence draft.
The gap between Caleb Williams and Drake Maye is a hell of a lot larger than the one between Drake Maye and Riley Leonard. Duke won 9 games a year ago. People do remember that, right? I wouldn’t be surprised if Duke is better than North Carolina in 2023. Don’t be surprised if Leonard starts creeping up the QB lists too.
Also, I’m just not buying any Mack Brown stock after what happened last year. Duke has a better year than UNC and when it happens no one should be surprised. Heed the warning.
Florida State wins the ACC
This just feels like a FSU year. Florida State has a stupid amount of returning production and totally killed it during the transfer portal window. This receiver room is made of athletic trees and Keon Coleman should be considered a big add. Florida State has too much going for them. Jordan Travis has been there forever and will likely have a big season. The entire defense basically returns. The weapons this team has are better than everyone else’s in this conference.
Clemson is really good and should be improved with the new coordinator hire. I just think Florida State has better talent. Everything is just lining up for them.
Cade Klubnik looks like if Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield had a baby together
Speaking of that new coordinator hire, I expect good things for Cade Klubnik. He won’t be the next Trevor Lawrence but he will also be a more functional quarterback than Baker Mayfield was. Garrett Riley was a miracle worker for Max Duggan a year ago and expect Klubnik to really take off and prove to be an NFL quarterback here real soon.
Wake Forest Under 6.5 wins
This team won 8 games last year but I just can’t see how they repeat that type of success this year. They essentially had an NFL quarterback playing for them last year in the form of Sam Hartman. Without Hartman, how is this team winning seven games? The rest of the conference is improved and this team couldn’t run the ball at all last year. Jahmal Banks is literally the only guy on this team I like from an NFL perspective. They have four cupcake games on the schedule but I’m not buying that this team wins another three in the conference. Not without Hartman.
Pittsburgh Over 6.5 wins
I don’t like the antics that Pat Narduzzi is pulling but this is just a number he normally covers. Pitt has won seven games in six of Narduzzi’s eight years at Pitt. You’re just playing the math at that point. I also think there is a chance they have better QB play this year with Phil Jurkovec transferring into Pitt. The schedule isn’t a total cupcake schedule but this is just a number play. Pitt usually wins 7-8 games a year and should again.
Miami stinks again
I’m not taking any bet here. I just can no longer buy into the Mario Cristobal thing. It has nothing to do with recruiting. They’re bringing in good players. They just never figure out the offensive side of the ball. It’s more and more of a passing league and Cristobal’s offense continues to look like they belong in the stone age. Tyler Van Dyke took a step back under Cristobal compared to without him. I expect another dreadful season in Miami. If this program ends up turning the corner, it will be next year.
