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College football summer reading list: ACC edition
The Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK

College football summer reading list: ACC edition

In the college football world, summer means one thing: preview time. Whether it’s an examination of your favorite player, a sneak peek of your preferred team or an in-depth guide to the conference of your choice, the months before kickoff are flooded with first looks. We decided to go a different route. We want to lift up your literary game with a faux summer reading list, breaking down the college football conferences by team, assigning each one a title and summary to aide you in your quest for culture and college football knowledge. Here’s our must reads for the ACC. 

“Dealing with Disappointment: A Guide to Not Getting Upset” by Dabo Swinney

Last year’s midseason loss to Syracuse dampened Clemson’s College Football Playoff spirit, but it was the 24-6 loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl semifinal that broke the Tigers' backs. This year, Dabo Swinney returns a bevy of seniors and more talent top to bottom than the 2016 National Championship team. The key to postseason success? Throws downfield to a young and hungry receiving corps.


Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

“Lethal Simplicity: Guided Meditations for the Spread Offense” by Willie Taggart  

Florida State is about to be a full on Oregon-offense, Michigan State-defense love child: up-tempo spread with solid running back talent sprinkled in and aggressive, punishing linebackers laying down the backfield law. Execution is expected; Taggart averaged 36 points per game last year in Eugene. “Protect the quarterback” will be the mantra in the Seminoles' locker room.  


Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

“Pass First, Ask Questions Later” by Bobby Petrino

We didn’t want to go for the obvious “Life After Lamar” title, even though every Louisville fan will be lamenting the loss of Lamar Jackson this year. Replacing 400 yards and three touchdowns per game won't be easy, but redshirt sophomore QB Jawon Pass will take over with a stable of talented receivers, including senior Jaylen Smith. It will be the tale of more under center snaps and fewer read options, but a defense with no starting leadership will need to figure things out quickly.


Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

“Finley’s Finale” by Dave Doeren with a foreword by Kelvin Harmon

Sixth-year senior quarterback Ryan Finley and junior wide receiver Kelvin Harmon, regarded as the best in the ACC (1,017 yards, 69 receptions) are teaming up to lead NC State’s offensive charge. Defensively, the Wolfpack boast a more experienced secondary and a stellar pass rush, but with a freshman kicker and question marks in the return game, close games might not tip the Pack’s way. Again. But a fifth straight bowl appearance is definitely within reach.


Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

“Sustaining Winning Seasons” by Dave Clawson 

Opposing teams should beware the beastly offensive and defensive lines that Wake Forest boasts this year, led by four fifth-year seniors on the O-line alone. But even head coach Dave Clawson knows continuity is key, and sustaining success isn’t easy, especially with a weakened linebacker corps. The Demon Deacons will need to avoid injury to keep depth from being an issue down the stretch. Five straight home games after the season opener at Tulane bode well for another eight-win season.


Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

“No Fly Zone: The Lukas Denis Story” by Steve Addazio

This is a make-or-break year for head coach Steve Addazio. He has all the tools for an eight-win season, the first in his six years at Boston College. The Eagles have an All-American running back in sophomore AJ Dillon (12th in the country last year with 1,589 rushing yards), an offensive line that has seven players with starting experience, good depth at linebacker and a relatively weak out-of-conference schedule. Plus senior safety Lukas Denis led the country in interceptions last year, so BC will continue to be a no fly zone.


Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

“Dungey & DeVito, QBs for Hire” by Dino Babers

Depth at quarterback is part of the reason Syracuse will likely end a four-year bowl game drought this fall. Senior QB Eric Dungey returns with three years of starting experience, and just in case his health is an issue yet again, redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito will be waiting in the wings. DeVito is hailed as the most accurate signal caller in the quarterback room, so that’s nice insurance.

The veteran offensive line should improve first-down running production, allowing 'Cuse to make more of the playbook. A postseason appearance would help Babers with a contract extension, but Syracuse must beware of November: the Orange are 1-15 over the last four seasons during that deadly month. 


Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

“When You Thought Hurricane Season Was Over” by Mark Richt

Miami looked to be a true College Football Playoff contender early on last year but backslid heavily in the last three games of the season, losing to Pittsburgh, Clemson and Wisconsin in spectacular fashion. Even the Turnover Chain turned green — the Canes allowed a 70.1 completion percentage and only intercepted one pass in their last four games. That’s a hard pill to swallow for Miami fans, especially after the 16 picks the Hurricanes posted in their first nine games.

This year, fifth-year senior quarterback Malik Rosier will need to improve his accuracy or risk being replaced by a freshman. The offensive line must also gel quickly to ensure a stable running game, but Miami has confidence in spades, solid back-to-back recruiting classes and a gamer of a head coach, so a top-10 finish is most likely on the horizon. 


Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

“Young & Hungry” by Justin Fuente

The last two years in Blacksburg have been kind to Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente, bringing home a division title, going 19-8 and bringing hope back to Hokie Nation. This year, however, will be more of a challenge with 75 percent of the roster coming in the form of freshmen and sophomores. Co-defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s ability to reload will definitely be tested, but there are bright spots: defensive tackle Ricky Walker, healthy players at running back and wide receiver, and no Clemson on the schedule. The Hokies also get Miami at home. Combine that with Josh Jackson’s improvement at QB and an underwhelming Coastal Division, and Virginia Tech could be looking at continued success.


Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

“Against All Odds” by Paul Johnson

Georgia Tech has one of the toughest schedules in the country with Miami and Clemson at home and road games at Virginia Tech and Georgia. Still, this is bound to be bounce-back year for the Yellow Jackets.

Quarterback TaQuon Marshall made strides in his passing game during the offseason, and the defense will boast a simpler, more aggressive scheme to showcase its smaller, speedier players. With the entire offense returning and the new-look defense, GT is going to be a contender in the Coastal race.


Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

“The Way of the Walk-On” by David Cutcliffe

The difference between Duke being a borderline bowl team or a Coastal Division contender boils down to one thing: the offense. The Blue Devils averaged 19.8 points against ACC opponents last year — not great — but with lots of experience back at the offensive skill positions and an improved Daniel Jones at quarterback, Duke will look to be more of threat marching down the field.

The Blue Devils are a physical, athletic team according to their head coach, and the defense is very accomplished. Special teams figures to be an issue with walk-ons at every position. Another issue is scheduling: Duke plays Clemson, Baylor and Northwestern.


Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

“Disturbing the Peace” by Pat Narduzzi

Pittsburgh has made a name for itself in the upset world, defeating Miami, Clemson and Penn State in recent years, but this year Pat Narduzzi is looking to become more than just an upset commodity and develop some real winning consistency. How will he do this? With a deep, experienced, talented defense and savior sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett – whom you may remember from his game-winning, 22-yard touchdown run against Miami last year. It was the most glorious of naked bootlegs. Pickett was the Panthers' first true freshman to start a game since 2007.

Good news: The offensive line should be the best it’s ever been. Bad news: The wide receiver position is thin.


Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

“Fourth Quarter Crises” by Larry Fedora

North Carolina’s plan this year is to focus on not falling apart. Cruel? Maybe, but the truth hurts, and so does losing three leads last year in the fourth quarter and being outscored 210-139 in the second half of games.

Luckily, there is room for improvement after last year’s 3-9 — and 1-7 in-conference — finish, and that comes in the form of wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams, who also doubles as a return specialist. The defensive front boasts experience but the tough road games at Miami, Syracuse and Virginia will be a true test of the Tar Heels' grit.


Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

“The Program that Lost Its Way” by Bronco Mendenhall

It has been a long time since the Virginia Cavaliers football program has been relevant; some might say a return is long overdue. Many thought the hiring of BYU’s defensive guru would mean an immediate rise in the ranks, and they were partly right — the Cavaliers reached their first bowl game since 2011 in Mendehnall’s second year at the helm. This year, the new-look offense boasts a dual threat at quarterback with ASU transfer Bryce Perkins, but the offensive line is the biggest question mark and potentially a big weakness for Virginia, making life that much harder for running back Jordan Ellis.

The defense lost key players at each position, and the team as a whole lost quite a bit of senior leadership. However, the softer non-conference schedule and experienced, speedy secondary will keep the Cavaliers on track. Plus punter Lester Coleman’s leg is a major game-changer, guaranteeing Virginia solid field position. 

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