#1 Florida State (2nd nationally)
- Respectable, but I think Rix is getting overhyped.

#2 NC State (24th nationally)
- How did the 4th place ACC team that got punked by a Pitt team that underachieved get so much respect all of a sudden?

#3 Maryland (27th nationally)
- Respectable assessment, but Henderson is becoming the next Julius Peppers. (i.e. - a media darling that is taking spotlight away from some better than himself in the ACC)

#4 Clemson (29th nationally)
- Did Clemson go out and buy a defense? Did I miss something? They got tagged for 30+ points SIX TIMES last season, and one of those six is the offensive juggernaut known widely as Duke.

#5 Georgia Tech (48th nationally)
- They have respect for the defense, but somebody should inform Kerry Watkins, Nat Dorsey, Coach O'Brien and everybody else about the offensive assessment.

#6 Virginia (49th nationally)
- Sounds about right.

#7 Wake Forest (67th nationally)
- If they take Purdue, they'll have a good shot at going bowling, IMHO.

#8 North Carolina (71st nationally)
- The defensive cubbard is empty. And that includes the coaching staff (Tenuta to GT).

#9 Duke (104th nationally)
- Duh.

Your assessments of the first two are exactly what I was thinking.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by georgia_tech_swagger:
#1 Florida State (2nd nationally)
- Respectable, but I think Rix is getting overhyped.

</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I also agree <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> I just hope he hits his landings this year on those flips <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
~NOLEY~ <img border="0" alt="[Wavy Guy]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

<small>[ June 29, 2002, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: NOLEY ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by georgia_tech_swagger:

#9 Duke (104th nationally)
- Duh.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Are they saying that there are 12 teams out there that are worse than Duke?!? <img border="0" alt="[NoNo]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />

<small>[ June 29, 2002, 01:54 AM: Message edited by: JoltinJacket ]</small>

Once again, another preseason poll that means absolutely nothing and will probably turn out to be wrong.

I find it amazing how much people think they know when every team out there still has so many question marks. And it's not just the fact that people are out there ranking teams -- it's the comments that go along with them.

I definitely agree about NCSU -- here's a team that hasn't proven squat over the course of an entire season (since Amato took over) being lauded as the next Maryland by many. What have they proven thus far except for a disposition for inconsistency? I'm not saying they can't be good, but they'll have to prove it to me.

And again, I will give my one prediction and say (with a great deal of certainty) that UNC and NCSU will not have 46 teams between them. These are two teams with similar strengths (QB, WR, DB) and weaknesses (RB) and with similar recruiting classes coming in. But, once again, State will have their cake OOC schedule that will skew the perceptions of both the schools.

As for UNC, we'll have see about to the damage that Tenuta's loss incurs on the team (if any). One thing it will do is improve chemistry among the coaching staff and stop scaring away prized recruits (see AJ Nicholson's comments about Tenuta). As for the defense, our DB's are among the best in the conference. Personally, I think that will give the guys up front the confidence to take more risks out on the field. Nothing is expected of them currently, so if they play even halfway-decently, then they will turn a lot of heads.

-JD

Personally I think all these preseason polls are just plain silly. The rosters aren't complete, because marginal players are still trying to qualify grade-wise in summer school. You really can't see how a team is going to do in the fall based on spring practice, because not all players participate. Until teams begin their summer practices, and even until they reach 2-a-days, the coaches don't have much of an idea what kind of potential their team has, and what kind of plays they will be putting together strategy-wise. So to me, these preseason predictions are nothing but good filler for a cat box...if I had a cat.

Gee, he ranks Wake seventh, but they could be as good as fourth & go bowling... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> I could have made that same prediction...WHERE'S MY PAYCHECK? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" />

I'm with Lucy on this one...

Now you know Tom Dienhart is a genius!

#1 Florida State (2nd nationally)
-- Actually I don't think Rix has reached his potential yet, hype or no hype.

#2 NC State (24th nationally)
-- Amazing what becoming the first ACC team to win in Tally, and the first team to get 2 ACC wins on the Noles, will do for your rep. Has Amato and the team earned this lofty perch, or did they shoot their shot last year? I suspect the latter.

#3 Maryland (27th nationally)
-- See NC State comment.

#4 Clemson (29th nationally)
-- Yep, Tommy's gotta get a defense. His dad finally figured that out (offense fills seats, defense wins championships) but Tommy hasn't gotten the memo, it seems.

#5 Georgia Tech (48th nationally)
-- Simply because the pre-season expectations are relatively lower, GT will surprise, I think.

<SNIP>

#9 Duke (104th nationally)
- Duh.

As someone else said, that means there are 12 teams considered WORSE. THAT'S a scary thought.