Teams At A Glance: ACC Coastal Division

Duke

• Last year's record: 4-8 (1-7 ACC)

• Coach: David Cutcliffe (4-8 in one season at Duke, 48-37 in seven seasons overall)

• Last bowl appearance: 1994 Hall of Fame, lost to Wisconsin 34-20.

• Strengths: Duke is transforming itself from the doormat that ACC teams have wiped their feet on for the last 14 years. The players are stronger, leaner and in some cases quicker, and all are as confident as they have been at Duke. Thaddeus Lewis is one of the ACC's best quarterbacks, and Re'quan Boyette is a proven runner but is coming off an injury. Vincent Rey has a big job on defense -- replacing Michael Tauiliili -- but he has shown ability as a hard-hitting linebacker.

• Weaknesses: The offensive line needs three new starters. The receivers and defensive backs will be quick but inexperienced. Depth is a concern at almost every position.

• Best returning players: DT Vince Oghobaase, DE Ayanga Okpokowuruk, LB Vincent Rey, CB Leon Wright, QB Thaddeus Lewis, RB Re'quan Boyette

• Best newcomers: RB Desmond Scott, QB Sean Schroeder, DE Justin Foxx, CB Taylor Sowell

• Key losses: LB Michael Tauiliili, WR Eron Riley, OT Cameron Goldberg, OT Fred Roland, CB Glenn Williams, DE Greg Akinbiyi

• Keys to the season: The offensive line has to come together to block for the run and to keep Lewis healthy. The secondary has to gain its footing quickly to prevent teams from wearing out the defense.

• Big games: Oct. 3 vs. Virginia Tech; Oct. 10 at N.C. State; Nov. 7 at North Carolina

• They'll beat… Richmond, Army, N.C. Central, Maryland and Virginia

• They'll lose to… Kansas, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami and Wake Forest

-- Bill Cole

Georgia Tech

• Last year's record: 9-4 (5-3 ACC)

• Coach: Paul Johnson (9-4 in one season at Georgia Tech, 116-43 in 12 seasons overall)

• Last bowl appearance: 2008 Chick-fil-A, lost to LSU 38-3.

• Strengths: The Yellow Jackets, who led the ACC and ranked fourth in the nation in rushing offense (273.2 ypg), return nine starters on offense, including running back Jonathan Dwyer, the 2008 ACC player of the year. Johnson's unusual offense has bedeviled opposing coaches for years. The defense forced 29 turnovers last season, including 18 interceptions.

• Weaknesses: The defense, ranked 25th in the nation last season (313 ypg), lost end Michael Johnson and tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker to the NFL Draft and will have to rebuild the line. Starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt completed just 43 percent of his passes last season with two touchdowns. Georgia Tech also struggled on special teams, ranking near the bottom of the ACC in kickoff returns, punt returns and net punting.

• Best returning players: RB Jonathan Dwyer, S Morgan Burnett, DE Derrick Morgan, WR Demaryius Thomas, OL Cord Howard

• Best newcomers: WR Quentin Sims, WR Daniel McKayhan, RB Anthony Allen, DL T.J. Barnes, DB Jerrard Tarrant

• Key losses: OL Andrew Gardner, DL Michael Johnson, DL Darryl Richard, DL Vance Walker

• Keys to the season: The Yellow Jackets went 5-1 last season in games decided by four points or less and will have to continue to find ways to win the close ones. They will play 11 consecutive weeks before their open date Nov. 21, and they need to avoid injuries, especially to stars Dwyer, Burnett and Morgan.

• Big games: Sept. 17 vs. Miami; Oct. 17 vs. Virginia Tech.

• They'll beat… Jacksonville State, Clemson, North Carolina, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Duke.

• They'll lose to… Miami, Florida State and Georgia.

-- Bryant Galbaugh

Miami

• Last year's record: 7-6 (4-4 ACC)

• Coach: Randy Shannon (12-13 in two seasons at Miami)

• Last bowl appearance: 2008 Emerald, lost to California 24-17.

• Strengths: Quarterback Jacory Harris, who's 6-4 and has a strong arm and the ability to elude a pass rush, should thrive under the pro-style offense of new coordinator Mark Whipple. Miami's defense, which relied heavily on underclassmen last season, figures to improve. All-ACC kicker Matt Bosher returns to anchor a strong special-teams unit.

• Weaknesses: Tackle Jason Fox, an Outland Trophy candidate, needs some help on the offensive line, which was porous at times last season. Miami's young roster could struggle against a difficult early schedule -- the Hurricanes' first four games are against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma, all ranked in The Associated Press Preseason Top 25.

• Best returning players: OL Jason Fox, QB Jacory Harris, RB Graig Cooper, LB Sean Spence, DT Marcus Forston, DE Marcus Robinson, K Matt Bosher

• Best newcomers: DB Ray Ray Armstrong, RB Lamar Miller, QB A.J. Highsmith

• Key losses: OL Xavier Shannon, OL Chris Rutledge, QB Robert Marve, LB Glenn Cook, DB Anthony Reddick

• Keys to the season: Harris showed flashes of top-notch ability at quarterback last season, when he split time with Robert Marve, who has since transferred. If he matures quickly and Miami can spring an upset or two early, the team has a shot at gaining confidence and getting hot down the stretch. Highsmith, a true freshman, became Harris' primary backup when Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith left the team during the preseason.

• Big games: Sept. 17 vs. Georgia Tech; Oct. 24 vs. Clemson

• They'll beat… Georgia Tech, Florida A&M, Central Florida, Clemson, Virginia, Duke and South Florida.

• They'll lose to… Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Wake Forest and North Carolina.

-- Bryant Galbaugh

North Carolina

• Last year's record: 8-5 (4-4 ACC)

• Coach: Butch Davis (12-13 in two seasons at UNC, 63-33 in eight seasons overall)

• Last bowl appearance: 2008 Meineke Car Care, lost to West Virginia 31-30.

• Strengths: The defense should be among the ACC's best. Linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant are quick and sure hitters, and the line returns intact. T.J. Yates can be one of the ACC's top quarterbacks if he can stay healthy for the first time in three seasons.

• Weaknesses: There are no proven receivers. The offensive line is shaky and needs two new starters, and one starter could be a redshirt freshman. UNC also needs a consistent running back, although Shaun Draughn showed promise last season with 866 yards.

• Best returning players: QB T.J. Yates, OC Lowell Dyer, OT Kyle Jolly, DE Robert Quinn, DT Marvin Austin, LB Bruce Carter, LB Quan Sturdivant, S Deunta Williams

• Best newcomers: WR Joshua Adams, WR Jheranie Boyd, LB Kevin Reddick, OL Brennan Williams

• Key losses: WR Hakeem Nicks; OG Aaron Stahl, OT Garrett Reynolds, OG Calvin Darity, S Trimane Goddard, WR Brooks Foster, KR Brandon Tate, LB Mark Paschal

• Key to the season: The play of the offensive line will be vital. The depth isn't what Davis would like, and Greg Elleby was moved from the defensive line to help. Yates needs protection to avoid another injury, and the backs need holes to run through.

• Big games: Sept. 26 at Georgia Tech; Oct. 22 vs. Florida State; Oct. 29 at Virginia Tech; Nov. 28 at N.C. State

• They'll beat… The Citadel, Connecticut, East Carolina, Virginia, Georgia Southern, Duke, Miami, Boston College and N.C. State.

• They'll lose to… Georgia Tech, Florida State and Virginia Tech.

-- Bill Cole

Virginia

• Last year's record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)

• Coach: Al Groh (56-44 in eight seasons at Virginia, 82-84 in 14 seasons overall)

• Last bowl appearance: 2007 Gator, lost to Texas Tech 31-28.

• Strengths: Virginia has plenty of speed, and the secondary should be one of the best in the conference. The Cavaliers also have a big (all five starters are at least 6-5) and fairly experienced offensive line.

• Weaknesses: The Cavaliers struggled on offense last season, even with All-America Eugene Monroe anchoring the line. Monroe has left for the NFL, and Virginia has unsettled situations at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, plus a new offensive coordinator.

• Best returning players: OL Will Barker, DL Matt Conrath, DB Ras-I Dowling

• Best newcomers: RB Torrey Mack, WR Tim Smith, DL Will Hill

• Key losses: OL Eugene Monroe, WR Kevin Ogletree, RB Cedric Peerman, TE John Phillips, LB Clint Sintim, LB Jon Copper

• Keys to the season: Gregg Brandon, a former head coach at Bowling Green and a protege of Florida's Urban Meyer, takes over as the offensive coordinator. The Cavs hope that his no-huddle, high-octane scheme can revitalize a moribund offense that finished 115th out of 119 Bowl Subdivision teams in scoring offense last season. But it might take time for the players to become comfortable with the new system.

• Big games: Oct. 17 at Maryland; Nov. 28 vs. Virginia Tech

• They'll beat… William & Mary, Indiana, Duke and Boston College.

• They'll lose to… Southern Miss, TCU, North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

-- Bryant Galbaugh

Virginia Tech

• Last year's record: 10-4 (5-3 in ACC)

• Coach: Frank Beamer (176-89-2 in 22 seasons at Virginia Tech, 219-112-4 in 28 seasons overall)

• Last bowl appearance: 2009 Orange, defeated Cincinnati 20-7.

• Strengths: There's a reason so many people are picking Virginia Tech to win its third straight ACC championship. The Hokies should have as much, or more, overall talent than any team in the ACC, and with the return of 13 starters, much of that talent is experienced. They're particularly deep in the offensive line and secondary, two areas in which experience is a premium. Four Hokies were named to the preseason All-ACC team, TE Greg Boone, G Sergio Render, DE Jason Worilds and S Kam Chancellor.

• Weaknesses: The backfield took a serious blow in the preseason when tailback Darren Evans, the third-leading rusher in the ACC last season, was sidelined for the season with a torn knee ligament. The injury left Beamer scrambling to find a workhorse back, especially with the heir apparent, Josh Oglesby, slowed during the preseason by a tight hamstring. Also, for all of his athletic ability, quarterback Tyrod Taylor hasn't been the most reliable of passers. Last season he threw seven interceptions and just two touchdown passes and finished 10th in the ACC in passing efficiency.

• Best returning players: TE Greg Boone, OG Sergio Render, OT Ed Wang, WR Danny Coale, DE Jason Worilds, DT John Graves, DT Cordarrow Thompson, S Kam Chancellor, CB Stephan Virgil, P Brent Bowden

• Best newcomers: TB Davis Wilson, QB Logan Thomas, TB Ryan Williams (r-Fr.), OG David Wang, WR Tony Gregory, WR Xavier Boyce (r-Fr.), WR Marcus Davis (r-Fr.), DT Antoine Hopkins (r-Fr.), LB Bruce Taylor (r-Fr.). LB Lyndell Gibson (r-Fr.)

• Key losses: TB Darren Evans, C Ryan Shuman, OG Nick Marshman, DE Orion Martin, LB Brett Warren, LB Purnell Sturdivant, CB Macho Harris

• Keys to the season: If Taylor plays well at quarterback, and if Beamer can find a replacement for Evans at running back, Virginia Tech should be as good as advertised. The Hokies could command national respect early by beating Alabama in the Sept. 5 opener in Atlanta.

• Big games: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama; Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech; Oct. 29 vs. North Carolina

• They'll beat… Marshall, Nebraska, Miami, Duke, Boston College, North Carolina, East Carolina, Maryland, N.C State and Virginia.

• They'll lose to… Alabama and Georgia Tech.

-- Dan Collins