ACC Roundtable: Who Will Win the Divisions?

By: TheSabre.com |

The ACC football season kicked off Thursday night with Boston College in action and the Eagles pulled out a victory. But what’s in store for the 12 league members this season? Techsideline.com and TheSabre.com teamed up to tackle questions facing some of the teams this season in this ACC Roundtable. Among the topics covered by the five-person panel: Reggie Ball, Wake Forest’s chances, Carolina’s bowl odds, and of course, some Hokie and Hoo thoughts as well.

Is this the year that Georgia Tech’s Reggie Ball finally plays up to his potential?

WILL STEWART: Yes, I think so, depending upon what you think his “potential” is. I think the question is really, “Will he get rid of the maddening inconsistencies?” I think he will. Never count out the senior QB. Here’s a funny story: After Bryan Randall threw a hideous interception across his body for a touchdown in the 2004 WVU-VT game, I turned to the guy next to me in the stands and sighed, “I guess Randall will never be a good college quarterback. If he hasn’t done it now, he’s not going to.” That was the fifth game of that season, and in the last eight games, Randall was a different player. I think that Reggie Ball will likewise step up for the Jackets.

CHRIS COLEMAN: I’m not sure anyone knows what Ball’s potential truly is. He’s only 5-11, and less than 200 pounds, so he’s not a proto-typical quarterback. He’ll never be a drop-back passer who can see over the line and complete passes over the middle. I think he’ll throw less picks this year, but his completion percentage will never be much higher than 50 percent.

BOURBONSTREET: Yes. Ball cut his INT total from 18 to 12 in 2005, as well as decreasing his sack total by 18. Now he needs to work on his completion percentage. Georgia Tech will have one of the better ACC offensive lines this year as well. It returns five players with starting experience, and fields four upperclassmen. That should provide the necessary time in order for Ball to raise his completion percentage in 2006. Lastly, I am told that Ball has finally taken over some leadership duties on the Yellow Jacket football team, and that’s always a good sign.

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