ACC Summer Football Check-in with Florida State’s Chop Chat

Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; ACC football commissioner John Swofford addresses the media during the ACC Kickoff at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

(4) STG: … Is the ACC Atlantic still the better division, and how many bowl teams total?

Nohe: I think the best teams in the ACC will once again play in the Atlantic, but the Coastal is more balanced. There are two teams that I think have a legitimate shot to win the Atlantic, FSU and Clemson. Louisville should be solid but I think they’re rebuilding this year, and then the rest of division lags behind a bit.

In the Coastal things appear to be wide open. I’m inclined to pick Virginia Tech to win it, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Miami, UNC or even Duke end up winning it. And with the possible exception of Virginia, any team in the Coastal should be able to beat any other team in the Coastal on any given day.

Either way, I think the Coastal winner ends up losing in the Championship Game, and if the ACC gets a second major bowl berth it will be the Atlantic runner-up again (like last year). In terms of total bowl berths? I’ll say FSU, Clemson, Louisville, Syracuse, BC, Virginia Tech, Miami, UNC, Pittsburgh, Duke and Georgia Tech all get bids.