ACC Football: What we learned, top games and more in 2020 review

Can any team take advantage of Clemson’s turnover?

The Clemson Tigers will be without quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne, wide receivers Cornell Powell and Amari Rodgers, and tackle Jackson Carman on offense. Cornerback Derion Kendrick could declare, and their field general safety Nolan Turner is gone. Is there any team that can take advantage of the turnover of experienced talent?

Even with that talent leaving Clemson, next season could be the Tigers’ most talented roster. Every player on next season’s roster was part of a top-10 recruiting class, a first under Swinney. However, the offense will lack experience in some key places. Next season will show how close, or how far, the rest of the conference is from Clemson.

How good can Miami be with D’Eriq King returning next season?

Whoever gave D’Eriq King advice at the end of the season gave him sound counsel. With King returning to Coral Gables next season, the Hurricanes look to be a reliable team. Most important, King’s return gives head coach Manny Diaz, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to find their next quarterback. Both N’Kosi Perry and Tyler Van Dyke are on the roster to compete for QB1 after King leaves.

There is also the possibility that their quarterback is not yet on their roster. Four-star quarterback Jake Garcia arrives this spring; there is the possibility he’s the future. Whichever direction Miami goes, King gives the ‘Canes time to sort it out.

Even without Gregory Rousseau, Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche, the Hurricanes’ pass rush should still be formidable. Diaz and his defensive staff have recruited well in that area. With the ACC going back to divisional play, could the Hurricanes play for their second conference title next year?

Are the Tar Heels poised to take the next step in year three under Mack Brown?

…or will the Tar Heels take the next step and become a top-tier program in the ACC? Head coach Mack Brown has his quarterback, Sam Howell, or at least one more season.

The challenge for UNC is replacing five of its best players. Wide receivers Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown, running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and linebacker Chazz Surratt are all gone next season.

Brown has recruited well since coming to Chapel Hill, but the defense needs to step forward for the Tar Heels to compete next season. Even Howell needs to take a step forward in his maturation and be more consistent in the flow of a game for the ‘Heels to be a threat in the Coastal next season.

Is David Cutcliffe on the hot seat at Duke?

There is little question as to what David Cutcliffe has meant to Duke football since 2008. Duke has gone to six bowl games and five winning seasons during Cutcliffe’s time at Duke. The 12 previous seasons before Cutcliffe, zero winning seasons and zero bowl games.

Duke had never won ten games or went to consecutive bowl games. The Blue Devils did not have consecutive winning seasons since Steve Spurrier in 1988 and 1989.

Still, this is very much a “what have you done for me lately” game, and the last two seasons, the Blue Devils have struggled to win games and score points. Duke has finished second to last in the conference the previous two seasons. Last season’s average point differential was -13.3, over nine points higher than 2019’s -5. Every loss was by at least two possessions the previous season except the Virginia Tech game.

Does this mean Cutcliffe is potentially coaching for his job next season? Maybe. If next season is his last in Durham, the Blue Devils have the formula for hiring their next coach.