The ACC had its chance last season, and say this for the league -- it capitalized. Florida State was down, and three teams took advantage. North Carolina thumped the Seminoles 41-9, while NC State handed Florida State its first ACC loss at Tallahassee. And all Maryland did was finish with a better league record to deny the Seminoles an ACC crown for the first time since they joined the league in 1992.

Way to go, ACC. Now sit back down and hope Florida State isn't too angry, because the Seminoles look to be back, and back in a big way, this season.

"You know they aren't going to be happy about last year, don't you?" says Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato.

	Around The ACC
	Clemson Tigers
	Duke Blue Devils
	Florida State Seminoles
	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
	Maryland Terrapins
	North Carolina Tar Heels
	NC State Wolfpack
	Virginia Cavaliers
	Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Seminoles return 15 full-time starters, including four offensive linemen, the entire defensive front, both cornerbacks and nationally-rated quarterback Chris Rix. Also back is sophomore kicker Xavier Beitia, an All-American candidate who missed just one field goal in 14 tries last season. If the Seminoles have a weakness, it's at punter, where Chance Gwaltney barely averaged 40 yards per kick last season.

First, though, teams have to make the Seminoles punt.

"After that great run (of 14 consecutive top-five national finishes) I guess last season was bound to happen some time," says FSU coach Bobby Bowden. "We had some injuries and other things, and in the past we were able to overcome them, but not last year. But this year, I do think we're back where we need to be."

Elsewhere in the league, NC State looks ready to rise another rung in the conference standings, while recent stalwarts Maryland, Georgia Tech and Clemson should again be in the bowl picture if they can successfully replace star quarterbacks Shaun Hill, George Godsey and Woodrow Dantzler, respectively.

As for the two Tobacco Road surprises last season, North Carolina and Wake Forest? Injuries and other forms of attrition at key positions could make an encore difficult, but keep an eye on both. UNC coach John Bunting and Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe have the look of winners.

Game of the Year
Even if the conference championship has been decided already, Florida State's late-season trip to NC State on Nov. 23 could have ramifications beyond the ACC title. First, the Seminoles will be looking for payback after suffering their first ACC home loss to the Wolfpack last season. Second, big-time bowl aspirations should be on the line for both teams. And third, with FSU coach Bobby Bowden getting on in years, speculation grows about his potential successor. Guess whose name is in the wind these days? Chuck Amato, who has led NC State to two bowl games in two seasons after being Bowden's top assistant for years.

Offensive Player of the Year
It's tempting to pencil in NC State quarterback Philip Rivers and move on to defense, but that's too hasty. Look north, to Maryland, where tailback Bruce Perry is coming off a 1,242-yard season as the 2001 ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Perry figures to be even busier this season, what with four starting offensive linemen back and the Terps likely needing to rely on the ground game while breaking in a new quarterback.

Defensive Player of the Year
It's just as tempting to pencil in Maryland All-American linebacker E.J. Henderson, but let's be fair about this and look south -- to NC State. Safety Terrence Holt is a preseason All-American candidate, a heavy hitter against the run with the speed to defend in pass coverage. Add his utter dominance on special teams, where the high-flying Holt routinely intimidates field-goal kickers into missing wide left or right, and we feel good about this pick.

Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for The Charlotte Observer.