Most publications or websites have college football previews in July and early August, but here at First and 10 I like to get an early start so during those months I can concentrate on hard-hitting news, not just fluff material to get page views.

In my first Early Breakdown I will talk briefly about the ACC Atlantic, break down each team and see where their questions lie.

It has been a long decade for the ACC. Since Florida State won the national championship in 1999, no ACC team has won a BCS bowl. That’s a long stretch for a conference known as a “football league”.

Despite its BCS shortcomings, the balanced ACC has produced some major stars in the last few years. In the 2008 NFL Draft, the ACC had the most first-round picks (seven), most notably No. 3 pick Matt Ryan (QB, Atlanta Falcons) and No. 2 pick Chris Long (DE, St Louis Rams). One ACC coach feels this trend will not change.

“Maybe we haven’t had that one dominant team but what we see as coaches is an incredible balance in this league,” Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe told the Associated Press. “And it’s going to be that way again this season.”

ACC Atlantic Breakdown

Boston College
2007 season record: 11-3

Will Chris Crane be the next Matt Ryan?

Biggest question: Who will replace Matt Ryan?
Obviously BC will have to replace the arm of Matt Ryan. But will it be Chris Crane or Dominique Davis under centre? As of right now Crane has a slight lead but who knows what will happen before BC’s opener against Kent State on August 30^th.
Ryan threw for over 4000 yards last year and tallied 31 passing TDs, a tough act to follow for either Crane or Davis. The Eagles biggest loss though will be Ryan’s veteran toughness. The No. 3 pick in this year’s draft led BC to some big road wins last season, beating Georgia Tech, Clemson, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech en route to a 4-1 record away from campus.
Second biggest question: Running game.
Boston College lost its top two runners from last year and will start as many as three sophomores on the O-line this season. Can a true freshman be the Eagles’ savior?
Running back Josh Haden, an early enrollee at BC, looks like he will be starting come August. The shifty RB from Fort Washington, Maryland is an explosive back that is known for making people miss. But, the chemistry of BC’s young offensive line and Haden’s propensity for not having good vision between tackles could be a disaster for the Eagles.
Noteworthy: The Eagles’ D will miss one piece, but gain another.
Defensive end Brady Smith, who had 20 starts in two seasons at BC, was kicked off the team after being charged with rape. However, the Eagles get Brian Toal back. The linebacker sat out last year with a shoulder injury.

Clemson
2007 season record: 9-4

C.J. Spiller gives Clemson the ACC’s most dynamic offense.

Biggest question: Can Clemson get over the hump?
After being tagged as a preseason Top 10 team, the Tigers have a big weight on their shoulders. After three straight years of almost winning the ACC title, Clemson, who returns 17 starters from last year, thinks a fourth time may be a charm.
“Based on who we’ve got coming back, I’m anxious to see how the team responds to the preseason ranking,” head coach Tommy Bowden told The Independent Mail.
“Hopefully they’ll understand like coaches that the ranking at the end of the season is important.”
Second biggest question: Holes at the linebacker and O-line spots.
Losing playmakers like Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie hurts Clemson at the LB position, but coach Bowden has confidently picked his starters for ’08. Sophomore Scotty Cooper will start at strong side linebacker, red shirt freshman Brandon Maye in the middle and junior Kavell Conner at weak side linebacker.
Clemson returns only one starter on the offensive line, junior center Thomas Austin. Bowden named right tackle Chris Hairston as a starter as well after a great spring by the six-foot-six, 300-pound sophomore.
Noteworthy: Clemson has the best skill players in the ACC.
With Cullen Harper at quarterback, Aaron Kelly catching balls and the running back tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller, the Tigers will have easily the most exciting offense in the ACC in 2008.

Florida State
2007 season record: 7-6

There will be no trophy raising for Bobby this year.

Biggest question: Will new faces spell same old Seminoles?
Florida State lost 25 players from last season’s roster, so fans will have some new players to cheer for. But, can these new players step in and contribute right away? Well, eight players with starting experience must sit out the first three games for the Seminoles, so instant contributions are crucial to their success.
“Some might be ready to play and we’ll get this going back like we ought to,” head coach Bobby Bowden told Nolessports.com.
Second biggest question: O-line troubles.
As of right now, FSU has four freshmen on the No. 2 offensive line team, a huge concern for Bowden and company. With starting left guard Rodney Hudson moving to left tackle, the Seminoles will need some younger guys to step up in a big way this year.
Noteworthy: Will Preston be back?
Playmaking wide receiver Preston Parker, who caught 62 balls for 791 yards last season, may not be back in ’08 due to a felony weapon and drug arrest.

Maryland
2007 season record: 6-7

Da’Rel Scott has a lot of weight on his shoulders this season.

Biggest question: Can Terps handle West Coast offense?
After firing himself as offensive coordinator, head coach Ralph Friedgen decided to make James Franklin his new man. Franklin came over from Kansas State where he made the Wildcats the 18^th best scoring team in the nation, finishing with 35.2 points per game. Under Friedgen, Maryland scored 23.3 points per game, good for 91^st in the country.
Now let’s see if the new ‘O’ can keep opposing defenses out of the Terps’ backfield?
Second biggest question: Who will start at quarterback on opening day?
According to Friedgen, Chris Turner, who started eight games last season, currently has the edge over Jordan Steffy. Steffy was last year’s starter before getting injured five games into the season. Josh Portis, a Florida transfer, is also being considered for the position.
Noteworthy: Young bucks man the backfield.
Maryland lost two senior running backs. Keon Lattimore, who led the team in rushing yards (805) and touchdowns (13), as well as Lance Ball, will be sorely missed this year. However, the coaching staff was impressed with Da’Rel Scott and Morgan Green in spring practice and sees the sophomores as the next Maryland dynamic duo.

N.C. State
2007 season record: 5-7

Mike Glennon will make N.C. State better right away.

Biggest question: Will the kid get a chance?
The Wolfpack landed the 5^th-ranked high school quarterback in the nation, but will he get to play this year?
Well, after a disappointing spring at the QB position, head coach Tom O’Brien will definitely give the kid a serious look. Mike Glennon, who led Westville High School (Virginia) to two-straight undefeated seasons, is the QB of the future for the Wolfpack. Can he contribute right away? Some scouts think so.
”While most high schools have gone to a spread offense to showcase their QB’s, Glennon plays exclusively under center and that has allowed him to perfect his drops,” a recruiting analyst from Scout.com said.
Second biggest question: Wolfpack ‘D’ better after losing seven starters?
Well, anybody losing seven starters on that side of the ball is sure to get worse right? Not so says O’Brien.
“We are much better this spring even with the losses,” he told the Associated Press.
The truth is, that after finishing second-last in the ACC in total defense (393.4 ypg) and scoring defense (28.2 ppg), new faces may be just what the doctor ordered for the N.C. State defense.
Noteworthy: Minus 16? Are you kidding me?
After finishing the season 111^th in the nation with 32 turnovers, the Wolfpack have adjusted their focus this spring to taking care of the football. N.C. State only forced 16 turnovers in 2007, good for a -16 turnover margin.
So what was the big culprit? Wolfpack QBs threw for 23 interceptions. Nuff said!

Wake Forest
2007 season record: 9-4

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons could be No. 1 this year.

Biggest question: Will speed on the O-line help smooth things out?
With memories of 2007’s 94^th ranked offense, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has put a few wrinkles in his offense this spring.
Despite using four new starters on the offensive line, the Deacons coaching staff is excited about how much they have improved as these new guys are leaner and more versatile than the old crew.
Second biggest question: Does Wake have what it takes to win the ACC?
Before winning the title in 2006, Wake Forest had only one it once before (1970). That’s two titles in 24 seasons.
After winning only four games in 2005, the Demon Deacons have bounced back strong, winning 20 games in the past two seasons.
Noteworthy: Is D.J. as good as his big brother?
D.J. Boldin heads into his senior year for Wake. The younger brother of former FSU standout Anquan, D.J. has a chance to prove himself this year after sitting behind playmakers like Kenny Moore and Kevin Morton for a few seasons.
Boldin has only 26 career catches for 351 yards and 0 TDs, a far cry from the 118 passes for 1,790 yards and 21 TDs Anquan tallied in only 23 games.

Up next: Early ACC Breakdown Pt. 2: ACC Coastal

After completing one of the worst defensive seasons in NCAA history last year, the Minnesota Gophers have nowhere to go but up, right?

The Gophers’ defense finished dead last in the NCAA in 2007, giving up over 500 yards per game en route to a winless record in the Big Ten (0-8 , 1-11 overall). Welcome to the league Tim!

Tim Brewster, now in his second year as Minnesota’s head coach, is optimistic that competition, some Juco transfers and a new defensive coordinator can shake things up at Hubert H. Humphrey Stadium this season.

Minny brought in Ted Roof to rally the defense. The former Duke head coach installed a new and easy-to-learn system for his young players. After a physical spring, the Gophers feel they have the tools that it takes to win in the tough Big Ten. Roof believes it starts with a “smash-mouth” defense.

“He (Roof) takes it real slow and makes it understandable for the defense,” defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg told the Pioneer Press. “He’s not trying to take this big step; it’s just little steps at a time. Now, when you look back towards the end of spring, we took a pretty big step.”

For a team that will have up to eight new starters on opening day, relying mostly on incoming freshmen and junior college transfers; the Gophers took a big leap forward in the off-season, landing a Top 20 recruiting class comprised mostly of defensive playmakers.

Tremaine Brock, a six-foot free safety who transferred from Perkinston (MS) Gulf Coast Community College, has impressed the coaching staff with his speed, athleticism and competitiveness. Brock has already been dubbed the “leader of the defense” by Roof and is expected to be one of Minny’s top players this season.

However, Brewster says he will keep all starting positions open to keep competitiveness in his players. Complacency and security is not an option, even for linebackers Deon Hightower and Steve Davis, both in their senior year.

“Just because you’re the starter right now doesn’t mean much. You have to continue to get better,” Brewster said. “You know you have to play the best every single time. And if you’re not able to do that, you’re not going to play.”

One spot on the other side of the ball is taken though. The Gophers are set for a few years at quarterback with Adam Weber. The sophomore set more than a few Minnesota records last season as a freshman, tallying almost 3000 passing yards and scoring 29 total touchdowns in a spread offense.

Weber will carry more of a burden on his back this year though as the Gophers are thin at the running back and wide receiver position.

Who knows what the future brings. Maybe a few wins? Maybe one Big Ten win? Either way, the Minnesota Golden Gophers will improve on last year. They should have better speed and more athleticism on the defensive side of the ball, but with a possible eight new starters comprised mostly of incoming freshman and juco transfers, it’s hard to think positive.

We know Weber will put up points for Minnesota, but can the D’ keep other teams from scoring? Only time will tell.

After reporting yesterday that Pat Cowan may miss the entire 2008 season, UCLA officials confirmed it today.

The Bruins QB, who was named starter over 25-year-old Ben Olsen this spring, was taken off the field on a stretcher last Thursday after partially tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will have surgery to repair it.

Cowan’s injury is only half the concern right now for UCLA as Olsen was also injured on the same day, breaking a bone in his right foot. The senior is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks.

Cowan hits a crossroad because he has already used a redshirt season, meaning if he gets another one he’d have to apply to the NCAA to play for a sixth season of eligibility.

“All I know is I need the surgery and I’m not going to be able to play next season,” Cowan told the Associated Press. “I wasn’t expecting this. There are a lot of things that can happen at this point.”

Now we wait to see if UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel goes with Olsen or Juco transfer Kevin Craft as his starter for the 2008 season.

“I have full confidence in the kids to give everything they’ve got,” he said.

If UCLA fans weren’t expecting much out of the Bruins heading into the 2008 season, they can now double their anxiety.

Durin spring practice last week, UCLA lost not one senior quarterback, but two to freak accidents. Both Ben Olsen and Pat Cowan, who was named starter heading into the season, went down with substantial injuries. Cowan was carted off the field with a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while Olsen suffered a broken bone in his right foot.

Olson, who missed six games last season due to a number of injuries, is expected to be out for six to eight weeks while Cowan, who missed eight games, will be out for an indefinite period of time, maybe the entire 2008 season?

“There is a chance, should the MRI prove that reconstruction (surgery) is necessary, we could be without Pat in ’08,” Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel told the Associated Press.

While Olsen does have four months to get ready for the season, I have to pose the question. Is it time for a new era for UCLA?

During Saturday night’s spring practice-ending scrimmage, Juco transfer Kevin Craft and redshirt freshman Chris Forcier took snaps for both the first and second team. According to Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times, neither QB “appeared sharp”.

Converted WR Osaar Rasshan did not see action in the scrimmage but it appears that he is moving up the ladder after being tagged as the No. 5 QB heading into the season.

While losing Olsen and Cowan is an obvious blow to the Bruins, they are in a rebuilding year and may benefit from introducing a new four-year starter into the fold.

“I’m always one that looks to the bright side. And it’s a great opportunity for Kevin Craft to take another step in learning our offense and go out and gain some confidence. It’s a great opportunity for Chris, and it’s a great opportunity for Osaar Rasshan to prove that he’s a quarterback,” Neuheisel said.

No matter who starts when the season begins, UCLA is sure to be in for a year-long uphill battle in a tough Pac 10 conference. Bruins fans unite and pray that Groundhog Day doesn’t come to the Rose Bowl in the form of your two senior QBs being injured all season like they were last year.

After three years as the Hokies’ main threat at running back, Branden Ore has been dismissed by the team.

“We have decided that it would be best for Branden to pursue other opportunities,” head coach Frank Beamer said in a written statement to the Associated Press.

In three seasons at the school, Ore amassed over 3175 all-purpose yards and scored 33 TDs (31 rushing). Last season, the fleet-footed back led the Hokies with 992 rushing yards.

While this is sure to be a blow to Virginia Tech’s backfield, Beamer was mum on the effect this will have on his team and also would not give the reason Ore was dismissed.

“Branden has had many great moments here at Virginia Tech, and we wish him well in the future,” Beamer said.

If the Maroon vs. White Spring Game is any indication, the Hokies will be okay. With the trio of Dustin Pickle, Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby all running strong in the game, VT fans got to see what life without Ore will be like.

Now we wait to see what the running back will do next.