2011 ACC Football Preseason Predictions: Media Tabs Florida State as ACC Favorite

Florida State was picked to win the ACC Championship Game by the assembled
ACC media in Pinehurst, NC on Monday afternoon. The Hokies finished a distant
second in the voting, while two other teams also had votes. The media also voted
on their preseason ACC Player of the Year.

The vast majority of the media projected Florida State and Virginia Tech to
win their respective divisions. 60 of the 71 voters have the ‘Noles and Hokies
in the ACC Championship Game. 45 predict Florida State to win, while 15 pick the
Hokies to win.

Four voters picked FSU over Miami in Charlotte, while two picked the Hokies
over Clemson, and two more picked Clemson over the Hokies. One voter picked
Florida State to defeat Georgia Tech, one selected Boston College over Virginia
Tech, and one picked VT over BC.

The media also picked Boston College running back Montel Harris as their
preseason ACC Player of the Year. He received 24 overall votes. Harris has 3,600
career rushing yards, the most of any ACC player in history following his junior
season. He is expected to break the career record of 4,602 yards set in 1978 by
NC State’s Ted Brown.

E.J. Manuel finished second in the voting with 14 votes. Despite the fact
that he has only six career stars, Manuel has played very well when he has been
called upon. He will lead what is expected to be a very dangerous Florida State
offense in 2011.

BC tackling machine Luke Kuechly finished third with 12 votes, while Virginia
Tech do-it-all tailback David Wilson had eight votes.

Others receiving votes include: Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien (4),
Clemson running back Andre Ellington (3), Miami running back Lamar Miller (2),
Miami linebacker Sean Spence (1) and Florida State defensive end Brandon Jenkins
(1).