A capsule look at the teams in their predicted order of finish:

Atlantic

1. FLORIDA STATE — Bobby Bowden must replace 14 starters from last season's ACC champions, including three defensive stars who went in the first 14 selections of the NFL draft — and that doesn't include Antonio Cromartie, who went No. 19 after missing 2005 because of injury ... QB Drew Weatherford was the first freshman in league history to lead the ACC in total offense, and topped all rookies nationally in passing yards (3,208) and touchdown passes (18).

2. CLEMSON — After opening with Florida Atlantic, the Tigers start league play with trips to Boston College and Florida State, possibly setting the tone for the season ... RB James Davis (879 yards) is coming off an ACC rookie of the year season, and with QB Charlie Whitehurst gone, Davis will be asked to carry a bigger load ... DE Gaines Adams leads experienced defense ... K Jad Dean is one of the league's best.

3. BOSTON COLLEGE — Priority one: Finding who will replace DE Mathias Kiwanuka and WR Will Blackmon, part of a departing class that combined to make 286 starts for the Eagles ... QB Matt Ryan was 5-0 as a starter last season ... Nonconference schedule isn't exactly overpowering; opponents Central Michigan, BYU, Maine and Buffalo combined to go 18-27 last season.

4. MARYLAND — QB Sam Hollenbach could blossom; he completed 61 percent of his passes in '05 for 2,539 yards and 13 touchdowns — but also had 15 interceptions. Having four returning offensive line starters should help ... RB Lance Ball emerged as an elite back in late '05, finishing with 903 yards ... Early road slate — West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Virginia — is tough.

5. N.C. STATE — DE Mario Williams went No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, and Chuck Amato's Wolfpack lost two other defensive starters who went in the opening round ... A 5-1 finish to last season should provide some momentum going into 2006 ... QB Marcus Stone took over as the starter to spearhead the late-season winning run, and has three solid runners behind him to help take some pressure off his arm.