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.

6. WAKE FOREST — Most returning starters (18) in the ACC, and early schedule looks favorable with Syracuse, Duke and Liberty all visiting in September ... Problem is, among the few departed starters are RB Chris Barclay (113 yards per game last season, league player of the year), QB Cory Randolph and P Ryan Plackemeier (Division I-A best average of 47.2 yards per kick).

Coastal

1. MIAMI — Doubters are everywhere, questioning Larry Coker's job security and a perceived lack of playmaking. The Hurricanes still are a popular pick to win the ACC for the first time, with QB Kyle Wright and TE Greg Olsen perhaps set to emerge as big-time stars ... S Brandon Meriweather and LB Jon Beason lead a defense that ranked among the nation's best in '05 and could be better. Plus, Miami plays five of its first six at home — and gets rivals Florida State and Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, too.

2. VIRGINIA TECH — Either Sean Glennon or Cory Holt should emerge as the replacement for QB Marcus Vick, who was dismissed after last season. Whoever gets the nod will probably often look to gamebreaker WR Eddie Royal ... Defending Coastal champs lost several key players from nation's top-ranked defense in '05 ... Hokies play all four nonconference games at home, against Northeastern, Cincinnati, Southern Mississippi and Kent.

3. GEORGIA TECH — Notre Dame visits Sept. 2, part of season-opening four-game homestand for Chan Gailey's club ... Yellow Jackets may have more experience on offense than any team in the ACC, with preseason league player of the year WR Calvin Johnson, QB Reggie Ball and four offensive linemen among eight returning starters ... Johnson is only 275 yards shy of the career 2,000-yard mark.