By Ed McGranahan.
By Ed McGranahan
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Let’s face it. Many in media lost all sense of objectivity years ago, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that 112 attending the ACC Kickoff participated in a poll they intended to report as news.
Not only is voting an ethical breach, its laughable how often the results are wrong, and this year isn’t any different.
Historically the ACC has been easier to pick a champion than – say – the SEC. No mystery. The ACC has never had the depth of its rival, which is why ACC voters have picked the ultimate winner 23 of the past 38 seasons, and SEC voters have been correct only four times in this generation.
Where picking an SEC champion from the nominees resembles a Republican primary, it didn’t require a logarithm to determine that Florida State should be the favorite to repeat as conference champion.
The Seminoles return 15 starters from their national championship team including the reigning Heisman Trophy champion, not surprisingly the choice to repeat as player of the year. Only six votes went to other ACC teams including two each to Clemson and Virginia Tech, both favorite son choices.
What’s wrong with this year’s ACC poll?
First, remember that last year Clemson swept the awards. History might provide a road map, but you’re still required to embrace the journey. Who knew Jamies would become Famous in his first season as a starter?
Next, the entire Coastal Division vote needs work. For years the Florida contingent has tried to convince the rest of us to drink the Kool-Aid which is why results, in order, were Miami, Duke, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Duke received 33 first-place votes, North Carolina 27, Miami 26 and VT 23.
Nobody can convince me that Miami is better than the next three.
Explain to me how the Hokies can finish tied for second in voting for the championship and fourth in the division. I’m not buying the theory that Frank Beamer’s career is fast coming to an end. And as much as we wish otherwise the Blue Devils were a one-hit wonder.
If North Carolina’s defense can figure out how to get off the field, it may have the league’s best offense this side of Death Valley.
Player of the year balloting is another issue. Usually the winner is chosen from the collection of players attending this event, with little consideration for those who weren’t invited. Winston, who said his father has been making a tour of Alabama with his Heisman Trophy, received 99 votes.
Vic Beasley was second to Winston with six votes. Nobody else had more than one.
Here’s a prediction. Neither Beasley nor Winston will finish in the top three at the end of the season. In fact, Beasley will be the third choice from Clemson, following either Stephone Anthony from the defense or running back Tyshon Dye.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Nobody else had a vote.