NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Chuck Amato, former Seminoles assistant, became the first ACC coach to beat the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. ... QB Philip Rivers has 5,640 yards and 41 TDs entering his junior season. ... FS Terrence Holt, younger brother of St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt, anchors defense. ... Could be 6-0 heading to archrival North Carolina on Oct. 12.
MARYLAND: Terps defend first ACC crown since 1985 ... Eight starters back on offense that averaged league-best 35.5 ppg ... Friedgen, aka The Fridge, has lost 37 pounds and is now under 320.
GEORGIA TECH: Former Cowboys coach Chan Gailey takes over one of college football's biggest disappointments in 2001. ... Finished 8-5 and fourth in the ACC. ... Nine starters return on defense, including Greg Gathers, who has 30 career sacks. ... QB George Godsey is gone; transfer A.J. Suggs takes over. ... K Luke Manget has an ACC-record 131 consecutive PATs.
CLEMSON: QB Woodrow Dantzler is gone; Willie Simmons moves in ... Defense returns eight starters.
NORTH CAROLINA: League's best defense last year might be worst in '02. ... Eight starters, including Julius Peppers and Ryan Sims, gone. ... Look for lots of points behind QB Darian Durant (1,843 yards, 17 TDs).
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WAKE FOREST: Led league in rushing in '01, but there could be problems this year. TB Tarence Williams might miss first three games with a broken foot; backup Fred Staton is academically ineligible ... Last year's 6-5 mark was team's third winning season since 1988.
VIRGINIA: Former Jets coach Al Groh had a strong recruiting class, but Cavs might be too young to contend this season. ... Last year's 5-7 record was first losing season since '86.
DUKE: Blue Devils' 23-game losing streak is longest in nation. ... LB Jamyon Small is team's only senior. ...Last victory: over Wake Forest in November 1999.
