There are five more weekdays until NC State kicks off against Tennessee in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 31. We’re counting down with 25 reasons to be excited about ACC football this year. This list features coaches, players, games, themes, position groups -- 25 things for you to look forward to.
The countdown to kickoff continues with …
No. 5: The winningest active coach in college football. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer enters his 26th season in Blacksburg as the winningest active coach in the FBS with 251 career wins. That’s something worth bragging about. Not only has Beamer transformed his alma mater into one of the nation’s top programs, he is also one of the good guys in the business. Beamer has led the Hokies to 19 consecutive bowl appearances, four ACC titles and five Coastal Division crowns. Since the beginning of the 1995 season, no team in the FBS has had more wins than Virginia Tech, and the Hokies have finished in the top 20 in 16 of the past 20 seasons, including four top-10 finishes during the last eight years. The Hokies have plenty of questions heading into their season opener against Georgia Tech, but one of the biggest reasons expectations remain high is Beamer and his staff’s ability to reload and win consistently.
No. 6: The ACC championship game
No. 7: Florida State's defensive line
No. 8: Thursday night games
No. 9: Atlanta
No. 10: NC State's secondary
No. 11: SEC rivalry games
No. 12: Virginia Tech's 10-game winning streak
No. 13: Florida State vs. Clemson
No. 14: North Carolina vs. NC State
No. 15: Unofficial state championships
No. 16: Talented true freshmen
No. 17: Unpredictability
No. 18: ACC vs. Notre Dame
No. 19: Clemson's offensive playmakers
No. 20: The ACC's record chasers
No. 21: Larry Fedora
No. 22: One of the nation's top rushing offenses
No. 23: The last season before expansion
No. 24: Brent Venables
No. 25: A fresh start at Maryland
