ACC recharges its power supply to short out FSU

Sporting News, The, July 7, 1997 by Tom Dienhart, Mike Huguenin

If change does you good, look no further than the ACC. Six of the league's nine schools have new offensive coordinators in an attempt to keep up with Florida State, which is 39-1 in league play since 1992.

The reasons for the hirings are varied. Some coaches may be feeling the heat (N.C. State's Mike O'Cain and Wake Forest's Jim Caldwell) and trying to shake things up; others want more creativity (Georgia Tech and Clemson). And then there are Maryland, which is breaking in a new staff, and Virginia, whose coordinator left to coach Boston College. Here is a look at the most interesting league to watch in 1997.

Clemson: The Tigers never have been accused of being BYU East. Last year, Clemson passed for 136.1 yards per game; in 1995, it was 134.3 yards. Although Clemson went a combined 15-9 with bowl appearances the past two seasons, coach Tommy West knows his team needs a better passing attack. That's why he brought Steve Ensminger from Texas A&M to replace Darrell Moody. Ensminger looks to torque up senior Nealon Greene.

What to expect: The A&M passing offense didn't shine under Ensminger; Branndon Stewart struggled last year after being a ballyhooed transfer from Tennessee. Ensminger was blamed in part for Stewart's troubles. Ensminger was hamstrung in working for A&M coach R.C. Slocum, and West is a lot like Slocum. Ensminger's coaching may be more important for the backup quarterbacks.

Georgia Tech: Ralph Friedgen, architect of high-powered Yellow Jackets offenses from 1987 to '91, rejoins the staff after five years in the NFL He directed the Chargers' offense when the team went to the 1994 Super Bowl.

What to expect: With an exciting quarterback in Joe Hamilton and dangerous targets such as Harvey Middleton and Derrick Steagall, look for the Jackets to open things up by spreading the field and using more motion.

Maryland: The Terrapins are the only ACC team with a new coach, so everything is new. Coach Ron Vanderlinden's offensive coordinator is Craig Johnson, quarterbacks coach at Northwestern the past five seasons. Johnson developed Steve Schnur, who led the Big Ten in passing efficiency in 1996.

What to expect: The Terrapins hope to build a power running game that will set up play-action passes. Johnson will have a physical runner (Buddy Rodgers) and veteran passer (Brian Cummings) to help his cause. The receivers could be a problem.

N.C. State: After consecutive 3-8 seasons, Mike O'Cain faces a make-or-break campaign. His cause wasn't helped by the departure of coordinator Ted Cain to VMI. Jimmy Kiser steps in and inherits some talent. Kiser must reverse the Wolfpack's propensity to give up the ball: State ranked 105th in turnover margin last year.

What to expect: Kiser has some weapons at his disposal, so expect a balanced attack. Four starting linemen are back, along with tailback-deluxe Tremayne Stephens. Jamie Barnette, who is effective running and passing, has good targets in Torry Holt and Alvis Whitted.

Virginia: New offensive coordinator Sparky Woods helped orchestrate an effective attack as coach of South Carolina from 1989 to '93.

What to expect: Although quarterback Aaron Brooks is a first-time starter. he has been around three seasons and has a big-play target in Germane Crowell. With Tiki Barber 4gone, look for Woods to lean on Brooks, a terrific athlete with a big arm, and sophomore Thomas Jones, who should be the next topnotch tailback. The line will be questionable.

Wake Forest: This is supposed to be a breakout year, as Jim Caldwell enters his fifth season. Caldwell should feel confident the offense will be OK under Hank Small's watch. Small, the running backs coach the past two seasons at Wake, was coach at Division I-AA Lehigh from 1986 to '93.

What to expect: Small's top priority is improving a ground "attack" that ranked last in the nation in '96. Tailback Morgan Kane will run---or try to run--behind a rebuilt line. Any semblance of a running game will make what figures to be one of the league's top passing games--headed by quarterback Brian Kuklick and 6-3 wideouts Desmond Clark and Thabiti Davis--even more effective.

Tom Dienhart and Mike Huguenin cover college football for The Sporting News E-mail them at colfb@sportingnews.com and see their responses at www.sportingnews.com and on our AOL site (keyword TSN).