The ACC Coastal has lots of questions entering the 2021 campaign but we’ve decided to take a peek at the pre-season rankings of <a href="https://publications.learfieldimgcollege.com/pages/2021-phil-steele-college-football-preview">Phil Steele</a>. Where does he think each team will finish in the ACC Coastal Division in 2021?



Let’s get into it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-duke-blue-devils">7. DUKE BLUE DEVILS</h2>



The Blue Devils are projected by Steele to finish in the basement of the ACC Coastal–a cold and lonely place for its inhabitants. Head Coach David Cutcliffe has done things with the Duke program that nobody could ever dream of, but you’ve got to ask how much longer he will stick around? 



Duke Athletic Director Kevin White recently told a reporter that Cutcliffe has more job security than he does as the AD. If the Blue Devils go 1-9 again in the ACC, it’s hard to envision him not being replaced. He deserves the chance to go out on his own terms but some of the greatest football coaches in the game get fired every year. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-virginia-cavaliers">5. VIRGINIA CAVALIERS</h2>



Steele ranks the Cavaliers to finish fifth in the ACC Coastal. Steele did give the Cavaliers credit and said, “As always the Cavaliers will be a player in the Coastal.” Quarterback Brennan Armstrong is an incredibly dangerous runner in the open field. He rushed for over 500 yards last season and four touchdowns in 2020. As a passer, he’s a little rough on the edges from time to time but really improved throughout 2020. 



The most underrated offensive line unit in the ACC returns for the ‘Hoos. They led the conference last year in yards before contact, fewest TFLs, lowest pressure rate, and fewest blown blocks. The group returning has a combined 122 starts between them. Running back Mike Hollins is a superstar waiting to emerge if the Virginia coaching staff would just feed him the rock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">5. GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS</h2>



Dual-threat quarterback Jeff Sims is one of the most exciting prospects to watch in the ACC. He made a lot of mistakes last season (13 interceptions), but it’s easy to see just how high the ceiling for this kid truly is. 



Sims is an incredibly smooth glider in the open field and his throwing motion looks effortless when he lets it rip. Sims has a long, lean frame and is a natural when it comes to eluding tacklers in the open field. 



Jahmyr Gibbs has earth-scorching speed and he’s one of the players in the ACC more fans need to know about. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-virginia-tech-hokies">3. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES</h2>



The Hokies have lots of questions surrounding their program and their head coach Justin Fuente. Is he going to last in the ACC? Why exactly is there so much turnover on this roster year after year? There have been lots of rumors of player disgruntlement with the coaching staff over the years. Fuente managed to survive the 2020 season, just barely. 



Personnel-wise, wide receivers Tayvion Robinson and Tre’ Turner are speedy and talented. They are two of the better receivers in the ACC. There are a number of things to be excited about on the VT roster coming into the 2021 season. The uncertainty surrounding their head coach is likely going to be a distraction for this team. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-pittsburgh-panthers">3. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS</h2>



The most bizarre headline coming out of the Pitt football program last year was quarterback Kenny Pickett being “undecided” on going pro. Listen, he’s ok for a starter in college football, but a quarterback in the NFL? No way. 



Pickett madness aside, LB SirVocea Dennis is a really talented star ready to take his game to the next level in 2021. As a sophomore, he racked up 14.5 TFLs and four sacks. He’ll be a fun player to watch in the ACC. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-miami-hurricanes">2. MIAMI HURRICANES </h2>



The ‘Canes return dynamic dual-threat quarterback D’Eriq King who is one of the game’s best at his position. He tore his right ACL last year, but he told reporters that he feels “100 percent” at the ACC Media Day in Charlotte, NC. 



Running back Jaylan Knighton is a treat to watch once he unleashes his earth-scorching speed in the open field. Just ask Louisville’s defenders from their 2020 matchup. He torched them for a 75-yard receiving touchdown and put his world-class speed on fine display. Look out for him on an ACC field near you.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-north-carolina-tar-heels">1. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS</h2>



Quarterback Sam Howell was one of the best quarterback prospects to sign with the ‘Heels in quite some time when he decided to call Chapel Hill home in 2019. He was ranked as the fourth-best QB prospect at the Elite 11 Opening Finals in 2018. 



He’s delivered on his lofty recruiting billing and then some. He spins one of the prettiest balls in all of college football and it’s a true joy to watch him spin it. He’s a bit of a longshot to win the Heisman this year but he’s one of the best signal-callers in America.



The Tarheels lost four prospects to the 2021 NFL Draft and they were really, really good ones: RB Michael Carter (New York Jets), RB Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos), WR Dyami Brown (WFT), and WR Dazz Newsome (Chicago Bears). Players have to step up in their place for the Heels to win the ACC Coastal. 



More will be on Howell’s plate this year, but the ‘Heels return an offensive line unit that is one of the best in the nation. The offensive line unit boasts 111 starts between them. UNC also returns 18 starters total from 2020. That’s a big reason why Steele picked them to win the ACC Coastal.

acc-coastal-division-forecast-phil-steele-2021-edition

ACC Coastal Division Forecast: Phil Steele 2021 edition

team image

The Main Board

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Teams

Fan Sites

Forums

Shows

team-link

College Football News

College Football Player Rankings

College Football Rankings

College Football Playoff

College Basketball News

Women's Sports

College

NIL News

NIL Valuation

NIL Deals

NIL Deal Tracker

Sports Business

Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal

Transfer Portal Rankings

Transfer Portal Team Rankings

Transfer Portal

NCAA Transfer Portal Home

Football Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

Database

Team Rankings

Player Rankings

Industry Comparison

Commitments

Recruiting Prediction Machine

Recruiting

High School News

Schools

High School Search

Rankings

High School Rankings

Scores

High School Scores

High School

NFL Draft

NFL Draft News

Draft By Stars

College Draft History

College Draft Totals

NBA Draft

NBA Draft News

Draft

NASCAR

Culture

Sports Betting

About

On3 App

Advertise

Press

Contact

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

ACC Coastal Division Forecast: Phil Steele 2021 edition

OSU hires OC

Instant Impact

Coach K

Jordan Seaton

Dabo Swinney