We conclude our series of Conference Conversations by taking a look at the ACC football landscape. Today we start with the first of three ACC football Q & A sessions by looking at the teams that can challenge Clemson and Florida State for the Big Ten title.

Joining us this week to discuss ACC football will be Sean Keeley of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, Pete Volk of the Maryland blog Testudo Times, Brian Lewis of the Clemson blog Shakin the Southland, Joe Micik of the Boston College blog Soaring to Glory, Robert Reinhard of the Wake Forest blog Blogger So Dear  & Nick Keninitz of Shell Shocked Sports.

Sean Keeley of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician:  I would be shocked if any other team won the Atlantic but in the Coastal, I think there’s a case to be made for North Carolina to win it. The Tar Heels have a ton of offensive firepower returning and it’s not out of question that the UNC-Miami game will decide the division.

Pete Volk of Testudo Times: Virginia Tech will always be a factor, just because literally anything can happen in Beamer Ball. Same goes with Georgia Tech and the option, as those guys, like Clemson, can score at literally any time from literally any point on the field. North Carolina should also be able to challenge for the title, especially if Bryn Renner continues to improve as he has.

North Carolina QB Bryn Renner (Jamie Rhodes-US PRESSWIRE)

Brian Lewis of Shakin the Southland: In the Atlantic Division I just don’t see anyone who will challenge Clemson and FSU. I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a team like NC State or Syracuse hang 1-2 games back in the race till November, but I’m not considering them a real challenge for the division.

On the Coastal side I’m not convinced at all by Miami. We’ve seen this from the Hurricanes before, a lot of talent on paper, but they fail to win when it matters. Virginia Tech will be better than last year, and I could see UNC doing it as well. If I’m putting money down I’d be more inclined to do it on these two teams rather than Miami

Joe Micik of Soaring to Glory: Well, in the Atlantic, I do like Clemson.  Florida State does have talent without question but the best player in the ACC Atlantic (if not the best two) is wearing orange and purple.  NC State has an outside chance but I see them in third, and I’m not buying anyone else to win the division, including my BC Eagles.

On the other side, I’m slightly less convinced about Miami because they’ve disappointed before in recent years.  Virginia Tech and North Carolina both have in my views reasonable odds of winning the Coastal as Miami, but keep this in mind: FSU had been letting people down, too, and then they won the Orange Bowl last year.  It could be Miami’s year to win their division, but they’ve been stuck in mediocrity for several years and I have to see it first.

Robert Reinhard of Blogger So Dear: I think the Atlantic is essentially a lock to be won by either Florida State or Clemson, so I’m not going to argue with the oddsmakers there, although I’d give the edge to Florida State, even though they play at Clemson.

I do think, however, that North Carolina can legitimately challenge Miami for the Coastal Division. They return Bryn Renner at quarterback, get to play Miami at home, and do not have to play Florida State like Miami does. Miami probably still deserves to be the favorite, but don’t be surprised if North Carolina can claim a real Coastal Division title after this season.

Nick Keninitz of Shell Shocked Sports: The obvious challenger to Clemson in the Atlantic Division is Florida State.  While my money would likely be on Clemson to end up on top, it will likely come down to who wins that match-up in my opinion.  No other Atlantic Division team has much of a chance, but Maryland, N.C. State and Wake form the next tier (any of them winning would be shocking).

The coastal division has the potential to be a lot more interesting.  Vegas is correct in establishing Miami as the favourite, but Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are both talented teams that will compete.  Any of those three could win the division.