Statistically Speaking: Returning ACC Offensive Firepower

Previously we took a look at the returning offensive firepower in the Big 12 and the SEC. Now it’s time to look at the ACC and find out who has the most horsepower coming back from last year.

*TPY= 2010 total passing yards

*RPY= Passing Yards from 2010 for players returning in 2011

Half of the teams in the league return almost all of their QB production from last year but outside of NC State and Maryland i’m not sure too many fans are pumped about their returning starters. QB will be a very interesting position to watch in the ACC this year with Clemson, FSU, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and UNC all breaking in new starters.

*TRY= 2010 Total Rushing Yards

*RRY= Rushing Yards from 2010 for players returning in 2011

The top 3 teams in terms of returning production (NC State, Duke, and BC) all finished in the bottom 4 of the league in rushing offense. So while it’s nice to have so much production back it might not actually mean that much. Of the teams that finished in the Top 3 in the conference in rushing last year it is FSU that returns the most production. Georgia Tech finished 1st in the conference in rushing last year by a wide margin but they will be breaking in a new option QB (unless Tevan Washington- who logged significant minutes in 5 games last year- wins the job) and also lose their best RB in Anthony Allen.

*TotRec= Total 2010 Receptions

*RetRec= Receptions from 2010 for players returning in 2011

Both BC and Wake Forest return the majority of production from the QB and WR position but they finished 10th and 11th in the conference in passing yardage last year. Does this mean they will increase their production because of their returning players or will they stay at the status quo? FSU looks like they are in really good shape with all of the talent they have returning at RB and WR. If E.J. Manuel can play consistent football then they could have a very explosive offensive.

RETURNING OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER RANKING:

Taking into account the three metrics above (passing yards returning, rushing yards returning and receptions returning) I have compiled a “firepower” ranking which tells us which teams have the most offensive statistics returning from last year. What does this mean? I think it means different things for different teams but for consistency sake it means a lot for teams that have guys coming back. This is an interesting tool to use in conjunction with who teams having coming to challenge for playing time. This ranking is one of the reasons that FSU is getting a lot of Top 10 buzz this spring. It also looks like Boston College might be ready to step back up this year as in addtion to ranking 1st in returning offensive firepower they have 3 players on our “Pre-Spring All-ACC teams”.

1. Boston College

2. Duke

3. Florida State

4. Wake Forest

5. NC State

6. Miami (Fl)

7. Maryland

8. Clemson

9. Georgia Tech

10. Virginia

11. Virginia Tech

12. UNC