Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins was named the ACC’s preseason player of the year Monday at the ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C., while the Tigers were picked to fall short of its ACC title defense.
Florida State is the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the Atlantic Division, followed by defending ACC champion Clemson (17), North Carolina State (5), Wake Forest, Boston College and Maryland.
Virginia Tech is the favorite among media members to face the Seminoles in the ACC title game. The Hokies were picked to win the Coastal Division by 83 voters, followed by Georgia Tech (10), North Carolina (2), Virginia, Miami and Duke.
Media members covering the league’s media days on Monday selected Florida State and Virginia Tech to win their divisions. They have been the preseason divisional picks every year since 2009.
Florida State received 72 of 95 first-place votes in the Atlantic Division and was selected by 60 voters to win the overall league title while 18 voters picked Virginia Tech.
