ACC Football 2018 Preview: Can anyone stop Clemson?

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers accepts the ACC Football Championship trophy from ACC Commissioner John Swofford following the Tigers' victory over the Miami Hurricanes at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

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CLEMSON, SC – APRIL 14: The football team runs down the hill to the field before the game in the Clemson Spring Football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Clemson, SC..(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Clemson is firmly atop the ACC, but the league is deeper than you think. Read on to discover everything you need to know about ACC football in 2018.

A lot of college football fans all around the country believe the ACC is a matter of Clemson feeding on a litany of inferior programs. While it’s true the Tigers are still going to be the class of the league in 2018, the Conference has significantly more depth this season.

The real question is whether any one team can mount a serious challenge to the Tigers’ supremacy. Programs like Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech believe they have the talent required, but they may still be a year or two away.

That does not mean Dabo Swinney’s crew is going to waltz through the regular season undefeated. There are challenging games on Clemson’s schedule. It also doesn’t mean the ACC won’t be a lot of fun to watch this year. The parity should lead to some really exciting games and intriguing storylines as the season goes along.

This piece should serve as a primer for everything that’s coming in the ACC in 2018. We start by praising an unsung running back.

Offensive Player of the Year: A.J. Dillon, Boston College

A lot of fans are undoubtedly surprised not to see Florida State running back Cam Akers get the nod here. He’s certainly worthy of consideration, but Dillon is a lock to put up big numbers for the Eagles if he can stay healthy. He’s one of the best running backs in the country that fans aren’t talking about.

Dillon burst onto the scene as a freshman for Boston College. He garnered freshman All-American honors from a number of publications and was named both the ACC’s Offensive Rookie of the year and top rookie overall. That’s what happens when you rack up 1,589 yards on 300 carries.

Don’t expect his workload to be reduced by Steve Addazio this season. The Boston College offense will ride Dillon as hard as any player in college football. A Heisman Trophy level season isn’t out of the question for the sophomore tailback.