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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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Justin Fuente of the Virginia Tech Hokies watches a play in the third quarter during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia Tech defeated Virginia 10-0. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year – Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech

The popular choice here would be to go with Swinney. That’s a fair selection since the Tigers are legitimate national title contenders. However, Fuente has a real chance to win the award because he can lead Virginia Tech to a season that can exceed preseason expectations.

In all honesty, not many prognosticators picked the Hokies to go 9-4 last season. Even more impressively, he managed to guide his program to a 5-3 record in the ACC. There’s a lot of optimism in Blacksburg that Fuente can do even bigger things in his third season at the helm.

That’s a pretty rational thought. It usually takes new coaches a few seasons to really get the type of players they like into the program. Fuente is a very different coach than his predecessor, Frank Beamer. Specifically, he runs a much more dynamic offense. It’s that side of the ball where Virginia Tech might take a giant leap this season.

The Hokies will find out just how good they are in Week 1 when they travel to Tallahassee. Their primetime matchup against the Seminoles on September 3rd may go a long way towards determining who wins the Coastal Division. Don’t be surprised if Fuente takes his squad into Doak Campbell Stadium and emerges with a massive victory for his program. Even if he doesn’t, count on him to guide Virginia Tech to a season where they can credibly contend for an ACC title.