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All summer sixteen
Playing dirty not clean
Out in front of Four Seasons
Looking like a damn football team
All repping one thing
Last year I compared ACC Football teams to WWF Attitude Era wrestlers. This year required something new and since it’s “Summer Sixteen” and the Syracuse coaches love their Drake GIFs, let’s match each squad to the Drake song that fits them best.
Atlantic Division
Boston College Eagles - “Know Yourself”
After a winless ACC campaign, a song with the repeating line “Runnin through the 6 w/ My Woes” can certainly describe the team from the 617 area code. BC knows they are a team that rely on defense and the running game to be competitive, but it will be seen if that formula leads to success this Fall. The return of Jon Hillman should help the Eagles offense improve upon their woeful 2015 performance.
Clemson Tigers - “Back 2 Back”
The defending champs are hoping to repeat in 2016 and with Deshaun Watson leading the way, they are the favorites to do so. If that happens, then the Tigers will be going Back 2 Back in the CFP as well. I considered giving the Tigers “Jumpman” just so I could say this line “Clemson, Clemson, Clemson, that boy Dabo is up to something”, but really if Young Dabo don’t trust you, Clemson fans are gonna shoot you.
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FSU Seminoles - “Big Rings”
Those Florida State Champions rings are nice, but I think Jimbo Fisher’s crew has their sights on some other hardware this year. Derwin James could be the Future as the next Noles defender to cause havoc to opponents. On offence, Dalvin Cook will look to lead the way for the Noles as they start the 2016 campaign in the unfamiliar role of the underdog.
Louisville Cardinals - “I’m Goin In”
Louisville’s season turned when Bobby Petrino went to Lamar Jackson at Quarterback. After an 0-3 start, Louisville closed with an 8-5 record and this year they might be wishing they were in the Coastal. The Cardinals also return a strong defense, and like Drake, Petrino is smart enough to realize that his best success can come when he share the spotlight with talented peers like D-Coordinator Todd Grantham.
NC State Wolfpack - “Hype”
It seems like every summer, NC State is touted as a team to watch, and every November finds them completely out of contention in the Atlantic. Jaylen Samuels is a player to watch, but it will be tough to see NC State improve when they have to replace Jacoby Brissett.
Syracuse Orange - “0 to 100”
We might not know a lot about how Dino Babers will fare in his 1st season, but we know the Orange are going from one of the slowest tempo teams to the fastest. Steve Ishmael has to be excited about the change in offensive philosophy as I think he’ll surpass his 2015 reception total real quick.
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons - “Still Here”
There hasn’t been a lot for Wake Forest to get excited about lately, but they are still around. The expectations of their 2016 season are much like this track- completely forgettable and unremarkable.
Coastal Division
Duke Blue Devils - “Started from the Bottom”
What David Cutcliffe has done at Duke has been impressive. He took a hapless football program and has turned it into a perennial bowl team. Syracuse fans should take comfort in knowing that another private school found success by hiring the right coach along with smart scheduling of non-conference games.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - “All Me”
Paul Johnson doesn’t care what you think about the triple option or cut blocks. I can actually picture him walking into a press conference with 2 Chainz introducing him.
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Miami Hurricanes - “Hold On We’re Going Home”
Mark Richt comes back to Miami to try and restore the Canes’ swagger. Richt’s job might be easier in the Coastal division, and the fact that he’s got Brad Kaaya at quarterback. Because you know it’s hard to do these things alone...
UNC Tar Heels - “Views”
I’m not talking about views of shirtless Larry Fedora, but the Tar Heels view from atop the Coastal pecking order. After giving Clemson all they could handle in last year’s ACCCG, UNC is looking to keep the momentum going in 2016.
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Pitt Panthers -”HYFR”
If we are going to celebrate anything at another ACC school, it’s going to James Conner’s return from his battle with leukemia. Pitt’s going to need him as they replace Tyler Boyd, but no matter what happens, just seeing Conner on the field is deserving of a Hell Yeah Fucking Right.
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Virginia Cavaliers - “U With Me”
Bronco Mendenhall arrives from BYU to try and revive the Virginia program. It might take a little time because the talent on offense isn’t there, so will Cavaliers fans be patient, and can Bronco get the pieces he needs to run his system?
Virginia Tech Hokies - “Miss Me”
It’s the first year after Frank Beamer and we’ll soon find out how much Hokies fans will miss him now that he’s gone. Justin Fuente hopes to bring a more explosive offense to Blacksburg, but he can still rely on Bud Foster to play a strong supporting role, or in the case of this song, Bud’s defense could carry the team like Bun B carried the better version of this track.
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Now’s your chance to chime in, should I have picked different songs? Let me know in the comments below.