2012 Atlantic Coast Conference football season explained

2012 ACC football season
Color:
  1. 193980
Color Text:
  1. ffffff
League:NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sport:Football
Pixels:150px
Duration:August 31, 2012  - December 1, 2012
No Of Teams:12
Season:Regular season
Mvp:TBA
Conf1:Atlantic
Conf1 Link:ACC Atlantic Division
Conf1 Champ:Florida State
Conf2:Coastal
Conf2 Link:ACC Coastal Division
Conf2 Champ:Georgia Tech, UNC, Miami
Finals:ACC Championship Game
Finals Link:2012 ACC Championship Game
Finals Champ:Florida State
Finals Runner-Up:Georgia Tech
Seasonslist:List of ACC football seasons
Seasonslistnames:ACC
Prevseason Link:2011 Atlantic Coast Conference football season
Prevseason Year:2011
Nextseason Link:2013 Atlantic Coast Conference football season
Nextseason Year:2013

The 2012 ACC football season was an NCAA football season that was played from September 1, 2012, to January 1, 2013. At the time, the Atlantic Coast Conference consisted of 12 members in two divisions. The Atlantic division consists of Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina State and Wake Forest. The Coastal division consists of Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. The division champions met on December 1 in the 2012 ACC Championship Game, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This season also marked the 60th football season in the conference's history.

Preseason

Preseason Poll

The 2012 ACC Preseason Poll was announced at the ACC Football Kickoff meetings in Greensboro, NC on July 23. Virginia Tech was voted to win Coastal division while Florida State was voted to win the Atlantic division and the conference. Sammy Watkins of Clemson was voted the Preseason ACC Player of the Year.[1]

Atlantic Division poll

  1. Florida State – 543 (72 first place votes)
  2. Clemson – 470 (17)
  3. North Carolina State – 402 (5)
  4. Wake Forest – 241
  5. Boston College – 181
  6. Maryland – 148

Coastal Division poll

  1. Virginia Tech – 558 (83)
  2. Georgia Tech – 421 (10)
  3. North Carolina – 341 (2)
  4. Virginia – 326
  5. Miami – 245
  6. Duke – 04

Predicted ACC Championship Game Winner

  1. Florida State–60
  2. Virginia Tech–18
  3. Clemson–13
  4. Georgia Tech–3
  5. NC State-1

Preseason ACC Player of the Year

  1. Sammy Watkins, CLEM - 25
  2. Logan Thomas, VT - 21
  3. E. J. Manuel, FSU - 19
  4. Tajh Boyd, CLEM - 18
  5. Mike Glennon, NCSU - 5
  6. David Amerson, NCSU - 3
  7. Giovani Bernard, UNC - 1
  8. Bryn Renner, UNC - 1
  9. Tanner Price, WF - 1
  10. Kyle Fuller, VT - 1

Preseason All Conference Teams

Offense

Position Player School
Wide receiverConner VernonDuke
Sammy WatkinsClemson
Tight endMatt FurstenburgMaryland
TackleJames HurstNorth Carolina
Oday AboushiVirginia
GuardOmoregie UzziGeorgia Tech
Jonathan CooperNorth Carolina
CenterDalton FreemanClemson
QuarterbackTajh BoydClemson
Running backGiovani BernardNorth Carolina
Andre EllingtonClemson

Defense

Position Player School
Defensive endBrandon JenkinsFlorida State
James GayleVirginia Tech
Defensive tackleJoe VellanoMaryland
Nikita WhitlockWake Forest
LinebackerKevin ReddickNorth Carolina
Bruce TaylorVirginia Tech
Steve GreerVirginia
CornerbackDavid AmersonNC State
Kyle FullerVirginia Tech
SafetyLamarcus JoynerFlorida State
Earl WolffNC State

Specialist

Position Player School
PlacekickerDustin HopkinsFlorida State
PunterDalton BottsMiami
SpecialistGreg ReidFlorida State
[2]

Preseason Watch list

PlayerSchoolAward
Chris PantaleBoston CollageJohn Mackey Award[3]
Kevin Pierre-LouisBoston CollageBronko Nagurski Trophy[4]
Brandon JenkinsFlorida StateBronko Nagurski Trophy
Lamarcus JoynerFlorida StateBronko Nagurski Trophy
Xavier RhodesFlorida StateBronko Nagurski Trophy
Bjoern WernerFlorida StateBronko Nagurski Trophy
Alex AmidonBoston CollageBiletnikoff Award[5]
Willie HaulsteadFlorida StateBiletnikoff Award
EJ ManuelFlorida StateMaxwell Award
EJ ManuelFlorida StateJohnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Brandon JenkinsFlorida StateBednarik Award
Lamarcus JoynerFlorida StateBednarik Award
Xavier RhodesFlorida StateBednarik Award
Dustin HopkinsFlorida StateLou Groza Award
Brandon JenkinsFlorida StateOutland Trophy
Lamarcus JoynerFlorida StateOutland Trophy
Xavier RhodesFlorida StateOutland Trophy
Björn WernerFlorida StateOutland Trophy
Lamarcus JoynerFlorida StateJim Thorpe Award
Xavier RhodesFlorida StateJim Thorpe Award
Brandon JenkinsFlorida StateLombardi Award
Bjoern WernerFlorida StateRotary Lombardi Award
Bjoern WernerFlorida StateButkus Award
Nick MoodyFlorida StateButkus Award
E.J. ManuelFlorida StateDavey O'Brien Award
Brandon JenkinsFlorida StateWalter Camp Award

Coaches

NOTE: Stats shown are before the beginning of the season

TeamHead coachYears at schoolOverall recordRecord at schoolACC record
Boston CollegeFrank Spaziani520–1920–1912–12
ClemsonDabo Swinney529–1929–1919–10
DukeDavid Cutcliffe559–6215–336–26
Florida StateJimbo Fisher319–819–811–5
Georgia TechPaul Johnson5141–5834–1921–11
MarylandRandy Edsall276–802–101–7
MiamiAl Golden233–406–63–5
North CarolinaLarry Fedora134-190-00-0
NC StateTom O'Brien6108–7533–3018–22
VirginiaMike London336–1812–136–10
Virginia TechFrank Beamer26250–121–4208–98–253–11
Wake ForestJim Grobe11101–100–168–6738–51

Pre-season Coaches changes

Former Ohio State Offensive Coordinator, Jim Bollman, was hired as Boston College offensive line coach/running game coordinator.[6] Sean Desai was hired from Miami as Boston College new Running backs coach/Special teams coordinator, Columbia's wide receivers coach Aaron Smith took the same position at Boston College.[7]

Rankings

See also: 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.

Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
align=center style="width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background:white;" RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
тTied with team above or below also with this symbol
  Pre Wk
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Final
Boston CollegeAP
C
BCSNot released 
ClemsonAP14121110171516141410101112151411
C14121191615131313989914139
BCSNot released1918131311111414
DukeAPRV
CRVRV
BCSNot released 
Florida StateAP765443121211981010131310
C766444111010766512128
BCSNot released141291010101312
Georgia TechAPRVRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRV
BCSNot released 
MarylandAP
C
BCSNot released 
MiamiAPRVRV
CRVRV
BCSNot released
North CarolinaAPRVRVRVRVRVRV
CIneligible for ranking
BCSNot releasedIneligible for ranking
NC StateAPRVRVRVRV
CRVRV
BCSNot released 
VirginiaAP
CRVRVRV
BCSNot released
Virginia TechAP161513RVRV
C201813RV25RV
BCSNot released 
Wake ForestAP
CRVRV
BCSNot released 

Schedule

Index to colors and formatting
ACC member won
ACC member lost
ACC teams in bold

Week One

[8]

Week Two

[9]

Week Three

[10]

Week Four

[11]

Week Five

[12]

Week Six

[13]

Week Seven

[14]

Week Eight

[15]

Week Nine

[16]

Week Ten

[17]

Week Eleven

[18]

Week Twelve

[19]

Week Thirteen

[20]

Championship Week

[21]

Bowl Games

Bowl GameDateStadiumCityTelevisionMatchup/Result[22] AttendancePayout (US$) per team
BCS
Discover Orange BowlJanuary 1, 2013Sun Life StadiumMiami Gardens, FLESPNFlorida State 31, Northern Illinois 1072,073
Non-BCS
Belk BowlDecember 26, 2012Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NCESPNDuke 34, Cincinnati 4848,128
Russell Athletic BowlDecember 28, 2012Florida Citrus Bowl StadiumOrlando, FLESPNVirginia Tech 13, Rutgers 1048,127
Franklin American Mortgage Music City BowlDecember 31, 2012LP FieldNashville, TNESPNNC State 24, Vanderbilt 3855,801
Hyundai Sun BowlDecember 31, 2012Sun Bowl StadiumEl Paso, TXCBSGeorgia Tech 21, USC 747,922
Chick-fil-A BowlDecember 31, 2012Georgia DomeAtlanta, GAESPNClemson 25, LSU 2468,027

Weekly awards

Following each week of games, Atlantic Coast Conference officials select the players of the week from the conference's teams.

WeekOffensive Back of the WeekReceiver of the WeekDefensive Lineman of the WeekLinebacker of the WeekDefensive Back of the WeekSpecialist of the Week
Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)Player (s)Position (s)Team (s)
1Bjoern WernerDEFlorida State
3Chris ThompsonRBFlorida StateCornellius CarradineDEFlorida StateNick Clancy [23] ILBBoston College
5Alex Amidon [24] WRBoston College
7EJ ManuelQBFlorida State
8Telvin SmithLBFlorida State
9Christian JonesOLBFlorida StateRonald DarbyCBFlorida State
11Rashad GreeneWRFlorida StateCornellius CarradineDEFlorida State
12Nick Clancy [25] ILBBoston College
13Bjoern WernerDEFlorida StateDustin HopkinsKFlorida State

Postseason awards

All-conference teams

[26]

First Team

Offense

Position Player School
QuarterbackTajh BoydClemson
Running backGiovani BernardNorth Carolina
Andre EllingtonClemson
Wide receiverDeAndre HopkinsClemson
Alex AmidonBoston College
Tight endBrandon FordClemson
TackleOday AboushiVirginia
Brandon ThomasClemson
GuardJonathan CooperNorth Carolina
Omoregie UzziGeorgia Tech
CenterDalton FreemanClemson
PlacekickerDustin HopkinsFlorida State
SpecialistGiovani BernardNorth Carolina

Defense

Position Player School
Defensive endBjoern WernerFlorida State
Cornellius CarradineFlorida State
Defensive tackleJoe VellanoMaryland
Sylvester WilliamsNorth Carolina
LinebackerNick ClancyBoston College
Kevin ReddickNorth Carolina
Steve GreerVirginia
CornerbackXavier RhodesFlorida State
Ross CockrellDuke
SafetyLamarcus JoynerFlorida State
Earl WolffNC State
PunterWill MondayDuke

Second Team

Offense

Position Player School
QuarterbackEJ ManuelFlorida State
Running backDuke JohnsonMiami
Chris ThompsonFlorida State
Wide receiverConner VernonDuke
Michael CampanaroWake Forest
Tight endEric EbronNorth Carolina
TackleJames HurstNorth Carolina
Cameron ErvingFlorida State
Emmett ClearyBoston College
GuardTre' JacksonFlorida State
R.J. MatttesNC State
CenterBryan StorkFlorida State
PlacekickerChandler CatanzaroClemson
Casey BarthNorth Carolina
SpecialistDuke JohnsonMiami

Defense

Position Player School
Defensive endJames GayleVirginia Tech
Kareem MartinNorth Carolina
Defensive tackleEverett DawkinsFlorida State
Nikita WhitlockWake Forest
LinebackerDemetrius HartsfieldMaryland
Christian JonesFlorida State
Jack TylerVirginia Tech
CornerbackDavid AmersonNC State
Antone ExumVirginia Tech
SafetyRashard HallClemson
Walt CantyDuke
PunterTommy HibbardNorth Carolina

Conferences awards

Players going pro

! Name! Position! School! Pro Team! Acquired
EJ ManuelQBFlorida StateBuffalo Bills1R 16P
Björn WernerDEFlorida StateIndianapolis Colts1R 24P
Xavier RhodesCBFlorida StateMinnesota Vikings1R 25P
Cornelius CarradineDEFlorida StateSan Francisco 49ers2R 8P
Menelik WatsonOTFlorida StateOakland Raiders2R 10P
Chris ThompsonRBFlorida StateWashington Redskins5R 21P
Brandon JenkinsLBFlorida StateWashington Redskins5R 29P
Dustin HopkinsKFlorida StateBuffalo Bills6R 9P
Nick MoodyLBFlorida StateSan Francisco 49ers6R 12P
Vince WilliamsLBFlorida StatePittsburgh Steelers6R 38P
Everett DawkinsDTFlorida StateMinnesota Vikings7R 23P
Nick Clancy [27] LBBoston CollegeAtlanta FalconsUndrafted free agent
Emmett ClearyOTBoston CollegeIndianapolis ColtsUndrafted free agent
Jim NoelDBBoston CollegeSeattle SeahawksUndrafted free agent
Chris PantaleTEBoston CollegeNew York JetsUndrafted free agent
John WetzelOTBoston CollegeOakland RaidersUndrafted free agent
Lonnie PryorFBFlorida StateJacksonville JaguarsUndrafted free agent
Rodney SmithWRFlorida StateMinnesota VikingsUndrafted free agent
Anthony McCloudDTFlorida StateMinnesota VikingsUndrafted free agent

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012 . ACC Football Kickoff Media Selects Florida State as 2012 Favorite . CBS Interactive . https://archive.today/20130204093306/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072412aab.html . dead . 4 February 2013 . 11 October 2012 .
  2. Web site: 2012. 2012 Preseason ACC Football Team Announced. CBS Interactive. 11 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022002034/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072512aaa.html. 22 October 2012. dead.
  3. Web site: Pantale Named To Mackey Preseason Watch List .
  4. Web site: Pierre-Louis Named To Nagurski Watch List .
  5. Web site: Amidon Added To Biletnikoff Watch List .
  6. Web site: Spaziani Names Jim Bollman offensive line coach/running game coordinator .
  7. Web site: Spaziani Announces Three Additions To Coaching Staff .
  8. Web site: Week 1 . ESPN.
  9. Web site: Week 2 . ESPN.
  10. Web site: Week 3 . ESPN.
  11. Web site: Week 4 . ESPN.
  12. Web site: Week 5 . ESPN.
  13. Web site: Week 6 . ESPN.
  14. Web site: Week 7 . ESPN.
  15. Web site: Week 8 . ESPN.
  16. Web site: Week 9 . ESPN.
  17. Web site: Week 10 . ESPN.
  18. Web site: Week 11 . ESPN.
  19. Web site: Week 12 . ESPN.
  20. Web site: Week 13 . ESPN.
  21. Web site: Week 14 . ESPN.
  22. Web site: 2012 . College Bowl Games 2012-2013. ESPN.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20131210004116/http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls12/bowls. dead. December 10, 2013. 27 December 2013.
  23. Web site: Nick Clancy Earns ACC Linebacker of the Week Honors .
  24. Web site: Amidon Earns ACC Receiver of the Week Laurels .
  25. Web site: Clancy Earns ACC Linebacker Of The Week Recognition .
  26. Web site: 2012 . The 2012 All-ACC Football Teams Announced by ACSMA. theacc.com. 12 July 2022.
  27. Web site: Five Former Football Players Sign Free Agent Contracts .