Brian: While BC's Chase Rettig played in only eight full games last season, he still finished with 1,238 yards passing on the year. In a Gary Tranquill offense, no less. That yardage total was good for 12th best in the ACC. Here is a look at the total passing yards for ACC quarterbacks in 2010:
1. Russell Wilson, N.C. State, 3,563 yards
2. T.J. Yates, North Carolina, 3,418 yards
3. Sean Renfree, Duke, 3,131 yards
4. Marc Verica, Virginia, 2,799 yards
5. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech, 2,743 yards
6. Danny O'Brien, Maryland, 2,438 yards
7. Kyle Parker, Clemson, 2,213 yards
8. Christian Ponder, Florida State, 2,044 yards
9. Jacory Harris, Miami, 1,793 yards
10. Tanner Price, Wake Forest, 1,349 yards
11. Stephen Morris, Miami, 1,240 yards
12. Chase Rettig, Boston College, 1,238 yards
Next season, the conference loses its top two passers next season -- RW and T.J. Yates -- as well as Marc Verica, Tyrod Taylor, Kyle Parker and Christian Ponder. So, two questions. What are your expectations for Rettig's passing yardage total at season's end, and who will throw for the most yards in 2011 in the ACC? Your thoughts?
Jeff: Well, with the departures of many of the quarterbacks above Rettig on this list and the fact that he should, barring injury, start every game next season while he missed to stat building opportunities in 2010, Chase should move up the list. How far is to be determined but I think it's safe to say he won't climb all the way to number one. With a new playcaller and a some new targets to throw the ball to this season, I think that Chase can finish in the top half. Rettig pushing for the top spot though would be a shock to not only myself but to many people around the conference.
As you look at the list and all of the departures, it almost seems that there has to be a new starter who leads the conference this seaosn. At Connecticut, Randy Edsall always had some running backs that piled up yardage so there's no reason to think things will be different at Maryland. At North Carolina, Yates wasn't able to put up those types of numbers until his senior season after playing and starting for most of his four years. At N.C. State, we know TOB can hold back some individual talents from posting huge statistical numbers. At Clemson and Florida State, both programs do not have true passers stepping into the vacant QB positions. At Georgia Tech, you can certainly rule out the QB there from any passing yards contest as long as Paul Johnson is there.
Basically, I don't know who will lead the conference in passing next season but I would be shocked if anyone put up numbers that rank highly nationwide. I don't really expect it to be player that I am currently familiar with their name and play. I also wouldn't be surprised if the leader comes from a team that does not really compete for the conference title. Did you have anyone in mind?
Brian: I'd look at a guy like Florida State's E.J. Manuel or -- believe it or not -- Duke's Sean Renfree to lead the conference in passing yards next season. Renfree, in particular, plays for a QB-friendly head coach (Cutcliffe) in a pass-happy offense. Stat nerds seem to think Manuel will lead the conference in adjusted yards per attempt, but then again, they have Shinskie ranked second in the conference. Wait, what?
Like you said though, I think with turnover at half of the ACC's 12 football programs next season, ACC quarterbacks won't be at the top of the national passing yards list. This will be another reason why I think the ACC will take a backseat -- once again -- to the other BCS conferences this fall in terms of hype and exposure.