Wake Forest Athletics
Grobe Runs Media Gauntlet at ACC Kickoff
7/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 22, 2013
By Gary Petit, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe met with the media on Monday as he wrapped-up day two of the ACC Football Kickoff at the Grandover Resort.
Grobe spoke with media members from all over the ACC footprint and talked about keys to success this season for the Deacs. He mentioned that experience would need to take over on the defensive side of ball and that he would like to find more balance in the offense. With the way last season ended, Grobe said he is looking forward to a renewed team this fall.
"We had a really tough finish to the year last year and a lot of guys, including the coaches we're unhappy with the way it turned out," Grobe said. "But we had some of the older guys step up and set a new tone for this season. There is a really good vibe around this team right now and I'm excited."
The conference also released it preseason poll as voted on by media members attending this week's ACC Football Kickoff. The Demon Deacons were selected to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division with 392 points. Clemson was picked to not only win the Atlantic Division but is also the preseason favorite to win the 9th Annual Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship Game. Florida State was selected second and NC State is third in the Atlantic Division.
In the Coastal Division, Miami received 65 first place votes followed by Virginia Tech with 27, North Carolina with 22 and Georgia Tech with six. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, the 2012 ACC player of the Year was the overwhelming favorite to take home the award again this season.
Grobe had a laugh with one reporter who asked him about the Deacs' fourth place selection. "Secretly, I always want them to pick us last like they did when we won it all in 2006. But we finished middle of the road last year and that's about where we were picked this year so it's not too big of a surprise. I'd like to think we have a shot this year of surprising some of the teams at the top."
The Demon Deacons will open preseason practice in early August in preparation for the season opener against Presbyterian on Aug. 29 at BB&T Field.
ACC Preseason PollAtlantic Division1. Clemson (102) 8152. Florida State (18) 7313. NC State 4904. Wake Forest 3925. Maryland 3736. Syracuse 3207. Boston College 211
Coastal Division1. Miami (65) 7362. Virginia Tech (27) 6543. North Carolina (22) 6494. Georgia Tech (6) 5225. Pitt 3136. Virginia 2307. Duke 228
ACC Player of the Year1. Tajh Boyd, Clemson 1052. Duke Johnson, Miami 4T3. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech 3T3. Sammy Watkins, Clemson 35. Bryn Renner, North Carolina 2T6. Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech 1T6. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State 1T6. Stephen Morris, Miami 1
