Crazy Predictions: A Season Preview. We will have more sacks this year than the last three combined

Having been at this a long time, I try to keep things fresh. For this year's Season Previews I am going to make a few outlandish predictions based on my hunches. 

If I had just said we would outdo the last two years (6 and 11 sacks respectively) it would not be that crazy. But if you include Spaz's 2010 season our three season sack total is 37 sacks. For a group that only produced 6 all of last year, that is a big jump. And it is not like the incoming talent is making me so optimistic. My expectations are high for one reason: Don Brown. 

I started my previews focusing on Rettig, since I believe that he is the primary key for the year. A close second is our new defensive coordinator. If we are going to surprise people this year, we need Don Brown to make lemonade out of the lemons guys left behind by Spaz. I think he can do it. His defenses at UConn carried their team and he was respectable in his stint in Maryland. My lasting memory though is his 2007 UMass team frustrating Matt Ryan with varied blitzes and pressure.

Now just because Brown likes to pressure QBs, doesn't mean sacks are just going to happen. Someone has to make the actual tackle. That is where my prediction gets a little fuzzy. At UConn the LBs were able to break through and get pressure. So you have assume that someone with a little speed like KPL will be effective. I also think Duggan will get some on delays or just straight pressure up the middle. As for the DLine. If Ramsey stays healthy, he can create big holes. Edebali is a great effort guy (who just never seems to get there in time). Maybe in the new world he will be more productive. Our corners will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage, so ALJ and Jones should get a sack or two. 

UConn had 33 sacks last year, so getting to 38 is not unthinkable. BC plans on being aggressive on both sides of the ball, so I expect teams to try to throw on us (a lot). If Brown does a lot with a little, I will be very excited about the future when he gets his own players on the field. 

The aggressiveness will lead to some big mistakes this year but the days of bend but don't break are finally over.

Crazy Predictions: A Season Preview. Part 1: Chase Rettig will be All ACC

Having been at this a long time, I try to keep things fresh. For this year's Season Previews I am going to make a few outlandish predictions based on my hunches. 

Chase Rettig put up decent numbers but nothing that hints at greatness. Yet as the season nears, I am predicting a breakout or more a culmination of all his trials and tribulations. I think he makes an All ACC team this year (likely second team). No one expects this given our new coach and terrible offense. This is why I am optimistic:

-- Not so new offense. At this point Rettig is used to learning new offenses. The difference this year is that he already has a relationship with his OC. Vernacular might be different. The devotion to the run game might be new, but BC is still going to pass. We have to as it is only thing we know we can do. I expect Rettig will still put up good yardage numbers, but think the running game focus will help his completion percentage, sacks and turnovers.
-- The new staff loves him. That's the word on the street anyway. I think that confidence and aggressiveness will lead to improved play. It will also lead to influencing ACC voters. If the coaches are talking him up and he is backing it up with decent numbers, Rettig will get some "All ACC" love.
-- The other ACC QBs are not good. Who is really going to finish ahead of him? Boyd is probably first team, but are there any greats ready to fill the void around the conference? I like Rettig's chances. If we get to six wins, he is a lock for All ACC.

If you can't already tell, I am getting very optimistic about this season. I had the same optimism about Rettig last year but he couldn't overcome Spaz. Now he is a year older and wiser. He's seen it all. I think that experience does slow the game down and makes things easier for him. Throw in an aggressive mindset and I think you'll see more productivity and improved efficiency.