Kirk Herbstreit predicts winner of ACC Coastal Division

The battle for the ACC Coastal Division is an intriguing one to look at ahead of the 2022 college football season. In a recent appearance on Gramlich and Mac Lain, ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit did just that, as he previewed who could finish on top of the ACC Coastal when it’s all said and done.

Last year, Pittsburgh won the division with a 7-1 ACC record, with Miami coming in second at 5-3. Virginia Tech and Virginia finished at 4-4 in conference games, while UNC was 3-5. Georgia Tech (2-6) and Duke (0-8) rounded out the divisional standings.

With Miami undergoing a lot of changes under new head coach Mario Cristobal, Herbstreit believes it’s a matter of when the Hurricanes contend, rather than if. But he questions whether or not Cristobal will be able to turn that into immediate success next season.

“I think you have experience, and then we all are waiting. Mario is a former ’Canes player, we’re all like, it’s not so much if but when,” Herbstreit said. “It’s just how quickly is he able to get this thing going. He’s got a quarterback, I mean that’s a great starting point. Can they get their defense back to where they just, they take the field and people fear them. It’s a culture change, to me. It’s been an issue for them for a number of years. I mean I’m going all the way back to Butch Davis, really got it going when he had Ed Reed and those guys.

“And they held on there for 2000, 2001, ’02, ’03, and then maybe ’04. But after that they just kind of lost their way. Then they potentially almost had the death penalty with the agent, or the booster. I’m telling you, do not sell Mario short on culture. If those kids buy in, which is impossible to predict until we see ’em.”

Herbstreit makes his pick for the ACC Coastal

In addition to Miami, a lot of other ACC Coastal teams are undergoing changes. Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Duke are also breaking in new coaches, in addition to Miami.

Pittsburgh lost quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver Jordan Addison, among other pieces. But the Panthers brought in Kedon Slovis to replace Pickett, and Herbstreit ultimately gives Pitt the edge over Miami due to that move.

“I probably lean toward Pitt only because I think Slovis is the real deal and I think that’s more established and you kind of know Pitt, despite losing Addison, I still think they’ve got enough playmakers there,” Herbstreit concluded.

It will definitely be an interesting race to follow throughout the season, as there are undoubtedly questions throughout the entirety of the ACC Coastal from top to bottom. The ACC Atlantic looks to be another intriguing and contested battle, too.