ACC football coaches -- and those about to enter the league -- never found their A games this season.

Of the 11 teams that will compete next year, when Miami and Virginia Tech arrive, six began this season with legitimate expectations of top-10 national finishes. Only Florida State and Miami -- ninth and 10th, respectively -- were there at the end of the regular season.

Here are the final 2003 grades with snapshots of what lies ahead.

TOMMY BOWDEN, CLEMSON

GRADE: B

The Tigers laid two eggs: vs. Georgia in the opener and later at Wake Forest. But Bowden still did the best coaching job in the league, draining eight victories out of a team that should have produced no more than six.

The immediate future looks just as bright. With Charlie Whitehurst, the Tigers will have the league's best quarterback. The defense has established leaders in Leroy Hill, Jamaal Fudge, Travis Pugh and Justin Miller.

BOBBY BOWDEN, FSU

GRADE: B

The Seminoles won 10 games but were roundly outplayed in losses to Miami and Clemson, the latter of which took them out of the BCS title picture.

Assuming Chris Rix returns for his final season at quarterback, the offense will be well-stocked. The defense will have an aces-and-spaces look until several current sophomores and freshmen grow comfortable.

The biggest problem could be the opening game -- at Miami.

RALPH FRIEDGEN, MARYLAND

GRADE: B

Once he got his third team's attention, Friedgen did another impressive job. But the price -- an opening loss at Northern Illinois -- was high.

The first challenge for '04 will be to find Scott McBrien's replacement at quarterback. Defensively, tackle Randy Starks and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson will be among the league's best.

TED ROOF, DUKE

GRADE: B

With a 2-3 record as the interim coach after Carl Franks was fired, Roof was impressive enough to join Bobby Ross as the two finalists for the job.

While the Blue Devils were more competitive, they'll have to get a little bigger, much quicker and improve their schemes and execution to stay competitive.

Eight starters and 10 second-stringers will return on defense. The offense included seven seniors, but the quarterback situation is reasonably solid and sophomore runner Cedric Dargan was impressive.

CHUCK AMATO, N.C. STATE

GRADE: C

The expectations were high and the payoff low. Road blunders at Wake Forest and Georgia Tech ended all hopes for a big season.

Now, there's much to address -- and fast. Philip Rivers' successor at quarterback -- Marcus Stone or Jay Davis -- has to be determined, and the Wolfpack can't live and die with T.A. McLendon. It has to be deeper at running back.

And the defense must be fixed. It had trouble on first and third downs and with penalty flags while allowing about 300 passing yards per game.

JIM GROBE, WAKE FOREST

GRADE: C

The Demon Deacons never recovered from their implosion Nov. 8 at North Carolina. They were not the same team over the final three games.

The offensive framework for 2004 is impressive. Quarterback Cory Randolph, explosive runner Chris Barclay and top receiver Jason Anderson all will return.

The defense is another matter. Much of the front line will have to be replaced.

CHAN GAILEY, GEORGIA TECH

GRADE: C

Until the loss at Duke and the meltdown against Georgia, Gailey's second season showed considerable promise. Even so, a 6-6 overall record and 4-4 ACC mark weren't bad for a team that was picked to finish eighth.

P.J. Daniels should be a star at running back, and quarterback Reggie Ball will continue to improve.

Defensively, Tech's secondary could be the best in the league.

AL GROH, VIRGINIA

GRADE: C

The Cavaliers expected to win nine games, not seven. But quarterback Matt Schaub's early shoulder injury got the team out of its comfort zone.

Finding a new quarterback is a must. In Schaub's absence, Anthony Martinez flopped but will get another look. After a season at flanker, Marques Hagans is another option.

Groh will have to break in at least two new defensive backs, but the linemen and linebackers are good.

JOHN BUNTING, UNC

GRADE: F

The defense was so spectacularly bad that Bunting spent all his time juggling personnel rather than being able to talk about the improvement he had predicted before the season.

Next year, Bunting and his program will be under immense pressure and scrutiny. It could be a very uncomfortable ride for everyone unless the Heels win a few early games and remain competitive throughout the season.

The defense will be older, but experience won't be enough to turn around this unit.

Darian Durant again will be among the ACC's best quarterbacks unless he has to adjust to sudden changes. That could be the case if offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill retires.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.