North Carolina and Georgia Tech are the first ACC teams to open practice today. Three Atlantic Division teams open Friday. Here is a quick look at opening dates for each team in the Atlantic and what to watch as preparations for the season begin.
Boston College
Opening camp: Monday, Aug. 5
What to watch: One of the biggest issues the Eagles have is a lack of depth heading into the season. With all of his players in the fold now, there is the expectation that coach Steve Addazio will have to rely on true freshmen this year to help shore up several weak spots. Fall camp will determine just how many of these young faces will have to play for the Eagles to begin their climb out of the basement.
Clemson
Opening camp: Friday
What to watch: There are a few areas to keep an eye on during practice, especially the development of the young players in the secondary. Coach Dabo Swinney has said repeatedly that his team has got to find answers quickly for this position, the weakest spot on the defense. Five-star Mackensie Alexander is the true freshman to watch, as many expect him to play right away. Will he?
Florida State
Opening camp: Tuesday, Aug. 6
What to watch: The quarterback competition remains open in theory but just about everybody expects Jameis Winston to be the opening-day starter. How will coach Jimbo Fisher handle the reps, and when will he go ahead and name his starter? There also are now concerns over depth at tight end, and the Noles will begin training several players at multiple positions to make up for some of these questions.
Maryland
Opening camp: Mon., Aug. 5
What to watch: Quarterback C.J. Brown says he is 100 percent and will be full-g0 when practice opens. He was limited in the spring and really only did individual drills, so it is important to see how he does now that he is back and in full control of the offense after sitting out for so long. Running back Wes Brown remains suspended indefinitely, so whether there is any change to his status also is something to watch.
NC State
Opening camp: Friday
What to watch: Surprise, surprise -- the quarterback competition. Arkansas transfer Brandon Mitchell has been added to the mix, and this is the coaching staff's first opportunity to see him in practice. He joins Pete Thomas and Manny Stocker as the most experienced quarterbacks on the roster. Coach Dave Doeren says he is going to begin to adjust reps pretty early in camp so a front-runner can emerge quickly.
Syracuse
Opening camp: Mon., Aug. 5
What to watch: Let's stick with the quarterbacks. Like NC State, Syracuse has welcomed a transfer quarterback in Drew Allen from Oklahoma. Coaches will get their first glimpse at what he can do, as he joins Terrel Hunt and Charley Loeb as the top three players in the competition. Hunt seemed to take the lead after spring practice, but coach Scott Shafer has repeated that the competition remains open.
Wake Forest
Opening camp: Friday
What to watch: The offensive line has been a major concern because of injury and depth problems, but coach Jim Grobe says his unit is healthy and he is looking forward to seeing how they do in camp. Their development goes hand in hand with the running back situation, which remains murky at best. Grobe wants somebody to step up and become a workhorse back.