The ACC has faced a lot of bad publicity in recent years for how its teams have performed in the spotlight. Virginia Tech's win over Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl was the first BCS win for an ACC team since 2000. Clemson and the rest of the league took one on the chin in Week 1 of the 2008 season. No ACC team had less than three conference losses in 2008.

But there are a few things the ACC can hang its hat on, like its record against other BCS leagues and its history of producing top players in the NFL. In fact, the league office takes a lot of pride in how many ACC players get taken in the draft each year.

2009 will be no exception. Wake's Aaron Curry, UVa's Eugene Monroe and BC's BJ Raji are just some of the ACC players expected to go early on Saturday. And the talent is starting to come from unexpected places in the ACC.

Miami will not have a player drafted in the first round for the first time in 15 years this weekend. Everette Brown is likely to be the only Seminole taken in the early rounds. The shift of the balance of power in the conference is becoming apparent based on where the draft prospects are coming from.

The guys at The Legacyx4 have noted (in nifty graph form) that the natural correlation between winning and NFL-ready players can be quantified.

Now, what does it take talent-wise to win in the ACC? Here's a linear regression based on ACC draft picks/year related to total wins/year: 0.375*(NFL picks) + 5.7584 = Total Wins. So basically, no draft picks equates to about 5-6 wins and each draft pick on your team gives you a third of a win. Not too bad.

I think this can be seen best through Wake Forest. Once a league doormat, the Deacs have now challenged for their division title the last three seasons and could have the No. 1 pick in the draft this weekend.

Linkage

Hokies

- BCO previews the spring game. (Southern Pigskin)
- Annette thinks Duke's a trap game for everyone. (College Game Balls)
- Waldron is getting more height on FG attempts. (Kyle Tucker)
- A Come-to-Jesus meeting with Billy Hite kickstarted Darren Evans in '08. (Annette)

Atlantic Coast Conference

- Brendan has Sewell as UVa's starting QB right now. (From Old Virginia)
- WR Josh Adams will need to make an impact for UNC. (Tar Heel Fan)
- Pluses and minuses of BC draft prospects. (Eagle in Atlanta)
- I'd be lying if I said I'd never done something similar to a Miami flag. (7th Floor)

Stuff Only I Care About

- Everyone's favorite cougar gets her trophy. (The Lost Ogle)
- If you missed the end of the Canes-Devils game last night, you missed playoff hockey at its finest. (Buzz Blog)
- Amalie Benjamin (who I love and in a heartbeat would give up my hard-drinking, road-tripping bachelor ways for) reports that the Sox bullpen could be taxed with Wake and Penny going in today's DH. (Globe)
- The Sabres need leaders and fast. (Goose's Roost)
- The Mingovians are in a fierce final battle. (EDSBS)