The ACC has always had talent but it's the coaching that's the problem IMO.
Yep.
Currently, there is only one HC in the ACC who has won a national title. By comparison the SEC has 3. The numbers are even more impressive if you look at the assistants who have been on championship staffs. The ACC recruits from the same region as the SEC, the difference SHOULDN'T be that substantial.
Saying that though, just looking at total players drafted doesn't tell the whole tale. The SEC had 11 in the 1st round and 4 of the top 10 while the ACC had 5 in the 1st round and 2 in the top 10. Similar trends show in the other rounds. The SEC had more high-end impact players while it appears the ACC had bettter depth in the mid rounds.
Yes the SEC has more talent, but the ACC is closing the gap:
Adding Louisville who had 3 first rounders this season will only make it closer
Not sure what similar trends you say in the draft but through the first 4 rounds:
SEC - 25 players drafted
ACC - 28 players drafted not including Louisville's 4 players
Sec had 24 players drafted from rounds 5 - 7 which is almost 50%
And of the top 150 picks in the draft an ACC school had the most players drafted FSU
Similar trends as far the SEC having more perceived impact guys.
I've already shown the 1st round numbers where the SEC more than doubles the ACC. In the second round the SEC had 7 picks compared to the ACC's 3. In the 3rd round the SEC had 5 and the ACC had 5 as well. I'm not disputing the raw numbers, because they're clearly about even. But the facts show the SEC had players going higher and more frequently in rounds 1 and 2, which are the rounds you're hoping to draft future starters.
But overall I agree, the ACC is closing the gap. Quite frankly there shouldn't be a gap as is. I think more schools need to commit more to football. Right now it's Clemson, FSU, and everyone else (in terms of $ commited to football). They are the only ACC schools in Forbe's top 25 as far as earnings by a football program.
