FSU picked to finish second, Miami third in ACC divisions

Seminoles have won 3 consecutive ACC championships

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Clemson is the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 2015, according to a poll of 158 media members in attendance at the ACC Football Kickoff in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Florida State was picked to finish second behind the Tigers in the ACC Atlantic Division, while Miami was picked to finish third in the ACC Coastal Division behind Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

The Seminoles, who have won three consecutive ACC championships, received 56 first-place votes to Clemson's 101. The Hurricanes received seven first-place votes, while the Yellow Jackets had 96 and the Hokies had 44.

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is also the media's preseason ACC player of the year. The sophomore was limited by an injury last season but still threw for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight games.

Pittsburgh running back James Conner, who earned ACC player of the year honors in 2014, was second in preseason balloting.

Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya, last year's ACC rookie of the year, was tied with FSU defensive back Jalen Ramsey for fourth place (7 votes) in the balloting.

FSU defeated Georgia Tech, 37-35, in last year's ACC Championship. Miami has yet to play in an ACC title game.

Follow Local 10 Sports on Twitter @Local10Sports