I have created an All-Conference team for players who are currently in the NFL. This will be a bracket-like challenge. Each conference (though some have been grouped together) will be matched up against another. I will analyze the match-up and give my opinion as to who would be the winner. No coaches, just sheer player ability.
We will begin with what I believe to be the 1 vs 8 seed: ACC vs MW/Ind.
ACC:
| QB | Matt Ryan | Boston College | DE | Robert Quinn | UNC | |
| RB | LeSean McCoy | Pittsburg | DE | Mario Williams | NC State | |
| RB | Devonte Freeman | Florida State | DT | Aaron Donald | Pittsburg | |
| WR | DeAndre Hopkins | Clemson | NT | Eddie Goldman | Florida State | |
| WR | Demaryius Thomas | Georgia Tech | OLB | Lawrence Timmons | Florida State | |
| WR | Larry Fitzgerald | Pittsburg | OLB | Derrick Morgan | Georgia Tech | |
| TE | Jimmy Graham | Miami (FL) | MLB | Luke Kuechly | Boston College | |
| OT | Ereck Flowers | Miami (FL) | CB | Darrelle Revis | Pittsburg | |
| OT | Eugene Monroe | Virginia | CB | Ronald Darby | Florida State | |
| G | Laken Thompson | Duke | CB | Xavior Rhodes | Florida State | |
| G | JR Sweezy | NC State | FS | Marcus Gilchrist | Clemson | |
| C | Bryan Stork | Florida State | SS | Kam Chancellor | Virginia Tech |
MW/Ind.:
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Offense: The ACC has a Pro-Bowl player at every position. McCoy and Freeman dominate the run game with incredible speed and agility. The receivers are some of the best at their position and would make defenses quiver in their cleats. The offensive line includes three Super Bowl players (Monroe, Sweezy, Stork) and two promising second-year players. This team greatly benefited from the great deal of Florida-based talent and former Seminoles that won the 2013 National Championship.
As for the Mountain West and Independents, their offense is not as star-studded. Carr is a reliable upstart with a bright future and Martin is coming off of his best season since 2012. Eifert and Tate would be reliable pass-catchers, but that is it on offense. The offensive line is not very strong, with the exception of Martin. A team, in my eyes, is only as good as their offensive line. With the history of injuries for Martin and Ajayi, this offense looks like it could have some problems.
Advantage: ACC
Defense: The ACC has one big thing going for them on defense and it is their front seven. The line alone has eight Pro-Bowls, three DPOY awards, and a National Championship. No one could run on this defense. Even if someone were to break through the line, they would be met with a slue of great linebackers. The secondary is the only weak point of this team as a whole and they have Darrelle Revis. It is safe to say this is the best overall defense the league would have to offer.
The MW/Ind. team has some slight holes on it. Beginning with the linebackers, Keith Smith is decent, but not really a true starter. Te'o has been quiet in his three-year career for the Chargers; not exactly what people thought was going to happen. As for the line, Ansah and Lawrence and young, strong defensive ends, but the team lacks talent at the tackle position. Same goes for the secondary. The players are decent, but not All-Stars.
Advantage: ACC
Most Intriguing Match-up: Kuechly vs Eifert
Two of the best players at their positions squaring off. Both are big bodied guys and would look like a clash of the titans when they met. While Kuechly is a decent pass protector, he is more of a zone player. He is also better against the run. Eifert is coming off of his best season and has proven his worth as a top five tight end. I've got to give it to him.
Advantage: MW/Ind.
X-Factors: Aaron Donald vs Doug Martin
The run of the middle. Who would win the battle? These are the two guys I believe to be most crucial to their team's success. Martin has speed and great footwork; he knows when and where he needs to go to get the most yards. Donald on the other hand is one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. The center of the field is basically not open any time he is here. Add Goldman next to him and he becomes even more dangerous. The only way Martin wins this battle is if he runs to the outside. Considering this is a head-to-head match-up...
Advantage: ACC
Weakest Group: ACC Safeties vs MW/Ind Offensive Line
Chancellor is great, but Gilchrist is not that much of a playmaker. The O-line for the MW/Ind. team is "Eh" at best. I know that there are some teams in the NFL that would actually want this line (i.e. Browns or Seahawks). Safety is an important position, but like I said earlier: your offense is only as good as your offensive line.
Advantage: ACC
Well the ACC wins this bout 4-1. They will move on to the next round and face the lowest seed from the first round. One of these will be posted per day until we have our winner.
The remaining first round match-ups:
BIG 10 vs CUSA/AAC
BIG 12 vs PAC-12
SEC vs Others
As for the Mountain West and Independents, their offense is not as star-studded. Carr is a reliable upstart with a bright future and Martin is coming off of his best season since 2012. Eifert and Tate would be reliable pass-catchers, but that is it on offense. The offensive line is not very strong, with the exception of Martin. A team, in my eyes, is only as good as their offensive line. With the history of injuries for Martin and Ajayi, this offense looks like it could have some problems.
Advantage: ACC
Defense: The ACC has one big thing going for them on defense and it is their front seven. The line alone has eight Pro-Bowls, three DPOY awards, and a National Championship. No one could run on this defense. Even if someone were to break through the line, they would be met with a slue of great linebackers. The secondary is the only weak point of this team as a whole and they have Darrelle Revis. It is safe to say this is the best overall defense the league would have to offer.
The MW/Ind. team has some slight holes on it. Beginning with the linebackers, Keith Smith is decent, but not really a true starter. Te'o has been quiet in his three-year career for the Chargers; not exactly what people thought was going to happen. As for the line, Ansah and Lawrence and young, strong defensive ends, but the team lacks talent at the tackle position. Same goes for the secondary. The players are decent, but not All-Stars.
Advantage: ACC
Most Intriguing Match-up: Kuechly vs Eifert
Two of the best players at their positions squaring off. Both are big bodied guys and would look like a clash of the titans when they met. While Kuechly is a decent pass protector, he is more of a zone player. He is also better against the run. Eifert is coming off of his best season and has proven his worth as a top five tight end. I've got to give it to him.
Advantage: MW/Ind.
X-Factors: Aaron Donald vs Doug Martin
The run of the middle. Who would win the battle? These are the two guys I believe to be most crucial to their team's success. Martin has speed and great footwork; he knows when and where he needs to go to get the most yards. Donald on the other hand is one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. The center of the field is basically not open any time he is here. Add Goldman next to him and he becomes even more dangerous. The only way Martin wins this battle is if he runs to the outside. Considering this is a head-to-head match-up...
Advantage: ACC
Weakest Group: ACC Safeties vs MW/Ind Offensive Line
Chancellor is great, but Gilchrist is not that much of a playmaker. The O-line for the MW/Ind. team is "Eh" at best. I know that there are some teams in the NFL that would actually want this line (i.e. Browns or Seahawks). Safety is an important position, but like I said earlier: your offense is only as good as your offensive line.
Advantage: ACC
Well the ACC wins this bout 4-1. They will move on to the next round and face the lowest seed from the first round. One of these will be posted per day until we have our winner.
The remaining first round match-ups:
BIG 10 vs CUSA/AAC
BIG 12 vs PAC-12
SEC vs Others
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