AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USACC Atlantic burning questions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just a week from Sunday the ACC will host its preseason media days in Pinehurst, N.C. Before then, I want to share my five burning questions about the ACC Atlantic for 2007.
1. Will five new coaches really make a big difference at Florida State?
I think so but we’ll all be a whole lot smarter after the Seminoles open up at Clemson on Monday night, Sept. 3.
There is no question that the Seminoles will be better on offense because Florida State opened up the check book and allow Bobby Bowden to hire Jimbo Fisher as his offensive coordinator. The offense in Tallahassee has been a jumbled mess since Mark Richt left to become the head coach at Georgia in 2001.
But the folks I talk toin the Panhandle say the biggest hire Bowden made was Rick Trickett as his new offensive line coach. It’s been a long time since Florida State fielded a tough, dominant offensive line and Trickett will change that. Trust me when I tell you that Marine drill sergeants are scared of his guy. And mark this down. Florida State will again learn how to run the football and because it the Seminoles will win more games. In fact, the Seminoles will win the division.
2. Speaking of Clemson, what’s life going to be like for Tommy Bowden this season?
After Clemson beat Georgia Tech on Oct. 21 to go 7-1, Tiger fans were thinking ACC championship-at the very least. Needless to say they were not happy campers when Clemson lost four of the last five, including a gut wrenching loss to South Carolina in Death Valley and a loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
A number of things are going to have to fall into place if Clemson is going to win its first ACC championship since 1991.
No. 1, the offensive line has to be rebuilt after losing four of five starters. It’s not going to do any good to have one of the best running back tandems on the planet (C.J. Spiller and James Davis) if there is no place to run.
No. 2, Clemson has to be able to throw the ball well enough to keep defenses honest, something Will Proctor could not do in the second half of last season. Alpharetta’s Cullen Harper, whose dad Jeff played on Georgia’s 1980 national championship team, managed the team well in the spring but he will be pushed by Willy Korn, the highly recruited freshman.
The defense lost Gaines Adams, a big-time DE, but will be okay.
In short, Tommy Bowden’s quality of life could really use a win over Daddy Bowden on Sept. 3. Clemson has won three of the past four against Florida State. I think this game is a toss-up.
3. Wake Forest’s ACC championship was a fluke, right? They can’t be that good again, can they?
Wrong on both counts. At the end of last season coach Jim Grobe confessed to me that he really thought 2007 was going to be the year that his Deacons might make some noise in the ACC. If a few things fall into place, Wake Forest could make another run to Jacksonville.
The offense will be better because QB Riley Skinner, the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2006, is more comfortable running the show. And it also helps that a team already good at running back welcomes the return of Duluth’s Micah Andrews, who was lost in the third game of 2006.
The potential problem comes on defense where seven starters are gone from a unit that finished No. 2 in the ACC in points allowed (15.4 ppg). LB Jon Abbate passed on his senior season to turn pro and was not drafted. He will be missed.
The schedule starts with a bang as Wake Forest opens at Boston College and then plays Nebraska — yes, Nebraska — at home. But the Deacons do not play Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech or Miami. That should help.
4. Is Tom O’Brien going to take N.C. State to a bowl in his first season?
Maybe not this season but soon. The ex-Marine is bringing a whole new level of discipline to the program after the departure of Chuck Amato. N.C. State will be a team that does not make mistakes and will not beat itself. But is there enough talent in Raleigh to win six games?
First, the Wolfpack has to find a quarterback. Daniel Evans has the bloodlines. His father, Johnny, was a great quarterback at N.C. State. But young Daniel also threw six touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. Harrison Beck, the Nebraska transfer, may wind up there.
O’Brien’s teams run the football and N.C. State can do that with two highly underrated backs on Toney Baker and Andre Brown.
The defense will be good because Mike Archer comes in to take over as coordinator. He has a big time player in DE DeMario Pressley.
Four of the first five games are at home so the Wolfies have a shot.
5. On paper Boston College looks like a contender. Could the Eagles win this division? Shouldn’t they be getting more love?
I’ve got my doubts. Not about the talent, because it’s there. The Eagles have a veteran quarterback in Matt Ryan and two of the best backs in the ACC return in Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth. The defense returns the front seven.
The key to BC’s season is how well these players transition to new head coach Jeff Jagodzinski and his staff. He’s been out of college football for 10 years. This is his first go-round as a head coach.
And the Eagles come out of the gate with Wake Forest, N.C. State and Georgia Tech. But here is the X-factor. BC may have caught lightning in a bottle when Jagodzinski hired Steve Logan as his offense coordinator. Logan, the former head coach at East Carolina, has one of best minds in the business.
Frank Spaziani stayed at BC when Tom O’Brien left and will be in his ninth year as defensive coordinator. Maybe there is more stability here than meets the eye. We’ll see.
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Comments
By GOdeacs
July 11, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
I love how most pundits (with the exception of the brilliant Mr. Barnhart) are writing off lil ol Wake Forest.
Hopefully we can shock the world again this year.
The great news about the Atlantic division is that we’ll know who the contenders/pretenders are by the 2nd week.
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
July 11, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
With the ACC, shouldn’t it be “Flaming Questions”?
By silver
July 11, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Is it true that the lowly Georgia Mutts are facing the Death Penalty for cheating at football each and every year since 1900? Ah hear there is a big time scandal about to break over there in ugly mutt land.
By Football Fan
July 11, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
I think TB is right on w/ FSU and Clemson. Is anyone else tired of watching Clemson play to the level of their opponent? I think they have the potential to make some serious noise this year, but as I recall Tommy (while at Clemson) has a better record against his father than he does against Wake Forest. Hopefully, you Deacs won’t be too upset—clearly Grobe has your program going in the right direction, but even you have to admit that Wake is a “Johnny Come Lately” in the rings of good football. If Clemson could be together a complete season, I’d like to watch it. In my opinion, no other ACC school has the deep-rooted tradition that the Tigers offer.
As for who will win the Atlantic Division…I think FSU has to be the front runner w/ Boston College and Clemson as serious contenders. With all the coaching changes, it’s going to be fun to watch.
By Chris
July 11, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
AS a Clemson fan, I’m glad the FSU game is early. New coaches or not, I don’t believe they’ll have their offensive game in order on Sep 3. They really need a talent upgrade on OL, as they’ve slipped the past few years.
Thoughts on Tommy Bowden - mixed. The school was late with promised facility upgrades, and once they got started Bowden lands recruits like Spiller.
Unfortunately, I expect 2007 results to be a lot like 2006, with a brighter outlook for 2008.
I can’t wait for the season though.
By beezer
July 11, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
I just love how Free Shoes has been average at best and all of a sudden they’re going to be top notch again. they’ll lose at ClemPson, at BC, at VT and vs Miami this year at least. Alabammer game will be a toss up. I base this off of no proven guys in the back field. If other teams can turn it ariund in one year, why can Free Shoes?? i wouldnt be making these comments if Free Shoes was only coming off one bad year.
By gdawginkalamazoo
July 11, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Wozzo, LMAO!
By Boots
July 11, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
BC will be a very dangerous team this year. About the only school that cannot win the Atlantic is State. Everyone thinks all of we BC people are weeping about the departure of Tom O’Brien. That simply is not so. I worry about the Eagles being outcoached far more by Jim Grobe than by Tom O’Brien. By the way, book my boys to win the Vatican Bowl for the fifth straight time…..
By beezer
July 11, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
meant to say, “if other teams CANT turn it around in one year…”
we already know FSU cannot throw the ball…they won’t be able to run it either…one more year guys.
By SC
July 11, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Beezer must live in Gainesville Florida. The Noles will be at least 2 to 3 wins better than they were last year because of the new staff. Remember they lost 5 games by 7 points or less last year with a terrible offensive coaching staff, tons of injuries and playing the most freshman than any other team in the nation. FSU will win the Atlantic. ACC title? Who knows.
By T-Bone
July 11, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Great stuff, Tony. When will you do a review of the Coastal Division?
By jccnole
July 11, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Amazing … “Free Shoes has been average at best” … yet they still managed to win the conference title 3 of the last 5 years, including the inaugural ACC Championship Game, and they’ve maintained top 25 recruiting classes year in, year out. Good coaching is what they’ve lacked, not talent.
And if they’re average, what does that say about the rest of the conference?Admittedly, maybe not this year, but next year … look out.
By Robear
July 11, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
GDawg, Free Shoes U? C’mon dude, turn the page. We are the only powerhouse in the southeast that hasn’t been on probation in the last 30 years. Free Shoes doesn’t even generate alight chuckle anymore. Should UGA be called DUIU?
By GEORGIA TECH FAN
July 11, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
The rest of the ACC is soft where we are hard thanks to our Tickle Piles. We win BIG TIME!!!!!
By beezer
July 11, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
jccnole,
i believe free shoes has been outside the top 25 recruiting at least once in the the last 5 years…maybe twice. hell, UNC out recruited your tails this year!!! BLAH,BLAH!!!
lets remember coaches coach and players play. ultimatley, the players dictate what is going to happen. Noles have been hampered by poor recruiting and bad overall perception of talent coming in. time for ol ‘dadgumit” to hang em up.
I’m a Tarheel BTW. Gayturds can kiss it!!
By For Beezer
July 11, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
I’ve got to agree w/ the others…where you been Beezer? Free Shoes was a while back, wouldn’t you say? Now, if you wanted to talk about Peter Warrick and his Dillard’s spree, that could be entertaining.
Regardless, you’re wrong about FSU in the upcoming year. I’m certainly not an FSU fan, but even I know that they’ve got the most talent in the ACC.
By Tony Barnhart
July 11, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
T-Bone:
ACC Coastal comes on Thursday
By Seminole with bag over head!
July 11, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
As a nole fan, I am excited about the new staff but nervous in the same. Since Richt left for UGA, the offense has not been rolling at all. We have wasted talent and ruined futures because of poor coaching. Now there are no excuses since Jimbo is on board. I will not predict the season, but for the first time in a while I am excited about the potential.
By gdawginkalamazoo
July 11, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Robear, dude jccnole brought up “free shoes” not me, dadgummit.
DUIU?? Must have us confused with somebody else. Nobody on our team has a DUI. Not like the state of Florida where the weeds grow wild and purchasing dope from a cop and possession will get you a starting position as TB at the U of Florida.
By Beezer Listen Up
July 11, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
FSU recruiting rankings since 2002 per rivals. 2002 #4 - 2003 #21 - 2004 #3 - 2005 #2 - 2006 #3 - 2007 #21. So you are wrong again beezer, FSU hasn’t been out of the top 25 in recruiting. The talent is there and now the coaching is too.
By beezer
July 11, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
u cant honestly it there and say FSU is going to be better or not. my point is they play at Clempson, at BC, at VT, at Fla, Bama in Jax and still have Miami at home. 30-0 at home to WFU last year. go to Winston Salem this year. two years men before u see anything out of the win/loss column.
better or not, it won’t show with this brutal schedule. T or F
By Matt Stafford
July 11, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
hmmm…never heard of the tickle piles, but that Joe Cox sure gives some good snuggle time. I think we’re inviting Kregg Lumpkin for our next “party”. Goooooo doggies.
By beezer
July 11, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
well, they were close to being outside the top 25 twice. lets remember, rivals.com, albeit a good one, is not the only service out there.
why has it become the coaches fault the players hve stunk at FSU?? why can’t it be the kids didnt live up to their potential?? afterall, footbll is the hardest sport to predict talent in.
no one has bothered to challenge the daunting schedule Free has this year. People keep wanting to reference the one thing I didnt, look it up is what I mean, their recruiting posiitons. lets move to the future Nole fans!! I know it will be hard, but we all need to do it.
By gdawginkalamazoo
July 11, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Watch out for FSU because Fisher will be the difference. The dude can coach.
By RickNole
July 11, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Scalp em Noles!! This year begins the return to Glory!!
By Ricknole
July 11, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
SCALP EM NOLES!!! This year is the return to glory, no more Jeffy.
Speaking of tickle piles SEC people, I dont recall our QB “spooning” another guy.
By NASCARfan
July 11, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Tony, you need to be corrected. First and foremost, there is absolutely no such thing as an “EX” Marine. There are no “ex” Marines. There are active duty Marines, Marine Reserves, and former active duty Marines. I know that last takes up more space than a simple “ex.” But to say “ex” Marine is an insult of the highest order. Please, refrain from saying this or writing this, and let your similarly ignorant writer friends know the same. Secondly, in the Corps, they’re called Drill INSTRUCTORS. In the Air Force and Army they call them Drill Sergeants, because in the Army and the Air Force, they don’t distinguish the Sergeat ranks. They lazily call Staff Sergeant just “Sergeant.” Or they call a Technical Sergeant simply “Sergeant.” I’d like for you to call a Marine Gunnery Sergeant or a First Sergeant just “Sergeant.” I can tell you that they won’t take the demotion kindly. And Drill Instructors wouldn’t take being called “Drill Sergeant” very kindly either.
Just a little lesson than can save you a little bit of an earful should you ever come into contact with a Marine Drill Instructor, or if you should ever meet a former active duty Marine and call him or her an “ex” Marine.
By Lytus
July 11, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
beezer, I am assuming by the comments you have made you don’t watch a lot of FSU football. The last 3 years it has been in the preseason “we’re emphasizing the run this year” By the second quarter of the Miami game each year it has become, lets just throw 3 times and hope we get a first down. Then that pretty much continues the rest of the season.
There have been a couple of problems on offense and I think they both go back to coaching. One, the offensive line has been awful, you can argue it is because of lack of talent if you wish, but my theory is the total lack of calling running plays at all. Teams have learned, stack up and stop the run early, they will stop trying it, and then we just rush the passer the rest of the game. I am so tired of watching the QB’s run a play action pass to the left when the RB is running to the right, and worst of all, having run 3 times for 4 yards up until that point, lol, the play calling has been horrible. You are telling me that is not poor coaching all around?
The talent is there, I think Trickett will be the biggest difference with Fisher finally calling plays that don’t lead to disaster.
By UFownsUGA
July 11, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Actually those two #21 classes would be ranked well below 25 if recruiting rankings were redone to reflect how many kids dont qualify.
Jimbo Fisher…ask LSU fans if they want him back. About 99% will say no way he!!
By Pago Pago
July 11, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Once a Marine…ALWAYS a Marine!
By trevor
July 11, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
clemson is flying under the radar this year. I would be scared to play them at home. All this hype about FSU is a little pre-mature, they do not have anyone on that roster who has one a big game.
go dawgs and bring on spurrier
By NASCARfan
July 11, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Ooo Rah, Pago Pago!
By sc
July 11, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
You DAWG fans need to learn some grammar.
By gdawginkalamazoo
July 11, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
UFownsUGA, ask Notre Dame or Miami if they would take Fisher?
By atlfan
July 11, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with Wazzo’s comments. It would be more appropiate for the ACC
By Ramble ON!
July 11, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Tony…when was the last time you picked anyone other than FSU?
By Thorpe
July 11, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Go BC!
By FSU bound
July 11, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t you mention GT being in the mix? That’s hilarious!
By johnny
July 11, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Silver
This post is supposed to be about the ACC. Lets try to stay focused there pal.
By lytus
July 11, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
FSU Bound, he is only talking about the ACC Atlantic Division, GT is in the Coastal
By to NASCARfan
July 11, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
“Ex-marine” shouldn’t be too insulting, as the Marines should have given TOB a dishonorable discharge after the UNC game in 2005.
By NASCARfan
July 11, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Dude, you missed my point. It wasn’t in reference to O’Brien. I’m just sick of writers in general saying that or writing that.
By ClemsonDude
July 11, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Do or Die for Tommy Bowden….If Clemson do not turn the corner and rejoin the college football elite then say goodbye to Tommy Bowden.I beleive if the Tigers do not hit the 10 win mark by 2008 and the Tigers will be looking for a new coach. Ten years is long enough!!
By GEORGIA TECH FAN
July 11, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
WE LOST TO WAKE FORREST IN THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME????? WHAT A HUMILIATION!!!!!! WAKE FORREST
By JustMe
July 11, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
So, NC State needs a QB? I wonder if we (GA Tech) can trade them one of our ‘extra’ QBs for a couple of CBs….
By bcguy
July 11, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this
Actually, I believe O’Brien was given a dishonorable discharge after the 1999 ND game. Four straight unsuccesful dives from the one yard line to end a game will not only cost you a win but your military status as a former active duty Marine. Barnhart is just another in a long line of sportswriters to lazily buy into the cliche that O’Brien is a disciplinarian whose teams make no mistakes. In fact, his teams make way too many mistakes, especially given the fact that O’Brien coaches a risk-averse style of football. No mistakes? Did you watch the NC State game last year? The Miami game? Not only do his teams make mistakes, but they repeatedly fail to show up and play inspired ball in the biggest of games, which is a direct indictment of the head coach. Is he a bad football coach? No. But let’s not kid ourselves here: He aint Bear Bryant. But the fact that Barnhart calls Whitworth one of the best backs in the ACC makes it seem he has watched few BC games, so we probably shouldn’t expect too much.
By Ramble ON!
July 11, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
FSU bound you need to worry about graduating High School, before going to FSU.
To answer your question: “Why didn’t you mention GT being in the mix? That’s hilarious!”…because they are not in the Atlantic Division you IDIOT!
By bcguy
July 11, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
I forgot to mention that BC was somewhere in the middle of pack of the ACC in penalties last year. So much for making no mistakes.
By DeacAssured
July 11, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
BC will be a lot better than most predict. And Wake should be better than most anticipate but they’ve not been at this juncture in the program before which actually adds pressure. Last year Wake thrived on the discount from the “experts.” The Deacs will have to thrive on more than the motivation of naysayers to keep the ball rolling for a second straight year. But these following comments are truly inspiring to the average Deacon:
” By GEORGIA TECH FAN July 11, 2007 5:46 PM WE LOST TO WAKE FORREST IN THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME????? WHAT A HUMILIATION!!!!!! WAKE FORREST!!!”
Keep the bullentin board material coming, fellas.
By Ltrain
July 11, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
Please get your facts straight before you make unfounded statements like “Florida State hasn’t been on probation in the last thirty (30) years.” https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/lsdbi/LSDBI.lsdbi_menu.homepage
By Tony Barnhart
July 11, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
NASCARfan,
Thanks for reminding me that there is no such thing as an ex-Marine. I’ve met enough to know that and should have remembered.
Semper Fi
By Top Dawg
July 11, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
End of story. Who cares about the ACC or the WAC. They are both MIA.
By PrimeWolf
July 11, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
I will be surprised if FSU wins the division. Remember, they have Amato back, coaching LB’s. Those LB will be suckers for the misdirection and will overpursue on just about everything. WF will whip them again.
As for all those new Free Shoes coaches, chances of them jelling and actually working together well is, ur, remote.
TOB and the woflpack will surprise. We will beat BC in beantown for starters.
I bet Tammy in pigtown will be coaching his last season.
By yellowblood
July 11, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Top Dawg: No one asked you but I think you got it right except you need to switch Vandy and UGA. Also, get ready for a dawg-maul by the GameCocks.
By Dont Drop Soap around UGA QBS
July 11, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Top Dawg “Who cares about the ACC or the WAC. They are both MIA.”…since you’re on here, I guess you do moron.
yellowblood got it right, you need to worry about going into Vandy’s house boy.
…was it true that your QB’s had a float at the Pride festival over the weekend?
By nole_master
July 11, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
top talking about Herschel already Vince Dooley doesn’t coach anymore You still have only 1 damn championship and that was 27 frickin years ago Please, for the love of God, play someone outside the Southeast you big drooling mutts Go on the road, it won’t kill you Reggie Ball doesn’t play anymore so be scared (I’m NOT a GT fan) And finally, beat Florida more than once between National Championship
By SeminoleDale
July 11, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
The UGA fans are just jealous of what FSU has accomplished. They have done more in 5 years than UGA has in over 100. The UGA fanbase is nothing but a bunch of toothless, trailer park rednecks. FSU is BACK, Clemson is going to get SPANKED on national tv on Labor Day.
By Matt
July 11, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
The only burning question I have about the ACC Atlantic, or the rest of the ACC for that matter, is why I should give two flips about it. Does anybody even remember the last time an ACC team won a BCS game? All they’ve done since is crown a bunch of lame duck champs and get owned by the SEC. Its just sloppy football. The ACC should lose its BCS bid. 100% serious.
By CLEMSON FAN
July 11, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
I hate UGA but at least they have exposed Tech for what it is. A haven for Tickle Pile participants.
By Padre
July 12, 2007 4:19 AM | Link to this
<——— 2007-2008 THE YEAR OF THE SPEAR ———> There’s a Seminole uprising a comin’ to a stadium near you. Watch for it!
By CLEMSON FAN
July 12, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Are you aware of the Tickle Pile scandal at GT? Please discuss!!!
By t town one
July 12, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Beezer, thanks for your enlightenment. With knowledge like that, will you come back 12 years from now talking about OK and it’s car dealerships? I mean, honestly, you are very unoriginal.
FSU will be very good. With a healthy Paul Griffin, they will be very good on defense. He was a missing link last year along with lackluster safety play.
On offense, the issues were well documented. The issues have been corrected.
In so far as the season, Barnhart’s right. IF WFU, can get a defense, they will be good. They play cupcakes through most of the year.
Clemson will be formiddable. I hope Clemson remembers the FSU game, because it still stings alot of FSU’s players. It will be remembered in September.
BC—-nope. NC State—O’Brien will do very good there. He’s a good coach.
For FSU, if Clemson results in a win we should win the Atlantic. However, with that Thurs night game in Blacksburg—-that’s a preview of the ACC CG. VT has the deck stacked in it’s favor on that one. Much like the Falcons playing in New Orleans last year. Too much emotion there, but it will be different in JAX.
FSU will beat Alabama. Beezer, remember that Kevin Steele left FSU to go to Bama. The FSU defense remembers that. Steele recruited most all of those guys.
The one catch game will be Maryland. Most people, including myself, have overlooked them. I think they will surprise some people this year. The Fridge needs a good season and he has his guys poised for it.
You better watch out for FSU. You can sense the determination in their voices and you can see the new mentality in the weight room, recruiting grounds, and soon to be the football field. Trickett and Dawsey will make one heckuva blocking team.
Remember one thing: The Seminoles have never been conquered and the Osceola is back!
By gt in sc
July 12, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
to the ugay fans on this post; im a jacket fan and i must confess i dont exactly know what a tickle pile is. is it something like that picture of your Qb spooning with his male companion while a good-looking heifer stands by and watches? if so, i dont believe ive seen that at GT. ugag: taking animal husbandry to a new level!!!
By GT
July 12, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
The ACC needs FSU back to the form of old. Wake Forest could be the Pittsburg Steelers in disguise but will never get the respect they deserve because of the milk toast teams of the past. College football is a funny game. It is played by kids barely old enough to shave, yet controlled by men with fat guts and pocketbooks. The later controls to large extent the perception of a team in the national press, and as long as they can keep tournament play out of the question reality is given the back seat. The press last year wanted so bad to launch ND and Ohio State into a class of their own. They represented a large constituency that can buy a lot of popcorn. To play to these colleges and bend the reality makes a lot more money than making a few Wake fans happy. Read articles leading up to the NC last year, and if you have tape of ESPN which really favors the money path no one and I mean no one had reality right. I wrote that Florida would eat OSU’s lunch and could not find a single buyer. To play in this tainted pool the ACC needs FSU and Miami back. Then if a Tech beats them they get some credit desired or not. When Vanderbilt beats Georgia people stand up and listen, when Tech beats Miami it doesn’t cause a ripple.
By Paul
July 12, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
FSU has no running back? Antone Smith will probably be our best back since BEFORE Greg Jones hurt his knee. I can understand that we will have a new offense this year (better but new) and we have one of the most difficult schedules this year. But I think we can contend for the ACC title, and with the two things listed above that would be a good acheivement.
By UGAmbaFSUjd
July 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
PrimeWolf,
We can only hope the rest of the ACC assumes there will be turmoil with the FSU coaching changes that you do.
Amato was our LB coach during the 14 year dynasty. You’d have a hard time convincing any serious football fan that his players like Marvin Jones and Derrick Brooks were “subject to misdirection.” He and Mickey Andrews create nasty defenses together.
On the offensive side, 5 of the 6 new coaches (including the strength coach) have coached together before, work together well, and like working together. That’s why they’re here. The 6th, RB coach Dexter Carter, was a Seminole great who played on great temas with our WR coach/Seminole great Lawrence Dawsey.
There’s something special cooking in Tallahassee. Wait for it.
By UGAmbaFSUjd
July 12, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
PrimeWolf,
We can only hope the rest of the ACC assumes there will be turmoil with the FSU coaching changes that you do.
Amato was our LB coach during the 14 year dynasty. You’d have a hard time convincing any serious football fan that his players like Marvin Jones and Derrick Brooks were “subject to misdirection.” He and Mickey Andrews create nasty defenses together.
On the offensive side, 5 of the 6 new coaches (including the strength coach) have coached together before, work together well, and like working together. That’s why they’re here. The 6th, RB coach Dexter Carter, was a Seminole great who played on great teams with our WR coach/Seminole great Lawrence Dawsey.
There’s something special cooking in Tallahassee. Wait for it.
By UGAmbaFSUjd
July 12, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
PrimeWolf,
We can only hope the rest of the ACC assumes there will be turmoil with the FSU coaching changes that you do.
Amato was our LB coach during the 14 year dynasty. You’d have a hard time convincing any serious football fan that his players like Marvin Jones and Derrick Brooks were “subject to misdirection.” He and Mickey Andrews create nasty defenses together.
On the offensive side, 5 of the 6 new coaches (including the strength coach) have coached together before, work together well, and like working together. That’s why they’re here. The 6th, RB coach Dexter Carter, was a Seminole great who played on great teams with our WR coach/Seminole great Lawrence Dawsey.
There’s something special cooking in Tallahassee. Wait for it.
By sammynolez82
July 13, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Wake, wake, wake up You had your big year, watch the meltdown this year, call it the morning after hangover…Deacs, you are not a contender this year, even Nebraska will expose this. FSU and VT will be the class elite once more with Miami coming up fast…bank on it! Good article Tony.
By DBL
July 14, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
Everyone has there opinions on ACC 2007 season. and everyone is right. everyone fan wants there team to do good, right? Right. SOME are gonna be jealous like of Wake Forest because there for real and are becoming team no one hoped, said, never would be. Florida States, and the Miami’s alweays should be, RIGHT? WRONG. Everything must change at some point. Teams change, and the Wakes, NC State’s, Duke’s,Carolina’s etc…. all have there times when they will be there also and so those of you who are jealous - get over it…it’s nothing you can do about it. pull for your team and respect the the you beat or lose to with sportsmanship
“EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT YEAR”
By dbl
July 14, 2007 2:19 AM | Link to this
Last year I must have been the only one to have picked Wake Forest to win the ACC so is my pick this year;;;;;;;;; (ATLANTIC) (COASTAL) 1.WAKE FOREST 1.VA.TECH 2.FLORIDA STATE 2.GA.TECH 3.BOSTON COLLEGE 3.VIRGINIA 4.CLEMSON 4.MIAMI 5.NC STATE 5.NORTH CAROLINA 6.MARYLAND 6.DUKE
MY SLEEPERS ARE;( 3 )WATCH FOR- NORTH CAROLINA/CLEMSON/VIRGINIA
MY WEEK-ONE PICKS (SAT. SEPT. 1 ) WAKE FOREST AT BOSTON COLLEGE - W F CONNECTICUT AT DUKE - UCONN GEORGIA TECH AT NOTRE DAME - NO DAME VILLANOVA AT MARYLAND - MD MARSHALL AT MIAMI - MIAMI JAMES MADISON AT NORTH CAROLINA - UNC CENTRAL FLORIDA AT NC STATE - NC ST. VIRGINIA AT WYOMING - UVA EAST CAROLINA AT VIRGINIA TECH -VA TECH (MONDAY, SEPT. 3 )
FLORIDA STATE AT CLEMSON - FSU