PINEHURST, N.C. -- The media projected Florida State as the ACC champion, and the Seminoles picked up another key endorsement on Monday at the league football kickoff event.
"I'd vote for them, too," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
Florida State received 50 out of 71 votes to win its first league title since 2005. Beamer's Hokies received 18 votes, Clemson two and Boston College one. Florida State was a heavy favorite to win the Atlantic Division (65 votes), while the Hokies were on 66 ballots to win the Coastal. Georgia Tech received one vote to win the division and was picked to finish fourth. Besides Tech, Miami was pegged for second, North Carolina third, Virginia fifth and Duke sixth.
The poll has accurately named the league champion 20 out of 35 times, with two ties. Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson didn't mind being picked fourth. Voters tabbed Tech for fourth in 2008, Johnson's first year, when the team tied for the Coastal title.
"We'll have our opportunities," he said. "They're not going to crown anybody on who the media voted."
Boston College running back Montel Harris was picked the preseason player of the year with 26 votes. Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel was second with 14. No Tech players received votes.
"To me, it's a vote that comes from what he has achieved, and he's certainly achieved a lot," Eagles coach Frank Spaziani said. "Now he has to go forward."
Davis under gun
North Carolina coach Butch Davis "fully and completely" accepted responsibility for the NCAA investigation into the Tar Heels program. The NCAA's notice of allegations, received by the school in June, includes charges of unethical conduct, providing false and leading information, impermissible benefits and academic misconduct.
"I’m the head football coach," Davis said. "This is a very, very serious issue. It's caused a tremendous amount of embarrassment and a tremendous amount of hard times for Carolina alumni and fans, but we're going to get through this."
Davis said he has never considered resigning. He said the allegations constitute "the most important issue that has faced the University of North Carolina probably in many, many, many years, and maybe even many decades."
Tech's Ayers to transfer
Johnson said cornerback Ryan Ayers will transfer to Liberty University. Ayers has close ties to a strength coach at the school. Liberty also has a major that he wants to study, Johnson said.
"I think that might be a good move [for Ayers]," Johnson said.
By transferring to an FCS (formerly Division I-AA) school, Ayers should be eligible to play immediately. Johnson said he did not expect any other transfers.
Johnson said he'll give "a good, long look" at incoming freshman quarterback Vad Lee in fall camp to determine if he'll use him as a true freshman.
"If we feel like he gives us the best chance to win, we'll either play him or have a package for him or have something that he can do, no question," Johnson said.
Aiming for No. 1
To win a national championship, Beamer said, a team has to have a year in which the offense and defense are both strong. He allowed the Hokies might be in that situation this year.
"I think we're in the mix," he said. "It's just got to fit together and have a little luck."
New defense for Duke
Duke will use a 4-2-5 defense with coordinator Jim Knowles. It is similar to the scheme run by TCU. Duke finished last in the ACC last fall in defense at 450.1 yards allowed per game.
"[The defense] had a really good spring and our kids are really getting a grasp on what we want," coach David Cutcliffe said.
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