It's Friday, isn't it? It's more like Groundhog's Day in my world ...
Matt in Concord, N.C., writes: Good to have you back!I just heard that Bryn Renner has quit Baseball to focus on Football. Do you think this is any indication of what the UNC coaching staff has been telling him about playing time? Thanks
HD: Thanks, Matt. Here's what Butch Davis had to say about the competition after the spring game, according to the Wilmington Star-News:
The one thing I can tell you is that this should heat up the quarterback battle, now that Renner's full focus is on football. Still, I have a hard time believing Davis would send a rookie on the road against LSU in favor of a seasoned quarterback. Renner probably wouldn't have given up a sport he loves, though, if he didn't truly believe he would be given an equal shot to unseat Yates. I expect Renner to get his playing time this season, but there will also probably be some growing pains, and that will keep Yates atop the depth chart.
G in Houston, Texas, writes: HD,With the SEC basically throwing down the gauntlet and issuing that if the Big Ten expands (gets bigger) so can we statement, how do you see (if at all) this affecting the ACC? Do you think teams (FSU, VT, Miami, Virginia, etc) accepting invitations to the SEC? And how will it affect the ACC in the end?
HD: Well, it's still all speculation at this point, but I do know that the ACC likes itself just the way it is right now -- a 12-team league. If there is a trickle-down effect, and the SEC is looking to pluck an ACC team, I would guess Florida State, Clemson and Miami -- in that order -- draw the most attention. But really, the ACC is on the backburner in all of this talk. The Big Ten and Notre Dame will likely lead the way. Only after the Big Ten makes the first move will everyone else start to formulate a counter plan. The ACC hasn't released any statement on this, and is unlikely to do so until something happens that actually affects the conference. To answer your final question -- should the ACC lose one of the aforementioned teams, it would be very, very bad.
Aaron in Atlanta writes: Is it true that the ACC will move preemptively and become the first 16 team superconfrence by taking in WVU, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt from the Big East? The rumor is that these four would join with UVA, VaTech, Maryland, and BC to make the new ACC North, while the other existing ACC schools would form the ACC South. This new superconfrence would cover almost 40% of the US population and could demand some serious cash from the networks, or form their own.
HD: Now there's one I haven't heard yet. Like I said, the ACC is content with its 12-team alignment.
Dan in Houston, Texas, writes: Is some team going to take a chance on Myron Rolle?
HD: What's up with the ACC fans in Texas today? Yes, I would think -- and hope -- that somebody takes a chance on Rolle. Our guys at Scouts Inc. have him graded the equivalent of a fifth-round draft pick.
Brad in Durham writes: An inside source told me Brandon Connette has a good shot at starting QB for Duke this year. I was frankly shocked when this person told me this. What's your take?
HD: No doubt Connette had a good spring, but Sean Renfree is expected to be the starter this year and there doesn't seem to be much question about that.
Matt in Concord, N.C., writes: Good to have you back!I just heard that Bryn Renner has quit Baseball to focus on Football. Do you think this is any indication of what the UNC coaching staff has been telling him about playing time? Thanks
HD: Thanks, Matt. Here's what Butch Davis had to say about the competition after the spring game, according to the Wilmington Star-News:
“T.J. has earned the opportunity to be the guy that either earns the job or loses the job,” Davis said. “And Bryn has put himself in position to unbelievably push for that job or significant playing time.”
The one thing I can tell you is that this should heat up the quarterback battle, now that Renner's full focus is on football. Still, I have a hard time believing Davis would send a rookie on the road against LSU in favor of a seasoned quarterback. Renner probably wouldn't have given up a sport he loves, though, if he didn't truly believe he would be given an equal shot to unseat Yates. I expect Renner to get his playing time this season, but there will also probably be some growing pains, and that will keep Yates atop the depth chart.
G in Houston, Texas, writes: HD,With the SEC basically throwing down the gauntlet and issuing that if the Big Ten expands (gets bigger) so can we statement, how do you see (if at all) this affecting the ACC? Do you think teams (FSU, VT, Miami, Virginia, etc) accepting invitations to the SEC? And how will it affect the ACC in the end?
HD: Well, it's still all speculation at this point, but I do know that the ACC likes itself just the way it is right now -- a 12-team league. If there is a trickle-down effect, and the SEC is looking to pluck an ACC team, I would guess Florida State, Clemson and Miami -- in that order -- draw the most attention. But really, the ACC is on the backburner in all of this talk. The Big Ten and Notre Dame will likely lead the way. Only after the Big Ten makes the first move will everyone else start to formulate a counter plan. The ACC hasn't released any statement on this, and is unlikely to do so until something happens that actually affects the conference. To answer your final question -- should the ACC lose one of the aforementioned teams, it would be very, very bad.
Aaron in Atlanta writes: Is it true that the ACC will move preemptively and become the first 16 team superconfrence by taking in WVU, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt from the Big East? The rumor is that these four would join with UVA, VaTech, Maryland, and BC to make the new ACC North, while the other existing ACC schools would form the ACC South. This new superconfrence would cover almost 40% of the US population and could demand some serious cash from the networks, or form their own.
HD: Now there's one I haven't heard yet. Like I said, the ACC is content with its 12-team alignment.
Dan in Houston, Texas, writes: Is some team going to take a chance on Myron Rolle?
HD: What's up with the ACC fans in Texas today? Yes, I would think -- and hope -- that somebody takes a chance on Rolle. Our guys at Scouts Inc. have him graded the equivalent of a fifth-round draft pick.
Brad in Durham writes: An inside source told me Brandon Connette has a good shot at starting QB for Duke this year. I was frankly shocked when this person told me this. What's your take?
HD: No doubt Connette had a good spring, but Sean Renfree is expected to be the starter this year and there doesn't seem to be much question about that.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
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