ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

If I posted the first two or three PAGES of questions in my mailbag right now, they would all reference Christian Ponder's absence on the Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist list. So I'll answer the first few dozen or so comments and questions with this: I voted for Ponder.

Now, moving on ...

If I posted the next FOUR pages of comments in the mailbag, they would all reference Paul Johnson and Frank Beamer's public debate about illegal blocks in their game. So I'll put that topic to rest with this:

Jeff in Mcdonough, Ga., writes: Heather, Just saw where Beamer called Coach Paul Johnson to apologize for some of the complaints after the GT-VT game. Thought that showed a lot of class on his part.

HD: Yes it did, Jeff, but I think Paul Johnson also probably should've apologized for his, too. Maybe he did, I don't know. I had fun with it, but everyone is taking it waaaay too seriously. It's not a big deal. It's over.

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Robert in Clemson writes: Hey HD, please tell me your going to make the trip to Death Valley to watch the Clemson vs FSU game.

HD: I'd like to, Robert, but I don't find out until Sunday of game week where I'm headed. Ask me next week.

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Brad in Lexington, N.C. writes: Hey Heather First of all I am big fan of your writing. My question is: I have Meineke Car Care Bowl tickets. I know its still a month away but who do you see getting in there from the Big East or ACC. I am a little concerned i may have spent money i shouldn't have considering the NC teams struggling the way they are. Thanks for looking at my question.

HD: Thanks for reading, Brad. When I did my midseason reports, I had North Carolina going to that bowl, but now I'm not so sure since they've lost to Florida State. That could be the game the Noles sneak into. As for which Big East time might show up? Bruce Feldman and Mark Schlabach seem to think that's where Pittsburgh is headed.

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Dave in San Fran writes: Duke's Athletic Department totally blew it. When it takes six wins to earn bowl eligibility, why schedule a non-factor game? Surely Duke could have found and paid for another FCS school that is not "provisional" or even negotiated a home-and-home with Rice, SMU, Tulane, etc...as an alum, this is so frustrating. I bet that Duke will finish 6-6 and not make a bowl - just our luck. Thanks.

HD: Well, to play Devil's advocate one could argue that Duke blew it by losing to Richmond, no? Don't forget that NC Central was the school tied up with Duke in the lacrosse scandal. That was a good game to schedule in terms of rebuilding a relationship between the neighboring schools. So while it might not have been beneficial to bowl eligibility, it was great for the city of Durham. Now it's up to Duke to keep winning.

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Ted in Irvine, Calif., writes: how many teams from the acc get bowl bids

HD: I'm going to go with seven -- Clemson, Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Duke and Miami. The one I'm least sure of right now is North Carolina. The Tar Heels need three more wins and have to find them against Virginia Tech, Duke, Miami, Boston College and NC State. The teams I'm counting out right now are NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest and Virginia.