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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has played in the ACC title game twice as the Tigers’ head coach and won it once, yet if you ask Clemson fans, most would probably tell you he still needs to prove he can beat South Carolina. Swinney is hardly the only one in the ACC, though, with something to prove this fall. There are plenty of players, coaches and position groups who need to make a statement this season. We’ll start with the Atlantic Division, where the development of a few offensive lines could be a huge factor in the division race. Here’s a look at who in the division has the most to prove this fall:

1. Maryland coach Randy Edsall. There is no bigger burden being carried in the ACC than the one Edsall shoulders, as he inherited a nine-win bowl team and finished last year with a 2-10 record. Many questioned the hire to begin with. Another disastrous season would further fuel the critics.

2. Boston College coach Frank Spaziani. The Eagles fell as low as 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the ACC last year -- the second straight season they started with four straight conference losses. BC’s streak of 12 straight bowl games came to an end and the program suffered its first losing season since 1998. Spaziani has to turn it around quickly, and he’ll have to do it without star running back Montel Harris, who was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.

3. Clemson’s offensive line. The Tigers have to replace three starters up front and five seniors who were in the rotation on last year’s ACC championship team. Tyler Shatley had a good spring after moving from nose tackle to right guard, but this group has a lot to prove if Andre Ellington is going to get his yards.

4. Florida State’s offensive line. This was the weak link in the Noles’ offense last year, but it matured before our eyes in the Champs Sports Bowl win over Notre Dame. Both starting offensive tackles have to be replaced, and it’s still an extremely young group.

5. NC State’s linebackers. This was a strength for the Wolfpack last year, with Audie Cole and Terrell Manning among the best in the league. They’ll be tough to replace. Dontae Johnson has some starting experience at linebacker, but he’s more of a safety and played a crossover role last year. D.J. Green, who was injured, is the only returning starter.

6. Wake Forest’s offensive line. The Deacs gave up 35 sacks last year and must do a better job of protecting Tanner Price. That could be easier said than done, as Wake Forest has to replace four starters. Coach Jim Grobe has said he’s comfortable about three of those spots after spring practices, but the Deacs will need more to build upon last year’s surprising success.

2011 overall record: 8-5

2011 conference record: 4-4 (4th, Atlantic)

Returning starters

Offense: 7; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

LT R.J. Mattes, LG Duran Christophe, RG Zach Allen, C Camden Wentz, QB Mike Glennon, RB James Washington, WR Tobais Palmer, DE Brian Slay, DE Art Norman, DE Darryl Cato-Bishop, CB C.J. Wilson, CB David Amerson, S Brandan Bishop, S Earl Wolff

Key losses

WR T.J. Graham, WR Jay Smith, TE George Bryan, RT Mikel Overgaard, DT Markus Kuhn, LB Terrell Manning, LB Audie Cole, LB D.J. Green

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: James Washington* (897 yards)
Passing: Mike Glennon* (3,054 yards)
Receiving: T.J. Graham (757 yards)
Tackles: Audie Cole (108)
Sacks: Audie Cole/Terrell Manning/Art Norman*/Darryl Cato-Bishop* (5.5)
Interceptions: David Amerson* (13)

Spring answers

1. Good luck passing against these DBs. All four starters are back, headed by the record-setting David Amerson, whose 13 picks last season were the most in ACC history. Amerson added another in the spring game. Playing keep-away won't be so easy for opposing quarterbacks, who also have to worry about corner C.J. Wilson, who has returned all three of his career picks for scores.

2. Mike Glennon ready to improve. It wasn't always easy playing in the shadow of Russell Wilson, but Glennon had a strong finish to the 2011 season and had the benefit (or is it horror?) of facing his own secondary this spring. Look for him to build off his 3,000-yard debut season.

3. Glennon's targets should be fine. Despite the loss of T.J. Graham, the Wolfpack figure to be OK at wide receiver. Tobais Palmer had five touchdowns last season and should lead a group that, like Glennon, had its work cut out for it this spring going up against a talented secondary.

Fall questions

1. How will the LBs fare? Graduations, early draft departures and suspensions have hurt the unit. Dontae Johnson is the only returner with extensive playing time, but that came at free safety, a position he left behind this spring. Fifth-year senior Sterling Lucas figures to enter camp as the starter in the middle.

2. How will Rodman Noel transition? The athletic Noel has moved from safety to outside linebacker, and a strong jump from him could provide a big boost to the young unit. Look for him to be used all over the field in a hybrid-like role for the Wolfpack.

3. Can Mustafa Greene emerge? Legal problems and injuries have hurt the running back, who would be returning to play behind an experienced offensive line if he can work his way back into playing time. Greene totaled 869 yards and six touchdowns during his true freshman campaign of 2010.

Despite a 6-6 season in 2011, Miami led all ACC schools with six players getting selected during this past weekend's NFL draft. The ACC as a whole had 31 players selected, the third most among all conferences, behind the Big Ten (41) and, yes, the SEC (42).

NC State had five players taken, the second most among ACC schools. Neither the Hurricanes nor the Wolfpack had any players taken in the first two rounds. Duke and Maryland both had zero players drafted.

Luke Kuechly, as expected, got the ball rolling for the conference Thursday night, when the Panthers took the former Boston College inside linebacker ninth overall. I was a little surprised to see Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, projected by many as a late first-rounder, fall all the way to the Jets at No. 43.

Here's a school-by-school breakdown of the draft, followed by a round-by-round breakdown:

Miami: 6
NC State: 5
Clemson: 4
FSU: 4
Wake Forest: 4
Virginia Tech: 3
UNC: 2
Georgia Tech: 1
Virginia: 1
Boston College: 1

FIRST ROUND
No. 9, Panthers: ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
No. 16, Jets: DE Quinton Coples, UNC
No. 31, Giants: RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

SECOND ROUND
No. 38, Jaguars: DE Andre Branch, Clemson
No. 43, Jets: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
No. 52, Titans: OLB Zach Brown, UNC

THIRD ROUND
No. 64, Colts: TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson
No. 69, Bills: WR TJ Graham, NC State
No. 72, Dolphins: DE Olivier Vernon, Miami
No. 86, Steelers: LB Sean Spence, Miami
No. 93, Bengals: DT Brandon Thompson, Clemson
No. 94, Giants: CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

FOURTH ROUND
No. 96, Rams: WR Chris Givens, Wake Forest
No. 97, Dolphins: RB Lamar Miller, Miami
No. 100, Browns: WR Travis Benjamin, Miami
No. 105, Bills: OLB Nigel Bradham, FSU
No. 113, Cowboys: OLB Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest
No. 115, Titans: CB Coty Sensabaugh, Clemson
No. 117, 49ers: G Joe Looney, Wake Forest

FIFTH ROUND
No. 144, Bills: T Zebrie Sanders, FSU
No. 163, Packers: OLB Terrell Manning, NC State

SIXTH ROUND
No. 152, Cowboys: WR Danny Coale, Virginia Tech
No. 176, Jaguars: CB Mike Harris, FSU
No. 187, Jets: S Josh Bush, Wake Forest
No. 198, Ravens: WR Tommy Streeter, Miami
No. 200, Eagles: G Brandon Washington, Miami

SEVENTH ROUND
No. 210, Vikings: ILB Audie Cole, NC State
No. 225, Seahawks: DE JR Sweezy, NC State
No. 237, 49ers: DE Cam Johnson, Virginia
No. 239, Giants: DT Markus Kuhn, NC State
No. 241, Packers: T Andrew Datko, FSU

It's NFL draft eve, and it's the last Wednesday before the event, meaning one last chance for our team of analysts to predict how this weekend will unfold.

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay reveal their final draft boards, and each has a mock , with McShay and the rest of the Scouts Inc. team going seven rounds full .

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, naturally, tops the list, going No. 5 to the Buccaneers. North Carolina end Quinton Coples is next off the board at No. 19, to the Bears, with wideout Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech going two spots later to the Bengals.

How do the rest of the ACC's draft-eligible players stand? Let's take a look:

ROUND 2
No. 36, Buccaneers: RB David Wilson (Virginia Tech)
No. 50, Bears: OLB Zach Brown (UNC)
No. 58, Texans: DE Andre Branch (Clemson)
No. 59, Packers: RB Lamar Miller (Miami)

ROUND 3
No. 64, Colts: DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson)
No. 68, Buccaneers: CB Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech)
No. 72, Dolphins: OT Zebrie Sanders (FSU)
No. 76, Texans: TE Dwayne Allen (Clemson)
No. 80, Cardinals: DE Olivier Vernon (Miami)
No. 82, Titans: WR Chris Givens (Wake Forest)
No. 91, Ravens: G Joe Looney (Wake Forest)
No. 95, Raiders: DE Cam Johnson (Virginia)

ROUND 4
No. 100, Browns: OLB Nigel Bradham (FSU)
No. 124, Bills: OLB Sean Spence (Miami)
No. 125, 49ers: CB Chase Minnifield (Virginia)
No. 128, Vikings: OLB Terrell Manning (NC State)
No. 129, Raiders: OLB Kyle Wilber (Wake Forest)
No. 130, Ravens: WR Danny Coale (Virginia Tech)

ROUND 5
No. 154, Jets: WR Tommy Streeter (Miami)
No. 157, Falcons: WR TJ Graham (NC State)
No. 159, Steelers: G Brandon Washington (Miami)
No. 162, Saints: CB Coty Sensabaugh (Clemson)

ROUND 6
No. 176, Jaguars: DT Marcus Forston (Miami)
No. 178, Bills: ILB Audie Cole (NC State)
No. 188, Broncos: DE Rennie Moore (Clemson)
No. 191, Bengals: WR Travis Benjamin (Miami)
No. 197, Packers: OT Andrew Datko (FSU)
No. 205, Browns: G Antoine McClain (Clemson)

ROUND 7
No. 209, Rams: WR Dwight Jones (UNC)
No. 240, Steelers: DE Matt Conrath (Virginia)
No. 242, Jets: TE George Bryan (NC State)
No. 243, Packers: RB Davin Meggett (Maryland)
No. 245, Browns: DT Markus Kuhn (NC State)
No. 250, Chargers: CB Donnie Fletcher (BC)

Here's a breakdown by school of the 37 ACC players that Scouts Inc. thinks will be drafted:

Miami: 7
Clemson: 6
NC State: 5
Virginia Tech: 3
UNC: 3
Virginia: 3
Wake Forest: 3
FSU: 3
BC: 2
Georgia Tech: 1
Maryland: 1
Duke: 0

NC State linebacker D.J. Green is ineligible to play this season after testing positive for a banned substance, according to J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer.

According to the report, Green said he took a supplement in an attempt to gain weight. It was an unfortunate decision for Green and his team, as the linebacker position was already thin. With Audie Cole and Terrell Manning gone, the linebacker position is one of the biggest questions facing the Pack entering spring practices. Cole was the team’s leading tackler each of the past two seasons, and Manning was one of the defense’s most disruptive players last year.

Green was the only returning starter. He was having a great 2011 before he injured his knee and wound up starting seven games. The position will now be in the hands of young players like Brandon Pittman and Michael Peek, both sophomores. Dontae Johnson has some starting experience at linebacker, but he’s more of a safety and played a crossover role last year.

The good news for NC State's defense is that the entire secondary returns, including one of the top cornerbacks in the country in David Amerson, but the Wolfpack will need to find some answers at linebacker this spring and summer in order to solidify the front seven.

Our offseason spotlight series continues today with NC State. A reminder: This series features individual players, position groups and coaches who really need to have big offseasons — starting this spring.

Spotlight: Linebackers

2011 summary: This was a bright spot for a defense that was ravaged with injuries, as Audie Cole and Terrell Manning were two of the best in the ACC – and Manning injured his knee in the third game of the season and missed two more games. Cole finished 2011 with a team-high 132 total tackles. He also had 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. He had seven double-digit tackle games. Manning made plays all over the field and had a huge role in helping the team to a bowl game. During the last five games of the regular season, Manning averaged nine tackles per game, had 11 total tackles for loss, five sacks, caused two fumbles and recovered three and intercepted two passes.

The skinny: D.J. Green is the only returning starter. He was having a great year before he injured his knee and wound up starting seven games. The coaching staff is still unsure of whether he’ll be back for spring practices. He’s expected to, but the staff might not want to push him. There are a lot of young players who will be competing for playing time, like Brandon Pittman and Michael Peek, both sophomores. Dontae Johnson has some starting experience at linebacker, but he’s more of a safety and played a crossover role last year.

• More in this series

For some, it might feel like the season just ended, but for others -- like Duke, Maryland and Boston College, which didn't get to play in a bowl game -- spring ball can't get here fast enough. The Eagles kick off spring practices in the ACC on Saturday, so today we'll take a quick look at the main storylines for each team in the conference heading into the spring:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Spring practice start date: Feb. 18
Spring game: March 31 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• Yet another offensive transition. Doug Martin will be the Eagles’ fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons, including Kevin Rogers, who took a medical leave of absence early last year and never returned, and Dave Brock, who replaced Rogers. Martin said he is looking for a physical downhill running game, wants to increase the tempo and add some no-huddle elements.
• The return of running back Montel Harris. The ACC’s leading rusher in 2010 missed most of last season with a knee injury, but he is expected to return for spring ball. How healthy and durable he is remains a question, but he’s still aiming to break a 33-year-old ACC rushing record.
• Who will replace All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly? It’s an open competition as Kuechly is the only linebacker departing. Sean Duggan was his backup last year, but Steele Divitto put in a lot of work this offseason on his own time.

CLEMSON

Spring practice start date: March 7
Spring game: April 14 (4 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• The rebuilding efforts up front. Clemson has to replace three starters on both the offensive and defensive lines. On defense, Malliciah Goodman is the only starter returning on the line, and he’ll be one of the candidates to replace the production of end Andre Branch, but Corey Crawford will be the next in line at the position.
• The defensive transition under first-year defensive coordinator Brent Venables. After giving up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, Dabo Swinney fired Kevin Steele and hired Venables. How quickly will he be able to make a difference and will everyone buy in?
• The linebackers. This is the year that the outstanding linebackers in the 2011 recruiting class will finally have their chance to shine. Venables is also the linebackers coach, and he’ll have a young, talented group to work with. The lineup of the future should include Stephone Anthony, Lateek Townsend and Tony Steward, all top 100 players coming out of high school.

FLORIDA STATE

Spring practice start date: March 19
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Maturation of the offensive line. FSU started four freshmen in the Champs Sports Bowl against Notre Dame, and those players will be expected to continue their improvement this spring. The most important question is who will replace the top two tackles from a year ago in Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko.
• The kicking game. Punters aren’t usually in the spotlight, but that wasn’t the case at FSU, where All-American Shawn Powell had an impact on every game. Finding a replacement for him this offseason will be a priority.
• The running backs. Chris Thompson, who broke his back last year, is expected to return this spring, and has been cleared for the most part, but the coaching staff isn’t likely to push him. Devonta Freeman will be the main man, but there are plenty of other candidates to emerge -- if, of course, the offensive line figures things out.

MARYLAND

Spring practice start date: March 10
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• The quarterback drama. Maryland’s two-quarterback storyline will continue this spring -- if, of course, Danny O’Brien decides to remain at Maryland instead of transferring. There has been much speculation about his future, but for now, the staff expects him to be limited this spring as he continues to recover from a broken arm. C.J. Brown should get the most reps.
• An overhaul of schemes. Maryland hired a new offensive coordinator in Mike Locksley and a new defensive coordinator in Brian Stewart. How quickly the Terps buy into their systems and philosophies will be critical in turning around last year’s 2-10 record.
• The running backs. This is a position where a true freshman could earn some playing time this year, but standout recruit Stefon Diggs won’t be on campus in time to compete this spring. Meanwhile, Justus Pickett returns, along with Brandon Ross, who redshirted last year. Wes Brown (who played at Good Counsel with Diggs) could also compete for major playing time when he arrives for summer camp.

NC STATE

Spring practice start date: March 23
Spring game: April 21 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• Who will emerge as dependable linebackers. With Audie Cole and Terrell Manning gone, this position is a big question mark for the Wolfpack. Cole was the team’s leading tackler each of the past two seasons, and Manning was one of the defense’s most disruptive players last year.
• The new go-to for Glennon. With T.J. Graham gone, NC State turns to a young group of receivers. Tobias Palmer and Bryan Underwood return, but there are several unheralded players who have a chance to make names for themselves by emerging as a go-to player for quarterback Mike Glennon.
• The running game. NC State returns four of five starters on the offensive line, but will Mustafa Greene return in time for the spring? When he does, the Pack will have another new running backs coach, who has yet to be announced. NC State had the No. 109 rushing offense in the country last year. Greene would be a big boost.

WAKE FOREST

Spring practice start date: March 1
Spring game: April 14 (1 p.m. ET)

What to watch:

• The revamped offensive line. The Deacs have to replace four starters up front. Coach Jim Grobe has played only one true freshman there in 11 years. He has several redshirt freshmen and sophomores who are expected to fill in.
• The next playmakers. Wake Forest is thin at running back (Josh Harris returns, but has a history of hamstring injuries), the Deacs lose two starting wideouts -- including record-setter Chris Givens -- their top two tight ends and 2011 leading rusher Brandon Pendergrass.
• Solidifying the secondary. The Deacs have to replace starting free safety Josh Bush and starting strong safety Cyhl Quarles. There is still plenty of talent at cornerback, but the safety position is thin.

The official invite list for the NFL combine is out. Every school but Duke is represented, and there are a total of 43 former players from the conference who will participate, including Miami's entire starting lineup from 2011. Well, ok, not really, but it's a pretty big hit for the Canes. Best of luck to all of these guys at the next level.

Here are your ACC representatives:

BOSTON COLLEGE (1)

• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

CLEMSON (6)

• Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
• Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
• Antoine McClain, OG, Clemson
• Rennie Moore, DT, Clemson
• Coty Sensabaugh, DB, Clemson
• Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

FLORIDA STATE (6)

• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
• Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
• Shawn Powell, P, Florida State
• Beau Reliford, TE, Florida State
• Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

GEORGIA TECH (1)

• Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

MARYLAND (1)

• Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland

MIAMI (8)

• Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
• Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami
• Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
• Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami
• Brandon Washington, OT, Miami

NORTH CAROLINA (6)

• Charles Brown, CB, UNC
• Zach Brown, LB, UNC
• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Dwight Jones, WR, UNC
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Tydreke Powell, DT, UNC

NC STATE (5)

• Audie Cole, LB, NC State
• T.J. Graham, WR, NC State
• Markus Kuhn, DT, NC State
• Terrell Manning, LB, NC State
• J.R. Sweezy, DT, NC State

VIRGINIA TECH (4)

• Jarrett Boykin, WR, Virginia Tech
• Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

VIRGINIA (2)

• Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

WAKE FOREST (4)

• Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
• Joe Looney, OG, Wake Forest
• Cyhl Quarles, S, Wake Forest
• Kyle Wilber, LB, Wake Forest

Overall, it was a pretty quiet performance for the ACC in this past weekend's Senior Bowl. The North team won, 23-13, and Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after totaling 129 all-purpose yards for the North.

Former NC State receiver T.J. Graham started for the North team, along with his former teammates, quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Audie Cole, and former Virginia defensive end Cam Johnson. For the South team, former FSU offensive lineman Zebrie Sanders started at right tackle, UNC's Quinton Coples at left end, Clemson's Brandon Thompson at defensive tackle, and UNC's Zach Brown at linebacker.

Here are some highlights from the official stats:

NORTH

T.J. Graham, NCSU WR, two catches for 27 yards; 1 KOR for 27 yards
Donnie Fletcher, Boston College CB, four tackles
Audie Cole, NC State, LB, four tackles

SOUTH

Dwight Jones, UNC WR, one catch for 7 yards
Sean Spence, Miami LB, five tackles
Zach Brown, UNC LB, five tackles, one TFL
Nigel Bradham, FSU LB, three tackles, one sack for a loss of 3 yards, one pass breakup
Quinton Coples, UNC DE, three tackles, one sack for a loss of 5 yards, two TFLs, one pass breakup
Brandon Thompson, Clemson DT, two tackles, one TFL
Tydreke Powell, UNC DT, two tackles

The ACC will have 14 players represent the conference in the 2012 Senior Bowl, which will be held at 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 28 in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised by NFL Network.

North Carolina leads the ACC with four players on the roster, as defensive end Quinton Coples, defensive tackle Tydreke Powell, linebacker Zach Brown and wide receiver Dwight Jones have all accepted invites to the 2012 game.

Clemson will have three players (DL Brandon Thompson, DL Andre Branch, FB Chad Diehl), and the league will also send two apiece from Florida State (OL Zebrie Sanders, LB Nigel Bradham) and NC State (LB Audie Cole, WR T.J. Graham) and one each from Boston College (DB Donnie Fletcher), Miami (LB Sean Spence) and Virginia (DL Cam Johnson).

It's time to wrap up the 2011 season with the top performers from the bowl games. No, they’re not all from Florida State and NC State. Although they could be …

Offense:

QB: Mike Glennon, NC State: He was named the MVP of the Belk Bowl after throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns to lead NC State past Louisville 31-24.

RB: Preston Lyons, Georgia Tech: The senior fullback started in place of injured David Sims and rushed for 138 yards in the overtime loss to Utah. Before this, Lyons had never rushed for more than 50 yards in a game.

RB: David Wilson, Virginia Tech: He broke the school’s single-season rushing record in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Michigan with 82 yards on 24 carries. He finished the season with 1,709 yards. His 11-yard run on his second carry of the third quarter enabled him to surpass Ryan Williams’ mark of 1,655 yards set in 2009.

WR: Rashad Greene, Florida State: He had five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in the 18-14 win against Notre Dame and was named the MVP of the Champs Sports Bowl. His 15-yard touchdown catch with just over 13 minutes to play gave the Noles a 15-14 lead.

WR: T.J. Graham, NC State: He finished with seven catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Louisville. He also had three kick returns for 63 yards and one punt return for two yards.

WR: Kris Burd, Virginia: He had six catches, 103 yards, two touchdowns and a broken collarbone. He became only the third player in school history to score two receiving touchdowns in a bowl game.

OT: Zebrie Sanders, Florida State: He was the lone senior on an offensive line that started four freshmen. He posted a career-high grade of 94 percent in his final game at left tackle.

OT: Rob Crisp, NC State: Hey, no other lineman in the ACC had a reception in a bowl game. Granted, his teammates keep ribbing him for rumbling and fumbling, but Crisp played a good game, paving the way for the offense from the right tackle spot.

G: Josue Matias, Florida State: As one of four true freshman starters on the Noles’ line, Matias posted a grade of 82 percent from the left guard position in his first career start.

G: Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech: Even with guard Omoregie Uzzi sitting out with an injury and suspended tackle Phil Smith on a bus back to Atlanta, Tech rolled up 311 rushing yards and 448 total yards against a Utah defense that was ranked among the nation’s best entering the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

C: Dalton Freeman, Clemson: Freeman had an 84 percent grade and four knockdowns in helping Clemson to 443 yards and 33 points against West Virginia.

Defense:

DE: Brandon Jenkins, Florida State: He finished with two tackles (both solo), including one sack for minus-10 yards. His sack in the third quarter took Notre Dame out of field goal range.

DT: Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest: He finished with six tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery in the loss to Mississippi State.

DT: Markus Kuhn, NC State: He finished with three tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of seven yards. He also had one sack for a loss of six yards in the win against Louisville.

DE: J.R. Collins, Virginia Tech: He finished second on the team with seven tackles and had one tackle for loss in the loss to Michigan in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

LB: Nigel Bradham, Florida State: He closed out his career with a team-high nine tackles (eight solo) against Notre Dame, finishing the season with a team-leading 86. He was the first FSU player to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive years since All-American Marvin Jones (1990-92). Bradham also added his third career interception in the win.

LB: Tariq Edwards, Virginia Tech: He finished with a team-high eight tackles, one sack for a loss of seven yards and two tackles for a loss of eight yards in the loss to Michigan.

LB: Audie Cole, NC State: The senior ended his career with a team-high 10 tackles, including a pair of sacks and four tackles for loss.

DB: David Amerson, NC State: He had two interceptions and returned one of them 65 yards for a touchdown in the Belk Bowl win against Louisville. He became the ACC’s leader in interceptions in a single season with 13. It was one shy of the Football Bowl Subdivision record set by Al Worley of Washington in 1968.

DB: Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech: He intercepted a pass by Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson in the first quarter. The interception marked his second of the season and the second of his career.

DB: Merrill Noel, Wake Forest: He had a team-leading seven tackles and one interception for 18 yards in the 23-17 loss to Mississippi State.

DB: Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State: With Notre Dame inside the 5-yard line, Joyner intercepted his team-best fourth pass of the season. His 77-yard kickoff return after Notre Dame went up 14-0 was the longest kickoff return by a Seminole this year. It was also the third-longest in FSU bowl and Champs Sports Bowl history.

Special teams:

P: Shawn Powell, Florida State: He punted 8 times for 378 yards and a 47.2-yard average. He had three punts of more than 50 yards and landed two inside the 20-yard line. His performance sealed his title as the nation’s leader in punting.

P/K: Justin Myer, Virginia Tech: Myer entered the game 0-for-2 on the season but made field goals in the Allstate Sugar Bowl of 37, 43, 36 and 25 yards, recording a field goal in every quarter and tying Georgia’s Billy Bennett (2003) for the BCS bowl record. The four field goals tied for second-most in Sugar Bowl history. Myer missed on his fifth try, a 37-yard attempt in overtime. The field goals were the first in Myer's collegiate career. The Hokies made six field goals of 30 or more yards all season entering the game.

A/P: Sammy Watkins, Clemson: Despite the loss, Watkins broke two school records in the Discover Orange Bowl and finished with 205 all-purpose yards, giving him 2,282 for the season -- second-most in ACC history. He had seven kick returns for 143 yards, and he had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

NC State linebacker Audie Cole saw the support disappear from Carter-Finley Stadium last Saturday --literally -- as the home crowd began to bail on the home team, which trailed Maryland 41-14 with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

“Half the stands left, thought the season was over,” Cole said.

Senior receiver T.J. Graham heard the fans boo as he headed into the locker room at halftime.

“That hit kind of hard with the seniors; we felt like we were getting booed off our senior day,” Graham said. “After that we kicked it into the next gear.”

As in, 35-point, fourth-quarter gear. Who knew it even existed?

Getting to the seventh win this season was like finding water in the desert for the Wolfpack. For most of the season, it was a mirage, and through the majority of three quarters against Maryland last week, it was on the brink of disappearing. NC State, though, never quit. The Wolfpack rallied for what was the biggest comeback in school history and the second-biggest comeback in ACC history to beat Maryland 56-41 and become bowl eligible.

NC State has been one of the ACC’s most inconsistent teams, not only from week to week, but also half to half, and no game proved that more than the regular-season finale against Maryland. While it wasn’t the championship-caliber season they had hoped for, NC State won three of its final four games, including an upset of then-No. 7-ranked Clemson, and has momentum to build on heading into the postseason.

“It’s quite an accomplishment from where were sitting a few weeks ago,” Cole said. “But in the long run, I think it’s kind of a disappointment, too, the way we shot ourselves in the foot in the beginning of the year. But in the past few weeks I’d say it’s quite the accomplishment. Nobody believed we were going to come in and play well against Clemson, and we played probably one of our best games of the year against them. We came out slow against Maryland and then somehow found a way to pick it up and win the game and now we get another.”

Officials from the Belk Bowl in Charlotte are hoping NC State is available for selection on Sunday, and it will be the program’s third bowl appearance in the past four years. NC State began the season 2-3, and a surprising 14-10 loss to Boston College on Nov. 12 put the Pack in a must-win situation for the final two games of the season. Their bowl hopes seemed to be over at that point, with Clemson looming on the schedule, but NC State stunned everyone with a 37-13 win.

Once again, NC State has made a turnaround in the second half of the season under coach Tom O’Brien, and a lot of it has to do with the health of the team. Heading into the Maryland game, NC State had started eight different lineups in 11 games because of injuries, and a total of 12 players missed the Georgia Tech game with injuries.

With key players healthy, in the three games leading up to the Maryland game, NC State’s defense had allowed just nine points per game and a total of three touchdowns. Cornerback David Amerson leads the nation in interceptions with 11, and Graham set an ACC record in kickoff returns. Quarterback Mike Glennon accounted for six touchdowns in the win over Maryland. There are plenty of positives for the team to build on heading into the bowl game, none bigger than the way it finished the Maryland game.

“It looks good to the bowl committees,” Graham said. “They’re going to want us, because we’re having a pretty hot November. Other than that, it’s confidence. We are a pretty good team. We’ve flashed greatness at times and done the complete opposite at times. It’s just nice knowing we can overcome anything, basically.”

Turkeyturkeyturkeyturkey.

• Miami coach Al Golden believes he is going to be the head coach of the Canes in 2012, not Penn State.
• You want the difference between David Wilson and Trent Richardson? Fumbles. In big games.
• Depth has been a concern recently for Clemson, and the problem can be traced back to the 2009 signing class.
• Even Virginia's athletic director has been surprised by the football program's quick turnaround.
• FSU quarterback EJ Manuel said his performance against UVa was tough to watch. Hey, he said it, not me.
• Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson had to apologize for a poor choice of words.
• Maryland coach Randy Edsall said he has been unfairly criticized by some this season, and that he is not discouraged.
• BC linebacker Luke Kuechly is on the verge of more history, but will he make it in his last game for BC?
• Duke is going to play with "reckless abandon" this week to get a win.
• History, though, is on North Carolina's side.
• North Carolina has officially posted its job for head football coach.
• NC State linebacker Audie Cole has been one of the Pack's most durable and dependable players.

Several more finalists have been released since this was last posted, so I figured I'd update it today. The additions are in red:

BEDNARIK AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.

• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami

BILETNIKOFF AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding WR by the Tallahassee QB Club Foundation

• Sammy Watkins, Clemson

BUTKUS AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding linebacker by the Butkus Foundation.

• Zach Brown, North Carolina
• Audie Cole, NC State
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Sean Spence, Miami

WALTER CAMP AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding player by the Walter Camp Foundation

• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Sammy Watkins, WR/KR, Clemson

LOU GROZA AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding kicker by the Palm Beach Sports Commission.

• Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson
• Dustin Hopkins, Florida State
• Jimmy Newman, Wake Forest
• Jake Wieclaw, Miami

ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding down lineman by the Rotary Club of Houston.

• Luke Kuechly, Boston College

JOHN MACKEY AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding TE by the Nassau County Sports Commission

• Dwayne Allen, Clemson

MAXWELL AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding player by the Maxwell Football Club.

• Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
• David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD. Presented to the nation's best quarterback by the Davey O'Brien Foundation.

• Tajh Boyd, Clemson

JIM THORPE AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive back by the Jim Thorpe Association.

• David Amerson, CB, NC State
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

DOAK WALKER AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding running back by the SMU Athletic Forum

• David Wilson, Virginia Tech

It's tough to keep up with all of college football's major awards, so I wait until a bunch of them have been released and then compile a one-stop shopping post for you. There are still lots to come this month, so I'll update it again. Based on how many times you'll see Luke Kuechly's name mentioned, you'd think he brings home some kind of award this season. He definitely deserves it. Here's a look at your ACC semifinalists so far:

BEDNARIK AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.

• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami

BUTKUS AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding linebacker by the Butkus Foundation.

• Zach Brown, North Carolina
• Audie Cole, NC State
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Sean Spence, Miami

LOU GROZA AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding kicker by the Palm Beach Sports Commission.

• Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson
• Dustin Hopkins, Florida State
• Jimmy Newman, Wake Forest
• Jake Wieclaw, Miami

ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding down lineman by the Rotary Club of Houston.

• Luke Kuechly, Boston College

MAXWELL AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding player by the Maxwell Football Club.

• Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
• David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD. Presented to the nation's best quarterback by the Davey O'Brien Foundation.

• Tajh Boyd, Clemson

JIM THORPE AWARD. Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive back by the Jim Thorpe Association.

• David Amerson, CB, NC State
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia