ESPN College Football

MIAMI -- With under 30 minutes until kickoff here, there are still a lot of empty seats, even in the lower bowl area. It's a sparse crowd, but the majority of fans here are Clemson's.

There are no lineup changes, no suspensions and no surprises on the Clemson depth chart tonight. The team is as healthy as it's been since early in the season. The only difference in tonight's game routine is that former running back C.J. Spiller sat next to coach Dabo Swinney on the bus ride to the stadium. In 2009, Spiller racked up more than 300 all-purpose yards here against Miami. We'll see if he can inspire another similar performance. The biggest question is how Clemson will look after a month off. We've seen two sides of this team -- the one that faltered down the stretch, and the one that beat Virginia Tech soundly in the ACC championship game. If Clemson can pick up where it left off, the Tigers could be Orange Bowl champs.

Clemson had a total of six players drafted, tied for the third-most selections in a draft in Clemson history, and tied for fifth-most in the nation this year. Here are a few notes from Clemson's sports information department:

• Four of Clemson’s six selections were defensive players. It is tied for the second-most defensive players in one draft from Clemson in school history. Clemson had a school-record six defensive players taken in the 1999 NFL draft.
• Clemson was the only school in the nation to have three defensive players taken in the top 51 selections of the draft. It was the first time in school history that has happened.
• Five of the six selections came over the first four rounds and it marks just the second time Clemson has had five players taken in the first four rounds. The only other time was at the 1991 draft.
• Chris Hairston was taken in the fourth round by the Buffalo Bills, the second year in a row the Bills have taken a player from Clemson. Last year, the Bills took C.J. Spiller in the first round with the ninth overall pick. Prior to last season the Bills had not taken a player from Clemson since 1982 (Perry Tuttle).
• Jamie Harper also went in the fourth round to the Tennessee Titans. Harper is just the second Clemson player taken by Tennessee since 1989. Keith Adams (2001) was the only other Tiger taken by the Tigers in the past 22 years.
• With Harper’s selection, Clemson has had a running back drafted in each of the past three years. James Davis was drafted by Cleveland in 2009 and Spiller was taken by Buffalo last year.
• Ten members of Clemson’s 2008 defense have now been drafted. Dorell Scott, Mike Hamlin and Chris Clemons were drafted in April of 2009, Ricky Sapp, Crezdon Butler and Kavell Conner were taken in 2010 and Jarvis Jenkins, Marcus Gilchrist, Da'Quan Bowers, and Byron Maxwell were all taken this year. Freshmen on that team could be drafted next year and could add to that total.

Former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller will be watching his protege, Andre Ellington, on Saturday, when the Tigers host the Terps.

It's only fitting that Spiller is there, as Ellington is on track to break one of Spiller's records and could accomplish it on Saturday.

The goal: Reach 74 yards by his seventh carry.

The record: Fewest rushing attempts required to reach 1,000 yards in Clemson history.

Ellington has 926 yards rushing in 134 carries. Spiller will have his No. 28 retired on Saturday, so it would be quite an accomplishment for Ellington to break that record. Spiller got to 1,000 yards in 2007, his sophomore year, in just 142 carries.

And Ellington will definitely get the carries on Saturday. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has said Ellington, who has been splitting carries with Jamie Harper, will start getting more touches.

“Andre Ellington needs to touch the ball more," Swinney said. "He’s earned that. He just has to get the ball more.

“Jamie Harper’s a good football player. We have to make sure he has opportunities, but right now, Ellington has been more productive and deserves more opportunities. We just have to make sure he’s getting enough touches to impact the game. Hopefully Jamie will respond the right way, because he is a competitor. Right now, Ellington is the most explosive guy we have so he has to get more opportunities. Right now, Andre is the starter. He’s earned the opportunity based on game day production."

Ellington had 491 yards in 68 rushes last year as Spiller’s backup. So far this year he has 435 yards in 66 attempts, a 6.6 average. His career average is 6.91 through 19 games. Ellington ranks third in the ACC in rushing yards per game 87.0 per game.

Clemson will retire No. 28 from its football roster in honor of C.J. Spiller during halftime against Maryland on Saturday, the school announced on Sunday.

Spiller, the ninth overall selection of the NFL draft, now plays for the Buffalo Bills, and since they're off this weekend, he'll be able to attend the ceremony and lead the team through its "Tiger Walk" on Saturday.

Spiller will be just the third Clemson football player to have his number retired. He joins Steve Fuller, who wore No. 4 (1975-78), and Banks McFadden, who wore No. 66 (1937-39).

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney didn’t hesitate when asked recently if running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper were talented enough to be the program’s next “Thunder and Lightening” duo, following in the footsteps of former players C.J. Spiller and James Davis.

“Absolutely,” Swinney said. “No doubt.”

Technically, though, Ellington and Harper refer to themselves as “the New Storm.”

But they still have to prove it, starting Saturday at Auburn.

“They have not really been challenged yet against an opponent that’s hit them for 60 minutes,” Swinney said. “Being able to sustain throughout the game, the physical play that we want, that’s the thing I’m looking for from them. … They’re going to have to prove their salt with durability.”

They’ll get their chance on Saturday, when Clemson will face a rushing defense that has allowed just 80 yards per game in two wins. In the 35-10 season-opening win over North Texas, Clemson averaged a whopping 9.8 yards per rush. On the first offensive play, Ellington took off for a 60-yard touchdown run. It took him 16 seconds into the season to score. Spiller scored 14 seconds into the 2009 season with a kickoff return against Middle Tennessee.

Clemson’s win over the Mean Green marked the first time since the 2007 Maryland game that Clemson had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game. That year, Davis had 129 and Spiller had 106 in the win over the Terps. Against North Texas, Ellington had 12 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns while Harper had nine carries for 101 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Ellington said he and Harper, who both averaged over 10 yards per carry in the season opener, have already earned the title of Clemson’s next great duo, “just by all of the hard work we put in.”

“We’ve got more composure now, we’re more confident,” he said. “We know a lot more about what we’re doing out there, as opposed to watching another guy perform and then go off of what he’s doing. We’re in the driver’s seat, I guess you could say.”

They’re going to have to be, as both of their snaps will increase along with the competition. They both played sparingly against Presbyterian, with just 14 combined snaps. Swinney said their strength isn’t a question. Ellington is about 192 pounds, and Harper is up to 234 pounds after adding about eight pounds of lean muscle mass this summer.

“We’re asking a lot more out of their role, and to this point, they just have not played the amount of snaps they’re going to have to play,” Swinney said. “That’s the one thing I’m anxious to see -- can they sustain it all the way for four quarters or however long it takes to finish the game.”

Harper and Ellington now have 1,286 combined yards in 209 attempts for their careers, a 6.15 average. Davis and Spiller had 7,428 combined rushing yards in 1359 combined attempts for a 5.47 average.

Harper said he and Ellington can keep it up.

“The proof is in the pudding,” he said. “We just have to go out there and show [Swinney] along with the rest of the world. We’re definitely the next top tandem. C.J. and James Davis, they did a terrific job of setting the stage as far as tandems of running backs, especially at Clemson, and we’re just following those guys and trying to make ourselves be known just as well as they were.”

If they do, it could be the perfect storm for the Tigers’ offense.

Week 1 lessons have to be taken with a grain of salt, as scores against unheralded opponents can often be misleading. Taking these games at face value, here are a few things revealed in the ACC after this weekend.

New coaches made a difference. Mike London led Virginia to its first season-opening win since 2005, and he did it against his former team and alma mater, Richmond. The Spiders are a championship program to be respected (just ask Duke, which lost to Richmond last year), and was the biggest threat at an upset, but the Cavaliers ran the ball effectively and got what they needed despite scheme overhauls on both offense and defense. In Tallahassee, first-year coach Jimbo Fisher had his offense running with precision in a commanding route of Samford. He left no doubt who was the better team, unlike last year when the Seminoles escaped with a win over Jacksonville State. The Noles looked focused and prepared and ready to make a statement.

North Carolina won’t back down. There were many reasons North Carolina could’ve folded against LSU -- including its 30-10 deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but the Tar Heels rallied together and with six seconds still remaining had a chance to win. There were young players and walk-ons seeing their first collegiate snaps, but there was enough leadership to keep the team together -- and in the game.

BC linebacker Mark Herzlich is back. It was one of the most anticipated comebacks of the season, but in the weeks preceding the Eagles’ opener against Weber State, it was in doubt because of a stress fracture in his foot. Herzlich delivered, though, and he was in good enough shape to deliver a few hits, too, as he was in on five tackles.

The ACC avoided embarrassment. There were no losses to FCS teams, and no implosion in Atlanta -- two scenarios the ACC has encountered in recent years. Last year, Virginia lost to William & Mary at home, and two years ago Clemson was embarrassed by Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff. This year, the ACC started out 9-1 with the only loss to LSU, the toughest competition of the weekend. Two games remain -- against Boise State and Navy -- but both are respectable bowl opponents.

There’s life after C.J. Spiller. Clemson running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper proved the Tigers’ offense can function without their former star. Each of them scored twice against North Texas, and both surpassed the 100-yard mark. It was the first time Clemson has had two players top 100 rushing yards in a game since James Davis and Spiller accomplished it against Maryland in 2007.

Clemson senior Xavier Dye is the leading returning receiver with 14 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns, and he is the only returning starter at the position. He caught one touchdown pass from Kyle Parker last season, one from C.J. Spiller, and one from Jacoby Ford. The Tigers will miss Ford’s production last year, as he had 56 catches for 779 yards and six touchdowns, but he’s not the only one. Clemson graduated its top three receivers from a year ago. Who will step up? Dye is hoping he can. Here are the highlights of our recent interview:

How have the receivers developed and where have you seen the most progress this summer?

Xavier Dye: I think the main thing is the guys have bought into learning the minor details. They’ve done good this whole camp. I’ve been pleased with how we’ve competed against each other. It’s made us better and going against our defense has made us better. Now we have to go out and execute and do the things we’re capable of doing.

It seems like Dabo and reporters like myself have questioned the consistency of your group. Has that been a legitimate concern, and do you think you guys have answered that this summer?

XD: Yeah, I think we’ve pretty much answered that. We’ve done a great job of it, the whole camp. We’ve had very few days that he’s come out and said anything to us. Maybe two days out of the 25 or 30 we’ve been out there that we hadn’t done our jobs the best we can. We’re going to have some days like that, but it’s better to have more good days than bad, and we’ve done a really good job of going out and producing every day.

Do you think what went on with you last year, taking that break from the team, can you look back on that as something you grew from? Maybe you needed that break.

XD: I think it really helped me out a lot, and I’m sure the coaches would probably say the same thing, that he really needed that wake-up call to get him to the point where he is now. That’s what really had happened, because at this time last year, I was being lackadaisical, really nonchalant about the whole thing. Now I’m at a different level. The young guys are actually following my lead. We’ve been going out having great practices. They look at me and if my energy level is down, they’re going to be that way, too. With me being a senior and the leading receiver coming back, they look to me because I’ve been there.

So what are your personal goals for this season? Are there specific numbers?

XD: There are numbers, but the main thing is for us to win and go out, compete and do what it’s going to take for us to win ball games. I’ll keep my personal goals to myself. I have them written down.

How important was it for you, and what was your reaction when Kyle (Parker) said he was coming back, being on the receiving end of that decision?

XD: It was a relief, this being my senior year. You don’t really want to start over with another quarterback. Tajh is going to be a good quarterback one day, but having Kyle come back with the experience he’s had, it’s a big help to us. He knows the offense just like we know it. That’s easier on us and some of the younger wideouts, because if you’ve got a young quarterback, and he’s learning, you can’t really ask him a question about what’s going on. You can screw with the whole play. Now we don’t have to start over, you can just build from last year.

Aside from yourself, who are the receivers who are going to be the go-to guys this year?

XD: Well we really don’t know, but we all will be considered. Hopefully I’m the guy who’s the go-to guy, but all of the other guys are working just as hard. We’ve all competed well. That’s a good thing, having depth at receiver.

Clemson will no doubt miss C.J. Spiller, but ACC fans might not realize just how productive Andre Ellington was as his backup last year. Ellington gained 491 yards on 68 carries as a freshman and his 7.22 yards per carry ranked him just behind the 7.27 figure Spiller had when he was a freshman in 2006:


Ellington or Jamie Harper will start against North Texas on Saturday.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney dishes on parity in the ACC, Kyle Parker's decision to return to school and how the Tigers' offense changes without C.J. Spiller.

There are plenty of potential Heisman candidates across the country heading into 2010, and former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller was the perfect example last fall of just how difficult it is to get an invitation to New York. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh proved how difficult it is for a defensive player to win it.

The ACC does, however, have hope once again for Heisman representation. The Tallahassee Democrat wrote this week that "for the first time in a decade, the Florida State football program enters the offseason with a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate."

Both FSU quarterback Christian Ponder and Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams enter this fall as the league's top two potential Heisman candidates. Of course, they have to maintain, if not improve upon, their past success, stay healthy and win big collectively in order for these hopes to come to fruition.

But who are they up against? Just how tough will the competition be?

Here's a look at who else is on my Heisman radar heading into the fall and how they stack up against Ponder and Williams:

QUARTERBACKS

Jake Locker, Washington
Passing: No. 27 (19.17 completions/game)
Passing yards per game: No. 31 (233.33)
Total passing yards: No. 33 (2,800)
Passing efficiency: No. 55 (129.75)
INTs: 11

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Passing: No. 46 (17.31)
Passing yards per game: No. 7 (278.77)
Total passing yards: No. 5 (3,624)
Passing efficiency: No. 7 (152.46)
INTs: 7

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
Passing: No. 85 (12.85)
Passing yards per game: No. 88 (161.08)
Total passing yards: No. 73 (2,094)
Passing efficiency: No. 59 (128.91)
INTs: 11

Kellen Moore, Boise State
Passing: No. 26 (19.79)
Passing yards per game: No. 20 (252.57)
Total passing yards: No. 10 (3,536)
Passing efficiency: No. 2 (161.65)
INTs: 3

Case Keenum, Houston
Passing: No. 1 (35.14)
Passing yards per game: No. 1 (405.07)
Total passing yards: No. 1 (5,671)
Passing efficiency: No. 6 (154.79)
INTs: 15

PONDER
*Missed final three games of the regular season and the Gator Bowl, not listed in NCAA passing stats.
Passing: 25.2
Passing yards per game: 301.89
Total passing yards: 2,717
Passing efficiency: 301.91
INTs: 7

My take:Mallett made a case for being the best quarterback in the SEC last year, and he made the best decisions against the best competition. Ponder's numbers are impressive considering how much time he missed with his shoulder injury, and they should only be better this fall if he stays healthy and the offensive line lives up to the hype.

RUNNING BACKS

Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
Yards per game: No. 19 (110.77)
Yards per carry: 5.27
Touchdowns: 21
Total rushing yards: 1,440

Noel Devine, West Virginia
Yards per game: No. 17 (112.69)
Yards per carry: 6.08
Touchdowns: 13
Total rushing yards: 1,465

Dion Lewis, Pitt
Yards per game: No. 3 (138.38)
Yards per carry: 5.54
Touchdowns: 17
Total rushing yards: 1,799

Mark Ingram, Alabama
Yards per game: No. 11 (118.43)
Yards per carry: 6.12
Touchdowns: 17
Total rushing yards: 1,658

WILLIAMS
Yards per game: No. 5 (127.31)
Yards per carry: 5.65
Touchdowns: 21
Total rushing yards: 1,655

My take: In order for Williams to unseat the reigning Heisman winner, Ingram, he'll have to have his best performances against the toughest defenses, stay healthy, and get the bulk of the carries despite the return of Darren Evans. One huge boost to Ingram's campaign last year was that he averaged 178 yards per game vs. top-25 teams (VT, UM, USC, LSU). He also showcased his ability to catch the ball and had a nation-leading 38 runs of 10 yards.

Step into my office, which will be in Bristol later this week ...

Joseph in Tallahasse, Fla., writes: Heather, I just got married yesterday to a beautiful FSU grad. I also graduated from FSU undergrad and am currently at FSU Law. Naturally we are huge FSU fans and invited Bobby Bowden to the wedding. I didn't really expect him to come, but we were at least hoping for a regret, just as a little momento to add to my FSU memorabilia. He didn't even respond! So, my question to you is: Bobby's blow-off, fair or foul?

HD: Seriously, I couldn't make this question up if I tried. Didn't they teach you anything at law school? What proof do you have that he actually saw it? That his wife didn't toss it out with the FSU fundraising application? Maybe Jimbo intercepted it ...

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Specialist Justin R in Iraq/Blacksburg writes: Hey Ms Dinich, thanks for keeping us deployed Hokie fans in the ACC loop. As most Hokie fans do every year, we enjoy saying "This is our year, the year we make it back to the National Championship". I'm thinking maybe this year, Tech might actually have a real chance (not just saying it this time). Everyone is saying the Boise State game will be our biggest test, but after looking at the schedule, I'm not so sure. That North Carolina worries me a bit. Looking at Mel Kiper's Big Board for next year is like looking at the NC roster on defense. What's your call on the tougher game - NC or BS?

HD: Me? You're the one we should be thanking for your service, Justin. You're right, Boise State is the first big hurdle, but it's certainly not the only one, and you should be worried about that UNC D. The Tar Heels should be a real contender for the Coastal this year. Here's the thing, though: If it's a national championship you're looking for, the Boise State game is the biggest of the bunch because of how strength of schedule factors into the BCS standings. Realistically nobody can afford to lose any games in college football if they have national title hopes, as even undefeated teams aren't guaranteed a spot in the title game, but the Hokies aren't going to make it to the top unless they beat the top nonconference competition first.

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Michael in Ft. Myers, Fla., writes: With CJ Spiller and Jacoby ford out of the acc could Miami make a push for being the fastest team in the ACC?

HD: Well, I don't have everyone's latest 40 times, but considering coach Randy Shannon has said this is probably the fastest team he's had there, I'd bet it is. Just look at Miami's 400-meter relay team. It's made up entirely of football players.

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Adam in Harrisonburg, Va., writes: Heather,Why aren't Virginia Tech's running backs getting more, or even close to the same amount of, hype than some other colleges running back tandems are??? My math may be off, but VT has over (4,000) yards of rushing offense alone returning from the past two seasons. Alabama can't say that. What else do we have to do???

HD: Adam, I'd say that having the Hokies ranked among the top 10 nationally in the majority of post-spring Top 25 lists is giving tons of credit to the running backs and to Tyrod Taylor. It's certainly not because of the six starters that have to be replaced on defense.

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areynfsu24 in Columbia, S.C., writes: Just curious as to your predictions (based off spring practices and spring games) of how you see the ACC Atlantic/Coastal finishing up and your final prediction for who you think wins the ACC. Also, do you see Christian Ponder and Ryan Williams being Heisman candidates out of the ACC?

HD: I had Virginia Tech ranked No. 1 in my post-spring power rankings, and based on what the Hokies have done in the past (reloading on defense, two 1,000-yard rushers) I believe they should enter 2010 as the team to beat in the ACC. That being said, my early prediction is an upset in November and expect Miami and Florida State to meet for this year's ACC title. And yes, both of those players could be candidates.

CLEMSON

2009 overall record: 9-5

2009 conference record: 6-2, Atlantic Division champs

Returning starters

Offense: 7, defense: 6, punter/kicker: 2

Top returners

DE Da’Quan Bowers, FS DeAndre McDaniel, LT Chris Hairston, RT Landon Walker, QB Kyle Parker, DT Jarvis Jenkins, LB Brandon Maye, RB Andre Ellington, RB Jamie Harper

Key losses

RB C.J. Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, LG Thomas Austin, TE Michael Palmer, DE Ricky Sapp, LB Kavell Conner, CB Chris Chancellor, CB Crezdon Butler, LB Kevin Alexander

2008 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Spiller (1,212 yds)

Passing: Parker* (2,526 yds)

Receiving: Ford (779 yds)

Tackles: Conner (111)

Sacks: Sapp (5)

Interceptions: McDaniel* (8)

Spring answers

1. Meet Dwayne Allen. The Tigers appear to have a capable replacement for former first-team all-conference tight end Michael Palmer, who set a school record for receptions (43) and reception yards (507) for a tight end last year. Allen had three catches for 83 yards in the spring game. He could be a centerpiece of the offense next year.

2. Liking the linebackers. The graduation of Alexander and Conner hurt, but coach Dabo Swinney liked what he saw from this group this spring. The Tigers are deeper and more versatile here and will have the ability to increase the number of plays per linebacker.

3.Holding their own. Heading into the spring, the punter and place-kicking jobs were open, but punter Dawson Zimmerman and kicker Richard Jackson both retained their spots. Jackson was inconsistent last year and missed two extra point attempts, but he tied for second in the ACC with 20 field goals.

Fall questions

1. Will Parker return? The dual-sport quarterback won’t determine his future until baseball season has ended. As his spring home run total increases, it becomes more of a question. His batting average and home run totals -- Parker leads the ACC in home runs -- continue to be a factor.

2. Spiller’s replacements. What four people will combine to do what Spiller did last year? Kick returns, catching the ball out of the backfield, the ground game -- Mr. Versatility will be missed. Ellington had a good spring with 13 carries for 86 yards in the spring game, and expectations are high for Harper.

3. Reaching at receiver. With Ford’s graduation, Clemson is looking for a new go-to player. Swinney liked what he saw from the group, as Xavier Dye and Terrence Ashe both had productive springs. Brandon Clear was one of the most improved players on the roster and will be given a chance to make some plays this summer.

Congratulations, ACC fans. You came out in droves this spring to watch what amounted to intrasquad scrimmages, leading me to believe there will be a heightened interest in ACC football this fall. (And no, we’re not using Alabama as the standard here.)

Four programs –- Clemson Tigers (27,000), North Carolina Tar Heels (29,500), Florida State Seminoles (51,300) and Virginia Tech Hokies (41,000) –- each set attendance records at their respective spring games this year. The Miami Hurricanes had a sellout crowd of 10,000 at Traz Powell Stadium, which is about normal because of the smaller venue, and the North Carolina State Wolfpack had 25,372.

There are reasons to be excited about ACC football this year, but here are my top five:

1. BCS contenders. Virginia Tech has already been deemed a top-10 preseason team. Georgia Tech is coming off an Orange Bowl appearance. Miami came close to a BCS bid last year. All three teams finished 2009 among the top 15 in the BCS standings. Florida State could represent in the Orange Bowl with an ACC title, but so could more than half the league.

2. Heisman hopefuls. Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams and FSU quarterback Christian Ponder are the first two names that come to mind. Don’t forget, though, that Jacory Harris’ name entered the conversation last September after the Canes’ hot start, and fans can (and will) argue the legitimacy of Josh Nesbitt as a contender.

3. Beefed up schedules. Based on opponents’ overall records from 2009, ACC teams will face the most difficult schedules in the nation this fall. ACC opponents compiled a winning percentage of .604, making the ACC the only league where its opponents won at least 60 percent of their games. And they’re not all creampuffs. Ohio State, Pitt, Alabama, LSU, Boise State, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia and BYU are all on the list.

4. Championship changes. Bring on Charlotte! Last year’s matchup between Clemson and Georgia Tech was a step in the right direction. It was one of the best games of the conference season. Now that the game will be moved to what the folks in Greensboro refer to as the “geographical footprint” of the ACC, the overall atmosphere and attendance is expected to improve.

5. Coaching. There are subplots at almost every school, whether it’s a new coordinator, new head coach, or current coach starting to feel some heat. Will this be Ralph Friedgen’s last year? Not if he has anything to say about it. What can Dabo Swinney do without C.J. Spiller? How quickly can first-year defensive coordinator Mark Stoops improve FSU’s floundering defense? What can John Shoop do to catch the UNC offense up to the Tar Heels’ stellar D? How will Al Groh fit in at Georgia Tech with his 3-4 scheme? Can Mike London work a miracle and get Virginia to a bowl in his first year? The list goes on.

Former Clemson fullback Rendrick Taylor has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs and will report to mini-camp May 17. He will work as a fullback and tight end, but also played receiver during his career at Clemson.

Taylor, who will graduate on Friday, played in 38 games for the Tigers over the past five years, 10 as a starter. He finished his career with 54 receptions for 533 yards and a touchdown and had 15 carries for 36 yards as a fullback.

Taylor is the fifth member of last year's team to sign a free agent contract and five other players were drafted two weeks ago. That's a significant bit of talent gone from last year's Atlantic Division champs:

Still, Clemson returns enough talent on both sides of the ball to repeat as division champs. The Tigers will have six starters back on defense, including four of the top five tacklers and three defensive linemen. Even though Chancellor and Butler are gone, Clemson's secondary returns players who accounted for 19 of last year's 21 interceptions.

I guess you guys read the power rankings yesterday ...

Doug in Coral Gables, Fla., writes: Heather,Please explain to me all the hype surrounding Florida State. Miami beat them last year in THEIR building and we are bringing back more experience. I respect FSU and think that they could be slightly worse than UNC, but 2nd in the ACC? Everyone seems to forget this team lost 4 of its first five legitimate games and almost lost to 1AA Jacksonville State.

HD: I understand where you're coming from, Doug, really I do. But it's impossible to ignore Florida State's offense, starting up front. That should be one of the best offensive lines in the country, and to me, that's FSU's biggest reason for hope. That and the fact the Noles only lost one starter on offense. And the way I look at the defense -- well, it can't get much worse. There have been nothing but positive remarks coming out of Tallahassee on the direction the program is headed under Jimbo Fisher, convincing me that change is underway. Of course, they've got to prove it this fall. And who says I don't think Miami has a chance to win it all this year? ...

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Jon in Blacksburg, Va., writes: Why is it that you seem to always feel Miami will beat us in a given season? Last year you thought they were going to win it all (and Pat Forde) and this year you pick them to upset us on Nov. 20th? I don't know if it's just me but I just don't think they are that great of a team.

HD: Well, I was in Miami two years ago when the Canes DID beat Virginia Tech, so I know it can happen. (I was also in Blacksburg last year when the Hokies won, so I've seen the flip-side, too). I just think that with Jacory Harris being a junior, and the entire offense now having a year under Mark Whipple, the Canes have what it takes to take the next step. There is a lot of skill and speed on that team, and there is also mounting pressure for Randy Shannon in his fourth season. Those things are bound to add up eventually. But hey, don't count out Georgia Tech in the Coastal Division ...

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Matt in Atlanta, Ga., writes: Heather, You always seem to underestimate GT. But, I guess Paul Johnson will prove the media wrong once again this year. And what is with this hype about Clemson? They are not that good. Tech beat them twice with a absolutely sorry defense. Now, then don't even have CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford. If they win the Atlantic, it's just because somebody has to take the Atlantic title.

HD: Maybe I do underestimate Georgia Tech, but don't forget I picked Tech to beat Iowa in the Orange Bowl. The Jackets have some legitimate reasons to doubt them this year, including the loss of two first-round draft picks, a new defensive coordinator and a new defensive scheme. As for the Clemson hype, I think people are underestimating the Tigers. Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington will ease the loss of Spiller. They do need to find some consistency at receiver, though. The defense will be the strength ... at least until it plays Georgia Tech in late October, right?

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Tom in Portage, Ind., writes: Recently there was a suggestion that the SEC was considering going after Florida State as a new member. If the Big 10 does expand, how vulnerable is the ACC and how will the conference respond? Also, if other conferences go to as many as 16 teams, is this something the ACC will consider?

HD: From what I gather, the ACC is on the backburner in all of this expansion talk, and would be one of the last conferences to be affected if at all. It's an impossible question to answer until we see HOW the Big Ten expands. Personally, I don't see what the Big Ten would have to gain by adding a team like Rutgers. Notre Dame? Yeah, that would make a difference and make sense, and the trickle-down effect would probably be moot. I do know the ACC likes its current 12-team alignment just the way it is and would rather not see anything change. Speaking of Notre Dame ...

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Drew in Boston writes: Why would you write a column about the ACC's out-of-conference schedules and write about ever single team in the ACC except Boston College? Granted, their OOC schedule isn't great, but it still has ND and deserves some sort of analysis. And the decided lack of BC coverage on this blog has not only been noticeable, but insulting. We may be up north, but we're in the ACC too, Heather.

HD: I KNEW I should've put a disclaimer at the top of that post. That wasn't an intentional slight on BC, it was a slight on the Eagles' schedule. They don't play any nonconference opponents we have ranked! Sorry, but Notre Dame doesn't cut it. Last I checked, the Irish lost to Navy last year. And Syracuse is still one of the worst teams in the Big East. The whole point of that post was to see how the top opponents stack up. Not yet, anyway. And I just wrote about BC yesterday afternoon.

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Kevin in Tokyo, Japan, writes: Heather,Glad to see you back at work. Hope all's well with the munchkin. The perennial fall of Miami and FSU seems to have others viewing the ACC as a weak conference. Do you think putting them high in the preseason rankings on an annual basis hurts the conference reputation, especially when neither has proven anything?

HD: Thanks, Kevin! I never thought of it that way, but to answer your question, no. The rankings don't hurt the ACC's reputation, the results do. It's good for those programs to have high expectations -- they should. It's time, though, for both of them to meet those expectations.

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Daniel in Durham writes: Heather, I love reading your blog, but how could you put Duke 11th in your ranking? I'm not arguing that Duke is a contender in the ACC by any stretch of the imagination, but you have them behind Maryland and NC State, two teams that they beat last year. They also got a good schedule against the Atlantic by not playing FSU or Clemson. What keeps you from putting them higher in your rankings?

HD: One main thing -- no Thaddeus Lewis, the quarterback who beat Maryland and NC State last year. The staff has a lot of faith in Sean Renfree, who is very talented, but he'll be in his first season as a full-time starter and missed the spring with a torn ACL. Also, Duke's running game has really struggled, and the defensive line still has holes to plug.