ESPN College Football

This Nats-Phillies stuff is awesome.

• Kudos to the sports info staff at Georgia Tech, which was honored Monday by the FWAA.
• Former Miami QB Jacory Harris believes things will work out for him in the NFL, Brain Biggane writes in the Palm Beach Post.
• Duke coach David Cutcliffe is a mentor for life to Peyton and Eli Manning, Andrew Jones writes on FoxSportsCarolinas.com.
• Being OK is not good enough, NC State AD Debbie Yow says in an extensive interview with the Raleigh News & Observer's Andrew Westney.
• Blake DeChristopher and other Hokies have taken alternate routes to the NFL, Mike Barber writes in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Full disclosure: I have a lot of respect for Tom O’Brien as a coach and a person. I appreciate his sense of humor and his bluntness, which often go hand in hand. He’s a good coach.

But this is a business, and this year, O’Brien isn’t meeting the bottom line numbers: Wins. As NC State prepares to host rival North Carolina on Saturday, O’Brien is staring down what could be a career-defining game in Raleigh. NC State still needs three more wins to reach bowl eligibility, and with Atlantic Division leader Clemson still on the schedule, the best chances are against the Tar Heels, at Boston College and in the season finale against Maryland -- three teams with losing records in conference play. No game looms larger for O’Brien, though, than the rivalry game against UNC:

A win means: O’Brien goes 5-0 against the Tar Heels and helps restore faith in his leadership of the program. It gives the Wolfpack’s bowl hopes a huge boost, and it would be a historic win in the series. The Wolfpack won five in a row over the Heels from 1988-92 under coach Dick Sheridan, with two wins at home and three on the road. Although the two teams have met 100 times, State has never won three in a row at home.

A loss means: O’Brien is officially on the hot seat, if he wasn’t before. NC State drops to 1-4 in the ACC and 4-5 overall and is in a must-win situation in its final three games to get to a bowl game. O’Brien’s detractors will grow in number and noise, and athletic director Debbie Yow could have a decision to make. For now, O’Brien has her full support, but it’s rare that an athletic director would comment on personnel matters during the season. Don’t forget that Yow kept former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen on staff after a 2-10 season.

Saturday’s result won’t provide an answer for NC State and O’Brien, but it will certainly help determine which direction they’re both heading.

Greetings from Tallahassee ...

• NC State AD Debbie Yow says Tom O'Brien is "going to be sure" an ACC title happens. No pressure, TOB.
• It's hard for some former Maryland players to ignore the NFL's lockout as pro days occur across the league.
• Former FSU quarterback Christian Ponder was throwing to Isaac Bruce at the Noles' pro day. Yes, that Isaac Bruce.
• The scouts in Tallahassee were impressed.
• They should be. Ponder's pretty good when he's healthy.
• It's Bryn Renner's turn to take the lead at UNC.

Two more Saturdays to go ...

• NC State wide receiver Jarvis Williams says the Pack's offense will be tough to shut down this fall.
• Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has changed his attitude toward playing freshman -- he's had to.
• Ray Keys, a legacy player at Virginia, has been rewarded with a scholarship.
• Maryland's new university president will have some input in hiring Ralph Friedgen's next boss.
• And Friedgen's former boss, Debbie Yow, is now pushing NC State to "set the ACC on fire," athletically and academically. Oh, and she can howl.
• So long to FSU linebacker Nigel Carr, who has been released from his scholarship.
• Lee Chambers' move from running back to cornerback shows Miami coach Randy Shannon isn't afraid of change.
• Got $7 million? Throw it Paul Johnson's way.
• Mark Herzlich's return is in a serious holding pattern.
• Odds are Virginia Tech offensive lineman Nick Becton has to play through some pain when he's finally cleared to return.

It feels like the season has officially begun ...

• As practice begins today for North Carolina, one question looms larger than the others.
• NC State AD Debbie Yow plans on taking legal action against agents who have improper contact with Wolfpack players. Great idea.
• It doesn't sound like Glen Stanley will be joining Florida State as soon as expected after all.
• Wake Forest's Joe Looney grew up just in time to help Russell Nenon anchor the offensive line.
• Day 1 is in the books for Georgia Tech, and receiver Stephen Hill is already making highlight plays.
• Mike London starts his first season at Virginia today.
• Despite being suspended for the season opener, defensive end Robert Hall rejoined his teammates on Thursday.
• Kyle Tucker takes a look at what the Hokies will be focused on this month.
• Miami running back Graig Cooper says he's ready for Game 1.
• Toughness is a big buzz word at Clemson.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- After a disastrous 2-10 season, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen knows his job is on the line this fall, but he said the current uncertainty within the administration isn’t a concern for him. The university needs to hire both a new president and an athletic director.

“It doesn’t really concern me,” Friedgen said. “If I do well in the next two years, I think I’ll be at Maryland, and if I don’t, I probably won’t, so it really won’t matter about the administration. I think we have an opportunity at Maryland right now to really get the right people to reach our potential. That’s what I’m hoping we do because I still think we have a lot of potential.”

Friedgen said he was relieved he wasn’t named a part of the search committee to find a replacement for Debbie Yow because he’s got to focus on winning games. He said that until the university hires a president, the athletic director search won’t gain much traction.

Before Yow left for NC State, she said her expectation for Friedgen this year was to win at least seven games.

“I’m going to do the best I can do, and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s still what the new AD is going to expect. I plan on winning seven games or more because that’s what I want to do. I’d like to go back and start winning 10 or 11 again. Right now I’m more worried about winning the first one.”

Name this tune ... (no cheating! I'll give you the answer in tomorrow's links.)

As frosh we adore her
As sophs we explore her
And carve our names upon her ancient walls. As juniors patrol her
As seniors extol her
And weep to leave for'er her sacred halls.

• Keep an eye on these Miami freshmen, who could have a chance to contribute immediately. Of course, it helps if they've been cleared to play.
• NC State AD Debbie Yow and her sisters were able to transcend their era of females in sports.
• FSU is talking with Utah State about a possible date in 2011.
• Virginia coach Mike London is looking for some help -- from about 4,000 more fans.
• Does Butch Davis = Mack Brown? Here's one thought from out West.
• What a long, strange trip it's been for Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen.

Happy July! The countdown is on ...

• Miami coach Randy Shannon said quarterback Jacory Harris is 100 percent healthy and his team will be better this year.
• NC State quarterback Russell Wilson drove in a pair of runs and scored two more in his pro baseball debut.
• FSU coach Jimbo Fisher isn't too concerned with star ratings, as evidenced by his recent scholarship offer to a relatively unknown single-wing quarterback.
• Clemson vs. Auburn ranked No. 20 in the Gainesville Sun's top 25 SEC games.
• Kate Shefte of NC State's student newspaper wasn't exactly thrilled with the university's hire of Debbie Yow.
• It's hard to believe, but Duke coach David Cutcliffe was once a student assistant coach for Bear Bryant.

Decisions, decisions ...

• Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker reportedly wants to take "a month" to decide which sport he wants to pursue. He'll be in Denver this week for a meeting that could help him figure it out.
• New NC State chancellor Randy Woodson had the chance to think outside the box, instead he made the safest hire possible with Debbie Yow.
• Lee Fowler is leaving his office today.
• A little bit of self-marketing went a long way for this long-snapper from California, who just committed to NC State.
• Doug Roberson of the AJC takes a look at the Jackets' special teams next. Really, Doug? At 4:46 a.m. you're thinking about the Jackets' kickers? That's dedication, my friend.
• Not only is Miami's latest recruit talented, the linebacker is also very smart -- Nick Menocal has a 3.5 GPA.

You're missing the chat! Wait, am I?? Gotta run ...

• Georgia Tech's linebackers will be a focus in the new 3-4 scheme, but first the staff has to determine who the starters will be.
• Maryland earned a commitment from a speedy Delaware running back.
• In the final analysis, Debbie Yow's track record of hiring coaches at Maryland "was outstanding," according to ACCsports.com.
• Miami tight end Chase Ford is expecting to make an immediate impact.
• The Canes picked up a commitment from the first linebacker in their 2011 class.
• Virginia's class is also continuing to grow, and Mike London is plucking talent from neighboring Maryland.
• Here's one I missed from the weekend -- UNC added an offensive lineman everyone seems to be raving about.

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg just can't get enough of expansion. It comes with the territory -- his territory.

Rittenberg wondered if the departure of Maryland AD Debbie Yow to NC State would open the door to the Big Ten for Maryland. It's a legitimate question, and one that can only be answered like this: With a new university president and a new athletic director, anything is possible, and Maryland is currently searching for both. So much ultimately rests in the hands of the university presidents -- including any possible changes to the current BCS system -- that a new administration could mean changes in College Park, including entertaining the idea of conference realignment. That being said, I'd be surprised if it actually happened. Here's what I told Ritt:

Yow's departure opens the door for anything and everything at Maryland, not only because she is leaving, but because the university will also be bringing in a new president soon. Yow had said repeatedly that she had had no contact with the Big Ten, and that there was no interest in leaving the ACC. A new administration might feel differently. The question is whether or not Maryland would actually be a good fit for the Big Ten. Competitively? I say no. (And I'm sticking to college football when I say that.) For example, look at Maryland's record against Penn State: 1-35-1. It's no wonder they haven't played since 1993. Why pick the Nits as an example? Well, because it's the only Big Ten school Maryland has played with any regularity. Also because Penn State recruits the state of Maryland, and has made a habit out of beating the Terps for their top in-state talent, though Maryland has picked up its recruiting efforts recently under offensive coordinator James Franklin. Overall, Maryland is 4-44-1 against the Big Ten, but hasn't played anyone other than Michigan State more than five times and hasn't faced Illinois, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa or Northwestern. Do Maryland fans really want to, though? A 2-10 record in the ACC won't translate well into a conference that just got bigger and better with the addition of Nebraska.

There are more factors than the competition at play in expansion, though, and as Rittenberg points out, Maryland sits in prime real estate. It's up to the new administration to determine if it's wise to move.

For the second week in a row, I "saved" a turtle crossing the street during my morning run here in Maryland. Unfortunately for Ralph Friedgen, there's not much I can do for those other turtles in this state ...

• Randy Eaton has been named Maryland's interim athletic director. He's the Terps' money man.
• The Baltimore Sun offered a few candidates to replace Debbie Yow.
• Georgia Tech's wide receivers are up next on Doug Roberson's position breakdown. Sounds like it's going to be a group effort this fall.
• Former FSU linebacker Derrick Brooks was humbled by the news his jersey will be retired in November and had a lot of people to thank for it.
• Virginia picked up a commitment from a coveted recruit who is also a legacy player.
• Former Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall has been named the Indoor Football League's most valuable player as a rookie.

Maryland president C.D. “Dan” Mote will retire on Aug. 31.

Athletic director Debbie Yow on Friday announced she is leaving to take the same position at NC State.

Both of those moves leave coach Ralph Friedgen’s contract and the Terps’ coach-in-waiting plan as stable as a rickety ride at the county fair.

A new administration means new ideas, new expectations and the potential for new personnel. Yow -- who, in an outdated yet economical show of loyalty decided to retain Friedgen after an embarrassing 2-10 season -- is no longer there to defend him, his contract, or the coach-in-waiting plan that will name offensive coordinator James Franklin as Friedgen's successor.

Friedgen was Yow’s hire. She wanted to see it work, and their prior good relationship was another reason she was willing to give him the chance to make it work. Franklin was Yow’s pick, and he is guaranteed $1 million if the deal is broken -- an option that became more affordable because there was no buyout for Friedgen last fall.

Now, a new administration won’t be -- and shouldn’t be -- afraid to make sweeping changes in College Park -- the kind of changes that should have the Fridge sweating even more heading into the fall. Maryland’s search for an athletic director will take a few months, but whomever the university hires might not be as tolerant as Yow was. Yow received a fair share of criticism during her tenure at Maryland -- most of it unfounded -- but she excelled at both balancing the Terps’ budgets and two biggest egos. Friedgen’s next superior might not be as diplomatic with a coach who won just one conference game in 2009 and had four losing seasons with two bowl wins in the past six years.

In regards to the immediate future and this season, nothing has changed for Friedgen. He still needs to win, and he needs to do it quickly -- starting with the season opener against Navy. He needs to go at least 3-1 against his nonconference schedule to have the best chance at becoming bowl eligible. Maryland has enough talent and motivation to accomplish a six-win season. Those within the program are working hard to get back into contention in the Atlantic Division.

A mere bowl appearance, though, might not be enough to satisfy his next boss. Mediocrity has become the norm at Maryland under Friedgen, and expectations aren’t much higher than that for his 2010 team, which will be under the direction of a new quarterback.

The administration will change, though, and so should expectations for Maryland.

Greetings from the West Coast. Enjoy your lunch. And these links.

• The student assaulted by former Clemson offensive lineman Jamie Cumbie is recovering.
• Florida State picks up a recruiting commitment from a Miami-area running back.
• A look at Georgia Tech recruiting -- some top-flight LBs are giving the Yellow Jackets a look. And how do the Jackets' safeties look?
• Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow is leaving to take the same position at NC State. Wonder what that means for Ralph Friedgen and Tom O'Brien? Likely this: Win now. Or else.
• North Carolina has picked up a recruiting commitment from an A-list offensive lineman.
• Part II of a chat with the author of "The Hokie Annual."

Links even Strasburg would appreciate ...

• Maryland is happy in the ACC. That makes three athletic directors who have voiced their intent to stay in the conference -- Jim Weaver at Virginia Tech and Kirby Hocutt at Miami have also gone on record saying they have no intentions of bolting. Well, make that four. Boston College AD Gene DeFilippo has said it repeatedly in the past.
• In hindsight, FSU owes the NCAA an apology, writes Mike Bianchi.
• Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker says he hasn't had any conversations with the Rockies about the possibility of also playing football.
• Duke's Johnny Williams has welcomed the opportunity to move from wide receiver to defensive back, where he also plans on making a few catches.
• No news is usually good news this time of year. Just ask Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, who had to suspend defensive end Robert Hall indefinitely.
• Virginia picked up its 14th commitment this past weekend, a linebacker.