ESPN College Football

Being a leader is many things. It's difficult, for one. And necessary for a quarterback.

But it also can be amusing, at least that's what Jamarr Robinson has discovered as he's solidified his standing as Maryland's No. 1 quarterback this spring.

"I find myself yelling at people and then laughing at myself afterwards," said Robinson, who will lead the offense in Saturday's Red-White spring game at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.

What's not funny is 2-10, at least if that's your record, as it was the Terrapins' in 2009. It was their worst finish in nine seasons under coach Ralph Friedgen and their worst year since 1997, when they went 2-9 under Ron Vanderlinden.

Of course, that '97 team got beat up just about every week, losing eight games by at least 11 points and two by more than 40 points. Last fall, Maryland found ways to lose. Seven losses came by 11 or fewer points and four by four points or fewer. The Terrapins were good enough to beat Clemson but bad enough to lose to Middle Tennessee at home.

While there were many culprits in 2009 -- youth and injuries are two -- the fundamental problem was a bad offense. And the predominant blame there falls on a line that gave up 36 sacks, which ranked 110th in the nation, and couldn't open holes for the running game, which ranked 105th.

Three starters are back from a unit that must improve -- and probably couldn't get much worse.

"I'm very encouraged by the progress of our offensive line, which was a concern going into spring practice," Friedgen said.

Therein lies reason for hope. If the line holds together, the offense could improve dramatically because there's plenty of skill surrounding Robinson.

There's Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett at running back -- "They're going to be a good one-two punch," Friedgen said. There's the return of nine of the top 10 receivers, topped by Torrey Smith, who ranked second in the ACC in receptions with 61 in 2009.

And there's Robinson, who saw significant action last fall, including starting two games when Chris Turner was hurt. He completed 54 percent of his passes for 459 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 229 yards, 129 of which came against Virginia Tech.

Making his first college start against a rugged Hokies defense wasn't easy, but it should help Robinson in 2010. When he takes the field against Navy on Sept. 6, he won't be nearly as wide-eyed as a quarterback seeing his first playing time.

"It was critical for me going into this season we're about to go into," he said. "Those four games let me know what it's really like to play in a game. If I didn't have it, I'd still have those first-game starting jitters, like I had against Virginia Tech."

His athletic ability should make the offensive line's job easier, but Robinson doesn't want to just be a scrambler. His focus this spring was refining his understanding of the offense and his decision making.

"I have to know where my checkdowns are instead of taking a sack," he said.

Friedgen seemed mostly pleased with all three of his quarterbacks, including Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown. But Robinson clearly asserted himself.

"Jamarr Robinson has had an excellent spring," Friedgen said. "He has matured. He is playing at a very high level. I've been very pleased with him. Right now, he is the starter."

Robinson said last year's team was young and lacked confidence. No surprise there. Finishing 2-10 will kill a team's confidence. Finishing 2-10 isn't much fun.

The expectation, Robinson said, is things will be a lot more amusing this fall.

"We're going to make a drastic change from what we were last year," he said. "We're a lot better. We're more together."

Here's a breakdown of three issues facing each program heading into the spring:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Spring practice starts: March 18

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• How linebacker Mark Herzlich progresses. Herzlich, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer last May, has been going through winter conditioning with his teammates, and he plans on participating in spring drills. How quickly he regains his form will be worth watching, as he and sophomore Luke Kuechly could give the Eagles one of the most formidable linebacking corps.

• The quarterback battle. After one season, Dave Shinskie has the most experience on the roster, but he’ll get some competition from Josh Bordner and Chase Rettig, two early enrollees. There were times last season when Shinskie looked like the future of the position and there were others when he looked like any other freshman.

• Defensive linemen. For the second straight year, BC is looking for some stability up front. The Eagles have to replace left tackle Austin Giles and defensive end Jim Ramella. They return Kaleb Ramsey, Giles’ backup, and Brad Newman, Ramella’s reserve, but some young faces are likely to be seen in the rotation.

CLEMSON

Spring practice starts: March 7

Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

• Life without C.J. Spiller officially begins. The backs behind him had a pretty good year, so there’s no need for full panic mode. Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington actually combined for a higher yards per carry average (6.1 to 5.6 yards). Clemson will also be looking to replace Spiller’s lost kickoff return yardage. The Tigers had a 13-yard advantage in average starting field position, as their start was their own 37-yard line compared to opponents’ 24-yard line. Ellington is a candidate in the return game.

• Kyle Parker’s batting average. No, really. How well Parker does this spring with the baseball team will help determine whether he remains Clemson’s quarterback or turns to the MLB draft. He didn’t have a great 2009 season, but he was still the fastest player to 25 home runs in school history. It remains to be seen this spring if he’ll become a high enough draft choice to give up college football.

• Secondary shuffling. It seems like eons ago since Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor weren’t the Tigers’ starting corners, as Butler started 40 straight games and Chancellor started 42. Butler finished his career second in school history in interception return yards. Now it’s time for a new duo. Will Marcus Gilchrist move to corner, which he’s capable of doing? Might Rashard Hall move to safety with DeAndre McDaniel?

DUKE

Spring practice starts: Feb. 14

Spring game: March 27

What to watch:

• Quarterback competition. Somebody has to take over for the graduated Thaddeus Lewis, but his backup – Sean Renfree – will miss the spring with a torn ACL. Redshirt freshman Sean Schroeder should be heavily in the mix to be the starter, pending Renfree’s recovery.

• Defensive line makeover. It’s wide open. Charlie Hatcher is entrenched at nose guard, but it’s really anyone’s game. The staff might move redshirt senior Wesley Oglesby, who played the majority of his career at defensive end, inside. Other options are defensive tackle Sydney Sarmiento, a redshirt freshman, and Curtis Hazelton, who played sparingly last season.

• Johnny Williams’ move from wide receiver to cornerback. He had 31 catches in 2009 – the fourth-best on the team. Now they need his help in the defensive backfield. Duke will lose starter Leon Wright and his 10 career interceptions, and the pass defense, which allowed 215.75 yards per game, could use a boost.

FLORIDA STATE

Spring practice starts: March 16

Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

• Christian Ponder’s return from shoulder surgery. Ponder is expected to practice this spring, though it could be on a limited basis, at least early. He’s ahead of schedule, but the coaches won’t subject him to any risks now. Yes, E.J. Manuel is talented and played well at the end of the season, but make no mistake – Ponder is FSU’s starter and a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

• The defense under first-year coordinator Mark Stoops. His secondary, in particular, will be interesting to watch, as will how quickly he can help the front seven generate a pass rush and plug the middle. Stoops has been a secondary coach, and the Noles lost three starters there. The fourth, Ochuko Jenije, could be pushed to retain his job.

• New faces, new opportunities. In addition to the fab freshmen who are coming in, FSU has a handful of unfamiliar players already on the roster who played sparingly or not at all. We'll see how they fit in this spring. RS-So DT Anthony McCloud and RS-So RB Debrale Smiley are both junior college transfers and former teammates. Physically, freshman linebacker Jeff Luc is already a man, but how quickly can he mature on the field? Two young wide receivers worth watching are Rodney Smith and Willie Haulstead.

GEORGIA TECH

Spring practice starts: March 29

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• The defensive transformation. The Jackets will switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 under first-year coordinator Al Groh. In addition to learning the new scheme, the staff has to figure out who goes where. Linebackers might play defensive end and vice versa, safeties might play outside linebacker. It’s anyone’s guess as to how this team lines up in the spring.

• The replacements. From Georgia Tech’s coaching staff to the new faces who will be tasked with filling in for the Fab Four -- Jonathan Dwyer, Derrick Morgan, Morgan Burnett and Demaryius Thomas -- the Jackets will need some “Hello My Name Is” tags this spring.

• The offensive line. Three offensive linemen redshirted who could start, and Georgia Tech might need them to, especially if guard Joseph Gilbert decides to transfer to pursue his MBA. The Jackets lose two starters on the offensive line, and Gilbert, who graduates this spring, would be a third if he leaves. Center Sean Bedford and tackle Austin Barrick return as seniors.

MARYLAND

Spring practice starts: March 23

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• The quarterback competition. Chris Turner has graduated, leaving Jamarr Robinson the top option going into the spring, but he has limited experience. The staff liked what he did when Turner was injured, but Danny O’Brien, Miami (Ohio) transfer Clay Belton and C.J. Brown will all be given an opportunity. Look for O’Brien to start the spring at No. 2 on the depth chart.

• Cornerback: Cameron Chism is the only returning starter in the secondary, but right now the staff has fewer concerns about the safeties. Maryland will have to find some bodies at corner, and Dexter McDougle, who redshirted as a true freshman last year, is one option. Michael Carter and Trenton Hughes, who was the third corner last year, are also among a handful of candidates.

• The offensive line. Losing Bruce Campbell to the NFL hurt, but the Terps also lost starter Phil Costa. Justin Gilbert, a redshirt sophomore, could inherit Campbell’s job. And there’s always Mr. Versatility -- Paul Pinegar. He has helped the Terps at both tackle spots and left guard, and this spring he’ll likely be given a shot at center.

MIAMI

Spring practice starts: Feb. 23

Spring game: March 27 (tentative)

What to watch:

• Tight end/offensive line: Jimmy Graham is gone, and the Canes don’t return any tight ends with any experience other than Richard Gordon, who was injured the majority of last season. Miami signed four tight ends in this recruiting class, but none of them were early enrollees. Miami has to replace three starters up front, including both tackles and the center.

• How the two young quarterbacks perform: The health of Jacory Harris was precious last year, as he had nobody behind him with any experience after the transfers of Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith. The depth has improved a bit with A.J. Highsmith, who played sparingly last year, and Stephen Morris, one of the early enrollees.

• Upgrade on the d-line? Progress up front began with the hire of Rick Petri as defensive line coach, and it’s up to Petri to help the Canes become better pass rushers. Miami will depend upon its two mainstays -- Allen Bailey and Josh Holmes. The right end position was a group effort last year, and Miami has to replace Joe Joseph and Eric Moncur.

NORTH CAROLINA

Spring practice starts: March 15

Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

• Quarterback T.J. Yates. It’s his job to lose, and the coaching staff still has confidence in him, but Bryn Renner is waiting in the wings, and Braden Hanson will also be given an opportunity. The staff is looking for the offense to improve its passing efficiency and cut down on turnovers.

• The offensive line. It was a patchwork effort in 2009, thanks to injuries and inexperience, and will be a major key in how much UNC improves offensively this year. The Heels have to replace two starters, and Jonathan Cooper is likely to move from guard to center, and right guard Alan Pelc will miss spring drills while recovering from shoulder surgery.

• Defensive line tweaks. There aren’t many questions on a defense that should be one of the best in the country, but somebody has to replace Cam Thomas and defensive end E.J. Wilson. Tydreke Powell is the frontrunner to take over at defensive tackle and Quinton Coples at defensive end. Both were backups last year at their respective positions.

NC STATE

Spring practice starts: March 9

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• Backup quarterback Mike Glennon. Russell Wilson is the starter, but he’s going to be playing baseball all spring. Keep an eye on his backup to see if Glennon can make it any more of a competition in Wilson’s absence.

• Chris Ward at punter. No, it’s not usually, the highlight of the spring, but in this case, it’s necessary. Ward is it -- he’s their only option right now, and it’s a position the Pack struggled with last year. Ward was expected to be the starter last season, but he was inconsistent. He’s definitely got the talent to be the guy.

• The recovery of linebacker Nate Irving. After being severely injured in a one-car crash last summer, Irving is hopeful he can go through spring drills. He has been lifting with the team and running with the sports medicine staff, but it’s still uncertain how limited his contact will be.

VIRGINIA

Spring practice starts: March 15

Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

• Quarterback competition. Marc Verica is the only one with any experience, and first-year offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor hasn’t been in Charlottesville long enough to evaluate any of the candidates. That’s what the spring is for, and true freshman Michael Strauss is the lone incoming quarterback on campus, so he’ll have a head start on the playbook. Of the four quarterbacks Virginia signed in this year’s class, Strauss is the only one listed as a true quarterback. The Cavs also have Ross Metheny, who redshirted last year, and Riko Smalls, who redshirted in ‘08 and was No. 2 on the depth chart when Verica was out with a concussion.

• Coaching transition. First-year coach Mike London has hired almost an entirely new staff, and they’ll bring changes in philosophy and scheme. London has said he wants to get the defense back to the traditional 4-3, and revert to the tradition of featuring the tight ends, offensive linemen and running backs.

• Running back. The Cavs will have the help up front, but they need to replace their four leading rushers in Mikell Simpson, Rashawn Jackson, Vic Hall and Jameel Sewell. The staff will look at true freshman Kevin Parks, but also have Torrey Mack and Dominique Wallace, who had just seemed to be coming on at Southern Miss when he was injured and missed the rest of the season.

VIRGINIA TECH

Spring practice starts: March 31

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• Revamped defensive line. The Hokies have to replace three of four starters up front. The only defensive ends with significant playing time are Chris Drager, who the staff wanted to move back to tight end, and Steven Friday. Redshirt freshmen will be given a chance – Duan Perez-Means, Tyrel Wilson, James Gayle and J.R. Collins – but they’ve never played. Isaiah Hamlette is the only other end who’s played and that was a skinny minute. At defensive tackle, Antoine Hopkins will be the frontrunner to replace Cordarrow Thompson.

• Darren Evans’ comeback. Evans, the team’s leading rusher in 2008, is working his way back from a season-ending ACL injury, and one of the biggest questions in Blacksburg is how the staff will divide the carries in such a talented backfield that includes Ryan Williams. With two returning 1,000-yard rushers, will David Wilson decide to redshirt? The spring will help him in that decision.

• The evolution of Tyrod Taylor. He’s going to be a senior, and with so many questions on defense heading into the season, the offense will be leading the way. This should be a breakout year for Taylor, who by now should have mastered the offense and should consistently be a passing threat to compliment his running abilities.

WAKE FOREST

Spring practice starts: March 16

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• The quarterback competition. It’s the most glaring hole the Deacs have to fill this spring, as they’re tasked with replacing the winningest quarterback in school history, Riley Skinner, and his backup, Ryan McManus. Redshirt sophomores Ted Stachitas and Skylar Jones, and sophomore Brendan Cross, will compete with rookie Tanner Price for the top spot.

• Offensive line. The Deacs will take a huge hit here, as seven players in the two-deep depth chart were redshirt seniors, including all four tackles. Three starters have to be replaced.

• The interior defensive line. Nose guard Boo Robinson and John Russell have graduated, and Russell’s backup, Michael Lockett, was also a redshirt senior. The Deacs are in good shape at the ends, but will need some help inside.

UNC tailback Ryan Houston's goal for Saturday’s game against Miami is simple:

“I don’t want to mess up,” he said. “I don’t want it to be the running backs’ fault, or us being the reason we’re not picking up yards, because of the running game. I don’t want to see a drop-off in the running game. I just want to keep it up.”

Houston, who will receive the bulk of carries instead of injured leading rusher Shaun Draughn, is one of several backups who will be relied upon heavily this weekend in the ACC. At Maryland, backup quarterback Jamarr Robinson will play at the expense of injured starter Chris Turner, and Florida State rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel will be making his first career start in place of Christian Ponder. Both Draughn and Ponder suffered season-ending injuries last week, and Turner is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech with a knee injury.

While the Terps have begun to shift their focus to the future, both Florida State and North Carolina are still playing for bowl eligibility. They’ll need some help, though, from Houston and Manuel.

Houston will face the No. 4 rushing defense in the ACC in Miami, which is holding opponents to 122.9 rushing yards per game. UNC coach Butch Davis said it will be tough to replace Draughn, but the staff has since moved Anthony Elzy to tailback to help with depth.

“It’s certainly not an enviable task,” Davis said. “Shaun, obviously, throughout the course of the middle part of the season has really done a nice job. It gave us a good duo of having two guys that could stay fresh in the ball game. It’ll be a challenge to try to find someone who can come in and deliver, not only the playing time, but to offset Ryan’s production and contribution to the game. Like any of the other unfortunate things that have happened to us as far as injuries, it’s something that’s happened and we’re going to have to deal with it and we’re going to have to find something to compensate for it.”

Houston is an experienced, proven back who had been used mostly in short-yardage situations, but the rookie quarterbacks are untested. Both Robinson and Manuel played sparingly last week when their starters went down, but it will be up to the offensive coordinators at each school to help them manage the game without overwhelming them.

"[Jamarr's] always had a little bit different package because he's more mobile,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. “He's got to be able to throw the ball as well as run. … We don't have any less plans to throw it with Jamarr than we would with Chris.”

FSU coach Bobby Bowden said Manuel looked “pretty good” taking the reps with the first-team offense this week, but a different type of improvement is needed in game situations.

“[Fisher] will have to feed him what he can handle,” Bowden said. “I am sure he isn't going to be able to feed him the whole package like he could with Ponder, but he will feed him as much as he can handle and go from there, and the other quarterback the same thing.”

Bowden said Manuel “hasn’t been under fire” yet, and that he “doesn’t have it down as good as Ponder yet.” That’s to be expected, though, considering Manuel’s lack of experience. That will start to change on Saturday, though, against Wake Forest.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Hey, watch this ...

1. Backup quarterbacks. E.J. Manuel will get his first career start in place of injured Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder at Wake Forest, and Maryland backup Jamarr Robinson could start in place of injured starter Chris Turner against Virginia Tech. For Manuel, a bowl bid is still at stake. Florida State has won 14 of its last 15 games with a first-time starter under center. Wake quarterback Riley Skinner, though, has led the Deacs to three straight wins over the Seminoles.

2. Three scoreboards. If Georgia Tech and Clemson win, and Boston College loses at Virginia, we will know who is playing in the ACC championship game this week, as Clemson and Georgia Tech can both clinch their divisions. If Clemson and Georgia Tech lose, though, it opens the door for Boston College in the Atlantic Division and several teams in the Coastal.

3. The infielder vs. the outfielder. This will be the first time Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker and NC State quarterback Russell Wilson are on the same football field, but it’s not like they haven’t competed against each other before. Parker, a starting outfielder or designated hitter for the Tigers, and Wilson, a starting second baseman, have played baseball against each other the past two years and will be juniors in baseball this spring. Parker has already set a Clemson record for wins by a starting freshman quarterback and threw four touchdowns in the win over Florida State last week. Wilson is second in the ACC in passing efficiency and leads the ACC in touchdown passes with 24.

4. UNC tailback Ryan Houston. He’ll be the main man in the Tar Heels’ running game now that Shaun Draughn is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, and they’ll need him to continue UNC’s recent progress in the running game against Miami. The Tar Heels are averaging 163.5 rushing yards in their six wins and just 98.0 in their three losses. Houston gained a career high 164 yards on 37 carries in Carolina’s 19-6 win over Duke.

5. Maryland kickoff returner Torrey Smith. Now he’s breaking his own records. Last weekend at NC State, Smith returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown, the third of his career and second of the season. Smith also broke his own ACC single-season kickoff return yards record (1,089 in 2008) and now has 1,113 this season. With 1,806 all-purpose yards this season, Smith is also within striking distance of the ACC single-season mark (2,054 by Virginia’s Thomas Jones in 1999). Virginia Tech is second in the ACC in kickoff coverage.

6. Virginia’s defense vs. BC running back Montel Harris. The Cavaliers have one of the better passing defenses in the conference, but they've struggled to stop the run. Harris ranks second in the conference in rushing yards per game with 103.3. Harris has now gained 930 yards on 183 carries and has 13 touchdowns. Virginia is 10th in the ACC, allowing 166.7 rushing yards per game.

7. Receivers in Durham. Sure, Georgia Tech is going to run the ball, but the ACC’s top receivers will be on the field Saturday when Duke hosts Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas (86.1 ypg) leads the league in receiving yards per game. Duke freshman Conner Vernon leads the ACC in receptions per game (5.12) and Donovan Varner (74.9) ranks second behind Thomas in receiving yards per game.

8. Uniforms in College Park. While Virginia Tech will unveil its spiffy new Nike uniforms, Maryland will be dressed for a cause – the Under Amrour / Wounded Warrior Project. The Terps will be wearing customized black and desert camouflage jerseys and cleats featuring the Wounded Warrior Project logo. In addition, warrior core value embellishments such as Duty, Honor and Courage will replace the athletes’ last names on each jersey. Former U.S. Army Captains Ferris Butler and Ryan Kules, as well as retired U.S. Army Specialist Adam Mattis are all from the state of Maryland and have been selected as honorary captains. Two of the three Iraq veterans, Kules and Mattis, attended Monday’s practice and will participate in the ceremonial coin toss at the beginning of the game on Saturday in honor of the U.S. Armed Services.

9. UNC defensive end Robert Quinn vs. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris. Quinn was able to get to Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and sack him three times last weekend. He also had six quarterback pressures. There have been times this season -- like when he was sacked six times by Central Florida -- that Harris hasn’t gotten the protection he needed. He’ll need it against this defense. Miami has allowed 26 sacks this season. Only Virginia has allowed more.

10. Florida State’s running game. With Manuel making his first career start, odds are the Seminoles bank on their experience, and that’s in the running game. Sophomore running back Jermaine Thomas enters Saturday’s game against Wake Forest with 979 career yards and needs only 21 yards to reach 1,000 for his career. Thomas has been on a roll with 305 total rushing yards in the past two games.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Live and learn ...

1. Clemson has gotten over the hump. Admit it, Clemson fans, you were waiting for it -- the self-destruction following the win over Wake Forest. There were hints against Miami, and plenty of missed opportunities against Florida State, but the Tigers have been able to overcome their mistakes this year and put themselves in prime position to win the Atlantic Division and play for the ACC championship. Their toughest opponents are behind them -- and so is their one "Clemson flop." It came against Maryland. You can stop waiting for it now.

2. Even the best quarterbacks can’t do it alone. Riley Skinner. Thaddeus Lewis. Christian Ponder. Three of the ACC’s most productive, efficient passers and leaders all lost this past weekend. It certainly wasn’t for lack of effort. Skinner couldn’t shake Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan. Lewis got tied up with UNC defensive end Robert Quinn. And Ponder threw as many interceptions (four) as he had all season. All three of them are still searching for bowl eligibility, but for seniors Skinner and Lewis, it’s their last chance at the postseason.

3. C.J. Spiller is a Heisman Trophy candidate. For the second time in three weeks, Spiller had more than 300 all-purpose yards. He surpassed the 3,000-yard mark with 3,074 career rushing yards. Against Florida State, he earned his first two-point conversion of his career. He breaks a record literally almost every week. Against FSU he became just the second player in school history to go over 3,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. He moved ahead of Reggie Bush on the all-time NCAA all-purpose list with 6,702 yards. He rushed for a career-high 165 yards, and had his 20th career touchdown of 50 yards more, his eighth this season. Spiller is one of the best players in college football. Period.

4. Bowl fates still murky in the Atlantic Division. Clemson is eligible. BC is eligible. NC State, Florida State and Wake Forest are still livin’ on a prayer. Maryland, however, is not. The Terps needed to win out and not only did they lose the game to NC State, their starting quarterback, Chris Turner, suffered a knee injury in the process. It’s time for Maryland to start playing for the future, while half the Atlantic Division is still trying to become bowl eligible. With its overtime loss at Georgia Tech, the Deacs now have to win out in order to become bowl eligible, as does NC State. The Seminoles only need two more wins, but their season finale is against Florida, who, like Clemson, has a defense. The twist? FSU and Wake play each other on Saturday. Somebody’s gotta lose.

5. Paul Johnson is fearless. We always knew he was a fourth-down kind of guy, and you don’t need to talk to him long to sense his confidence that often tilts the scale toward arrogance. But those traits are the keys to his success. His players pick up on it, and that’s why, on fourth down, when it’s on the line, he wins.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Four Virginia Tech jerseys disappeared before the Georgia Tech game in 2007. Only three were recovered. This week, the Hokies will wear maroon jerseys for the first time in a true road game since playing at LSU in 2007. And we all know how well that turned out. There’s always something worth watching when these Coastal Division teams meet, even if it is a Hokie in a Jackets’ jersey …

1. Track meet in Atlanta. Saturday’s game between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech will feature the ACC’s top three rushing leaders in Ryan Williams, Jonathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt, respectively. Georgia Tech (1st) and Virginia Tech (2nd) are the ACC’s top two rushing teams. The Yellow Jackets (277.0 ypg) and the Hokies (208.5) are the only teams in the league averaging more than 140 yards per game.

2. Virginia Tech’s red zone defense. Georgia Tech is going to move the ball. It always does. But the Hokies have been at their best inside the red zone. Opponents have scored just six touchdowns on 22 trips inside the 20-yard line this season. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 49-44 win at Florida State, the most points they’ve ever scored in an ACC road game. Can the Hokies continue their red zone success against this offense?

3. The “old guys” in Chestnut Hill. BC quarterback Dave Shinskie is 25. NC State defensive end Willie Young just turned 24 a few weeks ago, and he’ll be gunning for his elder opponent. Young is tied for eighth nationally and tied for the ACC lead in sacks with seven for the season. He had a career-high three in the loss at Wake Forest, and if he got to Riley Skinner, he should be able to get to Shinskie.

4. Frank Spaziani vs. Dana Bible. This is a matchup of two former staff members who knew each other well as coordinators at BC. Spaziani, formerly BC's defensive coordinator, used to go against NC State offensive coordinator Dana Bible every day at practice, but Bible has since tweaked some things in his playbook to accommodate quarterback Russell Wilson. Will Spaziani's familiarity pay off, or have things changed too much?

5. Virginia’s turnover turnaround. A major reason behind the Cavaliers’ newfound success has been their ability to take care of the ball. Virginia hasn't had a turnover in its last two games and its last 35 possessions, dating to an interception in the second quarter of the Southern Miss game. After being minus-6 in turnover margin the first two games, Virginia is plus-6 the last three games, including plus-5 in the two victories. Quarterback Jameel Sewell has not been intercepted in his last 86 pass attempts, dating to the Southern Miss game.

6. Maryland’s pass protection. The possible return of left tackle Bruce Campbell could help tremendously, but quarterback Chris Turner will need time to think against the No. 3 pass defense in the ACC. He’s already been sacked 22 times. The Cavaliers are No. 15 in the country holding opponents to just 163.2 yards per game.

7. Miami sophomore cornerback Brandon Harris. After defending just three passes in 13 games as a true freshman last year, Harris now leads the nation in passes broken up (10) and passes defended (11).

8. Clemson running back C.J. Spiller. He’s worth watching not only because he needs just 55 yards to become the first player in ACC history with 6,000 all-purpose yards, but also because Wake Forest held Clemson to just 21 rushing yards last year.

9. Wake Forest wide receiver Chris Givens. Quarterback Riley Skinner can’t rack up these numbers by himself. In last week’s win over Maryland, Givens caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first multiple touchdown game, and his second straight 100-yard receiving performance. Givens will face a better secondary in Death Valley this weekend.

10. BCS Standings. This is when it counts, and this is your reminder than on Sunday, between 4 and 4: 30 p.m. ET, the first official BCS Standings will be announced on FOX Sports, after the early NFL game. It will be interesting to see how the outcome of Saturday’s game in Atlanta affects both teams, particularly the Hokies, who are ranked No. 4 in the country this week.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

There’s starting to be a pattern here. At the top, anyway. At the bottom? It’s a whole new world in the ACC. Brace yourself:

1. Virginia Tech (5-1, 3-0 ACC; LW: No. 1) -- Nobody in the ACC is playing as well as the Hokies are right now. Against Boston College, they looked capable of beating anyone. With their only loss being to Alabama, the ACC finally has a true national title contender.

2. Miami (4-1, 2-1; LW: No. 2) -- The Canes showed signs of maturity on Saturday by continuing to play like a top-10 team instead of playing down to their opponent, Florida A&M. If they keep that focus and discipline each week, there’s no reason the ACC shouldn’t have two teams in BCS bowls this year.

3. Georgia Tech (5-1, 3-1; LW: No. 3) -- At some point, those defensive problems are going to catch up with the Jackets, but because Florida State’s defense was worse, they got away with it in Tallahassee. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt has this offense running smoothly now, though.

4. Wake Forest (4-2, 2-1; LW: No. 5) -- The Deacs are suddenly the frontrunners in the Atlantic Division, and the reason for it is because the offense is much better than it was a year ago. The entire team, including a young defense, has rallied around veteran quarterback Riley Skinner.

5. Boston College (4-2, 2-2; LW: No. 4) -- The only reason the Eagles are still in the top half of the rankings this week is because two of their wins were against Wake Forest and Florida State, both Atlantic Division opponents (nobody ranked below them has two conference wins). After the way they played against Virginia Tech, though, they should be a few spots lower. They can take some solace in the fact they were embarrassed by a top-5 team.

6. Virginia (2-3, 1-0; LW: No. 11) -- Indiana isn’t a great team, but it’s still a program that almost beat Michigan on the road and played a semi-respectable game against Ohio State. And Virginia gave the Hoosiers and old fashioned whoopin’ on Saturday with a 47-7 win. After wins over UNC and IU, the Cavs have earned back some respect.

7. Clemson (2-3, 1-2; LW: No. 7) -- The Tigers had a bye week but are below the Cavs because Virginia’s wins were over a Big Ten team and a Coastal Division opponent on the road. The Tigers beat Middle Tennessee and Boston College at home, and had an unacceptable loss to Maryland. We’ll see if the break paid off this weekend when Clemson hosts Wake Forest in a key Atlantic Division game.

8. North Carolina (4-2, 0-2; LW: No. 9) -- Wins over East Carolina (3-3) and Connecticut (3-2) aren’t carrying much clout anymore. The Tar Heels beat Georgia Southern soundly, and got more points from their offense AND their defense in the process. But doubts remain after a poor start in Coastal Division play. UNC has a bye week to continue working.

9. Duke (3-3, 1-1; LW: No. 12) -- Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis put on a one-man show in the Blue Devils’ win over NC State, and Duke showed improvement in all facets of the game, including defense. The question now is can the Blue Devils keep it up? Maryland is next on the schedule, which leads me to believe yes, they can. Before Duke skyrockets in the rankings, let's see some consistency against better opponents than Army and NC Central.

10. NC State (3-3, 0-2; LW: No. 6) -- Russell Wilson can’t do it all, especially when the Pack’s secondary is holding the door open for opposing quarterbacks. The most impressive win on NC State’s resume is against Pitt, but it’s the conference play that counts, and the Pack are off to another poor start there in Tom O’Brien’s third season.

11. Maryland (2-4, 1-1; LW: No. 10) -- Quarterback Chris Turner has been sacked 22 times. It’s amazing he’s still walking. Skinner had his way with the Terps’ secondary, and the defense allowed 516 total yards. Right now, Clemson is Ralph Friedgen’s best friend.

12. Florida State (2-4, 0-3: LW: No. 8) -- I warned you to brace yourself. Look, no other team in the conference is off to a worse start in ACC play. Maryland is the only other team that has four overall losses. This program doesn’t get by on its name -- or Bobby Bowden’s -- when it comes to winning football games. This is just the beginning of a downward spiral in Tallahassee.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

First, before I get into my record and winning percentage, let me remind you that I picked Virginia to beat North Carolina last weekend. That’s right, y’all laughed at me, and I heard it, but hear this: Virginia beat UNC last weekend. In Chapel Hill. And I called it.

Now, onto the fact that I didn’t pick one game in the Atlantic Division right and my season winning percentage dropped to an embarrassing 67.4 percent (31 of 46).

I’ll try to redeem myself this week.

Virginia Tech 24, Boston College 21 (OT) -- It’s supposed to rain, and we all know what happens when it rains in Lane Stadium -- the Hokies win. Virginia Tech’s defense will show up for this one and force Dave Shinskie into 25-year-old freshman mistakes.

Georgia Tech 28, Florida State 17 -- Remember that FSU fumble in the end zone last year? Yeah, it won’t be that close, but a similar fumble wouldn’t be surprising. If the Noles’ defense has struggled against more traditional offenses, how is it going to stop what Paul Johnson is bringing to Tallahassee?

Wake Forest 21, Maryland 14 -- The Terps’ defense has shown improvement lately, but veteran quarterback Riley Skinner won’t be rattled. Maryland will be without leading rusher Da'Rel Scott, but the Deacs are also looking for more from their ground game. Home-field advantage and the pressure the defensive line will put on Chris Turner will be the difference.

NC State 28, Duke 21 -- The Blue Devils will keep this interesting, and it should be another episode of dueling quarterbacks, but the Pack have more athletes to counter with and made changes in the secondary that could help against Thaddeus Lewis.

Miami 42, Florida A&M 10 -- There’s no reason for this to resemble a trap game, even though FAMU finished September unbeaten for the first time in 12 years. Miami is 6-0 against the Rattlers at home, and has outscored them 307-33 during that span.

North Carolina 42, Georgia Southern 7 -- UNC’s offense should show up this weekend. After all, it’s the second Southern Conference opponent the Heels have faced this year, and last time, UNC scored 40 points on The Citadel. There’s no excuse for UNC not to head into its bye week with a win.

Virginia 21, Indiana 17 -- I’m going with the home team on this one. The Cavaliers should be more confident after their win over UNC. (Did I mention I picked that?) And, yes, I’m picking against my alma mater and I’ve got no shame in it.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Each team has one area, one phase of the game, one position group -- something -- that will help determine how its season unfolds. Here's a look at the keys to the season for each team in the ACC:


BOSTON COLLEGE -- The Eagles need to find a dependable leader at quarterback, somebody capable of managing the game without losing it for them. The rest of the pieces are in place on offense for the Eagles to have a respectable season, but they need to find their identity.


CLEMSON -- Considering much of the same talent returns from the team that received so much hype a year ago, it's up to the new staff to do what their predecessors couldn't, and contend for the Atlantic Division title. How first-year offensive coordinator Billy Napier and coach Dabo Swinney fare on the sidelines will be key.


DUKE -- Pave the way for quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and Re'quan Boyette. The Blue Devils have two standout players on offense, but they need the supporting cast. It should be a receiver-by-committee effort to replace Eron Riley, and if three new starters on the offensive line can give Lewis and Boyette the timing they need, the Blue Devils should surprise some people.


FLORIDA STATE -- The offensive line should be the best in the conference and could be one of the best in the country, even though there's still not a senior in the lineup. With so many questions on defense, this unit will be the anchor and help the offense ease the burden of a defense in transition.


GEORGIA TECH -- If the Jackets make a seamless transition on the defensive line, where they lost three NFL-bound starters, there's no reason Georgia Tech shouldn't be atop the Coastal Division standings again. With 19 starters returning, the only pieces that are missing are up front.


MARYLAND -- The Terps will fare as well as their offensive line, and it's a group that has 27 career starts up front. They lost five of their top seven linemen from a year ago, and the success of veteran quarterback Chris Turner and running back Da'Rel Scott will hinge upon the blocking and protection they get up front.


MIAMI -- Starting off strong and keeping Jacory Harris unscathed in the process will keep the Canes in the running to win the Coastal Division. Following the transfer of both backup quarterbacks, Miami can't afford to lose Harris, nor can it afford to lose its first four games.


NORTH CAROLINA -- Finding receivers and a cohesiveness on the offensive line would make Carolina a complete team. The Heels have a championship-caliber defense to work with, but replacing their top four receivers from a year ago could take some time.


NC STATE -- Staying healthy has been one of the Pack's biggest obstacles, if not the biggest, and before the season even started they lost their best player in linebacker Nate Irving. Cornerback DeAndre Morgan will miss the opener with an ankle injury. NC State is a better football team, but nobody will know it if key players continue to go down.


VIRGINIA -- Find playmakers, starting with the old Mikell Simpson. It's cliche, yes, but the Cavaliers lost their top five pass catchers from a year ago, their leading rusher and their top three linebackers. Gregg Brandon's spread offense will only be as effective as the players who execute it, and if Simpson returns to his 2007 form, he could be an X factor for this team.


VIRGINIA TECH -- Keeping Tyrod Taylor healthy is the only way the Hokies will challenge for their fourth ACC title since joining the conference. None of his backups have any collegiate experience, and Taylor's backups were needed a year ago. While some fans might not exactly miss Sean Glennon, he did win them an ACC title.


WAKE FOREST -- Find stability on defense. The Deacs can survive without the likes of Alphonso Smith and Aaron Curry because they've still got solid veteran players. If everyone knows their role, plays assignment football and doesn't try to do too much, Wake will win with a group effort.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

It's never too early to start making bowl predictions (or, in the ACC case it's never too late, as 11 teams were still bowl eligible in 2008 right up until the final week of the season). Today the bloggers are breaking down each team's chance to be bowl-bound, and the categories are "count on it," "possibly," and "forget about it." Will the ACC manage to get 10 teams bowl eligible again? Possibly. Take a look:

BOSTON COLLEGE
Bowl bound? Possibly.
Best case: Dave Shinskie looks like Chris Weinke, the entire team rallies around the absence and inspiration of linebacker Mark Herzlich, and once again the Eagles prove the doubters wrong.
Worst case: Dave Shinskie's fastball is better than his spiral, the defense fails to plug the holes at linebacker and up front, and the Eagles struggle to get more than four wins in a transition year.
Prediction: At-large bowl

CLEMSON
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: The offensive line paves the way for a 1,000-yard rusher and protects the new quarterback for a 1,000-yard receiver, and the Tigers shine when there are no expectations en route to the Atlantic Division title.
Worst case: Quarterbacks Kyle Parker and Willy Korn never quite get into a rhythm because they're sharing time, the offensive line isn't quite as good as people think it will be, and Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Billy Napier are outcoached en route to a mediocre season.
Prediction: Meineke Car Care Bowl

DUKE
Bowl bound? Forget about it.
Best case: Smart coaching plus the talent of quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and veteran tailback Re'quan Boyette earn the Blue Devils two conference upsets and they surprise Kansas on the road for a perfect nonconference slate.
Worst case: Duke's defense looks like it did against Georgia Tech last year, no receivers step up to replace Eron Riley, the offense line can't protect their little sisters, and the Blue Devils remain status quo from 2008.
Prediction: Christmas in Durham.

FLORIDA STATE
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: Florida State wins its appeal against the NCAA, the Noles find more talent at receiver than anyone knew they had, and the defense reloads as the program skyrockets back into the national picture with an ACC title.
Worst case: Florida State loses its appeal, and Bobby Bowden announces his retirement after a subpar season in which off-field distractions kept the Noles out of the hunt for the Atlantic Division.
Prediction: Chick-fil-A Bowl

GEORGIA TECH
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: Jonathan Dwyer wins the Heisman Trophy, the defensive line somehow finds a way to be even better than it was last year, and a home win over Georgia pales in comparison to an Orange Bowl win.
Worst case: The Jackets lose by a painful three points to Virginia Tech, lose in overtime to UNC, and Georgia studies the LSU film well enough to make it look like a regular-season rerun of the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Prediction: Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl

MARYLAND
Bowl bound? Possibly.
Best case: The offensive line lives up to last year's expectations, Chris Turner is as steady as a metronome, and Don Brown's defense has ACC opponents' heads spinning for a nine-win season.
Worst case: The offensive line looks like Clemson's did last year, Turner throws four picks against Middle Tennessee at home, and Maryland's front seven allows Darren Evans another career day.
Prediction: Eagle Bank Bowl

MIAMI
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: The Canes shock the country with a 4-0 start, Jacory Harris and Mark Whipple are hailed as the saviors of the offense, and Miami skyrockets into the top 10 ranking with an unforgettable upset of Oklahoma.
Worst case: Randy Shannon starts polishing his résumé after an 0-4 start.
Prediction: Champs Sports Bowl

NORTH CAROLINA
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: Quarterback T.J. Yates survives the entire season without so much as a scratch, the young receivers find a rhythm with him just in time for a road trip to Georgia Tech, and the Tar Heels knock off Miami and Virginia Tech to win the Coastal Division title.
Worst case: Yates goes down against Connecticut, and the Tar Heels are forced to muddle through six weeks without a proven backup.
Prediction: Emerald Bowl

NC STATE
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: The Pack starts off strong instead of making a desperate push at the end, the defense welcomes back linebacker Nate Irving, and quarterback Russell Wilson scurries his way to the Atlantic Division title.
Worst case: The Pack starts off 2-2 and the defense can't get the pieces together in the secondary or at linebacker, and NC State is forced to win its final five games to become bowl eligible.
Prediction: Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

VIRGINIA
Bowl bound? Forget about it.
Best case: Gregg Brandon's offense looks like Urban Meyer's, Mikell Simpson looks like he did in 2007, and the linebackers make a seamless transition en rout
e to helping Al Groh looking like a coaching genius in a year of serious transition.
Worst case: 2009 looks exactly like 2008, with embarrassing nonconference losses, three points against Duke, and a four-game losing streak to end a second straight bowless season.
Prediction: Home for the holidays.

VIRGINIA TECH
Bowl bound? Count on it.
Best case: The Hokies' offense comes alive under for the first time in four seasons, and Virginia Tech sets the tone for a national championship with a win over Alabama.
Worst case: For the fourth straight year, the Hokies are ranked 99th or worse in total offense, the Alabama game resembles last year's Clemson debacle, and Georgia Tech gets the nod in the Coastal Division race.
Prediction: FedEx Orange Bowl

WAKE FOREST
Bowl bound? Possibly
Best case: Behind an improved offensive line, quarterback Riley Skinner and a trio of talented running backs carry the team while the defense finds new playmakers, and the Demon Deacons knock off Florida State (again) for a surprise run at the Atlantic Division.
Worst case: The Demon Deacons bookend the season with losses to Baylor and Duke, and struggle to replace the NFL-caliber talent that departed on defense in between.
Prediction: GMAC Bowl

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

There will be a noticeable difference in the ACC this fall, and it will come in the form of offense. That, of course, starts with the quarterback, and the ACC finally has a deep list of signal-callers who know how to win games.

There are at least nine quarterbacks returning who have significant starting experience from 2008. That's not including Miami's Jacory Harris, who split time at the position last year, and Virginia's Jameel Sewell, who was the starter in 2007 but missed last year for academic reasons. It's a complete turnaround from last year, when 10 of 12 teams started more than one quarterback because of either injury or inconsistency.

It will make a tremendous difference for schools like Miami and Virginia Tech, who now know who the leader on offense is. If there was one common thread between the nation's top teams a year ago, it was consistency at quarterback.

In all, the quarterbacks who combined for 63 percent of the ACC's passing yardage a year ago return. We should also see a new face at Virginia in Vic Hall, but even he earned a start last year against the Hokies. Only Boston College and Clemson will be breaking in rookies.

While nobody is expecting the ACC to morph into the Big 12, the offenses should come to life. Riley Skinner was my pick as the ACC's preseason all-conference quarterback, and that decision was based on what he has already accomplished, and the numerous school records he is in position to break this fall.

Here are some other preseason nominations:

MOST IMPROVED: Josh Nesbitt, Georgia Tech
MOST CONSISTENT: Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
MOST ACCURATE: Russell Wilson, NC State
BEST ARM: Kyle Parker, Clemson
BEST FEET: Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
BEST FOOTBALL IQ: Thaddeus Lewis, Duke
MOST INJURY PRONE: (tie) Wilson, Taylor

Comparing the ACC's returning quarterbacks The key, of course, will be keeping the quarterbacks healthy. Here's a look at how the ACC's returning QBs stack up statistically: Name School Career total offense Career TDs Career INTs Riley Skinner Wake Forest 6,707 36 25 Thaddeus Lewis Duke 6,609 52 32 Chris Turner Maryland 4,294 21 18 Jameel Sewell Virginia 3,997 25 15 T.J. Yates UNC 3,633 25 22 Tyrod Taylor Virginia Tech 3,130 20 10 Christian Ponder FSU 2,111 19 15 Marc Verica Virginia 2,037 8 16 Josh Nesbitt Georgia Tech 1,933 10 7 Russell Wilson NC State 1,955 17 1

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Spring ball is over. Spring meetings are over. Some positions have been won, others are still up for grabs. Let's see how the past two months shook up the pre-spring power rankings:

	John David Mercer/US Presswire
	Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor (5) returns after throwing for 1,036 yards last season.

1. Virginia Tech -- The Hokies stayed at the top, as they improved up front and solved their backup quarterback question. Ryan Williams also made a name for himself this spring and proved more than capable of adding to an already talented backfield. Kicker might be the biggest question.

2. NC State -- The development of Mike Glennon gives the Wolfpack a dependable backup, and the defense has continued the progress it was making in the last half of the season. Tailback Toney Baker's return will give the offense another boost. NC State has answers in all three phases of the game heading into Tom O'Brien's third season.

3. Florida State -- The offensive line and the young, talented running backs are going to carry this team. Backup quarterback E.J. Manuel didn't practice, the suspension of Rod Owens was another hit to an already troubled receiving corps, and Corey Surrency was denied another year of eligibility.

4. Georgia Tech -- The Jackets still have too many questions up front on both sides of the ball, and injuries this spring on the offensive line didn't help matters. All of their skill players return, but legitimate concerns remain about how well they'll fare in the trenches.

5. Miami -- The Hurricanes made progress and Jacory Harris has become a true leader. They also picked up a new tight end in Jimmy Graham and named a backup quarterback in Taylor Cook (at least for now). It's still a young team, though, and Miami has two new coordinators, including its third defensive coordinator in as many seasons.

6. North Carolina -- The young receivers still remain a huge question, as does the durability of quarterback T.J. Yates. Jamal Womble, the third-string running back, will be a strong addition, and Greg Little stepped up at receiver, but the defense will be the strength of this team.

7. Clemson -- The roster is still loaded with talent, and the Tigers will be better up front, but they still don't know who their starting quarterback will be. They also need another receiver besides Jacoby Ford to step up. First-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will have the already-stingy defense looking even better.

8. Maryland -- Those within College Park were very excited about Don Brown's new defensive scheme, and there were nine young wide receivers who each had their impressive moments. Can senior quarterback Chris Turner be more consistent, and how will the Terps fare in the equivalent of a 10 p.m. ET kickoff (at Cal)?

9. Wake Forest -- The Demon Deacons found a few answers on defense, but there's no substitute for game experience. This should be a breakout year for Riley Skinner, and several options emerged at wide receiver. They have to keep Skinner healthy, and the Deacs have an offensive line capable of it.

10. Duke -- The Blue Devils have one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC, and Thaddeus Lewis became more confident in the young receivers he was throwing to as the spring progressed. The return of Re'quan Boyette will make the offense a little scarier. Linebacker Vincent Rey has made tremendous physical strides.

11. Boston College -- There's still no answer at quarterback, and the Eagles suffered the devastating news that ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich has cancer. BC still has an excellent supporting cast, but nobody to lead it.

12. Virginia -- The Cavaliers lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and are in the midst of a huge transition phase offensively. That's not to say there aren't any playmakers on the roster, and Gregg Brandon was an excellent hire as offensive coordinator, but progress this spring was slow.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Brace yourself, we're going to have to blur the lines here a little bit and talk a little ACC hoops in this here college football blog. Is Duke guard Greg Paulus the next Brett Favre? Probably not, but Paulus was throwing passes to former receiver Eron Riley in front of scouts for the Green Bay Packers. 

Duke spokesman Matt Plizga said Paulus is "exploring all his options," and that includes everything from playing hoops overseas to possibly coaching somewhere. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

Elsewhere in the ACC ...

Maryland will have one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the ACC this fall, but it won't do much good if the offensive line doesn't come together in time to let Chris Turner work some magic.

Georgia Tech is gearing up for it's "T-Day Game," which will feature the first team offenses and defenses against each other.

ACC running backs are gaining in popularity with NFL scouts.

Spring practice has ended at Florida State, but the Orlando Sentinel's blog has not. Andrew Carter breaks down the linebackers.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

There's plenty of news today in ACC country. Here are a few of the highlights:  

Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt hasn't talked about a contract extension yet with coach Randy Shannon, but told Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald "that's no indication of our support for Randy." 

One of the challenges posed to Georgia Tech's A-backs this spring has been better blocking. What better way to learn than watching film of Paul Johnson's Navy teams?

Florida State offensive lineman Will Furlong continues to battle injuries, so much so that his status with the team is in question.

The one thing that's not in question at Maryland is who's starting at quarterback. Chris Turner is one of the few senior quarterbacks in the league.

Clemson running back Jamie Harper is 20 pounds lighter and looking a lot more like the player the Tigers' staff recruited.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

It's hard to believe that the most accurate passer in ACC history was once contemplating his collegiate career at FCS Samford, or attending Georgia as "a regular student" and nixing the whole football thing altogether.

	Bob Donnan/US Presswire
	Riley Skinner has 26 victories as a starting quarterback.

Had the Wake Forest coaching staff not made a trip to the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., to lure defensive tackle John Russell into their class of 2005, starting quarterback Riley Skinner might have gone down as one of the best quarterbacks the Samford Bulldogs have ever seen.

"The coaches were pretty hesitant to come take a look because they had already offered another quarterback, Brett Hodges," Skinner said. "... They had already given out all of their scholarships, so I think they had to go to the athletic director and ask for some more money to get one more scholarship. Luckily for me he gave it to them and I got offered a scholarship about a week before signing day."

Luckily for the Deacs they found an ACC championship-caliber quarterback nobody else seemed to notice. Skinner enters this spring with a completion percentage of .673 (639 of 949 career passes), which slightly tops the .670 mark of current career record-holder Matt Schaub of Virginia. In order for Skinner to maintain that edge -- and put the Demon Deacons back into contention to win the Atlantic Division during his final season -- the entire offense will need to be more consistent and better than it was a year ago, and the potential for that to begin this spring is there.

It all starts, though, with Skinner.

"The Orange Bowl year, and the year after that, I think some of the biggest things that made us successful were our leadership and our team chemistry we had with everybody," said Skinner, who led the Deacs to their improbable 2006 ACC title run and trip to the Orange Bowl as a redshirt freshman. "I felt we were kind of lacking that a little bit last year, and it showed in some of the close games. That's going to be big this year. ... It starts with leadership and that's going to be one thing that me, along with the rest of our seniors, really need to focus on working on."

(Read full post)