ESPN College Football

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.

Each team has plenty of questions to answer heading into spring practice, so let the competition begin. Here are five position battles worth watching in the ACC this spring:

1. Wake Forest quarterback -- Replacing Riley Skinner, the winningest quarterback in school history won’t be easy. The job is wide open, and the candidates include Ted Stachitas, Skylar Jones, Brendan Cross, walk-on Turner Faulk, and true freshman Tanner Price.

2. Virginia Tech defensive ends -- Experience is at a premium here after the early departure of Jason Worilds to the NFL. Chris Drager and Steven Friday are now the veterans of the group, but there are also several redshirt freshmen in the mix. The staff has high hopes for Duan Perez-Means, Tyrel Wilson, James Gayle and J.R. Collins, but could also make some position changes to fill the need.

3. Virginia’s quarterback -- The Cavaliers are also starting from scratch after the departure of Jameel Sewell, and Marc Verica is the most experienced of the bunch. There were four quarterbacks in this year’s recruiting class, but only Michael Strauss enrolled early. The Cavs also have Ross Metheny and Riko Smalls.

4. BC defensive line -- The Eagles have to replace left tackle Austin Giles and defensive end Jim Ramella, who was one of the top leaders. They return Kaleb Ramsey, Giles’ backup, and Brad Newman, Ramella’s reserve, but several newcomers should work their way into the mix.

5. Miami tight ends/offensive line -- The Canes have to replace three starters up front, and tight end Jimmy Graham has graduated. Miami brought in four tight ends in this recruiting class, but none of them were early enrollees. Richard Gordon, who was injured the majority of last season, is the only returning tight end with experience.

Here's a quick look around the league at this afternoon's games:

Virginia Tech 14, Virginia 13

This is the ACC's most entertaining game of the afternoon. Jameel Sewell is playing well, and the Hokies have struggled to stop him when he's running today. The Cavaliers have actually outrushed the Hokies 151-78, despite two rushing touchdowns by Ryan Williams. The Hokies' defense will have to clamp down in the second half in order to preserve this precarious lead, and the offense needs to control the clock better. It's clear Virginia hasn't quit, and they're putting forth an impressive effort in what is likely Al Groh's last game.

Florida 24, Florida State 0

Well, this got ugly much quicker than I expected, but Florida State's defense hasn't changed, and either has the gap between these two programs. On the Gators' last scoring drive, Florida State missed at least four tackles. The Noles haven't been able to get anything going offensively. There's an obvious difference in talent and speed on the field, and that's sad for Florida State fans to see. FSU hasn't been able to convert one third down, while the Gators continue to move the chains. If you're an FSU fan, don't look at the stat line for the quarterbacks. You'll cringe, but that's to be expected when a rookie is in the Swamp for the first time, and Tim Tebow is playing there for the last time.

Miami 21, South Florida 3

So much for my upset pick, eh? Miami's defense is doing a number on the Bulls, holding them to just 98 yards of total offense in the first half and forcing two turnovers. B.J. Daniels is facing a better defense than he did in the win against Florida State and is struggling. Jacory Harris, meanwhile, has played a great first half without an interception. They've had a balanced offensive attack so far, and just need to maintain it in the second half.

Boston College 16, Maryland 10

This one isn't over yet, and the Terps have one more half of football left to play this season. BC is thriving on field goals so far in this game, and will need more if they're going to hang onto their lead. Both teams are struggling on third downs, and Maryland has used both Chris Turner and Jamarr Robinson. The Terps have nothing left to lose, but have the opportunity to go out with some pride in their season finale.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Did you know that UNC backup quarterback Bryn Renner’s father, Bill, was a punter at Virginia Tech (1979-82) before playing in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers? Yep. He led the Hokies in punting average in 1981 and 1982.

There’s nothing like kicking off the weekend with a Thursday night game in Lane Stadium, so let’s start there …

1. UNC’s rushing receivers. The Tar Heels have been looking for yards from everyone, and against Florida State last week, receivers accounted for 109 rushing yards. Greg Little had 48, Johnny White added 40 and Jheranie Boyd chipped in 21. The Tar Heels also got a spark in their running game last week from tailback Shaun Draughn, who ran for a season-high 126 yards, and the Hokies’ rushing defense has struggled this year compared to seasons past and is ranked 76th in the country.

2. UNC’s front seven vs. Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams. The Tar Heels had 22 sacks all of last year, and they already have 17 sacks this year. They’re also piling up the tackles for loss, and while FSU quarterback Christian Ponder had his way with what was the No. 1 ranked pass defense in the country, UNC held FSU to just 43 yards rushing last week. They’ve held five of their seven opponents to under 100 rushing yards, and the Hokies have the No. 17 ranked rushing offense in the country.

3. Miami’s linebackers without Sean Spence. The Canes will have a different look at Wake Forest this week without Spence, who will miss the game with a knee injury. Taking his place will be Ramon Buchanan, who filled in for Spence when he was hurt during the Clemson game. Most of Buchanan’s experience has been on special teams this year. Meanwhile, running back Kevin Harris is expected to return for the Deacs after missing the past five games with a groin injury.

4. Shootout in Raleigh. This game could look like a 2008 Big 12 matchup -- all offense. NC State quarterback Russell Wilson and FSU quarterback Christian Ponder have both done enough to win this season, but haven’t gotten the support from their defenses. If that’s the case again on Saturday, it could be a very high-scoring game, as both teams are averaging about 30 points per game.

5. Field position in Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt running back Warren Norman leads the SEC and ranks 13th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (157.5 ypg) and 16th nationally in kickoff returns (29.04 ypa). Georgia Tech sophomore Jerrard Tarrant leads the ACC in punt return average (19.9 ypa). Both teams have a plus-five turnover margin, and statistically, Vandy has fared well stopping the run. The Jackets will obviously present a different challenge, but Norman can help compensate by giving the offense a good starting point.

6. C.J. Spiller’s backups. One week after the biggest performance of his life, Spiller is likely to have a limited role Saturday against Coastal Carolina. There’s no need to risk getting him hurt against an FCS team the Tigers should be able to beat without him. It’s a great opportunity to rest Spiller for the FSU game and give Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper some more experience.

7. Duke’s receivers. Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has been getting all the pub, and deservedly so, but he couldn’t do it without somebody on the receiving end. For the first time in school history, Duke has four wide receivers with 25 or more pass receptions in a single season. Austin Kelly, Conner Vernon, Johnny Williams and Donovan Varner have made it a much deeper group.

8. Virginia’s defensive adjustments. In a week’s span, the Cavaliers have had to study two completely different offensive schemes in Georgia Tech’s run based triple option and Duke’s high-flying passing attack that leads the ACC in passing offense with 322.57 yards per game. This is what UVA excels at, though, as the Cavs have the ACC’s top passing defense. Virginia ranks fifth nationally, allowing just 151.29 yards per game. They haven’t allowed more than 190 passing yards in a game this season.

9. A new interception streak. At the beginning of the season, it was NC State’s Russell Wilson. Now it’s Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell who is on a roll without an interception. Sewell has not been intercepted in his last 141 pass attempts, dating to the Southern Miss game. The school record for consecutive passes without an interception is 231.

10. Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. If you haven’t seen him play yet, it’s time, as he’s already drawn comparisons to Mark Herzlich and is currently the leading freshman tackler in the nation with 10.38 tackles per game. Kuechly leads BC with 51 solo tackles, 58 assisted. He had a game-high and career-tying 14 tackles against the Irish and had one pass breakup, and he’ll face another top quarterback this week in Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- A quick look at the first half:

Stat of the half: 35. That's how many rushing yards the Cavaliers have so far in this game. Mikell Simpson entered the game averaging 49.4. He's got 4 so far.

What Virginia needs to do: Run the ball. Simpson is back. Use him. The passing game has been struggling, in part because quarterback Jameel Sewell is off, in part because there have been some drops, and also because Georgia Tech's defense is playing well. If they can get their offense going and continue to limit the big plays, the Cavaliers could pull this off.

What Georgia Tech needs to do: Continue to control the clock and stop the run, and eliminate turnovers. The Yellow Jackets have played well enough to win in the first half, despite the respectable defense Virginia has played, but they need to get better on third downs as they've only converted 2 of 8 so far. They're wearing out Virginia's defense by keeping them on the field.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Just because the Hokies aren’t playing doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to keep an eye on in the ACC …

1. Georgia Tech on third-downs. The Yellow Jackets have the best third-down conversion percentage in the ACC (52.6), but Virginia has the best defense on third downs in the ACC, holding opponents to 29.3 percent. The Cavaliers’ defense hasn’t been the problem this year, but it will face a different challenge in the triple-option offense.

2. Virginia inside the red zone. The Cavaliers have been successful inside the 20-yard line on 17 of 20 chances, but Georgia Tech’s defense is second in the ACC in red zone defense at 75 percent. The Jackets played much better defensively against Virginia Tech last weekend, but will have to continue to clamp down when it counts against quarterback Jameel Sewell, who has shown improvement the past few weeks.

3. Kevin Steele vs. Mark Whipple. The two first-year coordinators will likely get into a chess match in Miami, as both of them have made immediate impacts for their teams. Under Steele, Clemson has the No. 17 scoring defense in the country, holding opponents to just 15.33 points per game. Under Whipple, Miami is averaging 29 points per game and 16 different players have caught a pass this season.

4. Clemson left tackle Chris Hairston. He suffered a knee injury late in the win over Boston College and missed the TCU game and played just nine snaps at Maryland. Clemson lost both of those games and averaged just 99 yards rushing and 15.5 points in the two contests. With Hairston back in the lineup, Clemson had 195 yards rushing against Wake Forest -- the second best by the Tiger this year. Clemson is 3-1 this year when Hairston is in the lineup and 0-2 when he is not.

5. FSU’s passing offense vs. UNC’s pass defense. Quarterback Christian Ponder has the Noles ranked 13th in the country in passing offense with 297.5 yards per game, but UNC’s stingy pass defense is No. 1 in the country with 125.17 yards per game. Most teams have shied away from veteran cornerback Kendric Burney this season, giving him few opportunities for pass breakups and interceptions, but that could change tonight.

6. Ponder’s first-down success. Of his 26 pass completions against Georgia Tech, 16 went for first downs. That was even better than his performance at Boston College,when 16 of his career-high 29 completions moved the chains. Ponder’s pass completions have accounted for better than 60 percent of the Seminoles’ first downs in each of the last three games.

7. Boston College senior kicker Steve Aponavicius. The former walk-on kicker, nicknamed “Sid Vicious,” is five points away from setting BC’s career scoring mark. He has accumulated 258 points in his three-plus seasons, hitting 40 field goals and 138 extra points. Aponavicius is the ACC active leader in both field goals (40) and PATs (134).

8. The Eagles’ streak. Boston College has won six straight against Notre Dame, including the last three on the road. If the Eagles win, the senior class will graduate having gone undefeated against the Irish. But this is an improved team under Charlie Weis, as quarterback Jimmy Clausen leads the nation’s No. 7 passing offense.

9. The scoreboard in Durham. No, seriously, aside from the fact Duke might win its second conference game, the winner in this series has scored at least 41 points in six of the last 11 games. Considering Duke is averaging 31.83 points per game, and Maryland is allowing about 33, it’s not out of the question for Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis to continue that trend -- especially considering the Blue Devils just put up 49 against NC State.

10. Turnovers in Annapolis. In Wake Forest’s loss to Navy last year, the Deacs committed an uncharacteristic season-high six turnovers. This year, Wake Forest trails its opponents in turnover margin with 10 takeaways and 13 turnovers.

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

It’s a good thing for the ACC that backup quarterbacks weren’t needed in September the way they were needed throughout the rest of the country (SEE: Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Robert Griffin, just to name a few). Had Miami’s Jacory Harris or Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor gone down early against the ranked opponents each of those teams faced -- including each other -- the ACC would be in big trouble right now. (Remember the panic, Miami fans, when FSU’s Greg Reid whacked Harris’ funny bone in the opener?)

Here’s to a healthy season in the ACC, and here’s a look at which backup quarterbacks are ready to roll after one month of football:

READY TO ROLL

Sean Renfree, Duke: He’s Duke's quarterback of the future and has already been groomed as such. Renfree has appeared in 13 series, completing 29-of-43 pass attempts for 286 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Mike Glennon, NC State: He played in every game except last weekend against Pittsburgh, and has completed 10 of 13 passes for 85 yards. He’s a much more dependable option than the Pack had in the past.

Vic Hall, Virginia: He was actually the starting quarterback in the season opener, and is arguably the most athletic player the Cavaliers have, but injured his hip and hasn’t played since the William & Mary game. He’s a veteran leader who has already proven himself in a multitude of roles. Hall, Jameel Sewell and Marc Verica could all be backups any given Saturday, and they're all experienced and ready to roll. If Sewell is the starter, Hall can play just about anywhere else.

Jaybo Shaw, Georgia Tech: Shaw was finally cleared to play and could make his first appearance of the season this weekend at Mississippi State after breaking his collarbone this summer. He began throwing again on Sept. 7, and proved last year he’s a tough player who can run and pass well.

HAS THE HYPE

E.J. Manuel, Florida State: He’s definitely gotten more hype than he has playing time this fall, as Manuel played in two games and has completed just 1-of-2 passes for four yards. Manuel, recruited by Jimbo Fisher, was an ESPNU 150 prospect and the No. 6 ranked quarterback in the class of 2008.

Willy Korn, Clemson: Well, it’s more like he HAD the hype. It’s hard to believe Korn was the No. 12 quarterback in the class of 2007. Korn was relegated to the bench this summer in favor of Kyle Parker and has only played in two games. He’s also expressed his displeasure in the fact he’s only thrown two passes this year.

A.J. Highsmith, Miami: He earned a quick promotion after Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith both transferred, but all Highsmith has so far is hype and pedigree. He’s the son of former Miami and NFL running back Alonzo Highsmith, and was the No. 24-ranked quarterback in the class of 2009.

WHO KNOWS?

Ju-Ju Clayton, Virginia Tech – The former scout team quarterback was in on 23 snaps against Marshall, but threw three incompletions. Clayton won the job over Marcus Davis this past spring, who was moved to wide receiver. If Taylor is injured, uncertainty is the only thing behind him.

Jamarr Robinson, Maryland – The fact that Chris Turner has been sacked 14 times and hasn’t missed a snap makes you wonder about the confidence Ralph Friedgen has in his backup. Robinson, who was promoted after Josh Portis transferred, hasn’t seen the field yet.

Ryan McManus, Wake Forest – The redshirt senior is also a holder and backup longsnapper. He played against Elon and completed 1-of-4 passes, the only four plays he was in on as quarterback.

Justin Tuggle, Boston College – There wasn’t much separation between Tuggle and Dave Shinskie until the Wake Forest game, as both of them started with zero experience. Both have been used in every game, but it’s unclear where Tuggle’s future is headed. He has 229 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions so far.

Braden Hanson, North Carolina – He was given a shot ahead of Mike Paulus this year, and was 0-for-2 with one interception in his only chance against The Citadel, but they’re both listed as the backups this week. Neither has proven anything yet.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Virginia coach Al Groh had a bye week this past Saturday. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen wasn’t that fortunate, and a loss to Rutgers dropped the Terps to 1-3, with their lone win coming in overtime against unheralded James Madison.

	Paul Abell/US PRESSWIRE
	One of Ralph Friedgen's first priorities should be finding ways to limit turnovers.

Both programs are young, have had injuries to key starters, and have had disappointing starts to their seasons before conference play has even begun.

But there is hope -- for Virginia.

All you have to do is look at Groh’s track record for proof. In 2002, the Cavaliers got off to an 0-2 start, reeled off six straight wins and finished 9-5 with a win over No. 15 West Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl. In 2007, Virginia lost to Wyoming then won seven straight to finish 9-4, tie for second place in the Coastal Division, and play in the Gator Bowl.

Last year, Virginia started 1-3 before winning four straight to take the lead in the Coastal Division before an overtime loss to Miami changed their fate. Groh has a history of making comebacks. In fact, Virginia hasn’t had back-to-back losing seasons in 26 years – the 16th longest streak in the country.

One only needs to look back to the 2004 and 2005 seasons to find Maryland’s last consecutive losing seasons. Over the past five seasons, Friedgen is 33-28 (54 percent), mediocre at best. Groh isn’t much better, at 34-27, yet for some reason he is the one who has the loudest critics.

The first priority in changing the direction of Maryland’s season is to put a screeching halt to the turnovers. Maryland has given away 61 points off turnovers this month on 13 turnovers. Only Miami (Ohio), with 16, has more.

“I’m planning on getting better,” Friedgen said. “I’m not looking at it like everyone else. … Something positive has to happen for these kids so they can grow. That’s what I’m trying to do, put them in the best situations where they can be successful.”

Groh said the three main things they wanted to work on during the bye week to get back on track were more efficient play on the offensive line, better play at the quarterback position and more game-changing plays from special teams and defense. A key difference between Virginia and Maryland is at quarterback, where the Cavaliers have more options.

Because the Cavaliers weren’t adapting well to the new spread offense, Groh began to simplify things for them in the Southern Miss loss, and quarterback Jameel Sewell played his best game of the season. Plus, Virginia hasn’t had injured quarterback Vic Hall, one of its top playmakers, since the first half of the William & Mary game. His return, possibly this week, will be a huge help. The staff has been tinkering with its offense all week.

Nobody knows what Virginia's scheme will look like when it travels to UNC this weekend. Everyone, though, knows what Maryland has to offer on Saturday against Clemson -- status quo.

“A lot of these situations,” Friedgen said, “it is what it is. Some of them we’ve got to get better. A lot of them, they’re very young, and they’re growing right now. I know people don’t want to hear that, but that’s the state of affairs, like it or not.”

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Once again, the ACC is facing exciting possibilities in a preseason top 10 team, and once again, it has nothing to do with Florida State or Miami.

Last year, it was Clemson's job to represent the ACC at the national level. The Tigers had a No. 9 preseason ranking heading into their season opener against Alabama. In the first 2009 poll to be released -- the USA Today Coaches' Poll -- Virginia Tech was ranked No. 7 heading into its season opener against Alabama. Talk of a national title has made its way through the locker room and into your living rooms.

And that's where the rest of the conference is collectively hoping the similarities end.

So far, the Hokies have held up their end of the bargain, and it started last year when they beat Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl, improving the ACC's BCS bowl record to 2-9 and snapping an eight-game postseason losing streak. The conference is still seeking respect on the national level, though, and there are only two ways to get it -- win the tough nonconference games and produce a legitimate national title contender.

Both of those seem to be realistic possibilities for the ACC in 2009.

"I think we're a step closer to affecting the national level," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said of the entire ACC. "Last year I didn't think we had a great team in the ACC. I think we had a lot of good teams. We're all stepping it up a notch and so I think we're getting closer to affecting the national stage, whichever one comes out of the ACC."

There will be ample opportunities for the ACC to do that, with nonconference games against Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia and Alabama, just to name a few.

One glaring reason for optimism will be in the offenses -- you'll notice them. For the first time in the league's 56-year history, the ACC returns three running backs who each achieved 1,000 yards rushing the previous season. Georgia Tech junior Jonathan Dwyer, Maryland junior Da'Rel Scott and Virginia Tech sophomore Darren Evans each rushed for at least 1,100 yards in 2008. And nine quarterbacks return with starting experience, not including Virginia's 2007 starter, Jameel Sewell, and Miami's Jacory Harris, who split time at the position last year.

No conference was deeper or more balanced last year than the ACC, and that's expected to continue this fall. Last year, the average margin of victory in 48 ACC games was 10.77 points. Half of the games were decided by seven points or fewer. And right up until the final week of the season, 11 teams still had a chance to become bowl eligible. It's not unfathomable to think 10 teams could reach the postseason again.

While Virginia Tech and Florida State were picked by the media in July to win their respective divisions, six different teams received first-place votes. Despite the hype surrounding the Hokies, they've not only got to get through the only schedule in the ACC that doesn't feature an FCS school, but they've also got to get past Coastal Division contenders Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami.

With David Cutcliffe starting to win games at Duke, the ACC has literally gotten a boost from the ground up. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson and UNC coach Butch Davis have both already made a difference at their programs in as little as two years. Johnson won nine games in his first season, including a road win over rival Georgia and a home win over Florida State. Davis doubled his win total from four to eight and is looking to take the next step. O'Brien has the athletes to win the Atlantic Division, he just needs to keep them healthy.

Almost every team in the conference has made coaching changes or recruited players that signify an upgrade, but there was so much transition this offseason it could be a bumpy beginning for a few programs. Five schools -- Boston College, Clemson, Miami, Virginia and Maryland - brought in new coordinators. Two -- BC and Clemson -- have first-year head coaches. The coaches facing the most pressure are Virginia's Al Groh, Miami's Randy Shannon and Clemson's Dabo Swinney.

Nobody, though, is carrying the weight of the conference like Frank Beamer.

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

One of the major themes this fall in the ACC will be keeping starting quarterbacks healthy because of the lack of experience behind them. Virginia Tech, which saw both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor get hurt against Florida State last year, knows this scenario all-too well. How will the Hokies fare this season if Taylor's ankle fails him again? Based in large part by experience and some on recruiting hype, here's a look at who's got the best backup situations in the ACC -- and who doesn't.

1. Virginia -- Say what you will about the Cavaliers' chances this fall, but no team has more experience at quarterback right now. Jameel Sewell, Marc Verica and Vic Hall have all started a game. That, in itself, is progress from last season. And they all have different strengths. Sewell is an elusive runner, Verica is more of a drop-back passer, and Hall, well, he was a cornerback with tremendous athletic ability.

2. Georgia Tech -- If need be, the Yellow Jackets can also go three deep, as starter Josh Nesbitt has experience behind him in Jaybo Shaw and a talented newcomer in redshirt freshman Tevin Washington. Shaw quarterbacked the Yellow Jackets almost exclusively in two games last season -- a 38-7 win over Mississippi State and a 27-0 victory over Duke. When Nesbitt hurt his hamstring eight snaps into the Mississippi State game, Shaw took over and promptly threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas. By the final buzzer, Georgia Tech had accumulated 500 yards of total offense.

3. NC State -- The Wolfpack finally have a prized recruit to fall back on should Russell Wilson need some help. Mike Glennon, who is perfectly suited for Tom O'Brien's Matt Ryan-esque style, made significant progress this spring and could see some playing time even if Wilson is 100 percent. Glennon was rated the No. 3 quarterback in his class and No. 32 player overall in the ESPN 150.

4. Duke -- Sean Renfree earned himself some playing time behind Thaddeus Lewis this fall and will use this season to ease into the role of next year's starting quarterback. Renfree had originally committed to Georgia Tech, but was also recruited by Tennessee when David Cutcliffe was there. He's the real deal.

5. Florida State -- The Seminoles probably would have been moved up a notch or two on this list had E.J. Manuel actually made it through more than one spring practice without hurting himself. But FSU offensive coordinator/head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher has high hopes for his first hand-picked quarterback.

6. North Carolina -- The Tar Heels have the Paulus who actually IS a quarterback, and he's even got some experience at it. The problem is, Mike Paulus was 4-for-13 for 33 yards with two interceptions in four games last year. Paulus entered the Virginia Tech game when T.J. Yates was injured and was 3-for-8 for 23 yards and two picks. There's a reason Cam Sexton took over last year, but Sexton has since transferred.

7. Clemson -- If by chance Kyle Parker wins the starting job, then Willy Korn will be like 1a. Korn played two games as a true freshman in 2007 then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He played in six games last year, including a start against Georgia Tech in Dabo Swinney's first game as a head coach. His career efficiency rating is 132.9 and he has completed 69.4 percent of his passes. Those are starter stats, but Parker had an impressive spring.

8. Wake Forest -- The Demon Deacons at least have depth. They had a competition between Ryan McManus, Ted Stachitas and Skylar Jones this spring, and McManus came out on top heading into summer camp. McManus is a former walk-on who has seen most of his playing time as a holder and on special teams, Stachitas is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Jones finished his first spring working exclusively at quarterback.

9. Miami -- At least Randy Shannon made a decision and decided Taylor Cook earned the No. 2 spot at the end of the spring, but it's not a done deal. Cannon Smith will continue to push Cook this summer, but neither one of them have taken a collegiate snap yet. Cook, though, was a very highly touted recruit, ranked the No. 9 quarterback in his class and No. 108 in the ESPN 150.

10. Virginia Tech -- Joseph Ju-Ju Clayton won the backup job over Marcus Davis, but he's still a redshirt freshman who hasn't been tested when the lights come on. Clayton was projected by some to be a better defensive back in college. He wasn't as highly touted a recruit as Manuel, Cook, Glennon or Renfree, but the Hokies are known for finding talent and making the most of somewhat unheralded recruits.

11. Maryland -- The Terps' depth took a hit when Josh Portis decided to transfer, but sophomore Jamarr Robinson had an impressive spring. He completed 15 of 19 passes, including his final 12 attempts, for 253 yards and four touchdowns.

12. Boston College -- The Eagles don't know who their starting quarterback is, let alone their No. 2. Dominique Davis struggled in the ACC championship game and the bowl game -- both losses -- but he has the most experience among Justin Tuggle and Codi Boek.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

There was some progress in the ACC this spring, and each team got a little bit of help at certain positions. Here's a look at who found some help this spring and where:

BOSTON COLLEGE: Marcellus Bowman and Wes Davis are two safeties who should help make the Eagles' secondary one of the best BC fans have seen in recent years. Four players return to the secondary with starting experience.

CLEMSON: It's amazing what a year of experience can do, and the Tigers' offensive line needed it. The only direction for this group to go is up, and it started to do that this spring. All five starters return.

DUKE: The return of running back Re'quan Boyette will give the Blue Devils' running game a more potent punch. He could be a difference maker on the field this fall, and Duke will need him to be.

FLORIDA STATE: Leading rusher Antone Smith is gone, but FSU fans can rest assured Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones can carry the load for the Noles. Both had several breakaway runs this spring.

GEORGIA TECH: On a defense that lost its leaders up front, defensive end Derrick Morgan and safety Morgan Burnett established themselves as the new captains of the ship this spring, and they should be the Jackets' top two defenders.

MARYLAND: Phil Costa helped ease the transition of the graduation of longtime leader Edwin Williams at center. The Terps lost three starters up front and have four players in new positions, but Costa proved he can be the new leader of the group.

MIAMI: This "got help" award goes to new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He had an immediate impact on the offense this spring and has Jacory Harris' full attention.

NORTH CAROLINA: Da'Norris Searcy and Melvin Williams gave the staff some confidence in life without Trimane Goddard. Searcy played well in the Meineke Car Care bowl as a fifth defensive back and played with confidence this spring.

NC STATE: Mike Glennon answered the distress signal at backup quarterback, a position that had been exposed far too many times in the past. Glennon completed 23 of 38 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown in the Kay Yow Spring Game.

VIRGINIA: The return of Jameel Sewell at quarterback and addition of Vic Hall no doubt helped the Cavaliers. At this point last year, they didn't have one quarterback who had any starting experience. Now they've got three.

VIRGINIA TECH: Confidence grew in the linebackers this spring, and that's because of the efforts of Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson. Bruce Taylor and Quillie Odom are still learning, but there was progress at this position.

WAKE FOREST: Kenny Okoro and Josh Bush both proved to be dependable players at a position that just lost Alphonso Smith. Okoro in particular stood out, but both of them got a lot of reps with Brandon Ghee out with an injury.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Around the ACC we go ...

• The Orlando Sentinel has a Q&A with Florida State athletic director Randy Spetman. 
• Here are five offseason subplots for the Terps, according to Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times.
• Some of Georgia Tech's former players gave their take on their introduction to the NFL.
• Bill Belichick said the Boston College defense prepared Ron Brace for the NFL, but the Eagles' former defensive tackle is still a little overwhelmed. Meanwhile, former teammate B.J. Raji is expected to contribute immediately.
• Virginia fans can expect to see Vic Hall and Jameel Sewell running a little option this fall.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Happy spring Saturday, ACC fans. We'll look closer at each school after spring ball is over, but a few reports have come in Saturday from spring games around the league. Here's a quick update, per each school's sports information director:

(Usually I go in alphabetical order, but I'm starting with NC State because of the large turnout in support of the late Kay Yow).

NC STATE

A crowd of 21,075 fans attended the Wolfpack's spring game, which was named in honor of the late Kay Yow. Each fan was asked to donate a dollar, and the day, according to Tim Peeler's report on GoPack.com, was as much a celebration of Yow's life as it was a spring football game.

Of course, there was also plenty of interest in how the quarterbacks, starter Russell Wilson and backup Mike Glennon, fared. Glennon was 23-of-38 for 272 yards and one touchdown, and competed for both teams. Wilson, who had to leave early for a baseball game, completed 10 of 14 passes for 195 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to Owen Spencer. NC State's entire report can be found here.

DUKE

Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead the White squad to a 24-17 victory over the Blue team in front of 4,162 fans at the annual spring game held Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

"The game was crisp with few penalties," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. "No one was sloppy with the football and I thought the game was intense. I told the players before the game that we are a good football team. I thought they played like one today. We had really good execution for the most part throughout the game."

Renfree completed 15-of-24 throws with touchdowns of 17 yards to wide receiver Matt Pridemore and 17 yards to tight end Danny Parker. Pridemore led the White team with five receptions for 67 yards while running back Patrick Kurunwune led all rushers with 66 yards on 13 attempts while hauling in four passes for an additional 67 yards. Running back Tony Jackson added a touchdown run and finished with 34 yards on six carries.

For the Blue unit, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis hit on 17 of 23 passes for 257 yards while rushing for a pair of one-yard touchdowns. His favorite target was wide receiver Donovan Varner who had six grabs for 116 yards.

"We went out there and executed," Lewis said. "We had some big plays today. The coaches put us in good situations. We can go to the tight ends over the middle and to our shifty guys who can get yards after the catch. If they leave our running backs open we can get the ball to those guys with space and let them do what they do best."

Duke's entire report can be found here.

GEORGIA TECH

A crowd of about 8,500 saw Jaybo Shaw and redshirt freshman quarterback Tevin Washington combine for five touchdowns.

Washington ran for two touchdowns, threw for another and the Gold team held off a late rally by the White team for a 31-28 victory in Georgia Tech's spring game. With junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt sidelined with a minor shoulder injury, Shaw scored three touchdowns and produced 263 yards of total offense for the White team, which scored two touchdowns in the final 3:30 to make things interesting down the stretch.

Washington finished with 43 yards rushing and was 7-of-10 passing for 167 yards.

"The best news is that no one got hurt," coach Paul Johnson said. "We put the ball on the ground today, but we are way ahead of where we were at this time last year."

The two teams combined for eight fumbles. Both teams also produced more than 400 yards of total offense. For the school's entire report, click here.

VIRGINIA

The Cavaliers unveiled their no-huddle offense for the first time this spring, and threw the ball 53 times while mixing in 57 running plays. The offense only scored two times though. Marc Verica, the starting quarterback for the nine games in 2008, completed 14 of 19 throws for 148 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to Raynard Horne.

The only other score by the offense came on a 48-yard run by tailback Mikell Simpson. He led all rushers with 64 yards.

Vic Hall, who started at quarterback in the 2008 finale at Virginia Tech, was the first signal-caller on the field with the offense. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 98 yards. Jameel Sewell, who did not play last year while not enrolled at the university, managed 61 yards while completing seven of 11 throws.

The Cavs entire report can be found here.

Check back for more on Monday.