ESPN College Football

Three ACC schools held scrimmages over the weekend. Here's a roundup of the good and bad from a busy weekend.

DUKE
Sean Renfree completed 14 of 17 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Tight ends David Reeves and Issac Blakeney had scores of 31 and 70 yards, respectively.

Corey Gattis led all pass-catchers with six receptions for 81 yards and a 42-yard touchdown catch from Thomas Sirk. Sirk did a bit of everything, completing 5 of 9 passes for 75 yards, carrying it four times for 54 yards and hauling in two receptions for 25 yards.

The Blue Devils' spring game is March 31.

MIAMI
No Stephen Morris, no problem. At least on Saturday at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah. With Morris out recovering from back surgery, Ryan Williams completed 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Early enrollees Gray Crow and Preston Dewey were behind the Memphis transfer, going a combined 11-for-26 for 64 yards in action that was more situationally simulated than a typical spring game, which Miami will hold April 14.

Mike James and Eduardo Clements combined for 134 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries, with James accounting for three of those scores.

The Hurricanes will hold another scrimmage at 6:45 p.m. ET this Friday at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers.

Also, defensive back Keion Payne was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules, UM associate athletic director for communications and marketing Chris Freet told reporters. Payne had appeared in just two games.

WAKE FOREST
Michael Campanaro impressed as the Demon Deacons' top receiver, catching 10 balls for 116 yards to lead the offense, which got off to a rough start.

After misfiring on seven of his first eight pass attempts, Tanner Price finished strong, completing 17 of 30 passes on the day for 169 yards and a touchdown on six drives. Nikita Whitlock had an 87-yard interception return for a score on Price.

Reserve signal-caller Patrick Thompson finished 5-for-6 passing for 79 yards with a touchdown, and Wake's defense finished with five sacks from five different players.

“I think we’ve improved quite a bit from the first day of practice when we didn’t look very good,” coach Jim Grobe said of the offensive line. “I thought Thursday we improved a little bit and I thought today we got a little better. It’s going to take time before these guys are really comfortable.

"We’ve got guys who like to play, who like to get after it but they’re just making too many mistakes right now and you can’t do that up front. We just play against too many good people. You want to get to the point where when they beat us, they beat us physically and not because we didn’t block the right guy.”

Wake Forest's spring game is April 14.

Back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes have already begun to separate Florida State and Clemson from the rest of the Atlantic Division -- at least on paper.

It’s only news, though, when those programs don’t bring in some of the nation’s most talented players.

Clemson, after all, just won its first ACC title for the first time since 1991. Florida State last year couldn’t beat Wake Forest. Which is why there is no reason for the Deacs or anyone else in the division to surrender just yet.

“They key for us is not how many stars they come in with, it’s how good they play when they’re juniors and seniors,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. “At least that’s our key. For us it’s all about developing players. It’s a standard joke among coaches, ‘How’d your recruiting go? Well, we’ll know in a couple of years.’ Sometimes that’s good to laugh and giggle about, but absolutely at Wake Forest, we know when they’re juniors and seniors if we’ve done the right thing in recruiting.

“For us, I think we know where we are. We’re a development program. We’ve got to do a great job of coaching our kids in the offseason and the weight room and out on the practice field, so by the time they’re juniors and seniors, there are a lot of other teams in the league that look at them and say, ‘Man, I wish I would’ve taken that guy.’”

Guys like Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry, Chris Givens and Joe Looney. At Boston College, guys like Montel Harris and Luke Kuechly.

“Here’s the way I’ve always looked at the competition,” said BC coach Frank Spaziani. “As the competition gets better, everybody else better get better and move forward. There are a lot of other areas to it than just that.”

Just how much of a talent discrepancy is there within the division? Can BC compensate for a lack of stars with its hard-working, disciplined, blue-collar traits? Can Wake Forest continue to develop diamonds out of its “recruiting puddle?” NC State already beat a No. 7-ranked Clemson team, but can it win consistently? Will the hire of offensive coordinator Mike Locksley change Maryland recruiting?

Florida State and Clemson are ahead of the race, there’s no question about it. But until either one of them plays and wins with more consistency, it won’t be a two-team race in the ACC.

You wouldn’t believe this, but Hallmark was all out of Valentine’s Day cards for ACC coaches. So, I took it upon myself to lighten the mood here in the blogosphere with a little bit o’ love and these personal touch cards.

Dear …

FRANK BEAMER:

The loss to Michigan wasn’t so bad, it’s the 1-5 BCS bowl record that has your fans sad. The 2012 recruiting class should help ease the pain, just try not to lose to Clemson again.

DAVID CUTCLIFFE:

You’ve given it all, your heart and your soul, yet after four seasons we’ve still seen no bowl. This recruiting class is highlighted by athleticism and speed, which is good news for you -- it’s a running game you need.

RANDY EDSALL:

Danny O’Brien has broken your heart, but Stefon Diggs couldn’t bear to part. You win some, you lose some, that’s what they say, but you gotta spread the love if you want players to stay.

LARRY FEDORA:

Welcome to the ACC, where we do things right. That means keep all agents and runners out of our sight. There’s plenty of talent to start with a clean slate, the big question is, can you beat NC State?

JIMBO FISHER:

It’s you and your staff the elite recruits adore, but the rest of the world is still waiting for more. Another national title for that trophy case is the only thing your fans will truly embrace.

AL GOLDEN:

Nevin Shapiro has a whole lot to say, but just don’t you worry ‘bout that NCAA. The worst is behind us, you’ve said before, it’s the fans’ expectations that should concern you more.

JIM GROBE:

An impressive turnaround in 2011 was nice, but to do it again you must protect Tanner Price. Thirty-five sacks has got to hurt, and now four new starters must keep him outta the dirt.

PAUL JOHNSON:

Who needs a playbook? Not CPJ. The master of the option offense can throw his away. It’s defense and special teams that needs some work, and throwing more efficiently certainly couldn’t hurt.

MIKE LONDON:

Coach of the Year and first bowl since ’07? After only two seasons Virginia fans were in heaven. You’ve set the bar high, but there’s one question to me: Can you beat the Hokies, or is it strike three?

TOM O’BRIEN:

Broken bones have held your team back, so keep ‘em healthy and look out for the Pack. FSU and Clemson are getting all of the hype, but when it comes to quarterbacks, Mike Glennon’s just your type.

FRANK SPAZIANI:

They say your seat is hot, and I couldn’t agree more; in 2012 you must win more than four. The offense has been at the heart of your woes, but a new OC could help cure some of those.

DABO SWINNEY:

An ACC title, a top-10 recruiting class and more. There’s only one problem … West Virginia just scored. A new DC just might do the trick, but if you don’t beat South Carolina, Clemson fans will be sick.

Our Mark Schlabach took another crack at his way-too early top 25 today. In response, we'll try again to rank Notre Dame's 2012 opponents.

1. USC (Nov. 24, away): Virtually every early outlook has the Trojans slated as the preseason No. 1 or No. 2 team, and rightfully so. Matt Barkley enters 2012 as the Heisman front-runner and USC will return to the familiar position of having the target on its back throughout the season.

2. Oklahoma (Oct. 27, away): Considering Notre Dame is the only current official, penned-in game that is absolutely going to happen for the Big 12 favorites next season, I'd imagine the Sooners would get up for that.

3. Michigan State (Sept. 15, away): A growing defense will keep Sparty plowing ahead in Year 6 of the Mark Dantonio era, which may just begin with MSU as the Big Ten favorite.

4. Michigan (Sept. 22, home): A number of early polls suggest Michigan as the leading Big Ten contender, but I think some of its losses on defense will be tough to replace. Nonetheless, any team with Denard Robinson under center has a chance to make big things happen, as Notre Dame fans are all too aware of.

5. Stanford (Oct. 13, home): Who needs Andrew Luck when you have that much time in the pocket? Throw anyone under center behind that offensive line and he'll have all the time he needs to make something happen.

6. Miami (Oct. 6, Chicago): The Hurricanes make the biggest jump from the last time we looked at the Irish's opponents. An experienced defense and a great recruiting year for Al Golden suggest this program is back on the rise, pending NCAA sanctions.

7. BYU (Oct. 20, home): I said it before and I'll say it again: If Riley Nelson has a big year, watch out.

8. Purdue (Sept. 8, home): This contest scares me if I'm an Irish fan. First game back from what is sure to be an exhausting season-opening trip in Dublin, with a hungry in-state rival waiting for them and looking to build on momentum following a strong 2011 finish and weak 2012 opener (Eastern Kentucky).

9. Wake Forest (Nov. 17, home): Jim Grobe teams usually perform better than they should, but the Deacs must recover from a weak finish in 2011.

10. Boston College (Nov. 10, away): No more Luke Kuechly means happier offenses everywhere. The Eagles just hope that means theirs, too, which will be in its first year under coordinator Doug Martin.

11. Navy (Sept. 1, Dublin): The Midshipmen have a brutal start to the 2012 schedule, facing the Irish in Dublin before going to Happy Valley to face Penn State, but things get easier afterward. Can they put the awful luck of 2011 behind them and beat the beatable opponents?

12. Pitt (Nov. 3, home): Paul Chryst seems like the right fit, but asking him to lift the Panthers out of their underachieving ways in Year 1 is a bit much.

The early NFL draft hopefuls have gone, the early enrollees have arrived, and recruiting classes have been added that could have an impact on the 2012 ACC race. Considering all the offseason shuffling, it’s time for an updated yet still way-too-early look at how the ACC could stack up this season:

1. Florida State:The Noles brought in the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation, including the No. 1 defensive end, the No. 1 defensive tackle and the No. 1 quarterback. Not to mention the abundance of talent they return from last season’s nine-win team. Not only will FSU be better in 2012, but it will also be deeper and more talented.

2. Clemson: The Tigers have the No. 9-ranked class in the country, and they used it to fill some major needs up front. Clemson’s biggest obstacle this fall will be replacing three starters on both the offensive and defensive lines. Quarterback Tajh Boyd has enough skill players around him, though, that the Tigers can repeat as ACC champs.

3. Virginia Tech: The Hokies also have some big shoes to fill on the offensive line and running back thanks to the early departure of David Wilson to the NFL, but the staff lured in a top-25 recruiting class complete with some impressive running backs to rebuild the depth at the position. Virginia Tech’s best asset heading into 2012 will be one of the nation’s best defenses.

4. NC State: The Wolfpack can be a dark horse for the ACC title, especially if they stay healthy. Quarterback Mike Glennon should be one of the best in the league, four starters return on the offensive line, and this recruiting class gave the defensive line some old-school speed off the edge.

5. Virginia: Mike London quietly brought in one of the better recruiting classes in the ACC again, albeit with less fanfare than a year ago. If the Cavaliers can overcome the loss of seven starters on defense, they can again challenge for the Coastal Division title.

6. Miami: The outlook for the Canes has improved significantly with the nation’s No. 8 recruiting class, as many of those true freshmen will be given an opportunity for starting jobs or to at least work their way into the rotation and get meaningful reps. Still, there will be a learning curve, and quarterback Stephen Morris still has something to prove.

7. Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets seem like an average team right now. There are no superstars, the recruiting class was ho-hum, and the program’s place in the eyes of the NCAA right now is in limbo. While they return a bulk of their starters from a year ago, other programs seem to be making more progress quicker.

8. Wake Forest: The Deacs brought in a typical, Jim Grobe-type recruiting class: not flashy but will help the program to bowl games with the staff’s ability to develop talent. They return starting quarterback Tanner Price, who was one of the most improved players in the ACC a year ago, but must replace four starters on the offensive line.

9. North Carolina: First-year coach Larry Fedora has the energy, but does he have enough time? Fedora said he wants to change everything at UNC from the personnel to the philosophy and the culture. He’ll switch schemes on offense and defense, but is the offseason enough time to do that and make Carolina a contender in the Coastal race?

10. Maryland: The Terps will be better, and they should go to a bowl game, but without knowing what’s going on at quarterback, they’re a little tricky to predict. Is C.J. Brown the guy, or will Danny O’Brien be the man under first-year coordinator Mike Locksley? This team could move up the rankings quickly this season.

11. Boston College: The Eagles had another blue-collar class that could have been a disaster with defections but was salvaged in the end. Replacing linebacker Luke Kuechly isn’t realistic, but BC welcomes back more than it loses, and that could add up to a surprise season in Chestnut Hill.

12. Duke: The Blue Devils brought in a better class than it was probably given credit, but until that starts translating into wins, Duke will maintain the dubious distinction of last in the ACC.

There were no surprises for the Deacs, but the staff was pleased with its 19-member class, which was announced on Wednesday. The 2012 recruiting class consists of players from nine states including eight from Florida, three from North Carolina, and two from Georgia as well as players from Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The class includes 10 offensive players and nine on defense. On offense, Wake Forest is bringing in two wide receivers, two tight ends, three offensive linemen, a quarterback, a running back and one player designated as an athlete. Defensively, the Demon Deacons are adding four defensive backs including two cornerbacks and a pair of safeties, three defensive linemen, a linebacker and an athlete.

"This is a pretty balanced class where every position group is represented," coach Jim Grobe said in a prepared statement. "I think that these kids are good fits for Wake Forest in terms of character and athletic ability. We may have to look at a few of these players for immediate help in the fall."

Wake Forest is losing a total of 12 starters off last year’s Music City Bowl team. The Deacons must replace eight starters on offense and four on defense.

With national signing day quickly approaching, we’re going to take a look at the recruiting needs of each school in the ACC, starting with the Atlantic Division. These needs are based on current rosters and anticipated departures in the near future. Here’s a look at who has what holes to fill in the 2012 class:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Linemen: The depth here continues to be a priority on both sides. The decision of defensive end Max Holloway to declare early for the NFL draft was an unexpected loss, and tackle Dillon Quinn will be a senior. Offensively, the Eagles will have to replace two veterans and leaders in center Mark Spinney and guard Nate Richman.

Linebackers: All-American Luke Kuechly’s decision to leave early for the NFL draft was expected, but the staff is looking for about two or three more linebackers in this class.

Receivers: This was a young group to begin with, as Alex Amidon and Bobby Swigert were both true sophomores, but the staff could use one or two more in this class.

CLEMSON

Linemen: The Tigers will lose three starters on the defensive line and three more on the offensive line from the 2011 ACC championship team. Center Dalton Freeman is a returning starter, but he will be a senior. Six players on the final two-deep depth chart on the offensive line were either seniors or graduate students in 2011, and four on the defensive line two-deep must be replaced.

Running back: Andre Ellington is entering his senior year, and while Mike Bellamy is back in school and in the good graces of coach Dabo Swinney, the future of the position is uncertain. Rod McDowell played well in the bowl game, and D.J. Howard has been a backup.

Defensive backs: The Tigers could start three seniors in the secondary in 2012: Xavier Brewer, Rashard Hall and Jonathan Meeks.

Kickers: The Tigers will lose punter Dawson Zimmerman, opening up an opportunity for a true freshman to play immediately.

FLORIDA STATE

Pick and choose: The Noles have built up enough depth that they can now be selective. Instead of building a class heavy on offensive linemen, Florida State can now pick and choose the best at each position. The Noles need at least one running back, one or two quarterbacks, a few offensive tackles, a linebacker to help replace Nigel Bradham and a safety or two.

Kickers: The Noles have big shoes to fill with the graduation of punter Shawn Powell, and kicker Dustin Hopkins is entering his final season.

MARYLAND

Running back: This is a position where a true freshman could see some playing time this year. Justus Pickett returns, along with Brandon Ross, who redshirted last year.

Quarterback: The Terps ended the 2011 season with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in Danny O’Brien and C.J. Brown. Both will be juniors and nobody is behind them.

Cornerback. Maryland has to replace Trenton Hughes and Cameron Chism at cornerback, leaving Dexter McDougle the only one with any significant playing time.

NC STATE

Defensive line: The staff already has about six linemen committed and ends were a particular focus. Half of the linemen in the two-deep depth chart for the Belk Bowl were either juniors or seniors.

Secondary: This should be a strength for NC State in 2012, but the staff needs to prepare for the future here. Cornerback C.J. Wilson will be a senior, along with safeties Earl Wolff and Brandan Bishop.

Quarterback: Mike Glennon is already listed as a graduate student, and his backup, Tyler Brosius, redshirted this past season. The position is thin and the future uncertain behind Glennon.

WAKE FOREST

Offensive line: The Deacs will lose four starters up front, but coach Jim Grobe has only played one true freshman there in 11 years. He has several redshirt freshmen and sophomores who are expected to fill in, but the staff wants to continue to build the depth at the position.

Tight end: Wake Forest will graduate its top two tight ends and will turn to two redshirt sophomores in Neil Basford and Johnny Garcia who have yet to catch a pass. It’s possible this could be a spot where an exceptional freshman could see playing time.

Defensive backs: The Deacs have to replace starting free safety Josh Bush and starting strong safety Cyhl Quarles. Cornerback Kenny Okoro will be a redshirt senior.

With every bowl game now over, the 2011 season is officially in the books. This is the final word on how the ACC stacked up before we move on to 2012. While the bowls played a slight role in figuring this out, it wasn’t the overwhelming part of the equation. (If that were the case, Clemson would be fighting the Terps for the last spot.) Instead, this list is based on the complete body of work for the season. Here’s your final power ranking for 2011:

1. Clemson (10-4, 6-2 ACC) – Clemson’s performance in the Discover Orange Bowl was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Literally, historically bad. But you can’t ignore the fact that the Tigers beat Virginia Tech twice and were the ACC champs. What they didn’t do in their loss to the Mountaineers doesn’t detract from their ACC title. It did, however, detract from the ACC.

2. Virginia Tech (11-3, 7-1) – The Hokies were unable to capitalize on the ACC’s first at-large BCS bowl bid and lost in overtime to Michigan in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, but an 11-win season was tops in the ACC. Virginia Tech lost to only two teams all year -- the ACC champs and the Sugar Bowl champs.

3. Florida State (9-4, 5-3) – The Seminoles won seven of their final eight games, including an 18-14 win over Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. It was a strong finish, especially for the defense, which left no doubt it was one of the best in the country.

4. NC State (8-5, 4-4) – The Wolfpack represented the ACC well, beating Louisville 31-24 in the Belk Bowl. To finish with eight wins after starting out 2-3 spoke volumes about the determination of this team, and new stars emerged in quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback David Amerson.

5. Virginia (8-5, 5-3) – The Cavaliers still exceeded expectations by contending for the Coastal Division and playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but they had no answer for Auburn, and finished the season with back-to-back convincing losses. There is still some work to do in Charlottesville.

6. Georgia Tech (8-5, 5-3) – The Yellow Jackets squandered a 14-point lead and lost to Utah in overtime in the Sun Bowl. It was the seventh straight postseason loss for the program, which also ended the regular season with a loss to rival Georgia. The Jackets lost five of their final seven games.

7. Wake Forest (6-7, 5-3) – The disappointment of the bowl loss to Mississippi State was enough to push coach Jim Grobe, deemed by some as loyal to a fault, to fire two of his assistants. The Deacs came within a field goal of winning the Atlantic Division this year, but crashed in the end and lost five of six games.

8. North Carolina (7-6, 3-5) – The Everett Withers era ended as abruptly as it began after an ugly 41-24 loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl. North Carolina was unable to reach the Butch Davis benchmark of eight wins and lost five of its final seven games. The Larry Fedora era has begun.

9. Miami (6-6, 3-5) – The Hurricanes lacked any consistency or identity in the first season under coach Al Golden, and the season ended with a double thud, thanks to a self-imposed bowl ban and a loss to Boston College. Between graduation and early departures for the NFL, there will be an overhaul of the roster this offseason.

10. Boston College (4-8, 3-5) – The Eagles regrouped at the end of the season and won three of their final five, despite an abysmal 2-7 start to the season. Coach Frank Spaziani was given another chance to turn things around, and a 24-17 win at Miami in the season finale was the first step.

11. Duke (3-9, 1-7) – This team didn’t look much different in the fourth season under coach David Cutcliffe, as the Blue Devils lost seven straight to end the season and any bowl hopes. The 23-21 loss to Richmond in the season opener set the tone for the whole season.

12. Maryland (2-10, 1-7) – The Terps solidified their spot at the bottom of the ACC long before the season ended, and it could be a while before they dig themselves out of it. The hire of Mike Locksley has already made an impact on recruiting, though, and there’s only one way to go at this point: up.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-6) vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-6)

Dec. 30, 6:40 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Mississippi State take from SEC blogger Edward Aschoff: After the 2010 season, in which the Bulldogs had their first nine-win season since 1999, the expectations in Starkville skyrocketed.

Third-year coach Dan Mullen appeared to have enough returning on offense to continue riding that momentum. Losing a couple of key members to the front seven on defense was worrisome, but the offense was always supposed to lead the way.

After the first two weeks, the Bulldogs were averaging 588 yards and 46.5 points, but a goal-line stop of quarterback Chris Relf might have changed everything for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State came up less than a foot short of going to overtime against Auburn when Relf was stopped as time expired in a 41-34 heartbreaker.

The Bulldogs were never the same after that, as injuries hurt the offensive line and they lost three of their next five.

Mullen entered the season with only two wins against Western Division opponents, with both coming against Ole Miss. Nothing changed in 2011, as the Bulldogs’ only SEC wins came against Kentucky and the Rebels.

While the offense struggled throughout the season, Mississippi’s defense kept the Bulldogs in games for most of the year. By sweeping the nonconference schedule and blowing out Ole Miss at the end of the year, Mississippi State became bowl eligible for the second straight year under Mullen and will look to win its fifth straight bowl game.

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Wake Forest take by ACC blogger Heather Dinich: The Deacs had a disappointing finish to the season, losing four of their final five games. Considering they made it to the postseason following last season's 3-9 campaign, 2011 was a success.

Wake Forest was a much-improved team, and put itself in position to win the Atlantic Division title. Even more surprising was the fact that it came down to a last-second, game-winning field goal against Clemson, which clinched the division with the 31-28 win over the Deacs on Nov. 12. Wake Forest beat Maryland the following week to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2008, and will be making the program’s fifth bowl appearance in 11 years under coach Jim Grobe.

Much of Wake’s success this year can be attributed to the maturation of quarterback Tanner Price, and the development of several key players around him like receiver Chris Givens. Cornerback Merrill Noel was named the ACC’s defensive rookie of the year and he has 20 passes defended.

The Deacons have compiled a 6-3 (.667) record in their nine previous bowl appearances and are 3-1 in bowl games under Grobe. The Deacs have won five of their last six bowl games. Wake Forest and Mississippi State will be meeting for the first time.

Wake Forest University has accepted an invitation to play Mississippi State in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. The game will be played on Friday, Dec. 30 at LP Field and will kickoff at 6:40 p.m. EST. The game will be televised live on ESPN.

Here is the official release:

“We couldn’t be more excited to be playing in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl,” said head coach Jim Grobe. “Our players, coaches and fans are looking forward to this wonderful opportunity in Nashville. Traveling to Nashville during the Christmas holiday will be a great experience for our families and the players.”

Wake Forest went 6-6 during the 2011 regular season and clinched bowl eligibility with a 31-10 win over Maryland on Nov. 19. The Demon Deacons finished tied for second in the ACC Atlantic Division with a 5-3 conference record. Wake Forest came within an eyelash of defeating Atlantic Division champion Clemson when the ninth-ranked Tigers booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired for a 31-28 win on Nov. 12 at Clemson.

During the season, the Deacons defeated No. 22 Florida State while also posting ACC road wins at Boston College and Duke.

“We are extremely happy to accept the invitation to play in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl,” said Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman. “Going to Nashville gives our fans the opportunity to attend the game. We have earned the reputation that our fans do travel to bowl games as evidenced over the last few years with our trips to the Orange Bowl in Miami and the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. This is an excellent opportunity for our team and our fans and we will enjoy our experience at the Music City Bowl.”

Mississippi State is 6-6 overall and went 2-6 in the SEC West Division which includes LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss. Under head coach Dan Mullen, the Bulldogs are 19th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 19.9 points per game.

Wake Forest will be making its 10th all-time bowl appearance. The Deacons last appeared in a bowl game following the 2008 season when Wake Forest defeated Navy 29-19. The Deacons are 6-3 all-time in bowl games and have won five of their last six bowl appearances.

Under Grobe, Wake Forest will be making its fifth bowl appearance. Grobe has more bowl trips than any other coach in Wake Forest history.

As the regular season comes to a close, the ACC Coach of the Year race has a chance to heat up. Sure, there have been some bumps along the way –- even a few wrecks (ahem, Clemson) –- but overall, if you look at the preseason expectations compared with where they are now, there has been some pretty good coaching in the ACC this year.

Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Virginia all had losing seasons a year ago. Now, all of those programs are bowl-eligible, and two of them -– Clemson and Virginia -– have a chance to play for the ACC title. Clemson has already clinched the Atlantic Division for the second time in three seasons under Dabo Swinney, and Virginia has far exceeded expectations in the second season under Mike London. Wake Forest was 3-9 a year ago, and now has a chance at an eight-win season. Georgia Tech was 6-7 last season and still has a chance at the 10-win mark.

It’s not just the turnarounds that are impressive, it’s the obstacles they each had to overcome to get there. Consider Clemson: The Tigers entered this season with a first-year starting quarterback in Tajh Boyd, a first-year offensive coordinator in Chad Morris, and an entirely new offensive system and philosophy. How quickly we forget the three straight wins over ranked opponents.

And Virginia? Puh-lease. The Hoos had four quarterbacks almost the entire offseason.

It’s not just the coaching with winning records, though, who have danced around disaster this season. While UNC’s Everett Withers isn’t likely to be retained as the head coach, he deserves a round of applause for holding the program together after its head coach was fired just days before summer camp began. Yes, UNC was capable of more, but it was also capable of falling apart.

And then there’s Miami. Whoooa, Miami.

Somebody get Al Golden a raise, just for keeping his cool since August. He took the job, thinking Miami is a place that can win national titles, and it is. But before he could get his foot onto a sideline, he stepped into quicksand, and now he’s up to his neck in an NCAA investigation he had zero involvement in. Possibly the best illustration of Golden as a coach came during the most intense moments of Saturday’s game at South Florida. With the game on the line, and an opportunity at a game-winning field goal, Golden was all smiles. He had his players jumping around, smiling, waving their arms in the air to get the crowd going. In that instant, Miami had that thing they call swagger. The players believe in him, with or without a bowl.

Even wildly inconsistent NC State has seen some magic from coach Tom O’Brien. Historically, he has been at his best in the second half of the season, and when almost everyone had counted the Pack out of the postseason, they go and play their best game of the year when it mattered most – against No. 7 Clemson. If NC State avoids a letdown against Maryland, O’Brien should at least be considered for the coach of the year award. Nobody wants to hear about injuries, but the truth is, they devastated NC State this year. O’Brien has had a chance to show what his team can do when it’s almost full strength.

It goes without saying, of course, that Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and his staff have done another outstanding job. It hasn’t always been pretty, but the staff continuously finds ways to win, and this weekend the program will be playing for its fifth Coastal Division title. Beamer’s rival, though, London, has arguably done the best coaching job this season. After just four wins last year and questions at quarterback heading into the season, UVa was picked by the media to finish fifth in the Coastal Division.

Now they’re trying to win it.

Yes, there have been some disappointments in the ACC this year, most notably at Boston College and Maryland, but when you take into consideration outside factors such as injuries and suspension, scheduling and staff changes, the ACC coaches this season have won more than they’ve lost.

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s starting to be a pattern here. The biggest problem is going to be choosing one of these guys at the end. Here are your weekly front-runners for the ACC’s top awards:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd: He certainly didn’t play his best game against Wake Forest, throwing two picks and having about five more that could have been intercepted. He was a major factor, though, in getting the Tigers back into the game. Boyd still leads the ACC in passing average per game and total offense. He has completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 3,017 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins: He is the ACC’s top receiver and leads the league in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. He is also second in kick return average and leads the league in all-purpose yards with 187.2 per game. He has 68 catches for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson: He has now had seven straight games with 100 rushing yards, and leads the ACC with 136.1 yards per game. He has 116 broken tackles and 821 yards after contact this year -- that’s 226 more than Alabama’s Trent Richardson. He also has 24 plays this year over 20 yards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Miami linebacker Sean Spence: He has been the anchor of the defense all season and has 83 total tackles (15th nationally), 11.5 tackles for loss (tied for 10th nationally) for 37 yards, three sacks for 23 yards and a forced fumble. No other player at a BCS school has won defensive player of the week honors for their conference three times this season.

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly: He had 18 tackles against NC State last weekend, nine of which came in the final 13 minutes. He also has 10 or more stops in 32 consecutive games. He is one of only four players with 500 or more career tackles since the NCAA began tracking the statistic in 2000.

Duke safety Matt Daniels: Daniels is tied for second nationally in passes defended and tied for third nationally among all defensive backs in tackles per game. Daniels enters this week having made 300 career tackles, including 102 this season, a 10.2tackles per game average which ranks him second among all defenders in the ACC and 15th nationally.

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: He has led the Tigers to their second Atlantic Division title in three years and an undefeated 7-0 record at home this year. It was a remarkable, unexpected turnaround for a team that was 6-7 last year and entered this season with an entirely new offensive system, new coordinator and new starting quarterback.

Virginia coach Mike London: Expectations were low for the Hoos in London’s second season, but he already exceeded them by getting the team to bowl eligibility. Now only two wins stand between Virginia and the Coastal Division title.

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe: Had the Deacs defeated Clemson on the road last weekend, Grobe would have topped the list. He must still be considered at this point, considering how well Wake Forest played against the Tigers, and what a turnaround this season has been for a team that finished 3-9 a year ago. The next step is bowl eligibility.

Those within Clemson’s program don’t seem too surprised to see little ol’ Wake Forest standing in their way of the Atlantic Division championship this weekend. After all, the Tigers weren’t exactly expected to win the division, either.

“Well, we were 6-7 last year, and we were a long way away from competing for the division,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “You know, that's just college football.”

It’s true: Both of these teams have been surprises this year. Wake Forest, though, was 3-9 in 2010, and picked by the media in July to finish last in the Atlantic Division. Ask Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, and even he will tell you he’s a little bit surprised to see his Deacs trailing only No. 9-ranked Clemson in the division standings heading into Saturday’s game at Death Valley.

“I really thought we were going to be a better football team, but I knew our schedule was really, really tough,” Grobe said. “That's our biggest issue right now. We're better, but we're playing so many great teams every week, it's hard to catch your breath sometimes. But I knew we'd be better. I didn't expect that we'd be this late in the season and still have a chance to win the division.”

That’s exactly what opportunity awaits, though, as Wake Forest heads to Clemson on Saturday for a game that could put the Deacs in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic Division. Wake Forest has not won in Death Valley since 1998, and Clemson has won each of the past five games against the Deacs there, outscoring them 205-73 in the process. Despite the history of the series, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch said the Tigers learned a lesson from their Oct. 29 loss to Georgia Tech: To expect every opponents’ best shot and not to take anyone lightly -- including the smallest school in the BCS.

“Wake Forest was young last year, but we knew when we played them last year that they had a lot of talent,” said Branch. “Those players are just maturing now. We don’t want to take any opponent lightly. They’ve always had talent, but at the same time they were young at certain spots. They have a veteran O-line, and that’s where it all starts, in the trenches.”

Despite Wake’s success this year, the Deacs are facing an uphill battle against a Clemson team that ranks among the top 15 in the country in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Tigers had a bye week to rest and regroup from their lone loss of the season, while Wake Forest is coming off its only back-to-back losses of the season -- an uncharacteristic turnover-filled performance against North Carolina and a respectable loss to a talented Notre Dame team.

Regardless of what outsiders expect, Wake Forest receiver Chris Givens said the Deacs can leave Death Valley with a win.

“We’re pretty confident,” Givens said. “Clemson is a great team, and they’re doing great things this year, but we feel like we’re a good team as well. If we put all of the parts together on Saturday and play how we’re capable of playing, it should be a good game.”

One thing these two teams have in common? A win over Florida State, which was easily Wake Forest’s biggest win of the season. Wake Forest is 1-18 all-time against ranked Clemson teams, and Grobe is 0-3 against them.

Still, it’s a far cry from where the program was at this time a year ago -- 2-8 with just one ACC win.

“It's nice to have something to play for,” Grobe said. “Last year, we were out of so many games by halftime, so young. We're still a pretty young football team. But it's nice to have something to play for. I think the thing that keeps your feet on the ground is knowing how talented Clemson is.”

Wake Forest isn’t exactly a pushover. The Deacs have the No. 32 passing offense in the country, and the ACC’s leader in receiving yards per game in Givens.

“They're a good program, incredibly well coached, and if you look at their roster, they redshirt just about everybody,” Swinney said. “They were very young in some spots last year, and a lot of those guys are just growing up. They do a great job with teaching their system and developing guys within their program. They have a lot of pride in the program. So I'm not surprised at all. Wake is a team that can line up and beat anybody on any given day.”

This Saturday, though, is the one that could mean the most -- for both teams.

We’ve got a new name this week. It’s time to give Duke safety Matt Daniels the credit he deserves. Welcome to The List, No. 40.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd: The No. 9 Tigers can clinch the Atlantic Division on Saturday with a win over Wake Forest, and Boyd is a big reason. Boyd leads the ACC in passing average per game with 297.1 yards and is fourth in passing efficiency (154.8). He has 25 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins: He’s been invaluable this year, and Watkins is only a true freshman. He leads the ACC in all-purpose yards with 186.1 yards per game, leads with seven receptions per game, is second in receiving yards per game, is second in the league in kick return average and is tied for fifth in scoring. There’s no question he’s one of the best players in the country.

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson: He’s on track for a record-setting season and leads the ACC in rushing yards per game with 131.8, and has seven touchdowns. He has surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark eight times in nine games this season. His 1,185 yards are the most of any running back in the FBS.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly: He ranks sixth on the NCAA’s FBS career list for tackles with 491. (The NCAA’s list only dates back to 2000.) Kuechly has an NCAA-leading streak of 31 straight games with 10 or more tackles. He also has 8.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He leads the nation with 150 tackles and 16.67 per game.

Miami linebacker Sean Spence: He is the ACC’s active career leader in tackles for loss with 44, and ranks 15th nationally in tackles with 10.38 per game. He also has three sacks and leads the ACC in tackles for loss per game with 1.5.

Duke safety Matt Daniels: He ranks tied for second in the nation in passes defended (15) and passes broken up (13). He is tied for second nationally in tackles among defensive backs with 93, and leads all ACC defensive backs in tackles. He had one of his best games against a nationally ranked Virginia Tech team, with 13 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups.

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: The Tigers are 8-1, the ACC’s highest-ranked team in the BCS standings at No. 9, and can clinch the Atlantic Division on Saturday with a home win over Wake Forest. It’s a surprise turnaround after last year’s 6-7 finish.

Virginia coach Mike London: The Hoos are bowl eligible for the first time since 2007, and can win the Coastal Division by winning the final three games of the regular season. There’s no question this team has overachieved in London’s second season.

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe: The Deacs were 3-9 a year ago, and now they’re playing Clemson for the lead in the Atlantic Division standings. One more win, and Wake Forest will be bowl eligible.

Jonas Gray said Brian Kelly told Notre Dame at the beginning of the week to go out and win the ACC. Foreshadowing? Let's not get even started ...

The Irish travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., this weekend for the first of three straight games against ACC opponents. Wake Forest is -- by far -- the most formidable of the bunch. Some people not too long ago even thought the Demon Deacons could knock off Notre Dame. (Though, to be fair, said writer did warn about a potential flip-flop.)

I would not expect the Irish to overlook their opposition this week, not with the loss to USC and the ensuing chaos that took place off-the-field having happened just two weeks earlier. But Wake Forest does have its strong points; namely, its passing attack, which ranks 30th nationally. The Deacs also made this a night game, and the atmosphere inside the 31,000-plus seat BB&T Field should be a hostile and intimate one.

But Notre Dame is too strong and too deep. Wake Forest, as ACC blogger Heather Dinich pointed out, has a small defensive line, one facing an Irish front that has not allowed a sack since September. On the other side, the Deacs may be down to just one healthy running back, possibly forcing coach Jim Grobe to burn the redshirt of freshman Orville Reynolds nine games into the season. Their rushing offense is only 106th in the nation to begin with.

The wear and tear has shown in the second half, during which Wake Forest has been outscored 141-101 this season. Taking that a step further, the Deacs have been outscored 93-37 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Don't be surprised if this is close at halftime, but Notre Dame will simply overpower its hosts in the final 30 minutes.

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Wake Forest 17