Heather Dinich

  (1:00 PM)

Hey guys, I'm here. And no, the ACC schedule is not. Let's get started.

JoeNolesBest (Greensboro, NC)

Heather,how much of a difference do you think it is now for FSU that these top recruiting classes are for the most part staying in school. Year after year FSU would have top 10 classes and yet they were always young because 10 of the guys would not make it past their first year in school. This year, FSU has 41 juniors or seniors, this to me a huge difference between the previous years and 2012.

Heather Dinich

  (1:01 PM)

Well, I think we have to wait a few years to see if that really holds true, but I also think it speaks volumes about the confidence in the program that so many key guys decided to stick around this year for one more season.

gacanefan (Canton, GA)

When will the ACC release the date for the 2012 schedule?

Heather Dinich

  (1:02 PM)

Now that West Virginia has backed out of its contract with Florida State, I would assume the league is waiting for the Noles to fill that spot before it goes ahead with the final version.

Adam (DC)

Heather, what do you think of VT's running back situation? I have heard alot of talk about Michael Holmes, people in practice say he is a stud? Also the incoming freshmen? Maybe Wilson leaving doesn't hurt AS BAD as previously thought....

Heather Dinich

  (1:03 PM)

We're not going to know how much it hurts the Hokies until the summer. Spring will give some guys a chance to make a statement, but I think the summer will hold more answers.

Bryan (Auburn University)

Heather, do you forsee the ACC's move to nine games forcing all the major conferences (even mine, the horror! How will we live without facing Southwest Alabama College RiverRats!?!) to go to nine games? On a related note, will 14 team conferences make the NCAA add a game or two to the regular season?

Heather Dinich

  (1:05 PM)

Yeah, Bryan, I would think it would eventually lean in that nine-game direction, and -- to answer your second question -- I don't think the NCAA would add another regular season game. The university presidents would have a problem with that. The only change I would see to the amount of games would be if a playoff system emerged.

Peter E. (Miami, FL)

Heather,As a Cane fan, I can't help but feel encouraged by what AG has done especially with the way he closed on NSD. I'm excited to see Duke and Tracy next year but I don't want to invest too much given that the sanctions still haven't been announced. WHEN will this finally take place? I just want to move on already!

Heather Dinich

  (1:06 PM)

Everyone wants to move on. It's been more than two years for Carolina. Who's to say it won't take that long for Miami? I have no idea. Al Golden has no idea. I wish I had an answer for you.

MIKE (PRIME)

Will NC State have a break thru year and make it to the ACCCG?

Heather Dinich

  (1:09 PM)

I think the Wolfpack will definitely make a run for it and be in the race in November. I have contemplated going out on a limb this year and picking them as Atlantic Division champs, but FSU and Clemson just have so much talent, it's hard to ignore.

Luke C (VA)

Heather, what changes do you expect to see in the Hokies Offense and playbook this year? Do you think OC Brian Stinespring will have as much of a say in the playcalling this year?

Heather Dinich

  (1:10 PM)

How many changes in the Hokies' offense have you seen under Beamer? I think some of it will depend on what develops out of the running game this offseason.

Brent (Shalimar, FL)

Does Duke show Cutcliffe the door if they don't make a bowl game this year?

Heather Dinich

  (1:11 PM)

I would be surprised, but it depends on how the season unfolds.

WAYNE (SAFETY HARBOR, FL)

outside Frank Beamer which HC can you see staying for a very long period of time at the same school

Heather Dinich

  (1:12 PM)

Off the top of my head, I'd guess Mike London. He is really at home in that state.

Ida (Liketoknow, Wyoming)

What's your middle name. The name plate says it starts with and A. Come on now, be nice.

Heather Dinich

  (1:13 PM)

You guys don't miss a thing. It stands for adorable, of course.

Peter E. (Miami, FL)

Okay, no new developments on Nevingate. How about the development of our players? Under RS, I didn't see much but then again we had a revolving door of coordinators and coaches. This will be the second year with this staff. How will their success at Temple translate here?

Heather Dinich

  (1:14 PM)

I don't think we'll know until THIS current recruiting class has a few years under the staff. It's really the first full, hand-picked class they've had to work with. Let's wait and see what they can do with it.

MATT (MD)

LIES HD, LIES

Heather Dinich

  (1:15 PM)

Lol.

tim (charlottesville)

How many conference games do you think the hoos will win?

Heather Dinich

  (1:15 PM)

Enough to get to a bowl game, not enough to win the division.

LEADER > JUDGE (ACCYLUM)

ACC bottom dwellers for 2012: Maryland and Duke. Agree?

Heather Dinich

  (1:16 PM)

I had Boston College and Duke in my latest power rankings. BC and Maryland are a toss-up. Both of those programs are going to be better. How much is the question. BC returns almost everyone from last year.

Justin (Wv)

Do you think David Wilson is overrated? He is a freak athlete but lacks true vision on the field

Heather Dinich

  (1:18 PM)

I don't think he's overrated, but I definitely don't think he's reached his full potential. There were games I thought Lamar Miller was better, but there were also times when Wilson had the wow factor.

HoraceTheDeuce (The ACCylum)

Maryland lost a recruit to Liberty. That is all.

Heather Dinich

  (1:19 PM)

This is true. But it was a personal decision with family ties ... or something.

Caleb (Milton, FL)

Best running back in the ACC now is...? Best QB?

Heather Dinich

  (1:20 PM)

I think you'd have to start with Giovani Bernard at UNC, but don't forget about Montel Harris at BC. Will be interesting to see how he looks this spring.

Mike (Raleigh)

You love the cHokies so much...so let's hear what we all already know you think: Better QB - Logan Thomas or Mike Glennon?

Heather Dinich

  (1:21 PM)

Purely based on last season, I'd say Logan Thomas.

ACCylum OWNER (The ACCylum)

might EJ be everything that he was hyped to be last year, or was he just overhyped?

Heather Dinich

  (1:21 PM)

I think it was a combo of things ... the offensive line problems and his shoulder injury early didn't help matters. I think he'll be better this year.

The A stands for AWESOME!! (ACCylum)

Zesty chat today HD, love it. Give me a name of someone who I don't know now but will definitely know by the end of the season.

Heather Dinich

  (1:24 PM)

Steele Divitto, BC. I might learn to spell his name right by then, too. Put in a lot of work on his own at LB this winter.

Nathan (Manassas, VA)

Will we see more of Clemson's linebacker haul from last year (Stephone Anthony, Tony Steward, Lateek Townsend, and BJ Goodson) in 2012?

Heather Dinich

  (1:25 PM)

Yes, definitely a position group worth watching this offseason. Just talked to their SID about that group today.

117 Southmain (The ACCylm)

Will the ACC make a statement on the national scene next year or will it be same old, same ole?

Heather Dinich

  (1:26 PM)

I'm in a good mood today. I'm going with statement.

Don G.L. (East, ME)

What's you opinion of the severity of the GT texting violations?

Heather Dinich

  (1:27 PM)

To me, it was a minor violation. Problem is, GT was already on probation when it occurred. How that factors in is the key I think.

Corey (BC)

With the addition of Doug Martin, the return of Montel Harris, most of the O-Line returning, and most if not all the WR returning, do you see BC at least going back to a bowl game in 2012?? If so, which one??

Heather Dinich

  (1:28 PM)

Yes, I think BC should get to a bowl game for the reasons you mentioned, but I think it will be a mid-to-lower tier bowl.

MD Hokie Fan (Maryland)

Once again you have a Florida school as #1 in your pre-season power rankings. Funny that they don't wind up there at the end of the season. Don't you think that you give them WAY too much credit before the games begin?

Heather Dinich

  (1:30 PM)

What if instead I'm giving them exactly as much credit as they deserve and they've come up short on their end? I think it's hard not to give them credit when they've got so much talent and experience returning. It's up to them to make something of it. No excuses this year.

Màtt (Edgefield, SC)

Heather, love the blog and thanks for all the effort you out in. Any word that you are getting on how Bellamy is doing since his return? Also, I know front lines are the big question mark going into season but I'm still seeing 10each wins as a real possibility. Your thoughts?

Heather Dinich

  (1:31 PM)

Thanks, Matt. Last I heard, Bellamy is day-to-day with whether or not he chooses to be in Swinney's dog house. He's on the team, though, so that's the good news. I think Clemson's entire season hinges on three new starters on both lines.

Matthew (Boston)

Heather, you have been fairly defensive of Frank Spaziani and while I completely disagree, I'm curious what you think he needs to accomplish this year to show he's not in over his head. Spaz is in his fourth year as HC and well over a decade at the school, so he completely owns the program at this point. BC won 8+ games for a 10 year period before Spaz, so I think it's very reasonable to think he needs to win at least 8 this year (i.e., limping into a bowl at 6-6 isn't good enough). What do you think?

Heather Dinich

  (1:33 PM)

I think eight wins sounds like a fair benchmark, Matthew. To me what he needs to do is get the offense to show marginal improvement. Did he make the right hire? Will Chase Rettig make enough progress? The defense hasn't been a problem. Spaz knows defense. It's the other side that needs to make big strides this year. Hot seat? Yeah.

Clemson Fan (Columbus, Ohio)

Heather, do ypu believe there is any truth to the rumors aboout Clemson and FSU and being considered for an expanded Big 12? Can you confirm if there has been any behind the scene conversations with these schools and the Big 12? Why is the reason behind the new athletic review group Clemson has just put together?

Heather Dinich

  (1:34 PM)

If you guys don't see it in the blog, it hasn't had enough validity to it.

Bryan (Mocksville, NC)

Heather, help me be prepared for UNC to beat NCSU this year. I will hate to see it happen but the streak has to end sometime. Will it happen this year. I've got a bad feeling about it. Also State won on my wedding day last year..what a way to celebrate.

Heather Dinich

  (1:36 PM)

Lol what are you doing scheduling a wedding on a fall Saturday? :) I don't know, I go back and forth on that one. You'd THINK UNC would stop the losing streak this year, but TOB obviously has more in place. Right this second, based on what we know now, I'd have to pick the Pack.

Luis (Tampa, FL)

Larry Fedora = great hire or just decent hire for UNC?

Heather Dinich

  (1:37 PM)

Too early to tell.

Mike (Albuquerque, NM)

Ej Manuel has a chance to finish 4-0 in bowl games with wins already over west Virginia south Carolina and notre dame. He also has beat Florida and Clemson. Why do people still question wether he can win? If fans of other teams don't want to hear the hype about FSU then your teams should start winning some bowl games

Heather Dinich

  (1:37 PM)

Zing!

Emily (Columbus, Oh)

Hi HD!Tell me something to look forward to this season being a Wake Forest fan.

Heather Dinich

  (1:39 PM)

I'd say Tanner Price, for sure. He was one of the most improved players in the league last year. Plus, Jim Grobe usually gets more out of his teams than most expect.

Trevor (Lakeland, FL)

Hey Heather...one word to describe each of these players...Duke Johnson, Tracy Howard, Deon Bush, Mario Edwards, Jamies Winston.

Heather Dinich

  (1:39 PM)

Future.

Paul (Trenton, GA)

Paul Johnson makes me yearn for the days of Chan Gailey. You too HD?

Heather Dinich

  (1:40 PM)

Lol ... curious to hear what other GT fans have to say about that. Paul Johnson is a good coach. Very smart guy. Question is whether he can recruit as well as he can call plays.

Patrick (Washington, DC)

Hey Mike im Albuquerque- how many ACC titles has EJ won though?

Heather Dinich

  (1:41 PM)

Don't make me separate you guys today ...

Trey (Atlanta)

HD, Great Blog! Can you give me a Worst/Best case scenario for Georgia Tech this upcoming season?

Heather Dinich

  (1:42 PM)

Best case scenario is obviously they win the game against VT to determine the Coastal winner. Worst case is they don't make a bowl game, but to me, it would be even more painful if they DO make a bowl game and don't win it. Again.

H-O-K-I-E-S Winning! (Blacksburg)

GT to open the season, ideal scenario for the Hokies. For GT, not so much. Bring it on!

Heather Dinich

  (1:42 PM)

Would love to see it. Great way to start the season, unless you're those two teams.

Peter (Houston, TX)

HD, have you ever thought to do a post on how ACC teams fare in terms of combine numbers? FSU and Miami are both known for producing "freaks". Any predictions on who will shine in this year's combine?

Heather Dinich

  (1:43 PM)

Over the past two years or so the ACC has produced one of the combine's fastest players. You guys know I'm not an NFL scouting expert, but I'd look out for T.J. Graham on that one.

Pulitzer (Pottsville, PA)

So you have had tough interviews with Bobby Knight, and JoePA, what has been the toughest interview while covering ACC?

Heather Dinich

  (1:44 PM)

Lol ... Gary Williams. ACC football coaches aren't quite that ... volatile?

vtman09 (Kicking in the Front Seat)

I don't agree with H-O-K-I-E-S Winning!. I think the game would be sick, but I'd rather play GT later in the season....

Heather Dinich

  (1:45 PM)

Nah, if you're a VT fan, I'd think you'd want the whole summer to get ready to defend that offense, no?

bravoNole (ACCylum)

FSU Fan here HD, I think we'll still loose to Clemson this year. Dabo is such a great coach. He motivates and inspires me.

Heather Dinich

  (1:45 PM)

It's almost Valentine's Day, not April Fool's, right?

Chris (DC)

While the ACC has produced some beasts at the combine, they rarely have produced national titles or BCS wins. Does that come down to poor coaching then?

Heather Dinich

  (1:46 PM)

Ah, we go through this all the time. Yeah, some of it has to do with poor coaching, but some of it also has to do with coaching turnover, other guys not panning out. There are lots of factors.

David (Raleigh)

Do QB's stop throwing to Amerson next season?

Heather Dinich

  (1:47 PM)

Uh, yeah. Jayron Hosley is a great example. The list goes on.

VTIgloo (ACCylum Top Floor)

Danny Coale still caught that TD pass.

Heather Dinich

  (1:47 PM)

And WVU just scored again.

Charles (Niceville, FL)

How does Jimbo Fisher plan to improve FSU's running game? It was horrid last year. Do we need better RBs? Or is it completely the o-line's fault?

Heather Dinich

  (1:49 PM)

It's usually never completely anyone's fault. The RB's missed some assignments last year and had some errors, but yeah, the offensive line is the key.

Adam (New Hartford, NY)

Which current ACC QB will be drafted the highest in the NFL?

Heather Dinich

  (1:50 PM)

I think our NFL draft guys had Mike Glennon as the leader a week or two ago.

Ryan (Clemson)

ACC championship 2012. Who is in it?

Heather Dinich

  (1:51 PM)

Same as last week -- and 2010 -- Virginia Tech and Florida State.

Mike (Raleigh)

Glennon is the leading pro prospect but Logan Thomas is better!?Only you, Heather! Unbelievable!

Heather Dinich

  (1:52 PM)

If Russell Wilson were still in the ACC I bet he'd be the best QB but not the best pro prospect because of his height.

Inigo Montoya (You killed my father, prepare to die)

VT's strength of schedule next year: Better, worse, same?

Heather Dinich

  (1:53 PM)

About the same.

Mateo ( o Y o )

Speaking of the ACC championship, how long is the contract with Charlotte?

Heather Dinich

  (1:54 PM)

Set for 2012 and 2013. I think it will be the permanent home.

Jabari (Atlanta)

Heather you seem to be high on clemson for some strange reason. Remember when I asked you during their 8-0 start would they slow down once the tape got out on their offensive scheme? I told you they would struggle and sure enough they did. Clemson will struggle again this year and you can mark it down. Also look for my Noles to finally get over the hump and beat everyone like they should.

Heather Dinich

  (1:56 PM)

If by "some strange reason" you mean 1,000-yard rusher, 1,000-yard receiver and 3,000-yard passer, then, yeah, you're probably right. And it wasn't a matter of defenses "figuring them out," it was a matter of turnovers and immaturity on a young team.

ACCylum OWNER (The ACCylum)

Has VT's disappointing Bowl performance caused the ACC to be excluded from a second BCS big again?

Heather Dinich

  (1:58 PM)

I wouldn't say the ACC is locked out, but it would have to be a no-brainer scenario.

Adam (New Hartford, NY)

VT's performance wasn't disappointing, only the result.

Heather Dinich

  (1:59 PM)

Yeah I don't think that was a bad game for the Hokies. It was a respectable loss. But again, Michigan was nothing to brag about that day.

Ron (SC)

But VT wasn't the embarressment, the ACC champ was!

Heather Dinich

  (2:00 PM)

The entire bowl record was, Ron.

Heather Dinich

  (2:01 PM)

Ok guys, my time is up here. Thanks as usual for joining me this week. See you on Valentine's Day!xoxoxoHeather Ann