Mon, 27 October 2008  The final podcast -- Patrick and Q figure getting out now is a good idea since neither one can figure out what the hell is happening in ACC football. Three ranked teams lost two weekends ago. That meant three different ACC teams were ranked and then two of them lost this past weekend. Virginia is in control of it's own destiny, a few short weeks after being declared the worst team in the conference. Wake and Virginia Tech, the favorites by some to play for the ACC title, have no offense. Carolina appeared to have no offense, then found it against Boston College. Florida State may be back. And Miami isn't out of the picture. And on and on and on. With each new week, things just get crazier. Will Ojanen joins the guys to reveal his new blogging location. He also gives his thoughts on player and coach of the year, plus which basketball coaches are on the hot seat. Speaking of basketball, Dan Bonner joins the guys to discuss ACC hoops. Dan doesn't think there is such a thing as too much talent, a problem some think North Carolina may have. He also isn't sold on Duke or Wake. Comments[0] |
Tue, 21 October 2008 Patrick and Q wonder what the heck happened in ACC football this
past weekend. It started with three teams ranked and ended the same
way, but they weren't the same three teams.
Patrick has issues with squirrels and Heather Dinich. Q has issues with Cullen Harper. The first BCS rankings are available and two ACC teams made an appearance in the top 25. The ACC Basketball Handbook is out and the must-read for the ACC hoops fan lists its preseason rankings. No surprise that North Carolina is No 1, but the guys think the teams ranked two through six could finish in any order. And Q names his surprise teams of the season. The guys also have an announcement at the end of the show you'll want to stick around for -- say it ain't so. Comments[0] |
Mon, 13 October 2008 Guests: Jim Young of ACCSports.com and Bill of Eagle in Atlanta
0:28 -- Opening 6:16 -- Jim Young of the ACC Sports Journal and ACCSports.com joins the guys to talk about Tommy Bowden getting the boot at Clemson and Brandon Tate's injury that not only ends his season, but ends his career at North Carolina. 22:17 -- Patrick and Q give their thoughts on Bowden and Clemson football. 30:37 -- Matt's alive 35:11 -- ACC Nation football power poll 42:36 -- Beat the Blogger with Bill from Eagle in Atlanta and Steve from Seattle 1:04:53 -- Listener call from Chris in Oklahoma 1:09:49 -- Closing Comments[0] |
Wed, 8 October 2008 Guests: J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com, Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel and Brad Hargreaves of GoCrossCampus.com. 0:32 -- Opening 3:12 -- J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com gives us the line on this weekend's ACC games, plus handicaps the Clemson at Wake and Notre Dame at UNC games. 14:35 -- Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel talks some FSU football with Patrick 29:07 --Brad Hargreaves tells us all about the ACC tournament at GoCrossCampus.com. 36:11 -- Kurt from Tampa calls the Buzz Line with his thoughts on why the SEC is overrated.Comments[0] |
Mon, 6 October 2008 Guests: Woody Durham, Voice of the Tar Heels; Larry Williams, Clemson beat writer for the Post and Courier; and Rob Mahini of the Good Ol' Blog 0:32 -- Opening: Can Patrick still claim the LA Dodgers as his team? 5:10 -- Weekly poll: Would you rather root for a college football team that wins just one game in a season, but that game is against your biggest rival; or a team that loses just one game, again to your biggest rival? 8:07 -- Listener call: Chris from Oklahoma talks FSU football 10:19 - ACC Nation Power Poll 14:34 -- Caulton Tudor thinks Carolina can run the table? Patrick doesn't think it can happen. 19:12 -- More ACC football talk 24:50 -- Listener call: Greg from Atlanta weighs in on Duke, Wake and UNC football 31:08 -- Woody Durham, Voice of the Tar Heels 46:03 -- Larry Williams, Clemson beat writer for the Post and Courier 1:00:19 -- Beat the Blogger with Rob of the Good Ol' Blog 1:19:24 -- ClosingComments[0] |
Wed, 1 October 2008 J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com gives us the lines for the ACC football games this coming weekend plus his picks for Duke at Georgia Tech and Florida State at Miami. Also, in Beat the Blogger, Michael of Waynesboro, Va., takes on Ben of Dear Old U.Va. Find out which is worse -- Ben's picks or his jokes. Jeff from Wisconsin calls the Buzz Line with his thoughts on FSU football and why Patrick doesn't have a clue when he says Drew Weatherford should be starting at quarterback. And Patrick answers the question -- when was the last time Duke won two ACC games in a row. Plus, he gives a warning to Duke fans excited about the early success of first-year coach David Cutcliffe.Comments[0] |
Mon, 29 September 2008 No guests, so it's just Patrick and Q. The two discuss the ACC Nation power poll, breakdown the Atlantic and Coastal division races and ask "Which ACC team has been the biggest surprise?Also, the guys have three listener calls, including a question about the FSU quarterback situation and another about the mistakes Patrick and Q have made in their jobs as journalists. And you won't want to miss the call from Will Ojanen, the ACCNation.com columnist. He might never live it down. That and more on ACC Nation. Comments[0] |
Wed, 24 September 2008 J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com gives us the lines for the ACC football games this coming weekend and he gives us his play on both the Maryland at Clemson and Virginia Tech at Nebraska games. ' Plus, the Voice of the Yellow Jackets, Wes Durham, gives us his thoughts on Georgia Tech following a big win this past weekend. We also ask Wes -- who doubles as play-by-play announcer for the Falcons -- about former BC quarterback Matt Ryan, now the starter in Atlanta.Comments[0] |
Tue, 23 September 2008 Guests: Ken Tysiac of the News and Observer and the Charlotte Observer; and Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog 0:34 — Opening: Yes, we’re a day late. Sorry 4:54 — Patrick evaluates quarterback play in the ACC? 14:43 — Why didn’t FSU give Drew Weatherford a chance Saturday night? 20:33 — Mike Paulus shouldn’t get all the blame for Carolina’s meltdown against Virginia Tech. 26:14 — ACC Nation Power Poll 27:12 — Ken Tysiac of the News and Observer and Charlotte Observer talks NC State football. 38:02 — SI.com’s Bill Trocchi thinks the ACC is the second-best football conference. 41:31 — ACC Nation poll — Which non-conference win has been the biggest so far by the ACC? 45:11 — Beat the Blogger — Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog vs. Eric of Roanoke, VA., plus we ask Dan about Tony Kornheiser’s return to radio, former Georgia Tech punter and new Jim Zorn whipping boy Durant Brooks and why Ralph Friedgen is responsible for the name of Dan’s blog. 1:04:07 — Closing, including the AP and USA Today weekly polls and UVa. football’s personnel losses over the last year. Comments[0] |
Wed, 17 September 2008 J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com
gives us the line for the ACC football games this coming weekend and he
handicaps the two biggest games of the weekend, Virginia Tech at North
Carolina and Wake Forest at Florida State.Comments[0] |
Mon, 15 September 2008 Guests: Mike Maniscalco of 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, N.C.; Travis Wells of WDBJ TV 7 in Roanoke, VA; and Bud of TomahawkNation.com 0:29 -- Opening: Baby shower and ACC fantasy football updates. 9:30 -- Does this past weekend erase the first two for ACC football? 15:47 -- Mike Maniscalco of 99.9 The Fan: UNC, Duke and NC State football, plus which game excites Mike more -- Wake at FSU or VT at Carolina? 30:47 -- UVa. fans aren't happy with Al Groh, but should he be on the hot seat? 39:24 -- Patrick and Q take a very early look at the ACC player-of-the-year race. 45:10 -- Three ACC teams are in the two major college football polls. 46:42 -- Has the Coastal Division made up ground on the Atlantic Division? 48:40 -- Travis Wells of WDBJ TV 7: Is Virginia Tech Tyrod Taylor's team now, plus more on the Hokies as they get ready for North Carolina this weekend. 55:33 -- Listener question: Jeff of Cary, NC, asks Patrick and Q if they agree with booing of college athletes. What do you think? Take our poll and leave us a comment. 1:04:40 -- Can Duke be a bowl team this season? 1:08:56 -- Bud from Tomahawk Nation vs. Chris from Oklahoma. 1:38:31 -- Closing Comments[0] |
Wed, 10 September 2008 Guests: Johnny Holliday, the Voice of the Maryland Terrapins; and J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com 0:34-- Opening: Clemson's Cullen Harper may not be healthy, Virginia's Peter Lalich won't be in Connecticut this week for the Cavaliers' game and Miami is short one running back for the next few weeks. 13:26 -- The Voice of the Terps, Johnny Holliday, joins Patrick to talk about Maryland football, as well as his other job as Washington Nationals studio host and announcer. 30:19 -- The ACC has announced the site of the 2009 ACC baseball tournament 31:43 -- J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com gives us the spreads for this weekend's ACC games and his picks for both UNC at Rutgers and Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech. 44:45 -- ClosingComments[0] |
Mon, 8 September 2008 Guests: Eric Prisbell, Washington Post; Adam Lucas, Tar Heel
Monthly; Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel; Marcus of the ACC Football
Report; and Steve Martin of Raycom Sports 0:51 -- Opening 2:26 -- Listener call: Stephen from North Carolina 6:54 -- Listener e-mail: Steve from Seattle 12:35 -- Eric Prisbell of the Washington Post talking Maryland football 21:28 -- UVa., Duke, N.C. State and Boston College 28:18 -- Adam Lucas of Tar Heel Monthly talking UNC football 34:03 -- Steve Martin, ACC football play-by-play announcer 46:08 -- Miami, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Clemson 54:56 -- Andrew Carter of the Orlando Sentinel talking FSU football 1:06:55 -- Wake Forest 1:11:47 -- Listener call: Greg from Atlanta 1:12:20 -- Beat the Blogger (Marcus of the ACC Football Report vs. Brent from North Carolina) 1:28:45 -- ClosingComments[0] |
Wed, 3 September 2008 Patrick talks with J. Diggs, who handicaps games for NovaSportsPicks.com.
Diggs gives us the lines on ACC games this week, plus gives his picks on both the Northwestern at Duke and Georgia Tech at Boston College games. Comments[0] |
Mon, 1 September 2008 0:37 -- Opening: A couple of ACC football coaches are welcomed back to the hot seat, while Patrick tries to stay positive (hint -- he has mixed results). Plus, Patrick discusses his conflict Saturday when it came to choosing between Bill Rosinski and the USC Song Girls. 7:25 -- Patrick finally gets positive as the guys talk about wins by Wake, Miami and Georgia Tech Thursday night. 11:19 -- The guys discuss Duke's big win Saturday 16:46 -- Greg from Atlanta and Greg's dad call the Buzz Line with their take on Duke's win over JMU. 22:03 -- More positive: Boston College beat Kent State, although the Boston Globe shows why the city is a pro sports town. 24:45 -- Things start going downhill with talk of Maryland and North Carolina, both of which hung on for wins over Division I-AA teams. Maryland has quarterback issues, while UNC has running back problems. 29:12 -- Q goes insane for just a few minutes. 33:00 -- They had to get to it: the ugly. NC State, Virginia and Clemson get crushed, while Virginia Tech loses on, of all things, a special teams play to an ECU team that Patrick things could win the ACC. 44:43 -- FSU has three quarterbacks who might see action this year 46:35 -- The ACC Nation Power Poll 48:29 -- Interview with Adam Gold, host of the morning show on 850 the Buzz in Raleigh, NC. Adam discusses NC State's decision to leave Ben McCauley behind when the Pack went to Canada, plus he gives us his thoughts on football in the triangle. And we ask Adam if Coach K, Roy Williams or someone else will be the USA coach when the Olympics land in London. 1:01:32 -- Beat the Blogger with Zach Smith of the Old Gold and Blog (Wake Forest) and Greg from Atlanta. 1:21:35 -- Closing Comments[0] |
Thu, 28 August 2008 2007 Recap: 6-7 overall, 3-5 ACC, lost 21-14 to Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl What we like best: Offensive line. For those who subscribe to the theory that as an offensive line goes, so goes the entire offense, it may be time to consider this Terrapin offense pretty good. There are still questions at quarterback (Is JordanSteffy the right choice to start?) and running back (Is Morgan Green injured or not?), but there are very few questions up front for theTerps. Scott Burley and Jaimie Thomas will anchor the left side. Burley played through injuries to earn a spot on the All-ACC team last year, while Thomas was also injured most of last year, but should be solid this season. Dan Randolph and Phil Costa (and/or Jack Griffin) could be equally as strong on the right side. And Edwin Williams was picked by the media as All-ACC first-team center this preseason. This unit is not only talented and experienced, but deep, with several players on the depth chart seeing action last year. What we like least: Secondary. This came down to the defensive line or the defensive backs. For some reason, we think the line will be just fine, but the secondary worries us. OK, we like Kevin Barnes. A lot. He just seems to have a nose for the ball. Last year, Barnes had four interceptions and broke up another nine passes, whilefinsihing with 65 tackles. But with Barnes the only returning starter in the unit, It's the rest of the guys around him that worry us. It's not so much that they lack talent, but the experience just isn't there. Nolan Carroll or AnthonyWiseman will likely be the second cornerback , while Terrell Skinner and Jeff Allen will be first-time starters at safety. All have shown flashes, but need to prove they can get the job done on a consistent basis. Carroll andWiseman will be tested often this year as quarterbacks avoid Barnes. If they can prove they're up to the task, the secondary may not be too bad. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 9-3 overall, 5-3 ACC, 3rd in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: This could be a surprise team. The two most banged up teams in college football last year were Northern Illinois and Maryland. And Maryland, despite the plethora of injuries that they suffered last year, still knocked off Rutgers, No. 10 in the country, on the road (and) Boston College, No. 8, at home, so they did play extremely well against the big boys last year. They've got 13 returning starters ... this could be the year they get back (to double-digit wins). Heather Dinich, ESPN.com: With James Franklin coming in and bringing in the West Coast offense, and a receiver like Darrius Heyward-Bey who can really flourish in that system, I think Maryland might be the sleeper in that division. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland head coach, on his decision to bring in James Franklin as offensive coordinator: It's been different. It's been better for me. I felt like I could devote more time to our players and more to organizing our staff. I know you guys will laugh at this, but I was being spread to thin. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Wed, 27 August 2008 On this bonus podcast, Patrick talks with J. Diggs of NovaSportsPicks.com. Diggs, who has been handicapping games for a decade, gives us the line on this weekend's ACC games, plus releases his picks for both the Wake at Baylor game Thursday night and Saturday night's Clemson vs. Alabama showdown. Patrick also has an update on Virginia Tech's quarterbacks and N.C. State's running backs, as well as a few other news items from this week in the ACC.Comments[0] |
Mon, 25 August 2008 0:46 -- Opening: Patrick and Q talk about their fantasy ACC teams, plus could the SEC's recent TV deal hurt Raycom and the ACC? 8:44 -- Listener questions: Which are the top units in the ACC and which coach would you bring to a party? 25:45 -- Around the ACC: Larry Williams of the Post and Courier talks Clemson football, Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel discusses Randy Shannon's decision to suspend Miami quarterback Robert Marve, and Ken Tysiac of the Charlotte Observer and News and Observer gets us ready for NC State at South Carolina. 39:18 -- Beat the Bloggers: Brian of Tar Heel Fan faces off against listener Brian Potere in the first installment of this segment. 1:05:40 -- Closing: The guys wrap up the show with news on N.C. State's starting quarterback and the USA's win in Olympic basketball. Speaking of basketball, the guys ask the question, If he was offered the job, should Roy Williams try to follow Coach K as Olympic basketball coach? Comments[0] |
Sun, 24 August 2008 2007 Recap: 5-7 overall, 3-5 ACC What we like best: Running back. Last year the Wolfpack has two strong running backs in Toney Baker and Andre Brown. When injuries sidelined both, it appeared the Pack's running game was doomed. Welcome in Jamelle Eugene. The almost forgotten Eugene finished the season with 667 yards on 172 carries. He also scored five touchdowns on the ground and another through the air. This season, Brown and Baker return, as does Eugene, who has locked down the top spot on the depth chart after his performance last year. Baker is still recovering from his injury, but all three backs should see carries this year, making this N.C. State's deepest position. What we like least: There was plenty to choose from -- receiver, quarterback, linebacker. But we went with the schedule. State is on the road against South Carolina and Clemson in the first three weeks. The Pack also has East Carolina and South Florida as non-conference games. Then State has to hit the road for three of their final five games and one of the home games is against Wake Forest. Schedule: Aug. 28 -- at South Carolina Patrick's prediction: 6-6 overall, 4-4 ACC, 5th in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: This year N.C. State's got two problems. One, they're inexperienced. They only have 10 returning starters. In fact, they lose 25 lettermen and they only return 28...and they also take on my No. 10-rated schedule in the country. Tom O'Brien, N.C. State head coach on opening with South Carolina: When they (they team) came back in January there was a little buzz about the fact that they knew they were going to be on the first game on ESPN Thursday night against South Carolina. I think it helps you, not only through that strength and conditioning period, but through spring practice there's a since of urgency that they're going to have to be ready to play on national TV. I think that's the benefit of that game. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Thu, 21 August 2008 2007 Recap: 9-4 overall, 5-3 ACC, beat UConn 24-10 in Meinke Car Care Bowl What we like best: Defense. We may get an argument from Clemson and BC fans, but the Wake defense is the best in the conference. Nine starters return, including all three linebackers and four defensive backs. The loss of Jeremy Thompson may hurt up front, but there's not a better group of linebackers in the ACC and the secondary is talented as well. Wake's defense has been known for making the big play. Last season, Aaron Curry, a first-team All-ACC pick this preseason who finished last year with 99 tackles and three sacks, returned three of four intercepetions for touchdowns. Meanwhile, cornerback Alphonso Smith also returned three of his eight picks for scores. The offense may get off to a slow start, but they shouldn't have to score many points to win games with this Demon Deacon defense holding down opponents. There is a new coordinator, so it's worth watching if that changes things, but it doesn't appear to have affected the team during spring and fall practice. What we like least: Offensive line. Stan Cotten, the Voice of the Deacons, called this unit a work in progress. That seems about right. All-ACC center Steve Justice graduated, as did Matt Brim and Louis Frazier, and guard Chris DeGeare is gone due to academics. Jim Grobe is a master of replacing parts and not missing a beat, but that skill will be put to the test with this unit. Schedule: Aug. 28 -- at Baylor Patrick's prediction: 11-1 overall, 7-1 ACC, 1st in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: David Glenn, editor of the ACC Area Sports Journal and ACCSports.com: When you've got basically your whole defense back, punter, kicker, quarterback, tailback -- those are the positions that keep people up at night, coaches scratching their heads, and Wake, for Jim Grobe, is in great position in all in all of those key areas. Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: It's fun watching their defense take it to the house on a weekly basis. Now, they have benefited from a lot of turnovers, but this is a defense that causes a lot. Jim Grobe, Wake head coach: Well, I don't think we're going to replace (wide receiver) Kenny (Moore). The guy was phenomenal. Every Monday when we started working on game plan, we would find a way to get the ball to Kenny Moore. I don't think it's going to be that way anymore, but I actually think our receiver corp... now they've got to grow up a little bit because we're really young, we don't have a lot of experience, but from a talent standpoint, I think we've got probably better talent than we've had a receiver since I've been here. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Tue, 19 August 2008 2007 Recap: 11-3 overall, 7-1 ACC, beat BC in ACC Championship 30-16, lost to Kansas in Orange Bowl 24-21 What we like best: Offensive line. Heading into last season, the offensive line was the biggest question mark for the Hokies. This year it's one of the few stable units for Virginia Tech. Four starters return and, unlike last season, most won't be forced to move around and adjust to new positions. Ed Wang will be replacing Duane Brown at left tackle, while guards Sergio Render and Nick Marshman and center Ryan Shuman return and appear to be in better shape than a season ago. With questions at running back and a quarterback battle still being waged, a solid o-line will be important for offensive success in Blacksburg. What we like least: Wide receiver. This was a question mark before Brandon Dillard was hurt and Zach Luckett was suspended. Now Tech will likely start a true freshman and a redshirt freshman at receiver with two more freshmen and a converted quarterback will be backing them up. That's a lot of inexperience. From everything we've heard this fall, the freshmen are talented and playing well, but until they step on the field for a real game there will be plenty of questions. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 11-1 overall, 7-1 ACC, 1st in Coastal Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: I went with Virginia Tech (to win the Coastal Division). Is Frank Beamer still the head coach? Yes he is. Is Bud Foster still the defensive coordinator? Yes he is. Is Beamer still coaching special teams? Yes. It doesn't matter that they have 10 returning starters. This team is going to be one of the top teams in the ACC. Sean Glennon, VT quarterback: My goal is to be taking every snap. If you ask any competitor, they want to be on the field as much as possible. I think someone would be lying to you if they said they were perfectly fine with it (switching off). You want to be taking every snap and that's my goal ... if the coaches decide that a two-quarterback system is the best way to go --is going to win us the most games -- then that's fine and I'll do what I can when I'm in there, but I'm approaching this year like I'm going to take every snap and I'm the guy out there. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Mon, 18 August 2008 Bill Rosinski, who calls college games for ISP and NFL games for Westwood One, joins Patrick this week to discuss his first game this season, USC at UVa., as well as the NFL futures of Matt Ryan and Chris Long, the importance of the Clemson-Alabama game and his golf outing with Patrick. Also this week, -- Q is out sick and Patrick wonders what caused his illness; -- Maryland names a starting quarterback; -- A listener wants to know if there is a big disparity between the ACC's divisions; -- Virginia Tech has more problems at wide receiver; -- Another listener calls in to ask, What is a Wahoo?; -- The AP releases its preseason poll (and so does Playboy); And more on this week's podcast. Comments[0] |
Sun, 17 August 2008 2007 Recap: 4-8 overall, 3-5 ACC.
What we like best: Receivers. Hakeem Nicks was voted preseason first-team All-ACC by the media after a Carolina single-season record 74 receptions. He also finished with 958 yards and five touchdowns for the Tar Heels. But while Nicks gets most of the press, he has some help. Brandon Tate can go deep (he averaged more than 19 yards a catch last year) and Brooks Foster can also be a weapon. The unit is also deep and is not used to playing with T.J. Yates, which should help the Carolina passing game this year. What we like least: Inexperience. The offense is banking on a quarterback who threw 18 interceptions last year and missed the spring with an injury and a running back who moved from receiver late last season and, while impressive, only played the position for two games, one of which was Duke. The defense should be solid, but has a new coordinator. Connor Barth is gone and it's uncertain who the new kicker will be. Carolina is coming off a year where it finished 4-8 and didn't win a game on the road. Maybe this team is ready to live up to the preseason hype, but they have much to prove to make us believe Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 6-6 overall, 4-4 ACC, 3rd in the Coastal Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: David Glenn, editor of the ACC Area Sports Journal and ACCSports.com: The Tar Heels have a chance to be very good and to make that leap folks are talking about from 4-8, but I'll believe it when I see it on the offensive side of the ball because the Heels have been very inconsistent on that side. Heather Dinich, ESPN.com: I think the talent is there. If the rest of the Coastal Division didn't have so many question marks, I don't think people would be talking about North Carolina this early like that. I think they're still a year or two away from being a legitimate contender for the Coastal Division title. Butch Davis, UNC head coach: Certainly the success of your football team is going to hinge around how well does your quarterback play and how healthy does your football team stay ... I think we're a better football team right now today. I think we're better coaches, we understand our players much better. It's still a process and we're still not where we'd like to be at somewhere in the future, but we're closing in. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Thu, 14 August 2008 2007 Recap: 11-3 overall, 6-2 ACC, lost to Virginia Tech 30-16 in the ACC championship game and beat Michigan State 24-21 in the Champs Sports Bowl. What we like best: The defense. Well, at least the front seven, which should be solid, despite losing more than half of the starters off of a unit that ranked third in total defense and first in rushing defense in the ACC. But two players return that could be key for the Eagles. Linebacker Brian Toal redshirted last year as he recovered from an injured shoulder and defensive tackle B.J. Raji returns after sitting out last year to improve his academic standing. In 2006, Raji had 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, while Toal had 50 tackles, including 29 solo. Ron Brace will join Raji along the line to form one of the better tackle combos in the conference -- maybe in the country -- while defensive end Alex Albright will also return after missing the final two games last year with a broken arm. That makes for a very good d-line, while the return of Toal should make the linebackers solid as well. The secondary is a question, but the front seven are good enough to keep BC in games. What we like least: Running back. The top two rushers from a year ago, Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth, are gone, most likely leaving the job to freshman Josh Haden, who graduated high school early and entered BC for the spring semester. Haden rushed for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns as a high-school senior. He is a bit small at 5-9, 190 pounds and his ability to break tackles has been called into question, but he can run a 4.4 40 making him tough to catch if the offensive line can open some holes. I think the future is bright for Haden, but I'm not sure if he's ready to handle the entire load this coming season. Jeff Smith will also get some time at running back after making a surprise return to the Eagles. Smith was thought to be done after suffering a concussion, but he's been working out this fall and looks good to go. Razzie Smith has also moved to running back from the secondary and the BC staff continues to shuffle players around to give the position depth. Still, the job will mostly fall to Haden and until we see how the true freshman performs in a real game I'm not sold on the Eagles at running back. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 5-7 overall, 1-7 ACC, 6th in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Mitch Light, senior editor for Athlon Sports -- "We do some scouting reports where we poll opposing ACC coaches about other teams in the league. They're all anonymous and some of the coaches we polled said (of Boston College under Jeff Jagodzinski) ... they weren't as intense, they weren't as disciplined as they were under Tom O'Brien." Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview -- "I think he'll (Jagodzinski) still be able to, despite playing a tough ACC schedule, eek out a winning schedule this year and get back to a bowl game." Ron Brace, BC defensive tackle -- "Last year (at this time) we were just getting to know each other ... so right now I think we have more of a feel about what each other are looking for. We're seeing eye-to-eye with each other. We all know that we want to win a championship, but first we've got to beat Kent State." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Wed, 13 August 2008 2007 Recap: 9-4 overall, 6-2 ACC, lost to Texas Tech 31-28 in the Gator Bowl
What we like best: The running backs. Most fans know about James Davis and C.J. Spiller at Clemson or Javarris James and Graig Cooper at Miami. But Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson are the best running back duo no one is talking about. People forget that Peerman was leading the ACC in rushing before he got hurt. Simpson then stepped in and didn't miss a beat. This season Virginia will have both. Two guys who can run with the ball as well as catch it out of the backfield,Peerman and Simpson are part of the reason this Virginia offense could be very good this season. What we like least: Kicker. The Coastal Division may not have the most talented teams in the ACC, but it may be the most balanced. That should make for some interesting -- and close -- games. Whenever teams are involved in close games, a consistent kicker is invaluable. Virginia isn't sure if they have that consistent kicker at this point. Chris Gould is gone. ChrisHinkebein was expected to take over, but hasn't impressed anyone yet. In fact, he's been so unimpressive that Virginia added former Wahoo soccer player Yannick Reyering to the mix and he will get a shot at being the kicker this year. No proven kicker. Close games. That could be trouble. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 7-5 overall, 5-3 ACC, 2nd in Coastal Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: John Phillips, UVa. tight end: "You've got to be excited about it. I've been fortunate enough to play with Tom (Santi) and (Jonathan) Stupar my three years here. Those guys are gone, so I kind of step into that role. I'm really looking forward to this season, getting more into the receiving-type game. Hopefully I can do a lot of good things and help my team win." Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: "They have a tough schedule this year. Most of the teams at their level of the ACC -- your Dukes, your Georgia Techs -- they have to play on the road. And keep in mind that last year Duke led them in the fourth quarter, and that was a pretty good Virginia team ... I think Virginia is in for their second rebuilding year in the last three years." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Mon, 11 August 2008 ESPN.com's Heather Dinich, the hardest working blogger in the ACC, joins us this week to talk college football. Dinich gives her thoughts on how the loss of Rashaad Jackson will impact Clemson's defensive line, if UNC can live up to the hype, and which team may surprise people this year in the ACC. Dinich also talks about her new job as an ESPN.com blogger. Also: -- Patrick and Q try to remember the most exciting football game they've ever seen; -- Should CBSSports.com be using college players in a fantasy game?; -- Will a gold medal push Coach K past Dean Smith as the top ACC hoops coach? That and more on the podcast this week.Comments[0] |
Sun, 10 August 2008 2007 Recap: 7-6 overall, 4-4 ACC; lost to Kentucky 35-28 in the Music City Bowl What we like best: Receivers. It was a question mark when Preston Parker found himself with legal problems this spring, but Parker will only be suspended for the first two games, both of which will probably be easy wins for the Seminoles. When Parker returns and teams with Greg Carr, the two should form one of the better starting receiving duos in the ACC. After those two, the unit isn't very experienced, but it has loads of talent. Look for Corey Surrency, a junior-college transfer, to make an immediate impact this year, while redshirt freshman Taiwan Easterling could also contribute this season. There are two or three other receivers who are also capable of playing well, making this the deepest, and best, position on the 'Noles heading into the 2008 season. What we like least: Everything else. OK, that's not really true. Drew Weatherford showed signs of being a more consistent quarterback last year, although there are no guarantees he will remain the starter throughout the season. Antone Smith is back after a solid junior season, but he may also struggle to keep his starting job. The defensive line has holes at the tackle spot, while the secondary look good on paper, but didn't look good on the field last year. But, if we have to pick the biggest question mark it is probably offensive line. Rick Trickett's unit is young, with no juniors or seniors anywhere to be found. Rodney Hudson and Ryan McMahon look like the real deals, but beyond those two it's anyone's guess who will get the job done this year. If the offensive line fails, then Weatherford and Smith could both fail and that could lead to major problems for this offense. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 6-6 overall, 4-4 ACC, 4th in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Mitch Light, senior editor Athlon Sports: The offensive line is a key. They might start two sophomores and three redshirt freshman. The line got manhandled, especially early last year. This is a good Florida State team, but a far, far cry from what we're used to with the Seminoles. Bobby Bowden, FSU head coach: I think we've got enough seniors that are getting tired of getting pushed around and want to get back on top. It's tough, you know it men. Once you've been on top, like we have, one you win a national championship, you're people expect you to do it every year. Mike Hogewood, announcer & host for Raycom Sports: They need Drew Weatherford and here's why. You look at the number of players Florida State has suspended for the first three games, through the Wake Forest game. Now, they have been smart. They went out and scheduled a couple of I-AA teams ... but they do have Wake Forest. I think they're going to need the leadership and the veteran experience of Drew Weaterford, particularly early in this season." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Thu, 7 August 2008 2007 Recap: 9-4 overall, 5-3 ACC, lost to Auburn 23-20 (OT) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl
What we like best: Really, what's not to like? OK, we do have a few things, which we'll get to below, but overall this is the most talented team in the ACC. We could pick Cullen Harper because he has another year of experience and the starting job at quarterback is all his. We could pick James Davis and C.J. Spiller, the best one-two punch in the ACC. We could pick the defensive line, which somehow lost Phillip Merling and still got better. But we'll go with Jacoby Ford. The wide receiver missed all of November plus the bowl game after breaking his ankle, but he appears to be healthy. Because of his speed, Ford may be the most dangerous receiver in the conference and could be the reason that opposing defensive coordinators will be pulling out their hair during Clemson week this season. What we like least: The offensive line. Replacing Barry Richardson won't be easy. Cory Lambert won't be as good as Richardson, but if he gives a solid effort at left tackle it will be huge for the Tigers. Mason Cloy has good upside, but, like Lambert, he needs to prove himself on the field. Same for David Smith. Thomas Austin will be good, but outside of the junior center there are a lot of question marks on the line. It could turn out to be a good unit, but for now it's the weak link on a very talented offense. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 10-2 overall, 6-2 ACC, 2nd in Atlantic Division What others are saying to ACC Nation David Glenn, ACC Area Sports Journal and ACCSports.com: I am on of those on that (Clemson) bandwagon. But you know how you kind of very gently step on to a boat that you've never been on because you're not sure if the boat's going to wobble or pull away from the dock or whatever? That's kind of how I step on to the Clemson football bandwagon. Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: When I throw my eight sets of power ratings into the computer, they all had Clemson a couple of notches ahead of everybody else, meaning they can win on the road at Florida State, they can win on the road at Wake Forest, at Boston College, which are some tough games this year. And I actually don't have them an underdog in a single game this year. Cullen Harper, Clemson quarterback: The biggest thing we've got to get taken care of this August camp is that O-line because it all starts up front. We're inexperience right there. We lose four out of five starters, but at the same time we're very talented. Other previews: Comments[0] |
Tue, 5 August 2008 2007 Recap: 5-7 overall, 2-6 ACC What we like best: The running backs. Javarris James and Graig Cooper would be the best running-back duo in the ACC if it wasn't for Clemson's James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Both can run the ball and catch it out of the backfield. Cooper ran for 682 yards and four touchdowns last year, while James finished with 582 yards and four touchdowns. James should be healthy this year, which he wasn't last season, and Cooper should stay strong throughout the season after adding some muscle in the offseason. The two will need to carry the offense as a new quarterback learns how to run the team. What we like least: The schedule. One thing this young team with
an inexperienced quarterback could use is a fast start, but that's
unlikely considering the early schedule. After what should be an easy
opener against Charleston Southern, Miami has to go to Florida and
Texas A&M, then returns home to play North
Carolina and Florida State. The Hurricanes will be very lucky to come
out of that stretch at 3-2, but could easily be 1-4 a week into
October. Things get easier after that, but only for a few weeks then
it's a visit from Virginia Tech and trips to Georgia Tech and N.C.
State to finish the season. Both the Jackets and Wolfpack should be playing well by late in the season. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 3-9 overall, 1-7 ACC, 6th in the Coastal Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: This year just 11 returning starters, they don't have a quarterback that has any experience whatsoever, and they're playing a difficult schedule. But, with that said, they still have a lot of talent ... I've got them playing in the Music City Bowl against Mississippi." Randy Shannon, head coach: We're in the process of getting that foundation set to where we need to be at. If we stay healthy, we're going to be pretty good. We're going to have the stability and some depth at some positions. If we get injured real quick, then we're going to be OK, but we won't be as good as we need to be." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Mon, 4 August 2008 In an effort to shorten the game of college football, the powers-that-be have once again adjusted the rules. Among the changes will be a 40-second play clock, a change in rules governing when the clock stops on out-of-bounds plays and no 5-yard facemask penalty. ACC Nation talked with Doug Rhoads, the ACC's coordinator of football officials, about these changes and how they impact the game. Also this week: -- Mike Maniscalco of 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, N.C., talks UNC, NC State and Duke football, as well as Olympic basketball. We also believe he may be seriously sleep deprived; -- The first coaches' poll of the season is out and Patrick and Q discuss the results; -- A listener wants to know why the ACC isn't split into geographical divisions like other conferences; -- An update on ACC football previews; And more. Comments[0] |
Thu, 31 July 2008 Podcast: Interview with Wes Durham, Voice of the Yellow Jackets2007 Recap: 7-6 overall, 4-4 ACC, lost to Fresno State 40-28 in Humanitarian Bowl What we like best: Paul Johnson. Forget for a moment whether the offense is a triple-option (the term used by a lot of the media) or a spread (the term used by others in the media) or simply the system (the term used by Johnson). Forget about the A-backs and B-backs. Forget the questions about whether Johnson and his offense can be successful at this level of college football. Just keep in mind, for now, that Johnson has been a winner at this last two stops. He won a pair of I-AA national titles at Georgia Southern and coached Navy to five bowls (although he left for Georgia Tech before coaching in last season's bowl game). The players seem to be buying into the system and Josh Nesbitt could be a perfect fit for Paul Johnson's offense. Nesbitt was the team's third-leading rusher last year with 339 yards on just 53 carries (an average of 6.4 yards per carry). Once Nesbitt and the rest of the offense get a handle on Johnson's system, Tech will be tough to beat. Whether that happens this season or next is just one big question for the Yellow Jackets. What we like least: This was a toss-up. We're not crazy about a defense that lost its coordinator, Jon Tenuta, and its best player, Philip Wheeler. The defensive line, with Vance Walker and Michael Johnson, seems to be set, but the linebackers and secondary have some questions that need to be answered. But the biggest thing we don't like is the schedule. The Jackets have only five road games this season, but those games are against BC, Virginia Tech, Clemson, UNC and Georgia. Paul Johnson, welcome to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 4-8 overall, 2-6 ACC, 4th in the Coastal Division What others are saying to ACC Nation: Mitchell Light, senior editor with Athlon Sports: Love the Paul Johnson hire. Love it, love it. They might have some growing pains this year with personnel issues and stuff, but just look at this guy. He's won big everywhere -- Georgia Southern, national championships ... the success at Navy was just phenomenal. I don't buy at all this offense can't work." John Feinstein, author & Navy football radio analyst: "You put him (Paul Johnson) at a place like Georgia Tech where, obviously you can recruit very good football players and a school that won 10 games just a year ago, you would think he’s going to bring in … you know he’s going to bring in higher-caliber athletes than the ones he’s able to recruit at Navy with all the restrictions he had to deal with.” Vance Walker, defensive tackle, on changes to defense: "We're going to run a lot of man-to-man coverage, which I think will be good ... because this year we're going to cater to our strength, which is the defensive line. It's going to free us up and if the cornerbacks are playing man coverage, it will give us just a little more time, which is all we needed, really, last year to get more sacks or tackles." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Tue, 29 July 2008 Duke preview with Dave Nathan of 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, N.C. 2007 Recap: 1-11 overall, 0-8 ACC What we like best: The passing game. Thad Lewis threw for 2,430 yards and 21 touchdowns with 10 interceptions last year and will go into his junior year with a coach known as a quarterback guru. Lewis can't help but get excited when he hears that David Cutcliffe has worked with the likes of Peyton and Eli Manning, plus has some experience in turning around a moribund program at Ole Miss. Cutcliffe compared Lewis Tee Martin at Tennessee. Eron Riley is the only proven receiver, but he has All-ACC talent. Last year Riley caught 40 passes for 830 yards and nine touchdowns and, teamed with Lewis, will give Duke one of the better quarterback-receiver combinations in the conference. Considering the running game was abysmal last year, that Lewis-to-Riley combination will be critical to any success Duke has on offense. What we like least: There's a lot to pick from, but I guess we should go with the losing environment that surrounds Duke football. Cutcliffe won at Ole Miss, but Duke will be a tougher assignment. The Blue Devils haven't had a winning season since 1994 and have lost 25 ACC games in a row. Just like success breeds success, failure breeds failure. Steve Spurrier did win at Duke, but as losing season follows losing season the Spurrier years seem like ancient history. Schedule: Patrick's prediction: 4-8 overall, 2-6 ACC, 5th in the Coastal Division What others are saying: Phil Steele, Phil Steele's College Football Preview: "They've got three games early on which they could win all three or bare minimum win two of the first three. Then they get the week off and play Virginia. If they knock off Virginia this is a team that could actually flirt with a winning record. I'm not calling for it. I'm thinking maybe four or five wins this year, but I actually think Duke has a shot at escaping the basement." Vince Oghobaase, Duke defensive tackle: A reasonable expectation for me personally, and I believe a lot of my teammates think the same, is that the sky is the limit. We have now all the tools and everything in place to be a successful ball club. There's no excuse why we can't go out there and win ballgames this year." Mike Hogewood, ACC football announcer and host: "The last time Duke did anything good, who was the head coach? Steve Spurrier. What was Steve Spurrier known for? Offense. You've got David Cutcliffe, an offensive guy, some say an offensive genius, coming in there. And who's he replacing? A defensive guy, Ted Roof ... I think he's (Cutcliffe) is going to give Duke a chance. He's got to get some players, obviously, but there's no reason Duke can't be better than they have been." Other previews: Comments[0] |
Mon, 28 July 2008 Mike Hogewood joins the guys this week to talk ACC football. Find out why something Al Groh said surprised Mike, his thoughts on Duke's David Cutcliffe, why he thinks Patrick is bold (and perhaps crazy) and his surprise team in the ACC this year, plus much more. Also, -- Drew Weatherford says the starting job is his at FSU; -- Duke's Vince Oghobaase almost throttles Patrick; -- Q threatens to take his pants off at the ACC Football Kickoff; -- Andrew Gardner thinks he know why Chan Gailey got fired; -- Patrick apologizes to Jeff Adams and Rob Higgins; -- Listeners weigh in on offensive lines, optimistic teams and Virginia Tech's striptease; Plus more on this week's podcast.Comments[0] |
Sat, 26 July 2008 This is a young Miami team with 26 true freshmen listed in the media guide. That's why the veterans like Jason Fox and Eric Moncur feel the need to show leadership this season if the Hurricanes are to have success on the field. "A lot of those (young players) have the physical ability to play," Fox said in an interview with ACC Nation at the ACC Football Kickoff July 20 in Greensboro, Ga. "But a lot of them don't know yet how much more college football is than just being physically able to play. It's a lot more mental than people realize." That just one lesson Fox wants to teach the freshmen. Fox and Moncur talked more about the young players, including their thoughts on the young quarterbacks, and many other things as they look ahead to the 2008 season.Comments[0] |
Fri, 25 July 2008 Duke hasn't had a winning season since 1994 and hasn't won an ACC game since 2004. The Blue Devils went 1-11 last year and got rid of coach Ted Roof. Enter former Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe, who said it wasn't as simple as teaching Duke to win football games. "You know what we have to learn," asked Cutcliffe. "We have to learn how to earn the right to win. That's probably the best way I can sum up our team." Duke just won a lawsuit by basically claiming football programs
don't get any worse than the one the Blue Devils currently field, but
if Cutcliffe has his way that will change soon. If he starts to win
this year it will be, in part, because of the arm of Thad Lewis and his
ability to find receiver Eron Riley. There is other talent on this Duke
team also and Cutcliffe discusses that talent as well as other subjects
heading into the 2008 season. Comments[0] |
Fri, 25 July 2008 There are advantages to having your team buried on page four of the local sports section. "I don't think I'd want to be Tommy Bowden," Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinski told the media at this week's ACC Football Kickoff. "That (Clemson football) is the only show in town. To be in a pro town, especially (one) like Boston -- it's the best pro sports (town) right now in the country ... it's awesome." Jags said he has no desire to be on the front page every day and, to listen to some, he doesn't have to worry about that this season. Boston College no only loses the best quarterback in the conference last year in Matt Ryan, but also has to replace its entire backfield and some key parts on defense and the offensive line. Listen to what Jagodzinski has to say about this team as it gets ready for the 2008 season. (Note: Due to the nature of the press conference, the audio levels for the questions will be a little lower than those for Jagodzinski.) Comments[0] |
Thu, 24 July 2008 Last season Wake Forest had a big-play defense, one that scored eight touchdowns. This year, Wake's Jim Grobe would like to see those big plays again, but he wants more out of the defense. "The key for us this year is getting off the field (and) give the offense a chance to score some points," Grobe told the media Monday afternoon at the ACC Football Kickoff. "Even though last year we were pretty opportunistic, forced a lot of turnovers, scored a lot of points, I think one of the things we didn't do a very good job of ... we gave offenses too many long drives." Wake will have to improve on that, as well as find a replacement for wide-receiver and Mr. Everything Kenny Moore. Grobe addressed that issue also, as well as talked about the importance of putting back-to-back solid seasons together and much more. (Note: Due to the nature of the press conference, the audio levels of the questions may not be as high as Grobe's audio levels.) Comments[0] |
Thu, 24 July 2008 Does Al Groh like opening with USC or would he rather have a lesser opponent?
"We must like it because it was our choice," Groh said. "We made the contract. We could have turned it down." Groh said opening the season was the only time it would have been good for Virginia to face the Trojans. He didn't want to get into the middle of the conference season and then have to content with an opponent that he said was in a league of their own. So, it was opening day or not at all. Groh said USC felt the same way. The Virginia coach also discussed the quarterback battle (the latest news about Peter Lalich wasn't out when we talked with Groh), his theory of next man up, why football is his passion and more. (Note: Because of the nature of the press conference, keep in mind that the audio levels will be lower for the questions than they will be for Groh's answers.)Comments[0] |
Wed, 23 July 2008 It's been different for Ralph Friedgen, but the Maryland coach also said it was better now that he's turned over the offensive coordinator role to James Franklin. "I felt like I could devote more time to our players and more to organizing our staff," Friedgen said at the ACC Football Kickoff Monday afternoon. "I know you guys will laugh at this, but I was being spread too thin." The, shall we say, portly Friedgen was right - we did laugh, but he got his point across -- he didn't think he was doing either job, head coach or offensive coordinator, justice by doing both, so he brought in Franklin to run the offense this season. Friedgen talked more about the decision, including if he thinks he'll have the itch to call the plays once games get under way, plus the Maryland coach discussed his quarterback situation, his excitement about the running backs and much more. (Note: Because of the nature of the press conference format, the audio for the questions may be lower than Friedgen's audio.) Comments[0] |
Wed, 23 July 2008 Bobby Bowden said that, as of today (or I guess that would have been Sunday when we talked with him) Drew Weatherford is the starting quarterback for Florida State. But Weatherford shouldn't get too comfortable with that title. "Now he's got a fight on his hands with Christian Ponder," Bowden said at the ACC Football Kickoff. "Then we've got a young man named D'Vontrey Richardson who's got some talent, he's got some talent, you know it. Once he's learns the game, man, he'll be able to push them all." Bowden also talked about Jimbo Fisher being named coach-in-waiting and how that effected the dynamics of the coaching staff, what he would like to do before leaving the game and more. Comments[0] |
Wed, 23 July 2008 When will Tom O'Brien name a starting quarterback at N.C. State? "When we have one," O'Brien said Sunday at the ACC Football Kickoff. "The problem is, it's not an ideal situation. (Daniel) Evans didn't participate in spring practice. Michael Glennon just got on campus. The good news is that Russell Wilson, because of Daniel not practicing in the spring, got a lot of work. We got a good look at him. We'll figure out who's going to give us the best opportunity to not only beat South Carolina, but give us 12 solid football games and when we find that guy we'll name him." O'Brien also talked about his team's opener against South Carolina,
the difference in approaching this season as opposed to last year when
he was in his first season on the job, the media's decision to pick
N.C. State sixth in the Atlantic Division and more. Comments[0] |
Tue, 22 July 2008 Clemson's Tommy Bowden talked with the media Monday afternoon at the ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, Ga. He discussed the pressure on his team after being voted as the preseason favorite to win the ACC, his quarterback Cullen Harper, playing Alabama to open the season and more.(Note: Because of the nature of a press conference, the audio levels of the questions may be a bit low, but Tommy Bowden's audio levels should be just fine.) Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 July 2008 Message to Paul Johnson -- beat Georgia. That's the way Andrew Gardner sees it. "I can't speak for the administration, but I'd pretty much say that's why (Chan Gailey) go fired," Gardner, a 6-6, 305-pound offensive tackle, told ACC Nation at the ACC Football Kickoff. "We didn't beat Georgia ... and you've got to. If you lose to a rival, people get upset, people get antsy. Beating Georgia is big at Georgia Tech. It's in the fight song." The Yellow Jackets were 0-6 under Gailey and now a new coaching staff, led by Johnson, will try to beat the Bulldogs, as well as 11 other teams on their regular-season schedule. Find out more of what Gardner, as well as defensive tackle Vance Walker, had to say as they talked with ACC Nation Sunday afternoon. Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 July 2008
For those who wonder if T.J. Yates can be healthy when he returns
this fall as North Carolina's quarterback, Hakeem Nicks and Deunta
Williams have no question. The two Carolina players sat down with ACC Nation at Sunday's ACC Football Kickoff even in Greensboro, Ga., and discussed Yates, Butch Davis, the hype surrounding Carolina football and more. Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 July 2008 Virginia Tech is still the favored of many to win the Coastal
Division of the ACC, but the Hokies have had problems keeping players
on their roster. From injuries to suspension, Virginia Tech has lost
some players expected to play key roles this season.
Wide receiver was a position hit especially hard and quarterback Sean Glennon told ACC Nation Sunday at the ACC Football Kickoff that it was is responsibility to make an inexperience group better. Glennon also said he was looking at the quarterback job as his and not a two-quarterback system like the Hokies used at the end of last season. Defensive end Orion Martin likes the other side of the ball for Tech, but feels he has to take more of a leadership role if the young guys on defense are going to be successful. It's not natural for him to be a vocal leader, Martin said, but it's something at which he's gotten better. Glennon and Martin talked with ACC Nation at the annual media event Sunday in Greensboro, Ga. Listen to what they had to say on this special edition of the podcast. Comments[0] |
Sun, 20 July 2008 Doc Walker, an analyst for ACC football games on Raycom, joins Patrick and Q in Greensboro, Ga., site of this year's ACC Football Kickoff, to talk some, you guessed it, ACC football. Doc gave his thoughts on where the ACC Football Championship should be held, why James Franklin will be good for Maryland's offense this year, the Bowden boys, why he likes parity in the ACC and much more. Also on the show, -- Jeff Adams and Rob Higgins of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission drop by to talk about their city hosting the ACC Football Championship; -- Patrick and Q give their predictions on the final standings in ACC football; -- Is it the Ritz-Carlton or the Carlton-Ritz?; -- Fried mac and cheese; And much more on this week's podcast. Comments[0] |
Thu, 17 July 2008 Phil Steele, who publishes and writes one of the most-respect college football preview magazines on the market, joins ACC Nation this week for a special edition of the podcast to talk ACC football. Visit Phil's website for more information and to order the magazine. We discuss all 12 ACC schools and Phil gives us his predictions on which two teams will meet in Tampa for the ACC Football Championship in December. We also ask Phil his thoughts on what the conference needs to do to gain more respect nationally.Comments[0] |
Mon, 14 July 2008 David Glenn of the ACC Area Sports Journal joins the guys to discuss football and the changes to his magazine. As for football, Glenn is on the Clemson bandwagon, but he's stepping lightly, while the magazine will be featuring a few new contributors, including Jay Bilas and John Feinstein. Also, -- Billy Packer is finished with broadcasting; -- Patrick begs for free stuff from the listeners; -- Has ACC expansion been a success in the first five years?; -- Did Patrick gush too much over David Glenn? -- We still want listeners to sign up and beat the bloggers, so if you think you can pick football games better than guys from Eagle in Atlanta, the Good Ol' Blog, the Old Gold and Blog, D.C. Sports Bog and more, e-mail us at patrick@accnation.com or accnation@gmail.com. Comments[0] |
Mon, 7 July 2008 Mike Stevens of WDBJ TV 7 in Roanoke, Va., joins the guys to talk about Virginia Tech football as well as his last few days as sports director at the television station before he leaves for greener pastures. Mike also has a great story about Paula Deen and her undergarments. Also this week: -- Patrick and Q go over their picks for the male and female athletes of the year in the ACC; -- N.C. State's Farnold Degand and UNC's Bobby Frasor are ready to return to action; -- Patrick cleans out the basement; -- Should college sporting venues sell alcoholic beverages?; -- The guys lay out the podcast schedule for the next few weeks as ACC Nation gets ready for football; And more. Comments[0] |
Mon, 30 June 2008 It's never too early to talk ACC hoops and Bob Rathbun stops by to chat about basketball. Rathbun, who calls ACC games for Raycom and is the Voice of the Atlanta Hawks, discusses the U.S. Olympic basketball team, a couple of ACC players taken in the NBA Draft and the outlook for ACC hoops in 2008-09. We also discover that in spite of his lofty credentials that include being a multiple Emmy Award winner and a member of the 2008 class of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, Rathbun -- much like Paul Johnson last week -- can't keep his dog quite. Also this week: -- ACCNation.com columnist Will Ojanen makes his debut on the podcast; -- Q receives many e-mails telling him why he's wrong about Duke football and its lawyers; -- Is Patrick and easy date?; -- Patrick defends Paul Johnson against those who weren't happy with his appearance on the podcast last week; And more. Comments[0] |
Mon, 23 June 2008  Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson joins the guys this week to talk about installing a new offense in Atlanta, why that offense will work despite what critics say, the rivalry with Georgia and more. Also, -- Which ACC football coaches are on the hot seat?; -- Duke football admits it stinks; -- Patrick needs vacation advice; -- Is Carolina baseball a failure?; -- Rank your school's sports in order of importance; -- Two former ACC players are on the U.S. Olympic team; And more on this week's podcast. Comments[0] |
Mon, 23 June 2008 Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson joins the guys this week to talk about installing a new offense in Atlanta, why that offense will work despite what critics say, the rivalry with Georgia and more. Also, -- Which ACC football coaches are on the hot seat?; -- Duke football admits it stinks; -- Patrick needs vacation advice; -- Is Carolina baseball a failure?; -- Rank your school's sports in order of importance; -- Two former ACC players are on the U.S. Olympic team; And more on this week's podcast. Comments[0] |
Mon, 16 June 2008 Patrick and Q talked with Joe Ovies, co-host of the morning show on 850 The Buzz in Raleigh, N.C. The guys discussed several subjects with Ovies, including his blog post last week about the worst fans in the ACC. Also on the podcast: -- North Carolina wins its CWS opener; -- J. J. Hickson is staying in the NBA Draft, but Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington will be back in Chapel Hill next season; -- The Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranked the ACC's non-conference schedules; -- FSU men win track and field title; -- Mike Shropshire joins the guys to talk about his new book, "The Last Real Season." -- NBC's Tim Russert, a big Boston College fan, passed away last week; And more on ACC Nation.Comments[0] |
Mon, 9 June 2008 John Feinstein is back again, and this time we talk about his book "Tales from Q School," now out in paperback just in time for Father's Day. Also, the Duke grad weighs in on his school's choice of an athletics director. Feinstein has been outspoken in his criticism about former AD Joe Alleva. What does he think about Kevin White? Also this week: -- Amanda McDowell, Georgia Tech's tennis star who won the NCAA women's singles title this year, joins Patrick and Q; -- Three ACC schools advance to the College World Series; -- Ty Lawson gets arrested and misses a workout with the Denver Nuggets; -- J.J. Hickson is staying in the NBA Draft; -- Duke has toilet issues in its football stadium; -- The Q is planning his schedule for Tampa and the ACC football championship; That and more on ACC Nation. Comments[0] |
Tue, 3 June 2008 Phil Stanton of College Baseball Insider joins us to talk about the NCAA Tournament. Four ACC teams -- Miami, North Carolina, Florida State and NC State -- are in the super regionals and will play this weekend. Phil, Patrick and Q make their picks on which ACC teams, if any, make it to the College World Series. Also on the show, -- Duke has a new athletics director, one that was happy to get away from his old job; -- Patrick isn't happy with Tar Heel fans; -- Q is falling behind in his duties; And more on this week's show.Comments[0] |
Mon, 26 May 2008 Mitchell Light of Athlon Sports
gives us an early look at ACC football this week. Light, the magazine's senior editor, likes Clemson, but he has concerns about some of the other top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. We also asked Light if the ACC would be a player on the national stage this year or any year in the near future. Hear what he has to say. Athlon's football preview magazine will be available June 1. -- Also on the podcast this week: -- Patrick and Q discuss the NCAA baseball brackets; -- The guys ask, "Where in the world is Matt?" -- Patrick was on ESPN and gives the interesting story about how it happened; -- Virginia Tech is in the Women's College World Series; And more on ACC Nation this week. Comments[0] |
Mon, 19 May 2008 Dan Bonner discusses the ACC baseball tournament with ACC Nation this week. We asked him if any of the other five teams in the tournament can knock off the big three -- Miami, FSU and North Carolina. Also, does Dan like the current tournament format? And is Fenway Park a good choice to host next year's tournament? Also this week: -- Bonner also talks ACC basketball, including his position on the 18-game schedule and the length of time college players have to change their minds about the NBA Draft; -- Alex Stepheson is leaving North Carolina; -- Matt Simon stops by Patrick's house for the night during his tour of the ACC schools and gets the grand tour of Staunton, Va.; -- FSU's T.K. Wetherell believes there will eventually be a college football playoff; -- Spring meeting news from the ACC; -- Virginia Tech has cut ties with a football recruit; And more on this week's podcast. Comments[0] |
Mon, 12 May 2008 John Feinstein stops by ACC Nation to discuss his latest book, "Living on the Black." Feinstein spent the 2007 baseball season following the New York Yankee's' Mike Mussina and Tom Glavine, then of the New York Mets, and chronicled their experiences in this book. Feinstein also gives us his thoughts on Joe Alleva leaving Duke. Also on the podcast this week: -- Virginia Tech softball coach Scot Thomas talks about his team's ACC Tournament title and the upcoming NCAA Tournament; -- Matt Simon checks in from Clemson as he continues to compile his ACC Travel Guide (note: he's looking for a place to crash at every stop, so if you can help him out contact us at patrick@accnation.com); -- the ACC spring meetings are under way and one topic of discussion is about increasing the conference football schedule to nine games; -- Plus the Patrick and Q talk about postseason in men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and softball. Visit the ACC's official site for more details.Comments[0] |
Mon, 5 May 2008 Sylvia Crawley, the new women’s basketball coach at Boston College, chats with Patrick and Q about her new job. The former Tar Heel — she both played and coached at Carolina — inherits a young team at BC and things are looking up for the Eagles. She talks about why she took the job at Boston College, how her past travels will help her and what she thinks of returning to the ACC. Also on the podcast: – men’s basketball is looking to expand the ACC schedule to 18 games; – the ACC has a new bowl home; – Mac McDonald is no longer the Voice of the Cavaliers, and he says he wasn’t pushed out; – Sylvia Hatchell is staying at Carolina; – Were Tyler Hansbrough and Bobby Frasor being dumb or just being college kids?; And more on this week’s show. Comments[0] |
Mon, 28 April 2008 Patrick and Q had some trouble with guests this week, getting all the way to plan E before giving up. But don’t worry because the guys have it covered. Among the issues on this week’s show: – Three Carolina players declared for the NBA Draft and ACCNation.com wants to know which one — Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington or Danny Greeen — Tar Heel fans would like to return; – Jay Bilas has problems with testing the NBA Draft waters; – Did Johnny Dawkins make a mistake by leaving Duke for Stanford?; – Florida State’s Preston Parker is having more legal woes; – The ACC was well represented once again in the NFL Draft; – And ACC Nation has released its latest baseball power poll. Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 April 2008 The NFL Draft is this weekend and Patrick and Q talk with Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown about the ACC players expected to be selected. Wright discusses why Branden Albert’s stock has risen, why Chris Long may be the safest pick in the draft, how Calais Campbell’s stock has dipped, which ACC players are in his sleeper category, how high Matt Ryan may be taken and more. Plus, – Taylor King is now a Villanova Wildcat, but he didn’t leave Durham without a few shots at the Blue Devils; – Jack McClinton will be back in Miami next season; – Patrick’s carelessness has doomed the Atlantic Coast Conference; – The ACC/Big Ten Challenge schedule has been announced; And more on ACC Nation. Comments[0] |
Mon, 14 April 2008 Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt joins the guys to discuss ACC baseball. Find out which ACC team Aaron thinks has the best shot at a College World Series title, what is wrong with Clemson and how the rest of the college baseball world views the ACC. Also, - The lastest on the death of Georgia Tech’s Michael Hutts; - Virginia Tech is fresh out of running backs; - What do NBA scouts think of the Carolina trio and N.C. State’s J.J. Hickson?; - What do Patrick and Q think about Roy Williams wearing a Kansas Jayhawks sticker?; - Where of where is our bracket challenge winner?; - And why is the Evil Q boring Patrick? That and more on ACC Nation. Comments[0] |
Mon, 7 April 2008 Heather Dinich of ESPN.com discusses ACC spring football with the guys. She has the latest on North Carolina’s quarterback battle, Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher, Ralph Friedgen’s decision to give up play calling at Maryland and more. Also, - more on North Carolina’s loss to Kansas, including a comment from our friend Ben Allaire; - Patrick is ready to trade ACC Nation for American Idol Nation; - Patrick and Q discuss J.P. Giglio’s column on the ACC’s Final Four reality check; - Which ACC underclassmen may jump to the NBA; - the ACC Nation Bracket Challenge has a winner; - Miami’s Frank Haith has his contract extended; And more on ACC Nation’s podcast. Comments[0] |
Mon, 31 March 2008 Fresh off his coverage of the Division II national championship, CBS and Raycom college basketball analyst Dan Bonner joins Patrick and Q to break down the Final Four. Dan also gives his thoughts on North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest basketball, plus he has a great story on what not to say if he approaches you at a game. Plus, - Jones Angell of the Tar Heel Sports Network gives us the skinny on Carolina hoops as the Heels get ready for San Antonio and Kansas; - News on Wake Forest recruit Al-Farouq Aminu and his recent legal troubles; - Patrick discovered this weekend he has serious psychological issues when it comes to watching his favorite team; - Duke women’s basketball is done for the season; - Another bowl tie-in for the ACC; And more on ACC Nation. Also, Patrick and Q forgot to mention on the podcast the latest standings in the Bracket Challenge, but here is an update. Comments[0] |
Mon, 24 March 2008 On the show this week we talk to the genius that is Penn Holderness. The NBC 17 sports director got around NCAA regulations about showing NCAA Tournament highlights by using dolls - that’s right, I said dolls - and we crawl inside his warped mind this week. Holderness also gives us his thoughts on North Carolina and Duke basketball. Also on the show: - Patrick and Q look at the Sweet 16 matchups in the NCAA Tournament; - The guys discuss a column by Caulton Tudor of the News and Observer that places the blame for Duke’s recent woes on a lack of leadership; - With only one ACC team through to the Sweet 16, is the conference no longer as powerful as it once was?; - A bracket challenge update; That and more on ACC Nation Comments[0] |
Sat, 15 March 2008 The ACC Tournament championship game is set and it will be North Carolina vs. Clemson on Sunday. ACC Nation is in Charlotte and we have a recap of Saturday’s semifinal action. We’ve got press-conference audio from coaches and players. First up is Tyler Hansbrough on his last-second shot to give the Tar Heels a two-point win. Then Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg talks about his team’s chances for an NCAA Tournament berth. Oliver Purnell gives his thoughts on Sunday being the first time since 1962 that Clemson is playing for an ACC Tournament title. And, finally, Cliff Hammonds and James Mays talks about how their Clemson Tigers get another shot at North Carolina after two close losses during the regular season Comments[0] |
Sat, 15 March 2008 ACC Nation talks with David Glenn of the ACC Sports Journal. David talks about how the tournament has changed with the addition of three teams in the past few years, what North Carolina has to do to be a No. 1 seed in the East and Virginia Tech's chances at an NCAA Tournament berth, plus more. Also, we hear from North Carolina's Roy Williams, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg, plus a recap of Friday's games.Comments[0] |
Fri, 14 March 2008 ACC Nation’s Patrick Hite is in Charlotte for the 2008 ACC Tournament. Listen to this show following day one of the tourney, with wins by Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech and Boston College. Hear from Leonard Hamilton, Frank Haith and Al Skinner and more from the games. Also, Patrick talked with Mark Thomas of 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, N.C. Hear what he thought of day one of the tourney. Comments[0] |
Mon, 10 March 2008 Ken Tysiac of the Charlotte Observer joins us this week. As the lead ACC writer for the newspaper in the ACC Tournament host city, Ken is a busy man, so we were grateful he took out some time to talk with us. Ken discusses Carolina’s win over Duke, Ty Lawson’s health, possible surprise teams in the ACC Tournament and the Queen City’s new look since the last time the tourney was in Charlotte. Also this week, - The guys look at the ACC Tournament brackets and pick their tournament winners; - Patrick may have contaminated himself; - Info on signing up for ACC Nation’s NCAA Tournament bracket challenge; - the all-ACC men’s basketball team was released and Patrick and Q discuss the results; - And ACC Nation welcomes two new sponsors - Bojangles’ and Student Book Store - to the podcast for the ACC Tournament coverage Comments[0] |
Mon, 3 March 2008 On ACC Nation this week, Patrick and Q talk with Steve
Martin, play-by-play announcer for ACC basketball. Martin talks about
the league’s surprises - Miami,Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. He also
thinks Clemson’s win got the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament. And the
guys ask him about Ty Lawson’s return to the North Carolina lineup.
Plus: - ESPN’s Beth Mowins joins the guys to discuss the ACC Women’s Tournament this weekend - Patrick and Q debate which was the bigger comeback of the weekend: Duke over NC State, Carolina over BC or Clemson over Maryland; - Patrick has his All-ACC ballot ready and now he wants your input; - Has Virginia upset the basketball gods? And more on the ACC Nation podcast Comments[0] |
Mon, 25 February 2008 ACC Nation talks with Jenn Hildreth of ACC All-Access
about her new role as host of the show and her job as a sideline
reporter for Fox Sports Net. Hildreth also give us her thoughts on
which ACC teams still have a good shot at the NCAA Tournament.
Also this week: - Patrick and Q talk about the ACC's bubble teams and who ESPN's Joe Lundardi believes will get in the tournament; - Sad news as Friend of the Nation Jeff Carlton of the Greensboro News & Record passed away; - Patrick talks basketball with Jon Rawl on BuzzLine and Clemson Hotline; - Listener Steve of Southern Pines, N.C. sent us this link about the failures of Duke basketball; - More listener feedback on our question about your favorite ACC player; - The Q can't stop thinking about hockey; And more on ACC Nation. Comments[0] |
Tue, 19 February 2008 Mike Hogewood, or, as we like to call him, Mr. ACC, joins Patrick and Q to discuss ACC basketball. Mike gives us his thoughts on who is responsible for Wake's inspired play, if Duke can use the loss this weekend as motivation and Dean Smith and Lefty Driesell, two of the ACC's basketball legends to be honored during the ACC Tournament. Also on the podcast: - Zach Smith of the Old Gold and Blog talks about Wake's win over Duke; - What do the ACC's bubble teams need to do to reach the ACC Tournament?; - Listeners e-mail answers to the question, "Who is your favorite player?"; - Patrick was trapped in SEC country over the weekend; - What is a good-enough record in conference play to get teams into the Big Dance?; - A Ty Lawson and Brenda Frese update; And more on this week's show. Comments[0] |
Mon, 11 February 2008 ACC Nation wraps up football's national signing day with Tom Dienhart of The Sporting News. Also, college basketball analyst Dan Bonner talks ACC hoops with Patrick and Q. Also on the podcast this week: - Does Virginia's Dave Leitao deserve a D from Jeff White of the Times Dispatch?; - Patrick believes he had a hand in North Carolina's double-overtime win over Clemson; - The ACC released its 2008 football schedule; - ACC Nation's weekly Power Poll; - Miami has a new athletics director; And more on ACC Nation's podcast. Comments[0] |
Sat, 9 February 2008 Duke and Carolina play this week and we couldn’t let the game pass without discussing it with two of our favorite writers - Adam Lucas of Tar Heel Monthly and Carlos of the Duke Basketball Report. Adam gives us an update on Carolina point guard Ty Lawson, who rolled his ankle against Florida State Sunday. Will he or won’t he play against the Devils? And if Lawson can’t go, can Quentin Thomas get the job done against a tough Duke defense? Adam answers those questions, plus he is in rare form as he sounds off about what he thinks is a too-much hyped Duke-Phoenix comparison, the Gerald Henderson-Tyler Hansbrough angle to the game following last year’s incident and Carolina’s defensive problems. Carlos gives us his take on Duke’s offense and how Coach K is using the Phoenix Sun’s style to his advantage (good think Adam didn’t hear him say this), what it takes to beat the Blue Devils and why he thinks, as of now, DeMarcus Nelson has to be on the first-team All ACC. And we ask Carlos if some of the luster on the game is lost if Lawson doesn’t play. Plus: - Q Amps things up a bit at the suggestion of an e-mailer; - Are Virginia Tech’s freshmen wise beyond their years or just too young to know any better?; - Patrick explains why he can’t get excited about football recruiting, but he liked the column ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich wrote about the process; - It’s still up in the air as to which ACC teams will reach the NCAA Tournament, but Patrick thinks the number in the running was reduced over the weekend; - Should Brent Musburger get a drug test?; - Q continues his Sidney-Lowe lovefest (and gets some support from David Glenn of the ACC Journal) - Patrick praises Clemson’s Cliff Hammonds and N.C. State’s Ben McCauley; That and more on ACC Nation this week. Comments[0] |
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