ACC Nation : Recent Episodes
Jim Quist and Will Ojanen
ACC Nation sports news and interviews with Jim Quist and Will Ojanen. ACC Football, basketball, baseball and Olympic sports coverage of Boston College, Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State. In 2024, Stanford, Cal-Berkeley and SMU join the conference.
Week 1 of college football opens the season for Louisville in Nashville against Ole Miss. The outcome may set the tempo for the rest of the year. An opening win, not just a field goal at the right time kind but one that demonstrates the effectiveness of both the offense and defense, may open the door to much bigger things. It sets up a really important matchup between SMU and the Cardinals in Louisville on September 19.
Both teams are sitting neck and neck behind Miami in the ACC Nation Preseason Composite Rankings. it’s the kind of game that could decide who heads to Charlotte for a spot in the ACC Football Championship. That may be looking ahead a wee bit but there’s not doubt it places the winner in a sweet spot of the Top 25 rankings and that may lead to grabbing a playoff spot.
Dalton Pence with Locked on Louisville podcast joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to preview the Cardinals. Pence provides great insight into how key elements of the team need to come together. Will gets into the X’s and O’s with Dalton to give you a better look at what to expect when it comes to a new quarterback (fans will like what they hear) and what kind of weapons he’ll have to put points on the board.
College FootballWhat about the defense? Has the coaching staff filled in the blank spots sufficiently to keep Louisville in the game? Again, does Louisville have the juice? It’s a big question and so far they look like they can deliver.
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It’s August and college football is almost here. ACC Nation previews Virginia with special guest Preston Willett of The Sabre and Hoos on Podcast. There’s probably more depth and experience than fans might think as plenty of familiar faces return and there’s an equal number of newbies ready to juice up the Hoos. Former Mizzou QB Beau Pribula takes the reins for the offense and you can expect a dynamic mix of runs and passes. The 6’4″, 225lb Pribula is no slouch coming out of the pocket and making good things happen. He’s joined in the quarterback room by three others including former Pitt QB Eli Holstein who measures out at 6’4″, 234lbs.
A key part of making the offense click will be the offensive line which has plenty of the aforementioned depth and experience. Providing Pribula adequate time to work through his receiving options or opening up slots for an effective run game are looking solid.
The expected trip to South America to open up the season against NC State dropped by the wayside earlier this year but it may have been a good learning experience for the ACC and possibly college football. Willett reflects on some of those lessons learned.
College FootballWill and Preston delve into the defense where Kam Robinson is a lynchpin at linebacker. Some familiar names return and transfers bolster the secondary.
Virginia got a taste of what it’s like to be on top again after a long slog. The question is, can Tony Elliott keep the Cavaliers in that top 5 of the ACC year after year with the combination of recruiting and transfers? This season will help answer that question.
Jim and Willett look at some games on the schedule especially the ones that could end up being big challenges and important to how the season plays out in the conference.
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Will and Jim light it up on ACC Nation Podcast as they talk about greed driving college sports, the Great White North as a venue for ACC football and it appears the relationship with Notre Dame as a member of the ACC is in need of counseling.
If you haven’t heard the powers that be are driving college sports off a cliff with more than just talk about expansion and super-leagues. Basketball is the next victim. Football is continuing to expand. Who benefits? At what point is a line drawn in the sand and someone, anyone says, no more?
PodcastFormer ACC Commissioner John Swofford may not have a lot of fans and perhaps for good reason. One of the efforts initiated by Swofford was expanding the ACC into markets outside of the United States. It appears this idea have been ahead of the curve as more and more college and pro teams explore the potential. Not everyone is thrilled by having conference games in these new venues but the financial potential and increased eyes on product is too promising to pass up.
This season North Carolina takes on TCU in Dublin and later that day NC State and Virginia go head-to-head in Rio de Janeiro. Next year, Syracuse and Wake Forest are scheduled for a Week Zero game in Toronto.
You’ll find some, strong opinions on the podcast about the expansion in post-season play along with the super-conference concept. Speaking of opinions, apparently some school leaders in the ACC are beginning to find their threshold with Notre Dame and are more than willing to talk about it at the conference meeting. Find out where you can read more on that story on the podcast.
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The NFL Draft debuts Thursday, April 23 at 8:00pm ET in Pittsburgh under what early forecasts say will be ideal weather. The three-day event will air on the NFL Network, ABC and ESPN, each with a slightly different tilt in coverage. The first round is on Thursday followed by rounds 2-3 beginning on Friday at 7:00pm ET and the final rounds, 4-7 beginning at 12:00pm ET on Saturday.
Special guest Adam Rank, an analyst and writer on the NFL Network, seen on NFL Fantasy Live and Good Morning Football, who is also on The Sick Podcast with Adam Rank joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation. Rank has a unique way of looking at the game and shares his thoughts on Round 1 of the NFL Draft and where he thinks players will be selected.
Former Cal QB and Indiana starter Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the first pick on Thursday. The first round has a number of ACC players from Miami and Clemson. Rank talks about each of the first rounders and projects what team will be calling them on-stage in the NFL Draft.
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NFL DraftBe sure to follow Adam on NFL Network, check out his Fantasy Football on The Sick Podcast with Adam Rank where you can also get the latest Bears news as well.
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Who will coach North Carolina men and Virginia women? Will there be any players left as large numbers hit the Transfer Portal? ACC Nation’s Will and Jim light up the mic’s with a successful Easter Egg Hunt in their back pockets to look at the NCAA Tournaments. There were some highs and at least one notable, embarrassing low by a long-time coach. Could it be one of those tell-tale signs that time is catching up and they need to retire?
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Speaking of coaches there are more than a fair share of changes at the position within the ACC. Two old school conference teams faced decisions regarding the tenure of their coach. North Carolina’s men’s basketball went hunting rabbits and came up empty-handed for longer than a storied program should have. The decision to go with Michael Malone raised a few eyebrows among fans.
CoachMeanwhile in Charlottesville, women’s basketball fans were thrilled with the record setting post-season and then startled, no, shocked when a rather flat announcement was made that the school and coach were parting ways. Those that cover the Wahoos scrambled to find answers and eventually peeled away the layers to find what can best be described as a toxic environment that touched players and staff. Virginia take a quick look east to the University of Richmond for their next leader in Aaron Roussell.
The Transfer Portal has been very active for ACC teams, both coming and going. A number of teams will be depending upon building their roster, at least this season by opening the bag for players seeking a new home. Will shares some of the more prominent names on the list.
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NCAA basketball is all wrapped up for the ACC but there is no bow this season. Men and women’s teams remaining in the tournament had their final appearance on the national stage after a good run in the post-season. Will and Jim open with the ‘shot heard round the world’ fired off by Braylon Mullins of UConn against Duke. A 35-foot three that lifted the Huskies into a one-point lead leaving just 0.4 seconds on the clock.
The guys talk about tendencies that should be somewhat of a red flag for the Blue Devils. Ultimately, the buck always stops with the head coach. What can be done to correct those issues? One would imagine that was all the coaching staff and players thought about right through their dreams that evening.
NFL Draft ’26 | Miami, Clemson Biggest ACC Contributors
What players will or will not be returning for Duke next season? We’ll begin to find out as players declare for the NBA Draft and of course, some are graduating, others may even hit the portal. How fresh of a slate will there be in Durham as we head into another NCAA basketball season?
NCAA BasketballThere’s sports news to talk about with the NIT and WBIT. Both NCAA basketball tournaments are lined up to deliver their final matchups. The women play their championship on April 1 and the Final Four of the NIT is slated for April 2. Friday April 3 will deliver the women’s Final Four action with their championship matchup set for April 5. On Saturday, April 4 the men’s Final Four will set up the championship on Monday, April 6. As you can see, you have a busy few days ahead of you.
Will and Jim talk about some of the missteps in organizing and coordinating the tournaments brought up by UConn’s Geno Auriemma, the need for better training for ref’s alluded to by ‘TV’ Teddy Valentine and the guys have their take on each of those as well.
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At the mid-point of the season it looked as if ACC men’s basketball had re-emerged while the women were not quite up to snuff. Never, ever judge a book by it’s cover applies liberally in this instance. The conference women are demonstrating their prowess with North Carolina, Notre Dame, Virginia, Louisville and Duke all moving forward in the NCAA Tournament. Stanford and Cal have moved into the Quarterfinals of the WBIT with wins over Quinnipiac and Kansas State respectively.
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As for the men’s side only one team moves on in the NCAA Tournament and the door has been shut in the NIT for conference teams. Duke moves into the Sweet 16 with a win over TCU and will face St. John’s who nipped Kansas, 67-65.
BasketballIt’s been an amazing post-season run of basketball for both men and women with more than a fair share of close games, overtimes and upsets. You wouldn’t expect anything less at this time of year. Will and Jim take a look at a number of ACC teams and others playing for titles. The scores, some analysis and thoughts on how teams have and how they may perform moving forward.
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Will and Jim have more than one NCAA bracket to take a look at on this episode of ACC Nation. The guys start out with the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and take a look at more than just the ACC teams that received bids. You’ll hear about the matchups that stand out and should offer some exciting action. The big question is, can anyone take out the No. 1 seed, UConn? Coach Geno has yet another monster of a squad that has proven themselves all year long.
NCAA Printable Bracket – Women’s
Next up is the NIT where we find both Wake Forest and California grabbing spots that may further fine-tune their potential for next season. There’s more than a handful of No. 1 seeds to worry about in this NCAA bracket. Will and Jim point out some teams that you should go out of your way to watch as action gets underway.
NIT Printable Bracket
NCAA BracketWhen you talk about an NCAA bracket you’re sure to grab attention when you start in with the men. It’s a bit of a brutal setup that doesn’t appear to open up any easy doors to the championship game. You want it? You’re going to have to really work hard for it this year.
NCAA Printable Bracket – Men’s
There are several teams in both the men’s and women’s tournaments that will have to ‘earn’ it with play-in games. On the men’s side, NC State and SMU have challenging foes to face in Texas and Miami (OH). If they make it to the second game they’ll be in for battle. On the women’s side, Virginia won’t have an easy play-in with Arizona State and that second game will be nasty.
With all sports, if you want it, ‘earn it’. We’ll soon see which teams have the goods and can deliver.
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Megan Gauer, Bracketologist with HerHoopStats.com joins Will and Jim to talk women’s basketball. We take a broad look at teams from across all conferences that Gauer projects getting bids to the NCAA Tournament. Conference tournaments tossed in some curves with No. 1 seeds moving around at the last moment and it didn’t stop there.
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We look at teams that added to their resumes at the end of the season and during conference tournaments that may have moved them into more secure spots. We’ll find out soon as the selection committee lays it all out for us on Sunday, March 15. We’ll follow that up on Monday with our thoughts and analysis.
Women’s BasketballHow does ACC women’s basketball stack up this season? The conference is right behind the Big Ten and SEC when it comes to numbers and there are teams that are coming into their own at the right time.
’26 ACC Wrestling Championship | Hokies Dominate
As always, Will asks, ‘who are the Cinderella teams’? Gauer has one or two up her sleeve that you may want to make note of when filling in your own brackets.
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Who came away from a hard fought overtime game to win the women’s ACC Basketball Tournament? Will and Jim have the answer. Close games, fights to the finish and a wild ride in the title game but what more would you expect? Up next for teams it’s the NCAA women’s basketball tournament selection reveal on Sunday, March 15 at 8pm ET on ESPN. The First Four play March 18-19 with the First and Second Rounds March 20-23.
When it comes to the NCAA Tournament ACC basketball is projected to have 9 teams in by Charlie Creme at ESPN. Clemson is among his Last 4 Byes, Virginia the Last 4 In and just missing the cut is Stanford.
The ACC will be without two men’s coaches following their release this weekend. Boston College and Georgia Tech are moving on while the rumor mill is stirring up news about Pitt.
ACC BasketballWill and Jim go over the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule that kicks off on Tuesday, March 10 at 2pm ET with No. 10 Stanford taking on No. 15 Pitt. The winner will face off with No. 7 NC State. Other First Round games include No. 11 SMU and No. 14 Syracuse and No. 12 Virginia Tech taking on No. 13 Wake Forest. The winners of those games face an uphill battle as they will take on No. 6 Louisville and No. 5 Clemson.
Teams receiving byes and not playing until the Quarterfinals are No. 1 seed Duke, No. 2 seed Virginia, No. 3 seed Miami and No. 4 seed North Carolina.
How are ACC softball and baseball teams fairing in the latest Top 25’s? Not too badly. Find out where you favorite team stands by subscribing and listening to the podcast, watch us on YouTube or choose streaming radio.
Bracketologist Jason Carmello of Big-Underdog joins Will and Jim for a look at his latest bracket. Carmello shares why teams are performing and under-performing as conference championship tournaments approach. He also shares some teams that you’ll want to hear about before you begin building your bracket for the NCAA Tournament.
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Duke has moved into the top spot in the latest AP Top 25 and grabs the No. 1 seed among 4 great teams who all bring something unique to the game. Virginia is a No. 4 seed in Carmello’s latest projection and indicates that new coach Ryan Odom has created a program that has surprised many with the speed in which it has come to fruition. North Carolina continues to hang in there despite many potholes along the way and the Tar Heels are a No. 6 seed.
BasketballNC State, Miami, Louisville, SMU, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Cal are all part of the conversation but not everyone is lined up to close the deal. Find out who Carmello believes may have a hard time locking up a tournament bid. On the positive side he shares his thoughts on teams and new coaches that are knocking on the door and should not be overlooked next season.
Want More Basketball? Be sure to follow Big Underdog on X and we’ll have Jason on again as we get closer to the NCAA Tournament.
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Looking for a good counter to the groundhog’s prediction? ACC Nation podcast with Will and Jim take a look at the heat being generated by men’s basketball as we head into the short month of mayhem. Brackets are out (men) (women), the NET Rankings are taking on new meaning and teams are bringing out the grindstone as they target favorable seedings in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
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This is possibly the last chance for teams to deliver the goods. On this episode of the podcast we look at men’s and women’s hoops, breakdown the extra football games (and interesting locations) that ACC teams will have this year and take a look at the preseason men’s and women’s lacrosse polls where Syracuse (men) sit at No. 2 and North Carolina (women) are at No. 1.
PodcastThe crossover from Winter to Spring sports is already underway with softball beginning this week and baseball in two weeks. There are three ACC Championships scheduled for this month – Swimming and Diving, February 15-21, Fencing, February 21-22 and Indoor Track and Field, February 26-28. In the front end of March we’ll have the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament, ACC Wrestling and then the Men’s Basketball Championship.
Now, let’s see what we can do about those extra six weeks of nasty weather the groundhog is forecasting.
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ACC Nation podcast with Will and Jim wraps up the football season with a look at the Miami CFP Championship run, transfer portal action, the final Top 25’s and ACC players in the first round of the NFL Mock Draft at this point.
Tip of the hat to Pitt’s Olivia Babcock, a spectacular volleyball player who has won the Honda Sport Award for the sport and it’s her second straight season as the top finisher.
PodcastThe NCAA’s Andy Katz is projecting 8 ACC men’s basketball teams to make the tournament this year. That’s a significant improvement over the last few years. Katz has a No. 1 seed, a No. 4 seed, a No. 5 seed, two No. 6 seeds, two No. 8 seeds and a team playing in at No. 11.
This episode of the podcast looks at the latest NCAA NET Rankings for men and women, recent games and how Quadrant 1 action can make or break teams across the board.
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What might it feel like living in 1970? On this episode of ACC Nation podcast we’re joined by special guest David Doda, a member of the Wake Forest football team that won their first conference championship since the school had helped form it in 1953.
History books looking at 1970 are filled with things like the Vietnam war, the Beatles breaking up, Joe Frazier becoming the World Heavyweight Champion in boxing and the movie MAS*H premiering among others. But, in Winston-Salem a group of young men who were dismissed by sportswriters of the time came together under Coach Cal Stoll for a journey they’ll never forget and Doda shares his memories in his book, No Offense, No Defense, No Hope.
PodcastThe road to victory is seldom as smooth as imagined. The struggles as players, as young men living in a troubled world and personal loss often helps forge lasting relationships. Having an old school coach that holds your feet to the fire builds comradery and focuses you on things at hand rather than the whirling dervish outside of campus.
Baseball | Preseason Top 25. Good For What Exactly?
Doda’s book is available at Amazon and is a fascinating read for anyone who is into college football, interested in history and especially for Wake Forest alumni and fans.
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Who among you had an ACC team in the CFP Championship game? ACC Nation podcast with Will Ojanen and Jim Quist take a look at Miami and their journey to the title game. Don’t let anyone tell you that the conference is weak or unable to compete against the assumed powerhouses because it’s obviously not true. With financial incentives being spread far and wide among college teams parity is kicking in and what once was is no longer.
The guys jump into ACC men’s and women’s basketball. The men’s side has fallen on hard times the last few years but there is clearly a re-emergence underway and more teams than ever fighting for a spot in the top tier. The women have carried the prestige of the conference during the men’s falling off and at the beginning of the season experience their own stumble. It now appears as if they too are rising like the Phoenix.
PodcastThere’s no better time to begin a hot streak than now and through the ACC tournament. Teams need to collect, as they point out on the podcast as many Q1 wins (or even losses if it’s close) to improve their NCAA NET rankings (men – women).
If you’re looking for ACC sports then be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen to our streaming radio or watch our YouTube channel. Get on board as the basketball train starts picking up steam.
What will it take for ACC basketball teams to make it to the Big Dance? ACC Nation podcast with Will and Jim take a look at both men and women as they’ve reached the midway point of the season. It isn’t all about adding Quadrant 1 wins and having a comfy ranking in the NCAA NET.
Those wins are important but staying away from Q3 and 4 losses may be even more critical when the committee looks at the 37 At-Large Bids later this year. Of course, you could always shoot for winning the conference and get an Auto-Bid.
The guys look at the most recent wins and losses, how they impact the overall conference and why some records at this point in the season aren’t all they’re made out to be.
PodcastWe’ve got the latest Wooden Award Midseason Watchlist players from the ACC, a look at some individual and team stats, the conference standings and those sweet, sweet NET numbers for all of you stat fiends.
Basketball | ACC Working On A Good Thing In ’26
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Who gets lit up on the first ACC Nation podcast of 2026? Will and Jim talk conference football bowl performances, the transfer portal, changes in personnel (on and off the field) and wrap with an update on men’s and women’s basketball. Needless to say, you want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! Find out who gets torched.
Thousands of Division I football players hit the Transfer Portal and for some it was a good decision. For far too many it wasn’t. Why? Welcome to the new reality of college sports. This ain’t your daddy’s turf anymore and those who aren’t treating it like the business that it is are destined for a rough landing.
PodcastAs Will and Jim discussed with Jason Carmello of Big Underdog the ACC men’s basketball picture is looking much better than it has in years. Can a couple of teams still trip up and face-plant on the court? Some seem to be working on it but it’s just the beginning of non-stop conference play. One request…don’t horse this up for everyone else in the conference if you want to crap the bed.
Ready for a fun ride into the tournaments? We’ve got it for you along with some great guests over the weeks to come. Subscribe to the podcast and/or YouTube and listen on streaming radio. Don’t forget. We have exclusive content on social media and all of the aforementioned outlets. Jump on board!
With over a month and a half of (essentially) non-conference ACC men’s basketball under our belts who would have thought things would be looking up as much as they are? Special guest, Jason Carmello, the wizard behind Big-Underdog bracketology says there’s much to be happy with when it comes to the conference this season.
ACC men’s basketball over the past few years has been less than stellar and pundits have been declaring an early death for the conference. Well, it appears that the slumber is over. Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia all hold spots in the latest Top 25’s. What might be even more telling is the teams that are getting attention and it’s a long list. Clemson, Cal, Notre Dame, Miami, SMU, Virginia Tech, NC State and if consistency jump into the mix then Wake Forest and Syracuse will be there, too.
BasketballIn Carmello’s first bracket of the season 8 ACC teams find a spot with four more just on the cusp. That’s simply the Phoenix rising. Yes, it’s an early projection but there’s far more stats to work with this season than in years past. All good signs.
With a quick listen or watching ACC Nation on YouTube you’ll find out why we spend less time talking when Carmello joins us to talk basketball.
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What’s up on this week’s ACC Nation podcast? Will and Jim look at the ACC Football Championship game between Virginia and Duke and are somewhere around 98% on the positivity regarding the performances of both teams. We don’t think most of you have any doubt about what we’re referring to in our headline. Yeah, the guys have opinions.
The rundown of all the bowl games and how the matchups look plus thoughts on Miami vs. Texas A&M in the CFP. If teams bring it there will be plenty to talk about when all is said and done. That includes the huge impact on drawing portal players and recruiting will have on programs if they go full tilt.
PodcastIf you stand back a little you’ll see some improvement in ACC men’s basketball this season and it’s very encouraging. What was once a shining star for the conference has lost some luster over on the women’s side. A solid start has ended up being a mess. What’s happening? There’s no simple answer but a closer inspection is warranted.
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There can be no denying the 2025 ACC football season was about as hairy as a traveling carnival’s ride. Next season we’ll all be sure to check to see how secure our chairs are before getting on for a spin. Week 14 is behind us, the ACC Championship Game is in front of us and who knows what is lurking for CFP Sunday. Complain, belittle, whine about the conference all you want but the fact is you haven’t had these kind of thrills in forever.
Will and Jim review the final week of regular season action and unleash some dragon’s breath upon numerous and well-deserved recipients. After Duke and Virginia battle it out in Charlotte, certainly not a scenario that many people would have ever thought would happen we’ll find out how the CFP committee views ACC football on Sunday. Undoubtedly, we’ll hear and see a number of teams across the college landscape suffering a similar fate as Florida State did a few years ago.
FootballAlong the way players will decide if they want to go the NFL Draft route. Bowls will come knocking at a number of ACC teams’ doors. The College Football Playoffs will get underway and we’ll see who’s serious and who’s a pretender. The next level of fun has begun. Hold on tight and enjoy every step because as all football junkies know, there’s a long pause between the national championship and the draft.
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Wouldn't a plate full of ACC sports be a nice addition to Thanksgiving? We're choosing to think of this as an extra dessert as this episode just plain tasty. Special guest Lonte Smith joins us to talk about Will Wade and NC State men's basketball, the changing face of college hoops, how the ACC looks and the bigger picture as well. You like basketball? Be sure to subscribe to Smith's Substack or catch his work following Mid-Majors and be sure to follow him on 'X'.Follow ACC Nation On Tik Tok!Smith points to some untapped locations that recruiters should be taking a closer look at for college basketball. To add to the good eats list we collect from first-time visitors to the show Smith points to a couple of steak restaurants in Charlotte and Raleigh as must visits in your journeys.SportsWill and Jim get into Week 13 play in the latter half of the episode and explore the impact of wins and losses. Where are we headed when it comes to the conference championship? We won't know for sure until everything is said and done in Week 14 which they preview and there are some iffy situations out there. Believe it or not this is the final week of the regular season and it's been a helluva ride this season.Want your ACC sports with all the fixin's? It's all here. Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast, streaming radio or YouTube.We hope you have safe journeys and enjoy the holiday!
Isn't a bit baffling that people are complaining about the wild and wooly world of ACC football? As if adding some excitement into their weekend was some kind of bad thing? Get real folks. Embrace the madness as it is truly epic. We've never had so much to talk about at this point in the season in years and that includes Coastal Chaos, which on the face of it was just 'click-bait' anyway. There's no denying it. This IS a football conference and it's only getting better.Special guest Drew Cagle of Clemson Tigers on SI joins Will and Jim on the front end of ACC Nation to delve into Clemson football, basketball and the word on a BBQ sweet spot. Cagle helps dissect some of the issues that the Tigers have faced on the field, what's changing with Dabo's approach to personnel and then look out, Brad Brownell (who is perennially thought of as having one foot out the door) may be sneaking up on ACC men's basketball yet again this season.FootballYou'll have to listen or watch to find out about the recommended BBQ restaurant. Cagle may make your mouth water after you hear him talk about this well-known landing spot.Listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, watch us on YouTube or listen 24/7 on streaming radio.
After watching several weeks of unusual and unexpected finishes in ACC football who would have imagined Duke having a shot at the ACC Championship Game? That's right folks, the Blue Devils could be in line for a trip to Charlotte but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet. The conference standings have Georgia Tech, Virginia, SMU, Pitt and Duke lined up with one loss thus far. Duke still has 3 games to go, Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Winning out would put the Blue Devils in a solid position to get a nod.Special guest, Conor O'Neill, the Publisher of Devils Illustrated and Deacons Illustrated joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to talk about football and also to delve into this years crop of top-tier players in basketball. There's an enormous amount of behind the scenes info that helps fill in the blanks when looking at both programs. If you're a fan of Duke or Wake Forest we encourage you to subscribe to his sites because you'll get far more detail and updates than you'd expect, it's worth the investment.DukeO'Neill gets into the why's and what for's of the football program and the direction in which it's headed. Plenty of encouraging forward vision going on with Manny Diaz. When it comes to Jon Scheyer, you'll find a similar story as the coach moves the team into a new day in ways you may not have thought about.ACC Nation invites you to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel or listen to us on streaming radio.
ACC football and madness prevails late into the season. Alright bingo card holders, who had Virginia atop the conference at this point? If you raised your hand then pride yourself on being a true homer and maybe toss in some blind faith as well. On the menu this week we have upsets, overtime, close calls and one too many people tossing around the term, team of destiny. Hold on there porkchop! There's four more weeks and no one is certain who is headed to Charlotte. Will and Jim review a wonderful Week 10 of ACC action and share some opinions that may have you headed to the medicine cabinet for some Tums. This final stretch is going to be a serious reality check for schools as administrations look at the performances of coaches, coaches wonder if they'd be happier elsewhere, players look for better situations and fans either sigh in relief or in deep frustration over what will transpire.FootballYou know, football isn't the only thing rolling along in the ACC. Basketball gets underway this week and it looks like yet another powerful women's season is in store. What about the men you ask? It may be better than what we've seen in years. You'll definitely want to watch our interview with Jason Carmello of Big Underdog Bracketology talking about college basketball and what to expect.Listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, on streaming radio or YouTube.BTW - If you needed to Google 'haboob' all we have to say is, 'we made you look'.
It might be considered ‘beating a dead horse’ to continue harping on how much parity NIL and the Transfer Portal has brought to college football. The thing is, it’s a solid truth as evidenced by the up’s and down’s in every conference. You see it every week in the scoreboards, the number of upsets, overtime games and an unreal number of Top 25 teams showing themselves the exit or disappearing altogether. College football is a blast.
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Will and Jim jump outside the ACC in the early portion of the show to focus on yet another coach added to the carousel. Are we looking at a mass exodus or just another shuffle in hopes these individuals can bring some magic elsewhere. The guys bring out the riding crop to try to get Top 25 voters back in line. Hasn’t worked thus far so no reason to get our hopes up, right?
FootballAre we looking at a tale of two seasons? Early struggles are now turning into success for some teams. Late bloomers if you will. Could it be happening at the right time to push teams toward the magic 6 win bowl reward? So far Georgia Tech, Virginia, Pitt, Louisville and Miami have locked up their spots. With just one more win SMU, Wake Forest and Cal will join the crowd. The fight will be for the remaining 4-5 teams to grab six wins.
ACC teams will be featured on bowl games beginning on December 13 with air time on ESPN, ABC, Fox and CBS.
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Who for a hot minute didn’t think that NIL and the Transfer Portal would have an even greater impact on college basketball than it has in football? Special guest Jason Carmello of Big Underdog Bracketology joins Will and Jim to preview the teams that will be making an impression upon men’s hoops fans this season.
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The excitement of last year’s tournament overflows into this season with some of the top names right back at the front of the line looking for a trophy. Carmello provides a look at the top conferences, the teams, the players and shares his thoughts on how money is impacting the game.
BasketballWhere will the ACC be at the end of the season? It’s hard to predict but all three guys have their opinions and throw the red meat out there for the crowd to devour. Who will be the top team in the conference? Is there a surprise lurking in the shadows? How much impact will new coaches, new looks and transfer players have when all is said and done? More than you’d imagine.
The season begins soon and the tension mounts as college basketball returns.
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What is ACC football? A wild adventure every week that feels a bit like the movie, ‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle’. Parity has kicked in and there are more teams than ever before capable of fighting for a spot among the top tier of the conference. Granted this weekly topsy-turvy field of fun may not sit well with some fanbases (depending on the week) the most amusing thing is watching national pundits try to disavow how exciting ACC football has become and dig deep in their bag of tomfoolery to say things like you can’t ‘trust the conference’. What? Pack it up and head out to pasture if that’s the best you have.
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We welcome our wild cousin Jeremy Wahman from Cardinal Sports Zone Podcast to give us a few minutes (two hours later) of his thoughts on the Louisville win over Miami. Have we been missing something? What does this win mean going forward? Jeremy never holds back and that’s why we love having him join us.
FootballThen, Will and Jim jump into a review of Week 8, look at the standings, who’s already locked in a bowl with 6 or more wins and which teams are merely a win away from locking their bid in. It was yet another crazy week with endings you couldn’t make up and one look ahead to Week 9 says we’re in for even more. We say, celebrate ACC football. It has been a wild ride so far and we anxiously await each matchup.
Be sure to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation. Will and Jim are available on podcast, streaming radio and YouTube plus catch our content on multiple social media platforms such as Instagram, Tik Tok, X, Facebook, Reddit and Bluesky among others.
ACC football has entered the back half of the regular season and the countdown to the conference championship and bowl eligibility has begun. Apparently there are still some surprises available in the weekly grab bag both from teams and individuals.
The shorter schedule, seven teams were on bye weeks, still presented some fun ball. The wow-factor kicked in with Pitt and their true freshman QB Mason Heintschel who battled it out with Florida State in Tallahassee. Both the Panthers and Seminoles pounded it out on both sides of the ball where only a handful of miscues helped turn the overall tide in favor of Pitt.
FootballThe world of Wake Forest football under head coach Jake Dickert is slowly turning the corner and the long-term plan is kicking in just in time to possibly deliver a bowl bid. The Demon Deacons started this journey weeks ago and it came to fruition with a solid win against Oregon State.
College football found itself in the midst of the final stages of coaches on hot seats as a number of head coaches and assistants were released. Are more to come? Yes. And just wait until the end of the season.
Will and Jim review all the games and then take a look at what’s on the horizon in Week 8. There are some serious matchups that could further upset the ACC apple cart once again. Who do they think will win?
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What did you think of ACC football in Week 6? We invited the publisher of JacketsOnline.com, Kelly Quinlan to join us and share his thoughts not only on Georgia Tech but also the rest of the conference. Quinlan doesn’t hold back and provides his unvarnished thoughts on how teams and individuals are and aren’t performing. Let’s just say, the title, Altered Expectations, Performance Issues is spot on though it sounds like an article that you’d find in, Men’s Health magazine.
Are you re-thinking how the ACC rankings should look? You’d be in the majority if you were. At this point in the season it looks as if Miami is the top-dog but is there anything that could send that car careening off the highway to the CFP? Come on now, it’s the ACC. Think about it.
FootballThere were some match-ups that had different endings than we thought. Will was invited to join the guys at Cardinal Sports Zone to provide his thoughts on the Louisville-Virginia game. He has since been told he’s no longer welcome to come back. Just so you know, their fearless leader, Jeremy, is a good friend and frequent guest on ACC Nation and it’s just part of our normal good natured ribbing.
The guys review all of the football games from this past week and then get into what to expect in Week 7. There are some interesting games on the schedule and opportunities for underdogs to shine.
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College football across the board was wild and wooly. From upsets to close calls it was a pucker up weekend for fans. The ACC began it’s weekend with a Friday night clash of leaders in offensive delivery as Florida State visited Virginia for a game that, on paper, sure seemed like a shoe-in for the Noles. As the clock wound down the slipper found on the stairs belonged to the Wahoos.
Special guest, Jacquie Franciulli, Publisher of Wahoos 247 was at Scott Stadium and drops in to share her thoughts and observations on the game. Can Virginia continue on this path and if so, where will it take them?
FootballWill and Jim review the rest of the games from Week 5 and then share some quick thoughts on what to expect in Week 6 of ACC football. Coming up this week they’ll be sharing their ACC Nation Power Poll Rankings which may stir up some interesting water cooler conversations.
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Wins, losses and some head-scratching out-comes are all part of what makes ACC football so dynamic week to week. Will and Jim start off with some interesting news on added games for the future, thoughts on the ACC Network and The CW and reflect on why Clemson fans who are calling for Dabo’s head should take a chill pill with a big swig of Upstate’s finest shine.
Week 4 has allowed us to shake off enough dust off teams to see if there’s a Shelby Mustang under there or just a Dodge Dart. There are a few programs hovering between the two so this coming week’s play should be enough to make it clear who we’re dealing with.
FootballWeek 5 has Clemson, Miami, North Carolina and SMU on bye but there’s plenty of exciting football action on the schedule. Friday night lights have Florida State visiting Virginia for a mash-up between two potent offenses but this game ultimately will come down to defense. There are several other games that have ‘show-me’ written all over them and the guys discuss what each team stands to gain and what they stand to lose.
To wrap things up we take a quick look at Bart Torvik’s latest ACC men’s basketball projections and Will shares who he thinks will take the conference this season. See if you agree.
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Who do you think the top 3 ACC football teams are now? Will and Jim share their insights and opinions on Week 3 action that included a coach being shown the door, dominance, an upset and a lot of surprises. That’s ACC football and the best is yet to come.
The guys received some stink-eye over their pick of Georgia Tech over Clemson but the proof is in the pudding. Hopefully you didn’t miss the Backyard Brawl because it was everything you’d want in a college football game, well, except the win for Pitt. Miami demonstrated their prowess and Jim declares the U to be back. There are still a number of teams that need to prove themselves to be taken seriously. That time is coming. And good old Cal continues to entertain their new conference by delivering unexpected joy.
FootballWeek 4 of ACC football presents some put-up or shut-up opportunities that will sift out the chaff from the wheat and essentially lay out the top tier of the conference. The middle is still to be determined while losses this coming weekend will make it clear who should reside in the cellar.
Haven’t listened yet? We invite you to listen by subscribing to ACC Nation podcast, listening to streaming radio or subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Mike Yam, host of CW’s Football Saturday Countdown joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to talk about the upcoming Miami and USF matchup at Hard Rock Stadium. The Bulls have used Top 25 teams as their china shop surprisingly running through ranked Boise State and Florida. After those efforts yet another ranked team in Miami is up next. Could the Canes be number 3?
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Will and Mike get into the aspects of each team’s offense and defense that can make a difference when the clock runs out. Miami fans know Carson Beck and the damage he can do but Yam reminds us USF has Byrum Brown under center and he’s been putting up some amazing numbers.
It all comes down to the effectiveness of defense on both sides. Which team holds up best through all four quarters of play?
Mike YamYam, the author of the book, ‘Fried Rice and Marinara‘ shares what inspired him to write and let’s us know his second publication is coming. The conversation moves into food for somewhat obvious reasons and Yam puts to rest where pineapple belongs and it’s not pizza.
You can catch Mike Yam on CW’s Football Saturday Countdown, the NFL Network and SiriusXM. USF at Miami is on The CW, Saturday at 4:30p ET.
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What would ACC football be without some WT* games each week? Far less entertaining and this week was a blast on many levels. There were some sluggish performances, some games on hyper-drive and plenty of play that leaves folks scratching their heads. Will and Jim run them all down for you and share some observations from each in this review of week 2 on ACC Nation.
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It didn’t take but a shot or two of some coaches on the sidelines to know that practice this week is going to be brutal. Turnovers, missed opportunities and a lack of focus all contributed to the outcomes. Sadly, one explanation lingering was that teams may have overlooked an opponent thus opening the door to that prize nobody wants on game shows.
FootballSubscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen to us on streaming radio or watch the latest and more on YouTube. Follow us on social media by choosing your favorite platform(s) on our Homepage.
What exactly should we take away from week 1 of ACC football? It’s pretty simple. Jim puts on his Captain Obvious hat and guides us all back to reality and away from knee-jerk reactions. Will provides insight into the positives and a few negatives as well of each team’s performance. Can things improve? Certainly but the question of will they is still up in the air. Patience grasshopper.
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The guys run down each of the games and have some head shaking responses to the performances of coaches and players. Some of the basics need to be addressed and they’re pretty confident most if not all of these issues will be addressed
FootballNow might be a good time to go back and check the team football previews to see how things are playing out. Be sure to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast. Remember, we’re available 24/7 on streaming radio and you can watch each episode (and be sure to follow us) on YouTube.
Here it is, week 1 of ACC football and there are some enormous matchups coming your way. Will and Jim run down the schedule and make their picks. As always there are some random thoughts tossed in for good measure as well. See if you agree with their selections.
The official start to the conference season began in Week 0 (shouldn’t that be 1?) with Stanford traveling to Hawai’i where they dropped a frustrating game that hopefully won’t be an indicator for the rest of the Cardinal schedule.
ACC FootballBe sure to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, check out our streaming radio and watch content on YouTube. Be sure to hook up with us on social media. You’ll find your favorite platform at the top of our homepage.
Have a safe Labor Day Weekend and enjoy the games.
When you have the likes of Jim Brown, Donovan McNabb, Larry Csonka, Floyd Little, Art Monk and Ernie Davis as part of football history at Syracuse then would it be unreasonable to want more? Brad Bierman of The Juice Online joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to preview Syracuse football and talk about what head coach Fran Brown is working on long-term.
Glory days are wonderful to immerse yourself in but is it realistic for the Orange to nab the likes of those greats once again? The northeast was (still is) a fertile ground for tough, skilled football players that went on to grace the NFL. Will and Brad break down what’s changing on offense and defense. Are the powers that be patient enough to allow the plan to play out?
SyracuseJim and Brad look at the schedule and talk about what’s realistic. Is this a bowl bound team? Could be. Find out Bierman’s thoughts on the opponents and what this team needs to do to notch wins. The home field advantage of the Dome cannot be underestimated.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen on streaming radio and watch on YouTube. And as always, we encourage you to listen, like and subscribe to all three.
What exactly is it going to take to bring back the confidence and swagger once found in Florida State football? Head coach Mike Norvell has a monumental challenge on his hands, some created by him and a lot that hasn’t been. The Seminoles want, need to get back on track and there’s no better way than to be aggressive out of the chute with a huge first game matchup.
Special guest, Curt Weiler of Tomahawk Nation and Field Level Media joins Will and Jim to break down two aspects of this team. What was and what is. If there’s one thing that’s evident in college football you can toss anything that was in file 13 and look closely at how the coaching staff is working NIL and the Transfer Portal. There’s a lot to talk about and Weiler provides you a solid perspective on what is.
Will talks with Curt about the changes in offense and defense at Florida State. From scheme to personnel expect a shift in what you’ve been watching. The question is, can talk be transferred into action? Weiler has some definite opinions and solid thoughts on what direction this team is headed.
Florida StateJim goes over the schedule with Curt and we find out if how he projects each game with a thumbs up or thumbs down approach. Weiler also reflects on the factors that may come into play for deciding the outcome of each game. There’s a lot to digest so get your headphones, earbuds or sound system on your TV ready.
We invite you to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, streaming radio or watch on YouTube.
Pigeonholing a football team like Wake Forest based on previous performance would be short-sighted. It's been easy over the years to simply synopsize but now it's approaching fool-hardy to not do your homework. We can all agree that NIL and the Transfer Portal have flipped college football on it's head. There's still some lack of equality but plenty of room for the creative.Cam Lemons Debro of 247's Demon Deacon Digest joins Will and Jim to provide a preview of how Wake Forest football has and is changing. It starts with a new head coach, new schemes, new players and a mindset that eagerly wraps it's arms around the changes to the game and embraces them. That means there will be some obvious changes in what opponents and fans see on the field.Wake ForestCam talks with Will about some of the subtle and not-so-subtle nuisances that former Washington State coach Jake Dickert brings to the Demon Deacons. Find out what personnel are filling out the roster, where the strengths are and the new looks on offense and defense. Some of these will make you lift your eyebrow a time or two.What does Debro think about this year's schedule? It's always a perilous journey when projecting wins and losses but we think you'll find a straight-forward and honest assessment of what this team can do.Be sure to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, check out our streaming radio or watch this episode and more on YouTube.
Will NC State players rise to the occasion and show their potential? With so many questions about where Pack football can we expect clear-cut answers this season? And, is "Ants Marching" relatable when it comes to Dave Doeren's 13th season in Raleigh? That you'll have to answer for yourself.Special guest Evan from Red & White Podcast joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to preview the Wolfpack. Up front we examine the changes in coaching, schemes and infusion of players from the Transfer Portal. There are big questions regarding personnel plugging into the schemes and perhaps bigger ones regarding those players and the depth needed to keep the engine chugging.NC StateAmong the question marks there is CJ Bailey at quarterback. Has he developed in the off-season. How about the running backs? There's Hollywood Smothers but can you expect him to tote the rock 40 times a game without losing him to injury? What about incoming Duke Scott who is described as explosive. Can a freshman be successfully paired with Smothers to generate a ground and pound offense?The schedule is both agreeable and disconcerting depending on where you start. NC State looks like they'll be bowl bound again but will it be as ESPN's FPI projects, a 6-6 season? Evan gives us his thoughts on each game and what might give the team the edge.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, listen to us on streaming radio or watch ACC Nation on YouTube. Like, follow and as always, we look forward to your comments on YT.
If you aren't familiar with Cal then there's one thing you should know. The creative juices flow and when they put their minds to something count on some creative twists and turns. When it comes to football you shouldn't fall back on what the Golden Bears did last year to project what they'll do this season. One key element to take into consideration is Ron Rivera. Special guest Jim McGill of Bear Insider previews the team with Will and Jim and explains what's different.It's an interesting turn of events on and off the field and indicates Cal is taking this run in the ACC seriously. That means opponents should be doing their homework. Will gets into the offense, defense and changes that have been implemented with McGill.CalJim runs down the schedule and gets McGill's thoughts on each game and how he sees the team performing overall. It's a great opportunity for fans of teams on the East Coast to step outside of their media bubbles and hear a perspective that is not as heavily influenced by the echo chamber.ACC Nation is available by subscribing to the podcast, listening to us on streaming radio or watching each episode on YouTube. We appreciate your likes, follows and of course, comments on YouTube.
The proverbial roller-coaster ride that Pitt fans endure may even out this season. There's a significant number of returning players that check off the talent, experience and depth categories. To get a good feel for what the Panthers have to offer under head coach Pat Narduzzi this season Will and Jim invite back special guest Chris Peak of 247's Panther-Lair to get his thoughts on the team.Listen To All Of The ACC Nation Football PreviewsWill and Chris get into the key role players and one or two, 'what-if's' that should intrigue both fans and opponents. A good example is quarterback and Peak says Narduzzi isn't taking any chances. Find out why.PittWhat about the schedule? Pitt started out with a bang last year before trailing off. Are there games on the list that have a higher likelihood of going the Panthers way this season? Jim and Chris go over each game with a thumbs up, thumbs down approach and a Will's Waggle as a third choice in case the Magic 8-Ball isn't working.Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to Streaming Radio or watch ACC Nation on YouTube. Listen, Like and Subscribe!
The answer to that question for Virginia football fans lies within this episode of ACC Nation with Will and Jim as Brad Franklin of CavsCorner previews the Wahoos. We're hearing it more and more with ACC football previews, the number of players coming in from the portal is making it difficult to keep up with everyone. That ultimately leads to, how can anyone know with any certainty what that team or for that matter how any team will perform?Fortunate for us we know someone similar to Nostradamus when it comes to the Cavaliers. Well, at least we think so. We kick off this episode looking at the schedule and comparing some important notes on how the team will get to a bowl game this season. Is it possible? What's the best and worst case scenarios?VirginiaWill and Brad shake down the depth and point making potential of the Virginia offense. From QB to the OL the team has markedly improved thanks to the financial support of fans and boosters. What about defense? Linebackers and DB's in general are deeper and bring a better skill-set to roster.Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen to streaming radio and watch the show on YouTube.
Consistency is the key to success in any sport and without a doubt Duke has been pretty darned consistent in hoops. The same hasn't been the case in football which has seemed like an after thought in years past. Times change and the need to be successful on the field as well as the court go hand in hand. Mike Elko helped move the program out of the 'it's just good enough' phase and now Manny Diaz is upping the game.Special guest, Conor O'Neill the publisher of Devils Illustrated joins ACC Nation to provide a preview of the upcoming season. O'Neill points out that Diaz is moving the offense from a limited delivery system into one that will keep defenses on their toes. Find out why Tulane QB transfer Darian Mensah along with select players from the portal will begin moving Duke into the upper tier of the conference.DukeDepth and experience are key factors on the defensive side of the ball as well. It takes time recruiting and dipping into the Transfer Portal to bring a solid product together. Last year's record of 9-4 may be more of a challenge to match as most of the ACC is also building programs of note but it will be clear to fans and definitely opponents that the Blue Devils have chosen not to snooze.Listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, streaming radio and YouTube for more conference content.
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is steadily building the Cardinals into a perennial top-tier program within the ACC. Being within the top 5 of the conference means more than a shot at a conference title these days. With the expansion of the College Football Playoffs and revenue sharing based upon how many eyes are on you during television appearances it has a far greater impact upon the success of a school's athletic program.Jody Demling, the Publisher of Cardinal Authority joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to preview this year's team. We start out with a look at the schedule and how Demling believes the Cardinals will perform. There are a number of major challenges, some of which may have a huge impact on who ends up in Charlotte for a shot at the ACC title. LouisvilleThen, a look at the roster and how Demling feels about the offense and defense this season. With 40+ transfers (not unusual for teams in today's environment) it becomes harder to preview a team. Some of the positions are filled by returning players while others are fresh boots on the ground. Will and Jody break down the strengths and weaknesses for Louisville.It looks like an exciting year ahead for Louisville fans with a new quarterback in transfer Miller Moss. Moss will have Isaac Brown and Duke Watson in the backfield, veterans Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy at wide receiver and there are some important additions in the O-line that need to click to allow this offense to click. Hear what Demling thinks of the 2025 defense and how important it will be to the success of the team.Want more content? Subscribe and like ACC Nation Podcast, listen to us on streaming radio and watch this and other episodes on YouTube where we'd appreciate a follow.
The impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal requires a crystal ball to project how Miami will perform this season. Fortunately, the next best thing joins ACC Nation for our Canes football preview. Manny Navarro of The Athletic and Host of 'Wide Right' podcast provides a straight up and straight forward look at this year's squad.The team isn't shying away from taking big steps as they open against Notre Dame on Sunday, August 31. The game will be prime-time on ABC at 7:30pm ET. How they perform and the outcome could have more impact on both Miami and the ACC than one might imagine. Navarro runs through the schedule giving his thumbs up, thumbs down view of the wins and losses. MiamiCarson Beck appears ready and willing to roll as quarterback for Miami this season after having UCL (elbow) surgery earlier. Who will be his back-up? There's plenty of depth in the room but limited experience taking game snaps.Head Coach Mario Cristobal has loaded and re-loaded (in some cases) a team that has lost some key personnel. The offense looks solid even with the departure of players like Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. How about the running game? Who fills the shoes of Damien Martinez?The defense will need to step up this season to help buffer some of the losses on offense and Navarro runs down the players returning and transferring in that can make that happen.Be sure to like and subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen on streaming radio or watch us on YouTube.
For years fans, writers and, well take your pick have all said North Carolina is a basketball school, they'll never succeed in football. With the turn of events precipitated by NIL schools can't afford to remain locked into the past. Thus, Bubba Cunningham found a way to entice former NFL head coach Bill Belichick to hop a plane and land in Raleigh. What exactly does this and will this mean for the Tar Heels? Special Guest Max Sloan of Tar Heel Blog joins Will and Jim to talk about that and more on ACC Nation.Sloan gives us his thoughts on how this team will perform this season as we get his thumbs up, thumbs down on the schedule. How's it look? Look for a bowl appearance at a minimum. North CarolinaBe sure to like and subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to ACC football previews on streaming radio and watch each episode and more on YouTube.
Has Head Coach Brent Pry finally found the magic key to unlocking Hokies football from the doldrums? With two new coordinators and more than enough new names on the roster it appears that opportunity is knocking this season. The Lead Analyst and Columnist at TechSideline, Chris Coleman joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation and shares a wealth of knowledge that seems to indicate this team is close to shedding mediocrity.There are several must-win games to get the engine started and a win over South Carolina in Atlanta would go a long way in priming the pump. Coleman gives us his thumbs up-thumbs down on the 2025 season. The conclusion is the team is riding somewhere in between the dark and the light. What will it take to move in the right direction?HokiesWill and Chris break down the changes in offense and defense under Phil Montgomery and Sam Siefkes. Which side of the ball is most likely to advance? Tough questions and only time will tell. The Hokies are at home for 7 games and there seems to be more tv time for them as well. Does someone know something the rest of us don't?Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to us on streaming radio or watch each episode on our YouTube channel.
If for one moment you found yourself straying from reality and thought Stanford would sit idly by while the world of college football rapidly evolved, then re-think that idea. The Cardinal opted for the, let's kick some rear-end approach to igniting their football program by bringing in former NFL QB Andrew Luck as GM who then brought in his former head coach in Indianapolis, Frank Reich to be "interim". That remains to be seen, the interim part that is.Updated Schedule To Come Ben Parker, the Publisher of Cardinal Sports Report, an On3/Rivals site joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to preview the Cardinal. Up front he gives us his thoughts on if Stanford will win or lose games on their schedule. Then, Parker and Will look at the movement and depth on offense and defense. What's changed? A lot. Luck was very active in the Transfer Portal in part because many players departed but also because there is a new vision of what this team will look like in the coming years.StanfordReich, a former Maryland QB and Buffalo Bills QB has a great deal of experience finding ways to come back from seemingly insurmountable odds. His experience as OC with Philadelphia during their Super Bowl run and as head coach of both Indianapolis and Carolina will no doubt help develop a pro-style approach to offense at Stanford. If he has the right QB Reich can make good use of what appears to be a deep Wide Receiver room and that same depth can be found among Running Backs as well.Stanford still has plenty of work to do with both lines and some weak spots on defense. If Reich pulls a rabbit out of the hat this season the term, "interim" may well be just that. One game to look forward to will be his meeting in Chapel Hill with Bill Belichick's Tar Heels later in the season.Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to us on ACC Nation Radio or watch the previews on YouTube.
Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher for the Rivals/On3Sports site, JacketsOnline joins Will and Jim for an ACC Nation football preview of Georgia Tech. It looks and feels like a very good year for the Ramblin' Wreck faithful and you'll find out why in this podcast.Quinlan goes thumbs up/thumbs down on the Yellow Jackets schedule and if the offensive firepower and reconfigured defense deliver it may well become 'Hot 'Lanta' on Saturdays at Bobby Dodd again. It's a schedule that could put the team into the midst of the Top 25 early in the season.Georgia TechWill and Kelly explore the depth and add-ons on offense and defense that have so many excited about the trend this team has been on the last few years. The offense is staggeringly loaded with the return of QB Haynes King, RB Jamal Haynes and WR Malik Rutherford among others. Quinlan reminds us all that head coach Brent Key has finally had the time to recruit 'his' team. Success this season will further add spice to this sauce.Subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen to us 24/7 on streaming radio or watch us on YouTube.
Boston College football preview podcast with Will Ojanen and Jim Quist. Special guest, A.J. Black.
Will Ojanen takes the reins of ACC Nation podcast this week to provide a quick update on what's happening across the Atlantic Coast Conference. If you like a quickie now and then you'll really enjoy this episode and walk away with a smile on your face, too.There's a solid look at men's and women's basketball. How the season ended for conference teams and what's up next including coaching hires and NIL money. Then, a look a football and baseball. What's in store for the conference as Omaha approaches and will there be improvement on the gridiron this year?ACCWill and Jim return to the trenches with full episodes and special guest plus don't forget we're rapidly approaching football preview season. There is a lot to talk about on that front this year.Make sure you don't miss an episode of ACC Nation by subscribing to the podcast, listening on streaming radio and watching us on YouTube.
The 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament brackets for both men and women were revealed Sunday evening and not without a bit of controversy. Will and Jim get into the meat of the WTH moment right up front addressing North Carolina getting a bid in the men's bracket. The selection committee jumped feet first into the fire choosing the Tar Heels and without a doubt social media will be ablaze with opinions for quite a while.The second portion of the WTH moment came with Louisville only being seeded No. 8 in the bracket. Will had some thoughts on that topic as did our previous guest Jeremy Wahman from CSZ who was on ACC Nation Podcast a week ago.NCAA BasketballDuke, Clemson, Louisville and North Carolina all grabbed spots in the tournament on the men's side for the ACC.It was a much merrier place to be for the ACC when it came down to the women's bracket. Eight teams made the grade including Georgia Tech, Florida State, NC State, California, North Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame and Louisville. The closest thing to a controversy on the women's side of NCAA basketball could be Notre Dame being seeded No. 3 after being a dominant team most of the season.Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to us on ACC Nation Radio or watching ACC Nation on YouTube.
The Wolfpack bit down hard and waved goodbye to NC State head men's basketball coach Kevin Keatts. Now fandom is ablaze with what if, who's it going to be, can we have a competitive NIL and about a million other questions. Evan from RedAndWhitePodcast joins Will and Jim to address as many as is physically possible and to roll with some conjecture as well. There's probably one of the better lists of available men's college basketball coaches available for schools at this moment. It's important to know what you want and where you want the team to head in years to come. Does the administration at NC State have a clear vision? We get into that question and look for answers. There are some that might not be as obvious as you'd think and others that are blatantly obvious.NC StateTime will tell if the powers that be decide on investing in a return to being one of the top teams in the ACC or are just happy with so-so. NC State fans need to step up and be vocal about the direction they'd like to see the team take in the years to come. Be sure to listen, like and subscribe to our podcast, catch the latest on ACC Nation Radio or watch ACC Nation on YouTube.
Louisville men's basketball has gone through some tough times but it appears as if the Cardinals have risen from the ashes and created a 'new self'. That new self isn't quite like the 'old self' but maybe, just maybe that's a good thing. Jeremy Wahman of Cardinal Sports Zone brings his large-than-life personality back to the show and illustrates why he's the 'goat' when it comes to slinging sports fandom hash. He shares his many years of connectivity with the school and close-up observations on what's what with the men's team.After rolling through a number of coaches and players the combination in place has earned the team a No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament where they are slated to play in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 13 and are currently ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25. An important cog in the wheel to get this all in motion has been new head coach Pat Kelsey who has been honored with the ACC Coach of the Year award and Louisville's Chucky Hepburn who earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.LouisvilleAside from the chaos that putting Wahman together with Will and Jim creates there are tons of tidbits helping to explain the journey to success. From the impact of previous coaches to NIL and overcoming injury bugs we're sure that as a Louisville fan (or competitor) you may find something just for you on this episode.In addition to listening to the podcast be sure to subscribe (more options than you might imagine) or catch the program on ACC Nation Radio where we also have podcasts from All Sports Discussion and features that are only found on the channel. You can watch ACC Nation on YouTube as well. Be sure to listen, like and subscribe to any or all three. We thank you for listening and watching ACC Nation.By the way, you can thank Wahman for the Louisville 'red' in our graphics. It was a special request.
Boston College basketball can't quite find their way to success through the maze of ACC hoops. Why? Special guest, A J Black, publisher of Eagle Insider and host of LockedOnBC podcast joins Will and Jim to talk about men's basketball, football, some lacrosse and ice hockey. The painful truth about a lack of success seems to point to one primary causes. After you listen to the show we'll see if you agree.College Baseball ’25 | Virginia Tops ACC 7 In RankingsPlenty of encouraging words regarding the changes in the Eagles football program under head coach Bill O'Brien. It's a new day and a better way to find success. The approach is netting some top-notch talent that many thought wouldn't be interested in coming to Boston College. Will these efforts pay off this fall when the team faces one of their tougher schedules in many years?Boston CollegeWant ACC Sports 24/7? Listen To ACC Nation RadioWe invite you to join us for more ACC sports news and interviews on ACC Nation podcast, streaming radio and watch the show on YouTube.
It almost seems like yesterday when the news broke that Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was retiring. And the anxiety kicked in with fans and there were questions. Who is this Jon Scheyer and how can he possibly fill such big shoes? If you're a fan of the Blue Devils you should know all the answers by now. If not, let the publisher of Devils Illustrated, Conor O'Neill lend a hand as he talks with Will and Jim on ACC NationIndoor Track ’25 | Hokies, Tigers Top ACC In RankingsIf by any chance you thought the one and done approach was out the door with this member of the vaunted blue bloods of college basketball, think again. Not only has Scheyer maintained the momentum at Duke he's also added some new spins on how to succeed. And when it comes to recruiting he's got the magic key that opens the door to top-tier talent.DukeThere's quite a bit to go over with this roster. O'Neill provides superb insight into what and especially who makes this team tick on the court. The why is equally as intriguing. Is this a squad destined for a shot at a national championship? The Blue Devils are currently No. 2 in the NET Rankings, KenPom and on the latest bracket line of top seeds.Mike Barber | 1 Solid Hour Of SportsSubscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen to us on ACC Nation radio and watch the latest episode with O'Neill and a whole lot of others on YouTube.
ACC women's basketball powerhouse Louisville has been slightly off their game. Want to know why? We did too so we asked Chrissy Banta, the Co-Host of the Louisville women's basketball post-game show on 93.9 The Ville and Host of the podcast, 'Who Told You To Say That' to join us on ACC Nation. There may be multiple reasons but then again not one in particular. Find out what all those possibilities might be.Mike Barber | 1 Solid Hour Of SportsBanta takes us through the success of head coach Jeff Walz and looks at a team heavily loaded with first-year players. There's many stat lines to look at and you can see where players are struggling but are close to breaking through. If a late season and ACC Tournament surge doesn't occur the key to having the Cardinals return to form will be in keeping the roster intact.LouisvilleBanta has an affinity for and training in baking thus a reputation within The Ville for bringing the goods with cookies. She shares some of that passion and we find out where the 'foodie' in her comes out when it comes to Louisville area eateries. Anyone making a journey for games should make note as she covers a nice variety.Report Card | ACC Football ’24. Did It Make The Grade?Our thanks to Chrissy Banta for taking the time to join us even as she was recovering from a 'please go away' persistent cough and we hope she's feeling better soon.Listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation. You have multiple choices including our podcast, streaming radio and watching us on YouTube.
There's perhaps a handful of ACC sports media journalists that carry a reputation that extends across the conference and Mike Barber is on that list. Barber joins Jim on ACC Nation to talk about college sports and all of the changes that are coming fast and furious. From the changes in the ACC including coaches to the impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal there's plenty to discuss.ACC Wrestling | What 1 Pin Will WinWill there be changes to Olympic sports at the college level? What does the future hold in store for the ACC? Why sports media is rapidly altering how we get information, both good and bad. Speaking of, how does social media impact everyone?Mike BarberMike and Jim discuss the NCAA and how the organizations role is rapidly changing. There's lots to talk about and this conversation may open your eyes to how quickly sports is evolving. Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast, listen on streaming radio and watch the interview on YouTube.
What does it take to succeed? Notre Dame women's basketball has all of the elements necessary to take the Irish to a national championship. Could there be any if's in this mix? Will and Jim are joined by South Bend Tribune's Austin Hough who provides interesting insight into what makes this team tick. Currently ranked in the AP Top 25 at Number 3 and riding high in the ACC Hough points to several factors including head coach Niele Ivey and a solid roster of players that seem to have 'all that and more'.Full Court Press | WBB Stepping Up And Stepping OutWith a few early season stumbles the Irish have picked up their game since and not looked back. There are some impressive wins in the Quad 1 category that brings the team in at number 5 in the latest NCAA NET Rankings.Notre DameHough shares insider knowledge of where to eat when you visit Notre Dame for a game and what you should be ordering. Overall, a fun, fast paced and informative conversation that you'll want to listen to or watch. ACC Nation is available by subscribing to our podcast, on streaming radio and on YouTube.Report Card | ACC Football ’24. Did It Make The Grade?
The teams, the name and the game indicate that women's basketball is in the process of a full court press to success. Bracketologist Megan Gauer with Her Hoop Stats joins Will and Jim to talk about college basketball, bracketology and where the ACC stands. With six teams in the latest AP Top 25 women's conference hoops are hot yet again this season.Gauer talks about where teams stand in her latest bracket and shares her thoughts on many of them as they work toward building a resume before March. She also shares her perspective on UConn women's basketball exceeding $3.25 million in ticket sales and how that tops the revenue of 75 men's teams.Full Court PressWe talk more about the NCAA beginning to finally pay women's basketball for tournament games and how the NCAA Women's Title game drew more than 3 million more viewers than the men. What can make a difference for programs moving forward? Gifts such as the one made by UVa alumnus and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian to the Virginia women's basketball program will have a significant impact.Be sure to get the full court press with Megan Gauer and Her Hoop Stats for the latest women's college basketball plus the WNBA.Like, subscribe and comment on ACC Nation. Listen to our podcast, streaming radio (with exclusive content) and watch us on YouTube.
Why is ACC men's basketball struggling? Has the ACC become the 5th best conference in the NCAA. Special guest, Jason Carmello of Big Dog helps Will and Jim examine the latest bracket and the reasons why conference teams are struggling to rise above the muck to lock in an NCAA bid in March. How are the NET Rankings killing the ACC? Carmello goes into detail and also looks at a broad expanse of other teams that are facing similar fates. In a broader view we discuss the possible replacements for Tony Bennett at Virginia which includes the likes of Marquette's Shaka Smart (formerly HC at VCU, Texas and assistant at Clemson among others) and Vanderbilt's Mark Byington (formerly HC at James Madison, Ga Southern and assistant at Virginia and Virginia Tech among others).Best ConferenceWe couldn't talk about the ACC without bringing in the performance of North Carolina and how that leaves big question marks about Hubert Davis' future with the Tar Heels. What's going on with the players? When will AD Bubba Cunningham's patience reach it's threshold?Meanwhile, at Tennessee, head coach Rick Barnes may be setting a new standard with players when it comes down to NIL money and on-court performance. Carmello provides an updated look at the latest projected brackets and shares details on why teams are where they are, if they'll stay in the hunt and helps determine if the ACC is the best conference for men's basketball.Follow us on ACC Nation via our podcast, on streaming radio and on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe, like and comment.
Will and Jim send their greetings for Happy Holidays during this end of the year episode. The ACC closed out 2024 with two teams in the newly expanded CFP so there's plenty to chew on. Though the outcome wasn't ideal the changes that are occurring within the conference bode well for 2025 and beyond.Swimming | Virginia, Cal Top ACC ’24 RankingsFrom big money at UVA to Dabo dabbling in the Transfer Portal, changes are a 'coming in conference football. Jim thinks Dave Clawson's move to Special Advisor is a big positive for Wake Forest while Will is having a hard time seeing success with Bill Belichick at North Carolina. Will shares some of the latest ACC rankings for use of the Transfer Portal.Happy HolidaysYou know what they say about opinions and....well, you know. Jim has both in fifth gear in regards to Herbstreit, Finebaum, SEC fanboys and more, yes, lots and lots more. What better way to butter up some well deserving....well, you know.Join us on ACC Nation Radio along with the guys from All Sports Discussion and College Hoops Watch, be sure to subscribe to our podcast and follow us on YouTube.Now, take a break. You deserve it. We'll be back talking men's and women's bracketology with Big Underdog's Jason Carmello and Her Hoop Stats' Megan Gauer on January 5 and 8. Happy Holidays!
The ACC is never short of wild rides during the regular football season. This year, the conference extended it to the championship game in Charlotte. It started with knowing one qualifying team but having to wait until the end to see whether Clemson or Miami would be the second team. If you thought it was pretty much wrapped up after watching the first half and didn't stick around....perhaps you've learned your lesson.Even when everyone may have thought this game was headed to overtime there was still 9 seconds left on the clock. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here. Time to check in with Will and Jim and find out how it all wrapped up. Oh, I guess the surprises didn't stop with the championship game either. Sunday was the announcement of the 12 teams in the football playoffs and there was plenty of anxiety surrounding which team(s) may or may not get in. FootballWill and Jim get into the reaction from the SEC, where ACC teams are headed for bowl action and share thoughts on how those games may end up. For some strange reason it feels as if more surprises are in store for ACC fans. There's nothing quite as sweet as post-season mayhem. Bring it on!Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast and YouTube plus follow ACC Nation Radio where you'll find our latest and some exclusive content in addition to podcasts from All Sports Discussion and Marching To Madness.
Will Ojanen has an ACC sports update that looks at the results of football recruiting for conference teams. There are some surprises at the top and bottom of the list. How are conference teams holding up in the SEC/ACC Basketball Challenge? Not well. Will looks at the performance of men's and women's hoops and it appears the perfect descriptor is, painful.College Football Week 14 | Get The Party StartedIs the ACC going to get short-changed once again by the CFP Committee? What are the scenarios that could lead to all out anarchy against a system that has only been put in place this year? Is the ACC Commissioner being too demure? Should the gloves come off in Charlotte? Will has some thoughts.SportsBe sure to follow ACC Nation Podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio 24/7 and watch us at YouTube. We encourage you to migrate to Bluesky where the air is fresher and you'll find more and more of your favorite sports outlets by the day.
College football wrapped up the regular season with plenty of surprises. The ACC wasn't short on that list as there were several upsets, close calls and head-scratchers to boot. With a week in-between the post-season party gets started in Charlotte with Clemson taking on SMU for the ACC Championship. The game will be in prime-time at 8:00pm ET on ABC.College Basketball | SEC/ACC 2024 ChallengeWill and Jim go over the final games, performances, coaches on hot-seats and the latest on transfer portal action and new coaching staff additions. Though no one knows for sure the latest bowl projections for ACC teams from USA Today is interesting so the guys toss that list in for your consideration.College FootballListen to all of the ACC Nation podcasts by subscribing (we give you multiple choices on how to do it) or watch us on YouTube (be sure to subscribe, like and comment). You can hear the latest conference sports news and talk from ACC Nation, All Sports Discussion and March To Madness podcast hosted by Ken Cross on ACC Nation Radio.
ACC college football has one part of the conference's championship tilt line up but who will be team two? Though it seems unlikely that the obvious team won't make it there Will and Jim remind you on this episode about how crazy the season has been in not only the ACC but across the country. All the upsets and close calls have made for some great football this season and it's likely to continue in the CFP post-season matchups.Hear The Latest ACC Football And Basketball Rankings On ACC Nation RadioIs it possible that the ACC will get three teams into the 12-team playoffs? At this point, anything is possible and find out what some of the reasons are for dreaming big. How about projected bowl matchups? We've got those as well on ACC Nation and there are some real doozies.College FootballFollow ACC Nation at Bluesky - @accnationnet.bsky.social. Will is @WillsWorldMN.bsky.social and Jim is @JimQuist.bsky.social. You can find ACC Nation on Bluesky, Instagram, Reddit, LinkedIn, Facebook, Mastodon, YouTube, Threads and X.Subscribe to ACC Nation podcast or watch us on YouTube for ACC college football coverage.
If you thought everything was decided in ACC college football after week 12 you may want to think twice. Will and Jim present another episode of ACC Nation (Podcast, Radio, YouTube) and take a look at each of the games plus break down some important performances. Ranking ACC Football | Week 12 Dreams And WishesIf you thought your coach was safe perhaps you should take a look at things from a different perspective. Time stands still for no one. The on-going impact that the Transfer Portal and NIL have on college sports has now put a bulls-eye on coaches. Coaching has turned into the one thing that most people didn't get into the profession for and their love of the sport is beginning to sour. Time for a reality check for coaches and fans.College FootballWe encourage you to join the growing numbers of sports fans and others who are flocking to Bluesky for a refreshing experience in social media. Be sure to let your favorite content provider that you'd like to see them there soon.
So you thought the madness of the Coastal Division would slip away into the darkness of night in ACC college football? Au contraire conference fans, it has merely spread out among all the teams and now we have a bit of a horse race on our hands headed into the final weeks of the regular season. Let's be frank. It was becoming a bit boring having the same teams dominate the conference year after year so embrace the crazy.Ranking ACC Football | Week 11 Upsets And SurprisesWill and Jim take a look at this past weekend's games and discuss the impact of upsets and a few surprises as well. The guys then move on to the coming week in college football and what they see may be happening as the regular season edges closer to the end. Neither is overly pleased with how the ACC has been labeled and treated when it comes to rankings. A heads up, the second CFP college football rankings are out Tuesday night and even though there shouldn't be major changes, if there is we'll move closer to the truth about how teams are selected.College FootballThere's lots of other sports action going on in the ACC as fall sports begin to wrap up. The NCAA has moved the Single and Doubles championships to the fall while keeping the team championship action in the spring. This week we'll see the NCAA Cross Country Championships, the beginning of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships and the conclusion of the ACC Men's Soccer Championship. Also on the slate if NCAA Field Hockey Championship play and the latest AP men's and women's basketball Top 25 rankings.Follow ACC Nation on your favorite social media outlet, listen to us on our podcast by subscribing or hear exclusive content on ACC Nation Radio. Plus, ACC Nation is on YouTube and we invite you to like, subscribe and favorite us. As always, we look forward to your comments.
When looking at the college football scoreboard from this weekend you've got to ask yourself if voodoo is in play. The ACC certainly isn't what people expected this season. But this conference isn't the only one that is both shaken and stirred. The initial CFP 12 team rankings come out Tuesday, November 5 in what will be a string of many leading up to the final selection of worthy squads. Don't think for a moment that there isn't going to be some moans and groans on the other side of televisions.ACC Nation Football Ranking w/Will OjanenBlowouts, train wrecks, upsets and more fill the bill with ACC college football action and there may be a few more this coming weekend. Will we see additional conference teams nabbing a bowl position this week? Seven teams are already qualified and there are a few others that are on the precipice with six wins possible by the end of the regular season.College FootballBasketball is underway with a full menu of games for men and women tipping off on Monday, the first coming early with games in Paris for the women. If ACC sports is your thing, make us your thing by subscribing to ACC Nation Podcast, watching us on YouTube or catch exclusive content from ACC Nation and All Sports Discussion at ACC Nation Radio.
Better check your Bingo cards. If you had ACC college football stacked up the way it is now then you've hit the jackpot. Wait though, it's not quite done yet. There are several more games left and some matchups that could completely change the face of the conference by the time we hit the ACC Football Championship in Charlotte. As a reminder let's just say fans shouldn't get too far ahead of themselves yet when it comes to which teams will be in that game.College Football | Who’s On Top? Ranking The ACC 17 To 1Will and Jim review Week 9 of ACC football action and have some important notes regarding each game and the performances of the teams. There are five teams that are bowl eligible at this point and a few may surprise you. Who's close? There are four more teams lined up and ready to clinch a post-season appearance.College FootballWhat bowls might ACC teams be headed to? Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has a list of projected matchups for 12 of the 17 conference fanbases to begin to consider when it comes to travel plans. Don't pull the trigger on those just yet, though. We also share the latest AP and Coaches' Polls to see who the top 5 are and the ACC+1 in the Top 25 plus those that are receiving votes.Virginia Football’s Crossroads | Coaching Hot Seat(s)?This week there are several games on the schedule that have the potential to lock down a bowl bid or even more teams closer to the ACC Championship. Will and Jim take a look at the schedule and share their thoughts on who has the best shot at winning in Week 10 of college football.Subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio and watch us (Subscribe and Like) on YouTube.
As another college football week ends yet another begins as the ACC heads into Week 9. But first, what transpired in Week 8? There was the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Five ACC teams are bowl eligible with two on the cusp as a win this weekend would clinch a spot. Will and Jim look at the latest AP and Coaches' Polls, let you know when the first College Football Playoff rankings will be released and share Athlon Sports' thoughts on where conference teams may be 'bowling'.The college football regular season is more than halfway through. Look for more teams to pull out all the stops in the remaining weeks to help them grab a slice of the pie. We all took our eyes off of football as a major coaching change in men's basketball was announced right before the season. That press conference is available on ACC Nation Radio. Will shares some thoughts.College FootballConference championships are drawing near for cross country and we take a look at the latest rankings of ACC men's and women's teams. In addition we look at the men's and women's golf team rankings, men's and women's swimming, who's on top conference wise in field hockey, volleyball and soccer. It's a busy fall with even more sports being prepped in the wings.Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation podcast now so you don't miss any of the upcoming basketball season interviews. Listen to ACC Nation on streaming radio or watch the program by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Lots more college football to come.
The final scores in week 6 of ACC college football leads you to believe it was a blooming mess. It was squirrelly enough to prompt Will to bring out the old favorite, Name That Tune to help explain each game. You’ll get a broad stroke of musical tastes and very likely end up with an earworm that will haunt you for the rest of the week.
College Basketball | SEC/ACC 2024 Challenge
The guys go over all of the games and each of the oddities tied in with them. Speaking of, they could probably go on for several weeks about the refs in at least one if not most of the ACC for the calls and lack of calls. Don’t get anyone here started on reviews.
College FootballWhat would college football be without the Top 25 rankings each week? Dare we say, better? The guys call out some questionable movement on the board. Let’s just say, if you vote in either, do better!
College Wrestling ’24 | Stanford Helps Grow The Sport
Will and Jim toss in a quick thought or two on the ACC’s basketball schedules. The women grab the spotlight again with the games that are lined up.
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What does Shama Lama Ding Dong have to do with ACC football Week 4? If ever there was a week in which conference football emulated the movie Animal House, this was it. You can have the pleasure of matching up the characters with the teams.
Out of all the mayhem rides Miami, Louisville, Pitt and Duke with no losses on the season. Miami entertains Virginia Tech this week, Louisville travels to Notre Dame, Pitt takes the week off and Duke hosts North Carolina. An intriguing game on the schedule has Florida State showing up in Dallas to face off with SMU. Who’s your favorite in that game?
ACC FootballEvery season conference teams throw curve balls at people that cover sports for a living and then they deliver questionable forecasts about the anticipated success of an ACC football team. Believe none of what you hear and believe half of what you see. That’s been attributed to both Ben Franklin and Edgar Allan Poe but similar statements extend to a Middle English saying thereby proving it to be correct.
Be sure to listen to and watch ACC Nation by subscribing to our podcast, following us on your favorite streaming radio platform and seeing is believing on YouTube.
Bada bing, bada boom and just like that ACC football is in Week 4. By now a normal person would have a hint as to which team is ‘the team’ in the conference. Sorry, apparently the ACC is short on normal people at present but that doesn’t mean you can’t give it your best shot. That’s exactly what Will and Jim (far from normal) do in this episode of ACC Nation as they break down the latest college football action.
The winners, the losers and the teams that didn’t play all make for a fascinating mix. Maybe Week 4 will do the trick? That, of course remains to be seen. First up the guys review conference action before moving on to a quick tease of their Top 3 teams in the latest ACC Nation Power Poll. If you’re looking for the Top 25 rankings they’ve got a look at the top 5 from the AP and Coaches’ polls and the ACC+1 teams (for newbies, Notre Dame is included because of scheduling).
ACC FootballWill and Jim jump on a quick preview of ACC football games in Week 4 beginning with Stanford at Syracuse featured on ESPN Friday night at 7:30pm ET/4:30 PT. There are some big matchups and also games that should hold your attention for the duration. This is down and dirty week. We’re about to find out which teams can cash that check.
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So, by now if you haven’t responded to the wild first two weeks of ACC football by saying, ‘What The Actual….’ then perhaps you’ve turned into a zombie. We’re doing our best to slip some Halloween references in before all the Christmas items hit the stores. Okay, time for a reality check on the ACC. You may remember us telling you on previous podcasts that the conference almost always turns upside down in opening weeks. The teams we expected to dominate and those we didn’t swap spots and fans everywhere lose their minds.
Even Paul Finebaum….wait, zombie…brains, never mind. Here’s a solid for you. Most teams in the conference get off to slow starts before finding their way a few weeks in. The rankings don’t mean diddle until about three to four weeks in and if you say you’re going to eat the contents of a solo cup if your team loses then you’re feet will be held to the fire. Just charge to watch so your medical bills will be covered.
Will and Jim roll through the games of Week 1 with observations and thoughts on performances. Essentially one game isn’t enough to give anyone a clear vision of how teams will be in the weeks to come. So, let’s not get too worked up. Is there room for improvement? Always and count of the coaches and players putting in the time to up their game.
ACC FootballThe guys tie a bow in Week 1 ACC football with a look at the latest rankings. There’s some encouraging movement among the teams that won and Clemson hangs in there, rightfully so after a loss. Unfortunately, Florida State, with two back to back losses has completely departed the list of teams receiving votes this week. If Mike Norvell can steer the boat back into the channel the Noles can’t be discounted moving forward.
What’s on the agenda for Week 2 of ACC football? Some great matchups in and out of conference. The guys share some quick observations about these games and the odds. They finish up with an interesting look at two coaches included among the Top 8 most likely to be fired first and the ACC teams that are putting butts in the seats and those that aren’t.
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Louisville football fans put all their eggs in the Jeff Brohm basket and for the most part the team delivered last year. The offense hit some potholes, the defense was better than most would have imagined and though the season’s end wasn’t what was desired overall you can’t argue too much with the final win/loss record. But, did the new coach and crew along with a rejuvenated fan base walk into a self-made trap of expecting not only a repeat but a full-blown dynasty to arrive?
Special guest, Jody Demling, the publisher of Cardinal Authority joins us to talk about how the talent and depth chart has improved but there’s this little thing called a schedule that may create some problems this season. There’s not doubt about the improvement and Demling details it from the offense, defense, special teams and his thoughts on that aforementioned schedule.
BrohmThere are some absolute gems on the depth chart including Tyler Shough, Donald Chaney, Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Ashton Gillotte, Quincy Riley and more. The key to success on offense will be the line and everything after that is whipped cream with a cherry on top. The defense returns many of the players that led the Cardinals to be No.1 in the ACC against the run and No. 1 in the nation in red zone defense. Can Jeff Brohm deliver again this season?
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Join us for a fascinating conversation with special guest Chris Peak of Panther-Lair as we look at, among other things the 180 turn on offense by head coach Pat Narduzzi. Instead of calling it a high octane offense we’ve decided to describe it as ‘juiced’.
Peak provides some thoughts on Heather Lyke (Pitt AD) being on the interview list for a vacancy at Northwestern before jumping in feet first to preview Pitt from top to bottom. The changes on offense (Kade Bell) and transfers will make a big difference in how the Panthers approach putting points on the board.
NarduzziWhen it comes to defense, there’s some shrug your shoulders, we’re not sure aspects that may take some time to address. The rule of thumb is to always watch carefully because, after all, this is the ACC and this conference is definitely a bag of tricks.
Peak provides his thoughts on the schedule and just how far this team can go with the schedule. There’s a lot of even-steven when you put Pitt and their opponents on a scale. But, as we’ve seen in the past, Pat Narduzzi always seems to get the Panthers on a roll.
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When talking about the success of a team, what contributes to the magic, you’ll often find an X factor. What exactly is this elusive aspect that can make all the difference in the win/loss bracket. It can be anything from a player, combination of players or a coach and combination thereof. Sometimes it just seems like everything comes together and clicks just right.
Special guest, Mitch Wolfe of 247 Eagle Insider does a thorough job of breaking down the offense, defense and special teams of Boston College. One thing he spoke of that stood out slightly more than others was the head coach, Bill O’Brien. One listen and you’ll understand what O’Brien is bringing to the table for the Eagles.
X FactorThe Eagles are often overlooked within the conference. Yet, they always seem to have NFL caliber players and are often a thorn in the side of teams that should by all measures be taking Boston College to the woodshed. Keep an eye out for the x factor on this team, if not this season definitely by next.
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Will and Jim look at Week 0 and remind us all what happens when we assume. That not only applies to the results of opening week in ACC college football but also thereafter. Probably not wise to believe everything you thought you saw will be the long-term trend for any of the three conference teams that played.
There’s plenty of time to let the dust settle and find out where Florida State, Georgia Tech and SMU actually stand when it comes to expected performance this season. This group is of the opinion that rankings only matter after week 3 as coaches adjust and tweak, players progress or regress and the resulting Key Lime pie is just right or too sour.
Week 0The guys have some thoughts on what is or isn’t right with the slices that have been served. Here’s one thing we can guarantee, we’ll be back for seconds and so on and so forth. It’s college football man! What’s not to like?
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What will it take for NC State football to make it a double digit winning season and make it to the ACC Championship? They must be disruptive in all phases of the game. Evan from Red and White Podcast is our special guest and he sees plenty of reason for cautious optimism with the 2024 version of Wolfpack football.
As is the case with most teams there are some important pieces that have been lost to graduation or the NFL but head coach Dave Doeren has an influx of players from the transfer portal that should remedy that situation. Can Doeren get the Pack over 9 wins and into new territory that could point the way to bigger and better things? Evan shares his thoughts on the team and gives you a great preview of what’s to come this fall.
DisruptiveThere’s plenty to be excited about in Raleigh. Will the fans fill the stadium in this new look ACC?
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The past is the past and the future for SMU is in the ACC. The Mustangs accept the challenge and debut in Week Zero with an opener against Nevada. Their first conference game comes at home against Florida State on September 28. That gives the team plenty of time to work out the wrinkles and set a strategy.
Special guest Ali Jawad of SMU on Sports Illustrated (follow on X @SMUonSI) joins us with a preview of the 2024 Mustangs under head coach Rhett Lashlee. Following a solid season in the AAC SMU wants to come out of the gates at full steam to make an impression upon their new conference.
As Jawad explains, there’s plenty of players on the roster that can make a difference as the transfer portal has been used most effectively. Will digs into the defense before moving on to find out more about the offensive weapons that can put points on the board.
ChallengeJim goes over the schedule with Jawad and what to expect (reasonably) as SMU looks like it will once again be headed to a bowl. But, what are the stumbling blocks?
Be sure to follow Ali on X (@AliJawad024) for coverage of SMU and he also covers the Dallas Cowboys and Charlotte Hornets.
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How will California (Cal) roll into the first season of ACC football? They’ll spice things up in the conference with one of the best running backs in college football, Jaydn Ott. But, there are a number of questions surrounding the offense and specifically quarterback. Will and our Special Guest, Jim McGill jump right into the X’s and O’s of the offensive side of the ball and what McGill thinks about the ‘competition’ at QB.
Who’s Who In ACC Football? Listen To All The Previews To Find Out
The transfer portal plays a key role in beefing up Cal with key needs on the line and some important add-ons in the receiving department. Trond Grizzell returns and Notre Dame transfer Tobias Merriweather joins he, Mikey Matthews and Corey Dyches out of the portal in helping beef up the passing threat.
CaliforniaCal’s D has a pass rush that opponents need to keep an eye on plus a scheme that can easily throw off an offense. How about linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties? McGill runs it all down in this preview plus shares his thoughts on the schedule and how many games the team should win.
If you’ve ever had a desire to visit the west coast, specifically California, then make sure you take a close look at the schedule and begin planning your journey soon.
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It’s a hop, skip and jump over ‘the pond’ to Dublin in Week Zero of college football action for Florida State football. Saying, just forget about last year is one thing but actually clearing your mind of it is yet another. In true fan style that’s a memory that will likely pass on through generations and we’ll get a small taste of that by the reaction to the talking heads on College Game Day.
The 2024 Aer Lingus Football Classic at Aviva Stadium is set for 12 noon ET on ESPN or 5:00p IST (local) time in the nearly 52,000 seat arena (48,000 for American football).
Heading that way is The Osceola’s Curt Weiler who has been covering Florida State for many years and has been our pleasure to have as a special guest numerous times. Curt and Will jump into the question marks that surround DJ Uiagalelei who started his college run at Clemson in 2020, played for Oregon State last season and now leads the Seminoles. The former 5 star recruit has matured and seasoned since his somewhat rocky tenure with the Tigers.
DublinWeiler provides a great preview of the offense, defense, special teams and shares his thoughts on the schedule.
The Irish will have a warm welcome for Florida State and Georgia Tech fans. Aviva Stadium is a great venue for the two teams who are anxious to establish themselves and set a tone for the rest of the season. For those of you making the journey, enjoy Dublin.
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In 2024 Miami has to deliver on the proving grounds of college football in order for the Canes to be considered a top-tier ACC team. Mario Cristobal has been putting together the pieces since he arrived. Dominant recruiting and strategic use of the Transfer Portal have all added up. In this preview you’ll hear about how it is all coming together.
Special guest Manny Navarro from The Athletic and host of Wide Right podcast joins us to take a look at Miami. Navarro provides a detailed look at the players, the numbers and why Cristobal may have the goods to help the team break out.
Proving GroundsMiami won’t have all the heavy hitters from the conference but they still have to deliver on the college football proving grounds against Florida, USF, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Florida State to mention a few.
Watch the interview on YouTube, listen on streaming radio or subscribe to ACC Nation podcast to hear this preview and others from the ACC.
What exactly is the recipe for success at Wake Forest? Dave Clawson has always found a way to bring everything together to make the Demon Deacons competitive in the ACC. This year, the off-field battles for a starting role should develop into very interesting play on the field.
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Special guest, Cam Lemons Debro from Demon Deacon Digest and the podcast, Inside The Forest joins Will and Jim for a preview of Wake Forest football. With the starting line being a defense that has been fuzzy but not warm in the past Will and Cam dig into how this side of the game has been retooled.
RecipeGet the latest look at Wake Forest football on the preview with Cam, Will and Jim. You can watch on YouTube or listen on streaming radio or our podcast.
Virginia head football coach Tony Elliott has had multiple challenges since taking over the program and now his building blocks for the Wahoos are coming from the Transfer Portal, Recruiting and returning players who were injured. Is it enough to help the Cavaliers turn the corner this season? The ACC Media voters aren’t convinced, at least not yet. But the results are all that matter.
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Our special guest, the Publisher of Wahoos 247, Jacquie Franciulli lays out a much more encouraging picture for not only the immediate future but also long-term. Turning the corner is often slower than most fans would like but patience may be the key to success. Franciulli provides a step-by-step analysis of the offense, defense, special teams and her thoughts on the challenges of the ’24 schedule.
Building BlocksWatch the interview on YouTube and be sure to like and subscribe for more ACC sports. ACC Nation is also available on streaming radio and podcast. Select one or all three to keep up with what’s happening in the new ACC from coast-to-coast.
Saying that Syracuse football will have a fresh start in 2024 is an understatement. With new head coach Fran Brown plus a new OC and DC the Orange are experiencing a surge of optimism. The players are pumped and needless to say, so are the fans.
Brown brings a knack for recruiting to the table, he’s effectively working the Transfer Portal, flipping high school commits to Syracuse and pulling experienced Orange players back into the fold. Along with implementing a new pro-style offense and a reconfiguration of the defense those are the things we know but it’s the combination of the aforementioned that creates the unknown for opponents.
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Emily Leiker of Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard joins Will and Jim for a thorough preview of Syracuse football from A-Z with a brief stop at S for schedule. The team will benefit from this year’s schedule as they implement a fresh start across the board as it allows the coaching staff to make necessary adjustments along the way.
Fresh StartLooking for ACC football previews? You want it, we’ve got it. Listen to ACC Nation podcast, streaming radio or watch interviews on YouTube.
Is Virginia Tech a sleeper cell within the ACC this season? We asked that question up front with special guest Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline and he lays out multiple reasons during the interview of why the Hokies may be a threat among the top teams. Slowly but surely both depth and experience are adding up for Coach Brent Pry.
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Bitter shares his thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the team, where the portal has come in handy and what a few years of experience can mean for critical positions.
Sleeper CellThere’s no doubt that this year’s schedule is a plus for Virginia Tech but there are negatives as well as Bitter points out.
As the season plays out we’ll find out if the Hokies are indeed that sleeper cell that keeps others up at night.
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After an exciting ride with Mike Elko at the helm Duke football found themselves in need of another defensive guru to lead the team. Manny Diaz not only has the defensive chops but also the experience as a head coach in the ACC. It remains to be seen if he can take the Blue Devils to new heights but as our Special Guest on ACC Nation, Conor O’Neill points out, there’s plenty of motion going in the right direction.
O’Neill, the Publisher of Devils Illustrated provides a broad view of where the team stands in 2024. As one might imagine there are some shortcomings, some question marks and also plenty to be excited about. Listen carefully in the preview to his thoughts and observations regarding Maalik Murphy, the transfer QB and what he brings to the the team. At 6’5″ and 238 lbs. you might imagine Murphy (coming in from Texas) to be a running threat but his presence in the pocket adds an interesting dimension to Duke’s offensive threats.
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Duke FootballHow does the schedule look for Duke football? The front-end has it’s share of tune-up games while the back-end chocked full of ACC games could very well be daunting.
Listen to the preview on ACC podcast or streaming radio and watch on YouTube.
Nothing like a little flame throwing from ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips to open the football kickoff for the conference. Phillips and more than a fair share of the coaches and players were full of piss and vinegar during the event. If that attitude holds steady this season it’s going to be a spectacular year of football.
Will and Jim provide some hot takes on everything and everyone and nobody is safe. With both the Georgia Tech and Stanford football previews available now the guys have Conor O’Neill (Duke), Andy Bitter (Virginia Tech), Emily Leiker (Syracuse) and Manny Navarro (Miami) already lined up for more. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and/or YouTube or listen on streaming radio and give us a thumbs up if you like and want more content.
KickoffWeek Zero is under a month away. You’ll get your first look at Florida State, Georgia Tech and SMU in action on Saturday, August 24 with the Noles and Jackets on ESPN with kickoff at noon and the Mustangs on CBSSN at 8:00p ET.
There are multiple takes on how ACC teams will perform this season. The ESPN FPI’s top 5 are Florida State, Clemson, Louisville, Miami and SMU. The Athletic projects Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech and Louisville in their preseason Top 25. And, in perhaps one of the more intriguing rankings Phil Steele has a three-way tie for the top spot between Clemson, Florida State and Miami. It doesn’t stop there. There’s a four-way tie for fourth between SMU, Virginia Tech, Louisville and NC State.
It’s going to be a superbly entertaining football season with the kickoff rapidly approaching.
When a quarterback and wide receiver make a special connection it turns into a hot knife looking for butter. Stanford has that pairing in Ashton Daniels and Elic Ayomanor. We direct you to the Colorado game for reference. Coach Troy Taylor is in his second season and though the pantry is a bit bare a quick look at the Rivals recruiting charts from 2023 to 2025 says that won’t always be the case.
The first year in the ACC won’t be a cakewalk for Stanford as they adjust to the new opponents, travel and somewhat nasty front half of the season’s schedule.
Explosive | Georgia Tech’s ’24 Offense Hot ‘N Ready
Special guest, the publisher of CardinalSportsReport.com, Ben Parker joins Will and Jim to preview the Cardinal and look at the 30,000 foot view of the upcoming football season. Short term it’s going to be a rough start. Long term, this is a team that will begin to work it’s way up the pecking order if they’re anything like the majority of the teams in their athletic department.
Hot KnifeWhat areas need improving? Is Coach Taylor moving the team in a direction that should excite fans? Parker shares his thoughts on the team and the schedule in this debut ACC football preview for the Stanford Cardinal.
We did our best to pin Parker, a Cal grad, on who will take the Stanford-Cal Week 13 matchup and he delivered his best Muhammad Ali imitation. ACC fans, you’ll want to follow Ben on X and subscribe to his page to keep up with Stanford.
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Stanford fans be sure to subscribe to the ACC Nation podcast, YouTube channel or listen to streaming radio for previews and much more ACC sports.
Coach Brent Key is in his second season at Georgia Tech and he’s about to unleash an explosive offense on the conference. The first look belongs to Florida State as the two teams meet in Dublin for a Week Zero opener.
The publisher of JacketsOnline, Kelly Quinlan joins Will and Jim to provide you with a preview of the coming football season. The Yellow Jackets are loaded up on offense with the likes of QB Haynes King who, if he takes that next step in developing will be a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. With a solid stable of running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and an experienced and deep line this team has the ability to lay some wood on opponents.
ACC Meetings | Conor O’Neill’s Top 10 List Of Invitees
ExplosiveThe big question carries over from last year and that’s exactly what Will and Kelly go into first. What about the defense? It wasn’t an ideal season in ’23 for the Ramblin’ Wreck on that end of the ball but there’s plenty to be encouraged over as an all new coaching staff, scheme, seasoned and healthy players fill the roster.
Top 15 Most Annoying College Football Fanbases
The recruiting numbers have picked up dramatically (Rivals recruiting from ’23 through ’25) for Georgia Tech. Coach Key is taking the team in the right direction and Quinlan provides an interesting comparison for fans and opponents to consider.
Georgia Tech fans be sure to subscribe to the ACC Nation podcast, YouTube channel or listen to streaming radio for previews and much more ACC sports.
There are plenty of things that family can make light of when it’s in-house and the ACC family is no different. From referees to coaches to interns there is more than enough material to get the laughs going. Conor O’Neill, Publisher of Devils Illustrated took at look at 10 people and situations that will have you shaking your head and saying, ‘that’s right’.
Conor joins Will and Jim to share his observations from ‘My Take: Who Else Should’ve Been Invited To ACC Meetings?’ Even though a lot is tongue in cheek there’s always plenty of truth in humor and you’ll see there’s plenty to laugh about.
ACC Football Previews This Summer On ACC Nation
ACCOne of the topics is an ACC Media Guide that illustrates why you should never have a single point of failure in your chain of command. Was it an intern or just a frustrated employee? Somebody knows but isn’t talking.
What exactly happened with ‘WakeyLeaks‘? Plenty of conjecture floating around the world of social media but an NDA may prevent us from knowing until a party to the strange happenings is on their death bed, ala, ‘Deep Throat’ of Watergate fame.
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What a remarkable set of ACC sports seasons we’ve witnessed. Will and Jim talk about men’s and women’s basketball and why you should never judge a book by it’s cover on the latest podcast. Will whips out the 20/20 hindsight in his latest article and also provides some vision into the future for men’s conference fans, it’s a must read.
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There’s lots to talk about in this episode including the WNBA Draft, spring football, portal action (seemingly everywhere), a hop, skip and jump SEC basketball coach, the latest Field of 64 projection from D1Baseball with a remarkable number of conference teams plus how a number of ACC teams rank in the latest polls.
RemarkableBe sure to listen, like and subscribe on your favorite platforms for the podcast and streaming radio plus we’re also on YouTube and be sure to wear protective eyewear!
Tobacco Road begins and ends in Raleigh as the Pack place both men’s and women’s teams in the top tier of the NCAA Basketball Tournaments. NC State has delivered an amazing package of hoops for fans this season. Bang for the buck? Oh, you’re into whipped cream territory now and keep your fingers crossed that a cherry of two are still in the works.
You can certainly talk about the ACC men superseding expectations and in many ways the women in post-season action as well. The best thing coming out of this season, other than some fantastic basketball is serious conversation regarding how teams are rated and ranked. The system is flawed and needs yet another overhaul. It’s not the only collegiate sport desperately in need of a tune-up.
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Now seriously, who would have seen the ACC owning 25% of the NCAA Men’s Sweet 16? An easy and perhaps lazy approach would have presented North Carolina and Duke, but come on. Clemson and NC State? Hey, we’re not complaining and neither should anyone who’s a fan of an ACC team. This is the kind of thing that puts the wind back into the conference sails.
Round The Bases With D1 Softball
Special guest Jason Carmello of Big Underdog joins Will and Jim to talk about the First Round pounds, the second round stumbles and why some teams were improperly seeded. Yes, Carmello addresses Pitt and Virginia as well. Learn from the mistakes and build toward the future.
NCAABe sure to listen, like and subscribe to ACC Nation (podcast, radio, YouTube) for the latest ACC sports news and interviews.
The hosts of the D1 Softball Podcast, Jenna Becerra and Amanda Lorenz share great insight into the sport as it continues to grow. Becerra and Lorenz have an extensive background in softball that has continued past their collegiate careers and they provide you with a wealth of knowledge regarding today’s game.
We touch on the NCAA Power 10 and what makes those teams special including the players that stand out. Then, a look at the latest D1 Softball Top 25 and a closer look at the performance of ACC teams. The rise of Duke and Clemson get an extra spotlight along with thoughts on Virginia Tech and Florida State.
SoftballHow is realignment impacting athletes? You’ll appreciate the perspective of two former players and the struggles that may present themselves in the proverbial food chain of college sports. Becerra and Lorenz have some great thoughts here that hopefully administrators will latch onto sooner rather than later.
Want In The Loop?Be sure to follow both on social media (X and Instagram) and listen, like and subscribe to their podcast.
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If ACC men’s basketball doesn’t have you reaching for those BC or Goodies Powders (NASCAR reference) then give it a few more minutes. There seems to be a lot of confusion, even among conference teams as to their roles this season. And guess what? The season is just about kaput. So, now, where do all these bruised noodles end up in the ACC Tournament. And gosh, do you think any of them will clear the brain fog long enough to make a respectable run in the NCAA’s? That’s of course, if they get an invitation.
The Latest Men’s Bracket With Jason Carmello
Will Ojanen puts a little salve on the cranium, rubs it in and still has some big question marks hanging over his head in this episode of ACC Nation. It’s been a season unlike almost any other and even with all the opportunities that have been afforded to ease the pain it seems as if everyone wants to look the gift horse in the mouth.
ConfusionNext Episode: Jenna Becerra And Amanda Lorenz From D1Softball Podcast
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NCAA women’s basketball is on fire and you need look no further than the ACC for an example of that smoke, heat and flame. Megan Gauer of Her Hoop Stats joins ACC Nation to talk bracketology and how teams are stacking up in mid-February. Big wins and crazy losses are creating a higher level of churn than usual but it’s certainly been fun for hoop fans. Gauer provides you the complete rundown of women’s basketball and how they stand in her latest bracket.
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Who are the top seeds and why? What team or teams may be moving from the top line of the bracket? The ACC places 9 seeds at this point ranging from No. 2 to 9 in Gauer’s bracket. Are any of this teams likely to move up? Who’s underrated? Will any of them move up in seeding?
BracketologyTop 16 Committee Ranking – ACCThe NCAA Top 16 includes NC State at No. 6, Virginia Tech at No. 10 and Louisville at No. 16. An update reflecting the latest wins and losses will be released mid-week with some turnover expected among the top seeds. Gauer reflects on how that will impact her bracketology efforts in the coming weeks.
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Clocks are ticking everywhere and growing louder with every sweep of the second hand. The regular season and an opportunity to lock down a spot in the NCAA Tournament is generating a sense of urgency from coast to coast. Take a quick look at the NCAA NET Rankings and keep this in mind. There will be 32 automatic bids extended to conference champions. The at-large ranks gather in 36 teams. Gauer tells us how deep into the numbers she goes when working up a bracket. That number is most likely the same that the selection committee is working with in reaching the total of 68. Time is slipping away to register those critical wins.
Bracketology – Tournament TimeThe ACC women’s basketball tournament is slated for March 6 through 10 in Greensboro. Selection Sunday is on March 17 with the First Four playing March 20-21. The Final Four and NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship will be played in Cleveland with the title game on Sunday, April 7.
Watch our interview with Megan Gauer on YouTube or listen on ACC Nation Radio or Podcast.
Mid-February is a great time to conduct a physical on the ACC. Are conference sports delivering? Will and Jim pop in on wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, golf, softball and lacrosse to see how teams are performing. If you go by rankings the answer is, pretty good. Then we stumble into men’s basketball. The latest AP Top 25 features 3 conference teams however that could all be jumbled up come the next release. As for women’s basketball the teams are beating up on each other yet they’re in a good position to hear a minimum of 5 teams called by the selection committee.
Tee Time | ’24 Golf – No Rough, No Sand, Seize Green
If you’re looking for the latest on ACC sports then it’s here on this episode. A quick note, on the next two episodes we check back in with our bracketology friends at Big Underdog and Her Hoop Stats to see how the men and women are fairing.
PhysicalFind out how conference teams are performing so far in ’24 in this quick and concise physical on ACC Nation.
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It’s early February so, just chill. ACC basketball is about to get a whole lot hotter. Will and Jim take a look at the Top 25 for men and women, the NET Rankings, toss in some KenPom, discuss the latest brackets for both (check out the links to Big Underdog and Her Hoop Stats on the homepage) and discuss what it might look like on Red Bandana day at Boston College if a certain unemployed NFL coach were to take over.
ACC Nation Radio 24/7…..Now Includes All Sports Discussion
ChillBe sure to like and subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, Radio and YouTube channels for ACC sports news and interviews.
Pick your favorite adjective in describing the current state of ACC men’s basketball and unless you’re a Carolina or Duke fan it won’t be ideally used in mixed company. Seriously, what in the hell is this nonsense that resembles the horrors of a six-year old who, awakened by a nightmare in the middle of the night, needs new sheets? Overboard? We think not. At this rate the conference will be lucky to have three teams in the NCAA Tournament. When was the last time that occurred?
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Is it a lack of talent? Maybe a number of coaches need to experience geographic readjustment? Here we are looking at February, which we all know comes and goes in a heart beat during the season, and which teams (other than the aforementioned) stand out? And don’t be a homer with your answer because it’s disingenuous.
ACCACC women’s basketball doesn’t get a pass here either as January has turned into a mess as well. Congrats to Syracuse for moving up in the latest AP Top 25. BTW, you folks who are tossing in a vote for your favorite teams in the poll….just stop it. If you’re playing that game then perhaps you shouldn’t be voting at all.
We also take a look at the opening weeks of ACC football and share some early thoughts on what we see.
Wake Forest | D1Baseball’s Top Team In ’24 Fired Up
More sports, more interviews and definitely lots of opinion awaits you on ACC Nation podcast, streaming radio and YouTube. Be sure to like and follow one or more.
There was a time when the topic of NCAA WBB came up, many an eye glazed over. For those whose eyes still do the same thing today, they’ve been missing out on the reality of women’s basketball. It’s growing, maturing and becoming a major draw on television. On this episode of ACC Nation we wanted to talk a bit more in detail about women’s basketball and hear about the 2024 season’s brackets.
Wake Forest | D1Baseball’s Top Team In ’24 Fired Up
Our special guest, Megan Gauer knows women’s basketball and she is the bracketologist for the website, Her Hoop Stats. In addition, Gauer covers women’s basketball and is a podcast host for the UConn Blog and writes about NCAA WBB on Substack at ‘View From The Top’.
NCAA WBBGauer breaks down the top teams in the country, talks about the players that make a difference and shares her thoughts on who to watch. When it comes to ACC she highlights each ranked team and talks about strengths and weaknesses.
As usual we find out the best place to grab a slice of pizza when in New Haven and get a solid confirmation that it’s a ‘slice of pizza’, not ‘pie’ in Connecticut.
Subscribe to follow ACC Nation Podcast, go here to listen to ACC Nation Radio and be sure to watch this interview and more on ACC Nation YouTube.
Welcome to ACC sports 2024 and so far the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 have been wild, surprising and fun. What’s next? Well, after we recorded this episode the list was added to again and then again and once more. Nick Saban’s gone. Bill Belichick’s gone. In case anyone had missed it, so is Pete Carroll. And, oh, by the way the top candidates for Saban’s job are peeling away left and right plus some Tide fans don’t want Dabo Swinney. I’m sure the feeling is mutual among Clemson fans.
The vacancy at Alabama will have a ripple effect upon the SEC and college football. Lord help the oversized ego that tries to walk in and do the same that Saban has done over the years. The immediate thought from our corner, hoist a glass and celebrate the monster diminishing in power. We won’t diminish any aspect of the coaching supremacy these guys have demonstrated over the years. Respect. But, anything that elevates ACC sports, well we’re all for it.
Will and Jim look at the final AP Top 25 football poll and share some thoughts on the numbers. For good measure we talk about the addition of Cal, SMU and Stanford and how they will impact the ACC football season. We’re looking forward to talking with the folks that cover these teams and providing you football previews in a few short months.
ACC SportsWant to paint an interesting picture? In Week 0 of college football Florida State and Georgia Tech will face off in Dublin, Ireland for the AerLingus College Football Classic on Saturday, August 24. Yes, it will be a fun game and an entertaining pub crawl for fans who fly in to see the game. The wildest part may not have anything to do with what we see on the field. You see, ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast for the first time outside of the U.S. at this game. Hear our thoughts on how they may be received by Noles’ fans. Jim throws in his two cents on how his Irish relatives should welcome the cast. Always here to help.
In other areas of ACC sports. You know all the talk about how the NIL will be a bad thing and then no one stepped up to do anything about it? Well, the NCAA has decided that all of those feral long-tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs will now be corralled and brought ‘in-house’. If you can get past the laughter the guys share some thoughts on that cluster, too.
Last, but not least a quick run-down of the AP Top 25 men’s and women’s basketball teams will occupy your time as well. Want to see the latest men’s 2024 projected bracket? Click on the link on our home page for Big Underdog.
Thanks for listening and watching. Be sure to like and follow us on your favorite podcast platform, on-line radio and of course, YouTube for more ACC sports.
Will Ojanen and Jim Quist provide their take on ACC sports news. On this episode their thoughts on the two new ACC football coaches, a look at the WNBA Draft and how players have financial options plus the latest rankings of men's and women's college basketball teams.Get The Latest Bracketology From Big UnderdogWhat do Will and Jim think of Syracuse and Duke's moves in football? What do Fran Brown and Manny Diaz bring to the table for both teams? Both come from stellar programs in Georgia and Penn State where they've been successful. Can they bring some of that magic with them?ACC Sports NewsThe WNBA may be about to hit the jackpot with the college players expected to be in the draft. But. What would happen if they opted for another route? The guys discuss that and share the ACC players that Sporting News says will go in the Top 10.How are ACC men's and women's college basketball teams performing thus far? A look at the latest Top 25's and some notes on select teams.Manny Diaz Named Duke's New Head Football CoachWe appreciate you listening and watching ACC Nation. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast, on-line radio and YouTube channel for more ACC sports news.
Is there such a thing as dependable bracketology? Well, it depends upon where you may be looking. When it comes to 2024 NCAA men's basketball we turn to Jason Carmello who has been ranked among the Top 20 by The Bracket Project. The organization looks at 5 years worth of results and you'll find Carmello's Big Underdog at 16. Take a look for yourself and while you're there look for the major media guys, too.Carmello joins Will and Jim to talk not only about the NCAA in general but to share his thoughts on how ACC teams are performing so far and why he has six conference programs already lined up and ready to go. Who are those teams and why does he think they should be seeded where they are in his latest bracket?BracketologyYou'll be hearing much more from Carmello this year as ACC Nation keeps an eye on how teams are performing as they shoot for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. We'll share his bracketology and have him on as a return guest. As we've recently found out with football, we shouldn't take anything for granted so a close eye is warranted.We invite you to follow, like, comment and, of course, subscribe to ACC Nation available as a podcast, radio and on YouTube.
First things first. Jim and Will share some perspective regarding recent actions by the CFP committee. Now that we've gotten past the 'click-rage' point of the story it's time to think it through and come to some reasonable conclusions. Easier said then done, right? Both guys throw in their two-cents worth on how Florida State came up on the short end of the stick in the playoffs.Next up, a look at all the CFP ranked teams and the bowls that they'll be headed to over the next few weeks. A lot can change personnel wise between now and then but you'll get their thoughts on who has a good shot at winning.Listen To Us On ACC Nation Radio 24/7PerspectiveFlorida State also picked up another 'futbol' championship as the women's soccer team rolled to a decisive win over Stanford in the NCAA title game that wrapped as the program was being recorded.The NCAA men's soccer semifinals will feature Notre Dame against Oregon State and West Virginia faces Clemson.In other NCAA action the third round of volleyball plays out this week. Nebraska faces Georgia Tech, Louisville takes on Creighton and Pitt challenges Washington State.When it come to maintaining perspective it's important to know that early season stumbles on the basketball court are bound to happen. Will and Jim run down the latest men's and women's AP Top 25 rankings for ACC teams.On the next episode Jason Carmello of Big Underdog talks men's basketball bracketology. Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, watch us on YouTube and listen to ACC Nation Radio.
Louisville fans couldn't be more thrilled as first year head coach Jeff Brohm has led the team to a shot at the ACC Football Championship. What comes after that in the Orange Bowl is another story altogether. Special guest Jeremy Wahman of Cardinal Sports Zone unleashes the 'juice' and provides Will and Jim a look at what the Cardinals will bring to their matchup with Florida State.The guys talk about a little of everything and anything (as usual when they get together) starting with some professional wrestling and getting into depth about what to expect on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Can you expect a conservative, feel out your opponent first-half or perhaps a throw everything including the kitchen sink approach to try to get as far ahead as possible?LouisvilleThere are challenges on both sides for both teams as they take over Charlotte football for the weekend. How close will it be? Wahman goes for a 3 point spread for Louisville much like his colleague covering Florida State however they disagree on the outcome, as would be expected.Be sure to listen to ACC Nation by subscribing to our podcast, to ACC Nation Radio or watch our programs on YouTube. We'd appreciate a like, your comments and of course, if you'd subscribe and follow us.
Special guest Curt Weiler from the Rivals site, The Osceola joins us to talk about Florida State football. It's been a hell of a journey for the Noles since Mike Norvell took over as head coach in early December of 2019. Whether you call it a rebuild or Norvell simply putting his fingerprints on a program that needed a great deal of TLC to return to their former glory days it appears that the patience afforded him by fans is paying off.Are You Listening To ACC Nation Radio? Click Here. Click NOW!Weiler shares his thoughts and insights into the progress made by Norvell and how the players made a commitment to the plan. Weiler discusses the loss of Jordan Travis, how Tate Rodemaker is performing and the challenge the Cardinals will bring to the Florida State defense.Florida StateHow does Weiler see the game playing out? Listen and you'll also hear his prediction for this game and what's next for the Noles in bowl action.Watch us on YouTube (subscribe here), listen to us on ACC Nation Radio (subscribe here) and ACC Nation Podcast (subscribe here) so you can listen at your pleasure. We'd appreciate a like and rating while you're at one or all of these free subscription sites.
It's been quite the weekend in ACC sports. From the departure of a head football coach and multiple season ending injuries. Then there's multiple NCAA Championships where ACC teams took home the trophy. Yes, there's a few things to talk about on this week's podcast as we head into a holiday filled with tasty food and drink, crazy uncles and more ACC excitement than you can shake a stick at, so jump on this episode with Will and Jim for a small taste.What's going on in the northern section of the conference? Will a decision be made to go big or go home or will the school settle for mediocrity? The guys share their thoughts and look back at the last coach that brought home the bacon.Sports News And Interviews 24/7 - ACC RadioACC SportsThe list of ACC sports at this time of year is long. From fall to winter the transition creates a cross-over chocked full of action that cranks up during the holidays. There's field hockey, soccer, cross country, swimming and diving, volleyball and even ice hockey. Can't forget the rundown of football and of course, a quick look at how ACC men's and women's basketball ranks.Be sure to subscribe and follow ACC Nation on YouTube, Radio and Podcast.
One of the wildest college basketball seasons has debuted with some eyebrow raising results. Across the ACC, both men's and women's teams are making their mark on what promises to be an exciting season. There's still not enough action to lock down a dependable impression however highlights sure have been entertaining.Will and Jim take a look at the early action and share their thoughts on what to expect over the holidays. There are more than enough tournaments and the ACC/SEC Basketball Challenge to get a solid feel for what teams should be delivering. So buckle up, Thanksgiving through New Year's promises to be full of fire.ACC Football Begins The Final Run To The ChampionshipBasketballThe guys have a look at the AP Top 25 rankings for men and women, analyze some non-conference performances and look ahead at what promises to be a return to fun, competitive conference ball.Be sure to watch ACC Nation (and subscribe) on YouTube, listen to ACC Nation Online Radio and ACC Nation Podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe.
Going into the 2023 college football season there were more than a few questions regarding ACC teams. It turns out it was a sneaky good season in many ways for more than a few teams. We all wondered if Florida State would hold up their end of the positive projections and now we have an answer. Sure, Louisville seemed like they might be able to turn things around but there was plenty of doubt as to how far Jeff Brohm could take this team. At this point, two games away from the end of the regular season, it appears that both Florida State and Louisville will be in Charlotte for the ACC Football Championship game. And, by the way, the CFP rankings have both the Noles and Cards as top 10 teams in their Top 25 rankings.Sports News And Interviews On ACC Nation Radio 24/7There are currently 8 ACC teams that have qualified for a post-season bowl and the possibility that 11 may make the final tally. To top off things, Bryan Fischer of Fox Sports has included Wake Forest (projected 5-7) as one of the teams filling out the Myrtle Beach Bowl. College FootballWill and Jim take a look at the latest rankings, review last weekend's games and preview the schedule. The final weeks of regular season college football should be wild with a large number of teams across multiple conferences looking for that one win that makes them bowl eligible.Be sure to watch and listen to ACC Nation on YouTube (subscribe now), ACC Nation Online Radio or subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast for the latest sports news and interviews.
There's plenty of sports news coming out of the ACC as fall and winter seasons fold into one another. It's been a remarkable fall for the conference and winter looks to be equally exhilarating. Will and Jim take a look at how conference teams rank in the latest AVCA Volleyball rankings, NWCA Preseason Wrestling Poll and the teams that have received invitations to the NCAA Women's Soccer and Field Hockey championships. If you're looking for a golden nugget or two be sure to make note that ESPN will debut their first ever owned and operated Gymnastics Invitational in January featuring two ACC teams. The bigger picture is that the 12 multi-conference team event will be aired solely on ABC and the ACC Network. That's the kind of sports news that will put more eyes on both the conference and the network making it a big plus for the ACC.Both men's and women's basketball hit the road running on Monday night (when we recorded the show) and the guys take a look at some of the early outcomes and action as it was happening. Yes, there are some surprises.Sports NewsSeven ACC football teams are already qualified for bowls with two teams just a game away from making it into the club as well. The big question is, did anyone see Boston College making it at the beginning of the season? There is a possibility that Georgia Tech will also get a taste of the pie. And who would have thought we'd still be waiting on Clemson to lock in a spot?The guys review the weekend's football results, look at the latest AP Top 25, run down the upcoming schedule and share an interesting observation about Dave Doeren that will make you think.Have you subscribed to ACC Nation? You can listen to the podcast, the shows and more sports news reports on ACC Nation Radio plus watch us on YouTube.
NCAA men's college basketball play-by-play and color analyst Dan Bonner provides some stunning guidance on what it really takes to win. It might not be what you'd immediately think. Bonner, who played for and coached at Virginia and has been seen on CBS, ESPN, Fox, Raycom and the ACC Network joins Will and Jim for a preview of NCAA and ACC hoops. Have You Subscribed To ACC Nation?What's it take to get prepared for covering teams from all over the country? Bonner tells us what he told Seth Greenberg when he asked the same question. What does Bonner think about the Transfer Portal and NIL? Has it impacted the sport enough to level the playing field?College BasketballWill gets into detail with Bonner regarding the ACC and what it will take for conference teams to avoid situations like Clemson encountered last season.Who are the top college basketball teams in the nation and why? What teams should fans keep an eye on as the season builds?Listen to ACC Nation Radio, watch us on ACC Nation YouTube or subscribe to the podcast for more interviews.
NCAA and WNBA analyst Debbie Antonelli previews women's college basketball and explains why the growth of the sport should not be surprising. Antonelli brings a wealth of on-court experience, including coaching to her coverage of basketball. She's one of the many who have helped break multiple glass ceilings that have allowed women's basketball to flourish.The first stop is the AP Preseason Top 25 where Antonelli breaks down what the top 5 teams bring to the table. From what you'll hear this season will be even more dynamic than last as a wealth of talent is spread across the board.Watch The Interview On YouTube - Subscribe For More InterviewsCollege BasketballWhat about the ACC? Will it be another jam-packed thrill ride of a season? Five teams made the preseason poll with another three lurking just outside the 25. There are many questions swirling around conference teams but Antonelli reassures us that they may be stronger than ever.Some quick thoughts at the end of the conversation regarding the coaching change at Pitt where Tory Verdee comes on-board. Antonelli has high praise for the incoming head coach. We go over the perception of weak vs strong schedules in college basketball and how that may or may not impact teams.We encourage you to support Debbie Antonelli's efforts for Special Olympics at '24 Hours Nothing But Net'. Take a look and get on-board.Subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio and watch us on YouTube for more ACC sports.
Sure, it's going to take more than one or two seasons of success for fans outside the conference to embrace ACC football. The league is still working to turn some of you around as well (looking at you, 'it's a basketball conference' only fans). Let's get real for a second. If you can walk and chew gum at the same time then why can't the ACC be basketball, football and more? In the meantime, for those who haven't discovered our not so secret secret, well, it's their loss as the rest of us watch the slow but steady emergence of conference football teams. First up on this week's opener (there's another episode with Debbie Antonelli previewing NCAA women's basketball) Will and Jim look at the AP Preseason men's basketball Top 25. What ACC teams are in the mix? The program was recorded earlier in the week and so, here's the latest AP Preseason women's basketball Top 25 which features five ACC teams. The surprise comes in which conference teams aren't the highest ranked this season.Sports News, Sports Talk - ACC Nation Online Radio 24/7ACC FootballTwo weeks of byes within the conference are behind us now as teams hope to hit their best stride in the back half of the schedule. Will and Jim look at five games from this past weekend and share their thoughts on the performances. They take a look at the games that are coming up and then it's time to get down to brass tacks. Which teams 'Met or Exceeded Expectations' and which 'Did Not Meet Expectations' at the mid-point of the season. See if you agree with their analysis.ACC football already has three teams that have locked down a bowl bid. One is a game away and there are four that only need to grab two wins. Among those four one may be in question. You'll be surprised by which teams are currently locked in a tie at number 5 in the latest standings. Don't forget, even though there are plenty of ACC football games left there's also plenty of conference fall sports championships coming up that you should pay attention to and they include:ACC Cross Country Championship October 27ACC Women's Soccer First Round October 29ACC Field Hockey Championship October 31, November 1 & 3ACC Men's Soccer First Round November 1Have you subscribed? You may be missing out on ACC football and other sports news. Take your pick or like and follow all three - ACC Nation Podcast, ACC Nation Radio and ACC Nation YouTube.
If you want to talk about Wolfpack football you find someone who is passionate about NC State. We turned to Evan at Red & White Podcast (subscribe) to share his observations, thoughts and ideas on the Pack (follow on X). Is there a root cause of the inconsistencies that fans are pulling their hair out over from week to week? Is mediocrity just okay? What has and what can change to make things better? What will get the Wolfpack over the hump? Evan deals the cards and lays out the future of the program.Watch ACC Nation On YouTubeWolfpack FootballDoes the administration need to be more responsive to the fans and alumni? Perhaps a whisper in the ear of AD Boo Corrigan may help move the needle. It starts with better communication which is a hallmark of leadership.Will explores the on-field product in detail. Starting with the offensive line, the head scratching use of wide receivers, or lack thereof and an early season swap out of quarterback. There are some bright spots and we don't miss the opportunity to bring them to light. Evan offers up answers to the questions and ideas on what can change that into success for Wolfpack football.Coming Soon - NCAA Basketball Previews With Debbie Antonelli And Dan BonnerOn the defensive side NC State helps keep the Pack in games. With both talent and experience in play the front 7 are helping stuff the run and close the pocket quickly for opposing quarterbacks. The injury bug is beginning to play a role at safety. Who will step up? Wolfpack football has a history of developing quality defensive players and Evan highlights just one of many who is making a big contribution.Thoughts on the NC State and Duke game and how the pack can perform against a team missing their starting quarterback.Subscribe To ACC Nation PodcastA rundown of special teams, the rest of the season, expect a bowl and open up an NC State beer.
Oh my, some ACC football weekends are destined to leave a bad taste in your mouth. Welcome to week 5 where we go on our first rowdy rant of the season. Bad coaching and bad executiion will hopefully lead to lessons learned. If not, well, you'll find out early in the program who we think are on the hot seat and why. Fans and administrations aren't as inclined to accept 'vanilla' and truthfully, programs can't afford to run that way any longer. ACC SEC Challenge | ’23 Hoops ExplodeWe have our first big personnel change of the season and it's among the starting players. It wouldn't surprise us if some coaches part ways before the end of the year. Look, it's all conjecture at this point but we don't take these comments lightly.ACC FootballBut first, we've got a couple of interesting guests on the horizon and share that with you out of the gate. We're putting together a fun list of guests who you'll want to catch so we encourage you to like, subscribe and listen to ACC Nation podcast, online radio and YouTube channel. We appreciate you listening and watching all across the U.S. and world-wide.Will and Jim break down the performances of ACC teams from this past weekend with the appropriate amount of swats and kudos when applicable. There's plenty of both to go around as teams have no excuse not to be clicking by now.Which ACC football team makes it to the magic 6 win mark for bowl eligibility first? We're not far from finding out.
Everyone who is questioning Duke or saying, 'they're just a basketball school' may want to review tape on the Blue Devils. Forget about the stats because, if anything, they are misleading about both teams. If there is one thing you can take away from Duke taking on Notre Dame it's that college football has and is changing. Frankly, it's leaving us with a bit of a smirk on our faces. Will and Jim welcome Conor O'Neill, the Publisher of Devils Illustrated to the podcast (subscribe) to sift through the trash talk, the wonky stats and share gut feelings about this game. Former Irish DC Mike Elko who took over the reins as head coach in Durham has turned the program rather quickly. This is his second season and the Blue Devils are among the Top 25 teams in the nation. Field Hockey Top 20 | Sizzle The NetThe question is, do they have enough talent and depth to give the Irish a run for the money? Notre Dame fans, in true form, don't think much of Duke....as a football team. According to some, they're 'mediocre'. O'Neill shares the players and positions that are anything but and will be more than a handful. DukeYou'll get a good feel for what the Duke offense offers behind QB Riley Leonard and a three-headed running back room (there's more) and why O'Neill believes this game may be a battle for supremacy on the ground first before looking for cracks in the opposing secondary.Strengths and weaknesses, you'll get a feel for each team and how that may play out.Follow ACC Nation on our podcast, streaming radio and YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe.
Week four of ACC football was both brilliant and bumbling but even the bad was beginning to show signs of good. The top tier of the conference finds Florida State, Louisville, Duke and North Carolina sporting unblemished records. Will they be able to hang on and make it to the ACC Championship? It may feel too early to be talking about such things but as things begin to shake out in conference play it's nice to know who the players are. The only other 4-0 (overall) teams are Miami and Syracuse and both are about to dive into ACC waters where they'll have to prove themselves worthy of a shot at a title.First things first, however as the guys look at the ACC/SEC Basketball Challenge schedule for men and women. There are a number of choice matchups among ranked teams and a few that will be proving grounds for others.Are You Listening To ACC Nation Radio? More And More ACC Sports Fans Are!ACC FootballWill and Jim provide a review of the weekend action, take a look at the latest Top 25's, share some bowl projections and look ahead at a limited week 5 schedule of ACC football.Have you subscribed to ACC Nation on YouTube or our Podcast? Time to jump on board and hear the latest conference sports news and interviews.
Will and Jim review week three of ACC football and find some surprising and promising performances. It's easy to be a bit short-sighted when it comes to a handful of teams in the conference but the reality is they're in the midst of a rebuild. These things take time. If you at their efforts you can choose to be disappointed or look at the long-term plans and where the team stands within that plan.Miami started the week off with a solid win but there's not much to talk about. The Canes are proving themselves and after three weeks of play we have a much better view of the job Mario Cristobal has done. With the team ranked nationally at 21/20 (USA Today/AP) the boo-birds are beginning to disappear.Subscribe! Subscribe! Subscribe! ACC Nation Online Radio, Podcast And YouTube.Virginia has a much bigger challenge but they are at the front-end of this effort. It's all about personnel and Tony Elliott has a big hill to climb on the recruitment trail. It's not as if it hasn't been done before in Charlottesville. It just takes a unique staff and equally unique student-athletes to make it all come together at UVa.ACC FootballThe guys take a look at all of the ACC football games from this past weekend, look at the coming games along with odds and give a glance at the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Be sure to follow, like and subscribe so you get the latest episodes before anyone else.
Waiting on the start of ACC football always seems like an eternity. Just as soon as it gets here, it starts unwinding quicker than the blink of an eye. We're headed into week three of the conference football season and much like in years past some aspects of the ACC have been turned on it's head.
It started off with some big questions during the spring, turned into a veritable..ahem..storm over the summer with realignment and further confusion was heaped upon us all with fall practice. If you expected any aspect of the ACC to settle down once the schedule kicked off then you haven't been paying attention over the last few years.
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ACC Football
Teams that were, are apparently no longer. Teams that once upon a time were, are re-emerging. And, as always, the middle of the pack is full of, (wait, they did what?) teams. Isn't ACC football fun? So the latest USA Today and AP Top 25 polls out of week two are becoming a wee bit less murky. Perhaps, after week three we'll know enough to feel safe talking trash at work where you have to do it face to face and deal with the consequences after the game. That on-line stuff in boards and on social media behind fake names just doesn't cut it anymore. It's soft.
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Week 1 of the Boston College football season can best be described as ominous. If it is an indication of what is ahead it's going to be a long year for fans and maybe a short one for head coach Jeff Hafley. Will and Jim want to know, what the hell is going on at Chestnut Hill? So, we turn to the Publisher of 24/7's Eagle Insider and Host of the podcast, Locked On BC, A.J. Black for answers.
What's the source of all this anguish and how do you go about eliminating the problem? Black has some interesting details and perspectives on the football program. It's a good place to start as Will points out we're a reasonably priced therapy session.
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Boston College
In a loss to Northern Illinois that leaves most BC fans at a loss for words and now facing a top ranked FCS opponent in Holy Cross that is a must win the future feels precarious at best for Hafley. Can he turn things around? Clean up the tsunami of penalties? Get his starting QB back on track or will he have to permanently shift his backup to starter?
College Football Week 2 | Embrace The Seductive Dream
There are lots of questions and Black has lots of answers to lead to more questions. We never have enough time to talk Boston College with him but if you want more we encourage you to follow his daily Locked On Boston College podcast which is full of sports news from Chestnut Hill.
Miami football, with a little help from a DeLorean hitting 88 mph may be on the way to bringing the 'U' back to the future. Let's cut to the chase here. It takes new head coaches as much as 4 years to turn the corner with programs post-COVID. Mario Cristobal is in his second year as head coach and could well see some returns on the investments made in the team this season.
Special guest, Manny Navarro of The Athletic and Wide Right podcast joins Will and Jim to preview the Miami Hurricanes. We start off with, 'tell us how you really feel' and work out way through the offense, defense, special teams and the schedule. There's plenty to talk about and as always, Navarro provides great insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
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Miami Football
ACC Football Rankings Week 1 | Light The Fire!
With plenty of depth but a young group of players Cristobal heads into a challenging season that will give Miami football fans lots to talk about.
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Taking on the challenge of turning around a faltering Louisville football program isn't without it's risks. Jeff Brohm, familiar with the demands of fans in Derby City for a winner came in swinging. There's been a monstrous turnover in the roster, both coming and going. It's, for the most part a completely new staff with a new look on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals haven't had any difficulty in attracting talent, it's always been what you do with it when it's there.
College Football Top 25 | Preseason Votes Exposed
If fans can remember this is the first year and most college programs take from 2-3, even 4 years to begin to gel then this may very well be the guy to make it happen.
Special guest Jeremy Wahman of Cardinal Sports Zone joins us to preview the upcoming football season and unleash some other hijinks as well.
Louisville Football
Wahman says there may be more to this team than meets the eye and lays out the talent at key positions. Prepare yourself for the win/loss projections, especially everyone over in the western part of the state of Louisville (we learn something new every day).
It's a fun and informative look at Louisville football. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, watch on YouTube and listen to all of the ACC Nation Football Previews on ACC Nation Radio available 24/7.
There are plenty of people who believe Florida State football is back to legendary status. Our special guest on ACC Nation Football Preview is the Senior Writer for the Florida State Rivals site, The Osceola, Curt Weiler. Cautious and reasonable are two excellent tags for Weiler's thoughts on the 'Noles. He doesn't want to get ahead of himself but at the same time you can hear the excitement about what Mike Norvell has been putting together in Tallahassee.
Will gets into the X's and O's of the offense first as the discussion ranges from Jordan Travis and his weapons that can burn up a scoreboard and the offensive line that will play the king maker.
College Football Top 25 | Preseason Votes Exposed
Florida State Football
The Seminoles defense is solid with a stellar secondary ready to shut down most offenses. If they have dreams of winning the ACC and making it to the College Football Playoffs this is one segment of the team that needs to deliver.
Special teams may be a little iffy in the kicking game but a healthy competition in camp may deliver an answer. When it comes to returns there are plenty of players to select from.
Finally, Weiler goes over the schedule with the guys with a very reasonable win/loss record possible for Florida State football this season.
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Like a good deal of ACC teams Pitt football doesn't get the attention that they should from national and sometimes even conference media. In a world where everyone asks, what have you done for me lately those types of questions are rapidly disappearing from conversations about the Panthers football program among fans. Can the media be far behind? Special guest, Corey Crisan of DK Pittsburgh Sports shares his thoughts on how head coach Pat Narduzzi has quietly built an ACC top tier contender that is sending players on to the NFL and finding more and more success recruiting.
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What exactly are those benchmarks of success? Crisan lays out the slow but steady build of the program and what that has achieved thus far. There's much to consider. Then, Crisan provides a run-down of the key elements of the team and the personnel that are in place to deliver a solid season. With multiple players now in the NFL who will replace them on the field? Narduzzi has been an effective recruiter, especially in Pitt's backyard to help build the depth the team needs to win.
Pitt Football
Offense, defense, special teams, the schedule and recruiting are all covered so make sure you listen to this Pitt football preview. Available on YouTube and Streaming Radio, too.
Wake Forest football has delivered some amazing results under head coach Dave Clawson. Often, outside the ACC, media and fans when asked about the Demon Deacons will ask, who? Word of advice. Take a closer look because the mighty mouse roars. The Publisher of 24/7's Demon Deacon Digest, Les Johns joins us for an ACC Nation Football Preview and rolls through defense, offense, special teams and a schedule that offers up some challenges as the season progresses.
Stanford, Cal And SMU Unexpected ACC ’23 Additions?
We start with the defense and Johns indicates that there's more experience and depth than there has been in previous years. The Deacs will bring pressure up front and have a solid secondary capable of shutting down pass aggressive teams.
Wake Forest
One of the keys to improving pass defense is working with a stellar wide receiving corps. Look for Wake Forest to take the top off opposing defenses behind QB Mitch Griffis who steps up to take command of the offense. The depth of the RB room guarantees a solid 'by committee' approach behind the workhorse Justice Ellison.
Keep in mind the 'two deep, three seasons' we mention early on in the podcast because it's a great guide in demonstrating Wake Forest has, once again been underestimated. Clawson and company will let the final score do all the talking for them as usual.
Watch the interview on YouTube, subscribe to the podcast or listen to all of the ACC Nation Football Previews on ACC Nation Radio available 24/7.
Is it possible that 12 of 14 ACC schools will say yes to Stanford, California and SMU as the newest members of the conference? So many starting points when it comes to asking questions. We went to the Publisher of the Sports Illustrated/Fan Nation site, All Cardinal, Kevin Borba for some answers. Borba was straight forward about the strengths and weaknesses that Stanford brings to the table. He also delved into how such a realignment might impact student-athletes (yes, we can still use that term) who are in sports other than football and basketball. It's a serious concern.
The PAC 12, in existence for 108 years came tumbling down in front of our eyes with seemingly just one Jenga block removed and that would be Colorado. After their announcement that they were departing and the dust had settled only four teams remained. Which conference would come to their rescue? Borba gets into some details as to why they haven't and probably won't.
Stanford
If Stanford, Cal and SMU were added it would bring in lucrative television and recruiting markets for the ACC in San Francisco and Dallas. California and Texas are knee deep in athletic talent. Borba shares his thoughts on a number of other similar schools that he feels would be solid additions to the ACC as well. Might the conference go in this direction? Is it a if you can't beat 'em, join 'em attitude moving forward?
There are some fun-filled facts to provide context as you listen in to the latest ACC Nation podcast that you'll want to hear.
Be sure to subscribe and follow ACC Nation (podcast), YouTube and radio. Coming this week, ACC Nation Football Previews of Wake Forest and Pitt.
Often, when you least expect it you find the key to success right under your nose. That may well be the case with Georgia Tech football. The key being new head coach Brent Key who corralled a wayward but talented group to an exciting end of a season and was rewarded with that coaching spot. On this episode of ACC Nation Football Preview our special guest, Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher/Writer at JacketsOnline with the Rivals and Yahoo Sports Networks provides some intriguing and exciting news about how this new staff is leading the Ramblin' Wreck out of the proverbial junkyard.
The traction gained by actively working the transfer portal and amping up a somewhat 'flat' recruiting record may well deliver a highly competitive team that no one saw coming. Quinlan points to some of the extraordinary performances from last year's Georgia Tech football team and then overlays the incoming talent in a way that should raise some eyebrows among opponents.
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Georgia Tech Football
The Yellow Jackets may still be in somewhat of a 'rebuild' depending on who you ask but certainly a first year coach should be given some leeway as he and his staff begin to build a program. But, that doesn't mean they don't have a shot at making their way to a bowl game this year. The potential is there to turn things around on offense and defense. Sure, there are some tough games on the schedule but there are plenty that are 50-50. It all depends on how well this new look and freshly re-stocked team takes hold. It's all about Georgia Tech football!
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Virginia Tech football hasn't quite been it's old self for a while now but Brent Pry appears to be taking the team in the right direction. Any re-build of a football team can be a long slog before suddenly and seemingly magically erupting. How close are the Hokies to finding their yellow brick road? It's all a mystery and even those that are up close and personal with the team aren't sure just what is transpiring.
Special guest Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline lays out some interesting thoughts on where the team is, what will help them get to where they want to be and breaks it all down for fans from top to bottom. We find out that the coaching staff is re-establishing ties with the rich recruiting fields of their home state and are tapping into the wealth of talent found at FCS schools for transfers.
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Virginia Tech
Who will be the starting quarterback this year? Is it one, the other or both? There are new names filling out the wide receiver room and familiar ones in the backfield. The big question lies with the offensive line. Will the talent step up? Is there depth?
That same situation applies to the defensive line at Virginia Tech but things are looking better on that side of the ball. There's plenty of talent but it all comes down to clicking and quickly before the team hits the road. Bitter takes a look at the schedule and shares his thoughts.
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Last year's version of Duke football was nothing short of a surprise. Mike Elko came in as a first year head coach and helped restructure a program into a winner essentially using the same pieces that were on the chess board the previous year. How is that possible? Special guest, Conor O'Neill, the publisher of Devils Illustrated provides an in-depth preview of the Blue Devils including his thoughts on where they may be headed.
Sure, when you think of Duke it's certainly basketball and in the past it may have been one or two other sports as well, but, football? It's been a hit and miss proposition. David Cutcliffe surprised many an observer with a run to the top of the ACC but could never quite maintain the momentum.
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What's in store for Duke football fans this year? Will it be the 9-4 record from last year? Maybe not but it could very well be a better overall team than last. However, a restructured conference and tough schedule to boot will be big hurdles for Elko this season. Closer games? Upsets?
Duke Football
O'Neill takes us through the defense and the key to choking off opposing offenses. Then what are the keys to success on offense? It won't be a one-man show as multiple weapons step forward. From receivers to running backs to quarterback this team has the potential to punch opponents in the kisser.
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Duke football may be coming into to it's own under Elko as transfers and a bigger footprint for recruiting are immediately paying off. The devil is in the details and we'll see how fine a point this coaching staff puts on the final picture.
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Here we are, in the middle of summer and if you are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July we're breaking out some fun and games on this episode of ACC Nation with Will and Jim. The guys start out with a look at a Strength of Schedule ranking of ACC football teams. Which team has it easy and which have it hard? If coaches play it right they may end up performing better than expected, or not. It's an interesting 1-14 especially with how the new, no division ACC is set up.
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Next up, the conference has released the ACC/SEC Basketball Challenge schedule for men and women. There are some superb matchups and we share it with you.
4th Of July
The final Learfield Directors' Cup standings are out and the ACC has six schools ranked in the top 20. Virginia leads the conference schools with North Carolina joining them in the top 10. Find out where they rank along with the rest of the schools and some of the sports that got them there.
Last, but not least we get a look at the most experience offensive lines in college football and the ACC has not only the top two but a total of four in the top eight.
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Have a safe and memorable 4th of July!
Syracuse football under Dino Babers has had fits and starts but there is no denying the team has found some success. Is there enough fuel in the tank to crank the Orange engine and push toward another bowl appearance? Our special guest, Tim Leonard, the sideline reporter and host of the pre/half-time/post game shows for Syracuse joins us to delve into the long list of 'W's' surrounding the team.
Is there an offense without Sean Tucker who departed for the Tampa Bay Bucs? Who fills the shoes of Tucker? Is quarterback Garrett Schrader underrated? Is there an O-line there that can protect him, provide time and space and most importantly prevent him from becoming injured and sidetracking the team?
Will and Jim jump feet first into offense, defense, special teams and look at the schedule for Syracuse football with Leonard. There's lots to consider after hearing many of his answers. There's the potential for an exciting team that could end up in a post-season bowl but it depends on talent stepping up and doing so quickly.
Syracuse Football
Be sure to follow Tim Leonard on Twitter and get more information on Syracuse by visiting their website.
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The publisher of Wahoos 247, Jacquie Franciulli previews 2023 Virginia football provides a tall, half full glass of optimism for the upcoming season. Contrary to early season media rankings the Cavaliers are probably not a team that should be near the bottom of the ACC. There's plenty of seasoned talent across the board but most specifically when it comes to defense. That's where Franciulli gets into some depth immediately and lays out why the Wahoos will give opponents a hard time.
If you're looking for question marks then zero in on the offensive line. That unit holds the key to the success of Virginia football via presumed starting quarterback Tony Muskett. It involves providing adequate time and a clean pocket to move the ball down field through the air. When it comes to the running game Virginia may be further ahead than most pundits imagined. It's full of dynamic backs who can grind out yardage and who also have good hands that Muskett can use as an outlet as well.
Virginia Football
Head football coach Tony Elliott's staff has spent time cleaning up special teams, too. It was an area that presented problems last season but appears to have received a much needed shot in the arm.
Get the complete details on what to expect this season in this episode.
Listen (radio, podcast) or watch (YouTube) the first preview of ACC football that will run all summer right up to the opening week of the season. We invite you to subscribe and like one or all three of our sources for ACC sports.
The trip to Omaha is the pinnacle of college baseball. The ACC started with 8 teams with dreams of making it to the 2023 College World Series and now two have made it. Wake Forest and Virginia could, potentially face off against one another for a shot at bringing home a championship trophy.
Will and Jim take a look at the teams that started the journey and those that remain in this episode of ACC Nation. The final battles begin on Friday and are likely the kind of games that fans will be talking about for years to come.
How To Thrive? Animated Forbes On The ’23-’24 Deacs
Pinnacle
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As conference baseball teams seasoned the prospect of having more than one dominant force heading into the post-season became a reality. There were so many teams and players making headlines all the way through the ACC Baseball Tournament that it was difficult to project who would come out as Mr. ACC. Which teams could head to Omaha for a shot at the title by being clutch when it mattered most?
Five ACC teams peeled away following Regional play and now only three remain and are in the Super Regionals. Unfortunately, only two of those three have an opportunity to move forward as No. 7 seed Virginia and (unseeded) Duke go head to head in Charlottesville while No. 1 seed Wake Forest entertains No. 16 seed Alabama.
Mr. ACC
Will and Jim take a look at other spring sports including an exciting run for the WCWS Softball Championship by Florida State. The No. 3 seed Seminoles have a huge obstacle in No. 1 seed Oklahoma but it's not an unfamiliar challenge for the team.
We update you on the Men's Golf Championship, Men's and Women's Lacrosse Championships and the upcoming Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin where 120 competitors from the ACC will go for the gold.
There are some big names on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Several Mr. ACC type players and coaches are on the list. Read more here.
Finally, we take a look at the latest release from the ACC regarding football and television. There are some amazing matchups in store this fall and the guys provide a few games that shouldn't be overlooked.
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The ACC Board of Directors found out it’s all about ‘Mo Money’ as they work toward implementing an incentive program starting for the ’24-’25 season. A select number of conference teams pushed for an increase in revenue based upon performance. The driving force, sports wise, are football and men’s basketball but the details are yet to be worked out. Will and Jim jump on that topic and share their thoughts about the changes, how it might impact teams and whether there truly is a pot of gold at the end of the college sports rainbow.
The big question is, is the ACC in a better place than they are being made out to be? What happens when the audience and advertising get so diluted that no one can afford to divvy out the billion dollar payday?
Mo MoneyThe guys take a quick run through all the spring sports action with a special after the fact tip of the hat to the Wake Forest women’s golf team who won the national championship while the program was being recorded. They’ve got the latest baseball field of 64 projections from D1Baseball and much more.
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Wake Forest hit a home run in the latest D1Baseball Top 25 taking over the No. 1 spot from LSU. It’s been a few years since an ACC team has been in the driver’s seat. Regular season ACC spring sports is beginning to wrap up as well with tournaments and NCAA play close at hand. Will and Jim take a look at the latest rankings plus a bracket projecting the seeding of conference teams in Regional play. In what could be a turn of events the ACC has a shot at being the dominant conference in post-season selections.
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There’s plenty of sports to talk about in addition to baseball. The guys run down the latest in women’s lacrosse, the bracket for ACC softball, the conference track and field championships, ACC rowing and how many men’s golf teams are headed to NCAA Regional play.
Home RunAs always, the conversation goes off the rails as the guys talk about how they’d prefer to see the ACC Network programmed. They ask, could we see more interesting hosts, spicy conversation and focus on putting more content on the main channel rather than Extra? Now that would be a home run! Life just wouldn’t be any fun without complaining about one or two things from time to time, right?
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The money train left the station with quite a few ACC football players as the next stop is the NFL and the beginning of their professional careers. In the last podcast Will and Jim looked at some of the final Mock Draft picks and tossed in their thoughts on where players might be picked. Just how close were they? Listen to the last episode here to compare.
The guys roll through rounds 1-7 and talk about what players bring to the table and who may be first year starters.
MoneyBe sure to subscribe and follow us on your favorite podcast and/or streaming radio platform plus be sure to watch ACC Nation on YouTube, simply scan the QR Code below.
It’s NFL Draft time and the best that the ACC has to offer looks pretty much like first round material. Will and Jim take a look at the conference prospects and provide a last-minute projection as to which round they’ll be picked. Nothing is set in stone but it looks like a number of quarterbacks from across FBS will populate the top tier of the first-round. Which ACC player is likely to go first? Should we look to Clemson or will it be Boston College? Why not Pitt?
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The guys give you a quick run-down of the top ACC teams in baseball, softball, outdoor track and field, rowing plus all of the conference women’s golf teams and individuals who earned a spot in the NCAA Regionals.
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Ken Cross of CollegeHoopsWatch.com and the podcast, Marching To Madness joins Will and Jim and shares all kinds of thoughts on basketball. Cross earns the title, ‘Kenny Buckets’ with the incredible number of coaches that he interviews year round. He shares some of his insider observations with the guys.
You can watch the entire interview on YouTube and be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation so you don’t miss any of the special guests.
Ken CrossWho do you have taking home the NCAA Championship Titles? Ken shares his thoughts on which men’s and women’s teams are most likely to win big and why.
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Karter Baughan of KarterKast joins us for a quick 15 minutes to discuss NCAA basketball and something a bit more specific to the ACC. Perhaps you’ve heard of the kerfuffle that arose from Bracketologist Joe Lunardi responding to ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips comments on college basketball this weekend? Baughan gives us a take on what he thinks is going on and if you read the story in the Lunardi link above you get a feeling the sports pundit may have walked into a field full of dairy cows without watching where he was stepping.
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After dispensing with that Baughan moves on to the NCAA tournament and how he sees basketball evolving. When the 15th year COVID seniors are gone will NIL and the Transfer Portal be a good thing or a bad thing? What about conference realignment? How does he see that impacting the ACC? Be sure to listen or watch and we encourage you to follow KarterKast.
Karter BaughanKen Cross Of CollegeHoopsWatch Joins Us On YouTube
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We say ciao to Isabella Agostinelli who writes for Italy’s BasketballNCAA and has an extensive background in covering college basketball. Agostinelli shares her thoughts on the growing numbers of European players that are being recruited by colleges in the United States and why their basketball IQ is appreciated at the pro level.
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We talk about the surprises in the tournaments so far and who her picks (favorites and technically) are to move forward to the championship.
Ciao, IsabellaWe’re looking forward to having her as a guest in the near future as around 200 college teams are expected to tour Europe as a warm up to their seasons. We’ll get an early look at what we can expect from teams for the 2024-25 year.
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What surprises could be in store with college post-season hoops at this point? I mean, haven’t we seen it all? Nay, nay you basketball fiends, there’s tons of fun left in the bag so Will and Jim are off to unwrap the remaining gifts.
What’s The Word On Basketball From Italy? Listen And Find Out
You’ll get a rundown on basketball along with a look at spring sports from across the ACC in this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
HoopsThe final countdown is on for the NIT, WNIT, NCAA men and NCAA women as April and a date with destiny awaits the final teams in the mix.
Strap in because the ’23 basketball tournaments are going to be a blast. It all started with the ACC Tournaments and now it’s time for the big dogs to roll. Will and Jim look back on the last week of the men’s tournament and the coaching changes that grabbed the headlines. Then we move on to the title game between Duke and Virginia where it was almost exclusively defense. Don’t believe us? Look at the halftime score.
We move on to the WNIT and then the NIT. We share some hard to swallow realities regarding teams who chose to play and not to play.
Next up, the treasure trove of ACC women’s teams in the NCAA tournament is simply astounding and it includes a No. 1 seed in Virginia Tech.
We’re not shy about who we think can and cannot advance to the second round of all of these tournaments.
Top 25 Baseball Intensifies As ACC Goes Full Tilt
BasketballThere aren’t as many men’s teams advancing to the NCAA tournament as you’d normally expect but five isn’t a bad number. Can Pitt play in against Mississippi State? How will Miami fair against Drake? Duke faces Oral Roberts. Both teams are on a run so the question is, which one stumbles? NC State takes on a tough Creighton and Virginia matches up with Furman. Which of these conference basketball teams can and should advance to the second round? We’ve got some thoughts to share with you.
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Seems we’ve forgotten what college basketball is really like. The ups and downs, the head-scratching losses and mind-blowing wins during the regular season. Keyboard coaches droning on about how this team or that conference just isn’t what it used to be. Welcome back to reality. Strap on your basketball shoes as we hit the court with Jason Carmello of Big Underdog, 2014’s top ranked bracketologist and in the top 30 over a five year stretch according to BracketMatrix.
Jason joins Will and Jim to talk about his March 7, 2023 bracket (see the latest updates here) and give you a realistic view of how to build your bracket. The guys start off with some Looney Tunes references before getting serious about which teams stand a good chance of advancing and those that don’t. Carmello drops some nice clues, breadcrumbs, if you will along the way.
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Get a feel for which ACC teams are and aren’t moving forward and get some serious talk about coaches that should be taken out to the wood shed. Unfortunately, the in-depth aspect of this conversation was after the program in regard to which coaches in the ACC need to hang up their hats.
BasketballAI Meet The ACC | 5 Ways To Effectively Monetize
Speaking of coaches moving on, have you given any thought as to the assistant coaches that are ideal for filling the big shoes? Who’s tops on your list should a head coach suddenly depart? You may want to start thinking about it.
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With 9 ACC women’s basketball teams rocking the latest Charlie Creme Bracketology you know there’s lots of fun going on in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro. With Quarters, Semis and Championship games this weekend you’ll want to either take a road trip or lock in your favorite seat at home and watch the fireworks. All of the games are on the ACC Network with the exception of the championship on ESPN.
There’s more than just basketball going on though so we take a fast trip around the conference to see how things are going for lacrosse, fencing, indoor track, wrestling, baseball and softball. The conference owns the top spots in men’s and women’s lacrosse and have top 5 teams in baseball and softball.
With the ACC Wrestling Tournament coming up on March 5th in Raleigh we can always expect heated competition from NC State and Virginia Tech but let’s not forget Pitt who waltzes in with 4 No. 1 seeds, the most of any team competing.
BasketballIf you’re into wild endings perhaps you should check out the men’s side of ACC basketball. The five teams sitting atop the conference standings include Pitt, Miami, Virginia, Duke and Clemson. How will those teams fair in their final regular season matchups? The Panthers stumbled and sent Mike Brey off with a win as the Irish upset Pitt. Want more? Saturday is your day to stay glued to the TV.
AI Meet The ACC | 5 Ways To Effectively Monetize
We’ll find out soon what the seedings are for the men’s tournament but as everyone knows that may not mean anything in the big picture. The battle for the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament title always provides a shade of excitement.
March Madness is just a few steps away.
There’s many ways to look at this year’s ACC basketball. Right now, everyone else in the league is looking up at Miami who has grabbed the lead. The best approach is always head-on and Will Ojanen looks at the mid-week games and what’s to come this weekend as the conference nears the end of the season. Are there more surprises in store? Do you really need to ask?
There’s a horse race at the top and it comes down to who wants it the most. Then it’s all about the ACC Tournament and battling it out for a good seed in the NCAA Tournament. At the moment, it may not matter that much what seeding a team has in the conference playoff as we’ve come to learn everybody is vunerable. Is there reason for some teams to be sweating…..uuuuhhhmmm, yeah.
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MiamiThe Latest AP And NET Rankings Plus Big Underdog Bracketology
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Just when you thought you’d seen everything during the ACC football season now basketball is upside down. At least, for Tobacco Road enthusiasts that is. It’s a new day in the conference and what once was is no longer. Pitt men’s basketball, behind the leadership of a former starting guard at Duke may be turning the corner after a couple of rough years. The unfortunate side of rebuilding a program is that you often have to dive into a pond full of excrement that you’ve inherited and then hit rock bottom before you rise to the top.
Jeff Capel has been pummeled left and right while looking for the right combination of players. To add insult to injury the personnel that could have ultimately turned things around sooner have either departed, been injured or taken themselves out of the equation in some form or another.
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Corey Crisan of DK Pittsburgh Sports joins us and talks about the journey that Capel, the Panthers and their fans have taken thus far and why they are the top team in the ACC college basketball standings.
BasketballWho are the players that are making this turn-around happen? We share some eye-opening stats that may help explain the rise of Pitt men’s basketball this season.
Can the Panthers hold on over the next few weeks to own the regular season title? Let’s talk about the ACC Basketball Tournament and if they’ll get a double-bye. Crisan gives us his thoughts on a team that was picked to finish 14th, yes you read that right, 14th in the preseason by writers and what they may be able to do in the NCAA’s.
We look at Jason Carmello’s Big Underdog bracket, the latest NCAA NET Rankings and toss aside other rankings that just don’t seem as relevant as they once were in the eyes of fans.
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Tara Henry knows all about the energy that’s all wrapped up in softball. As a player, coach and as the Managing Editor of D1Softball she has her finger on the pulse. It’s fun to have Henry as our special guest on ACC Nation because her passion for the game is contagious and carries over. Come join us for a thirty minute conversation that will take us from Los Angeles to Dublin, everywhere in-between and beyond.
Mike Brey | Surprising End Of 1 Era, Honest One Begins
With the season beginning in early February it’s time to take a look at the D1Softball Preseason Top 25 so we start with a countdown of the top 5 teams. What players make these teams tick? What about the coaches? What do they bring to the table that makes things different or more successful?
Tara HenryCollegiate Baseball’s ’23 Preview | Guts And Glory
There are some surprises among the four teams from the ACC that made it into the Top 25. Who are the players that are making it happen? What about pitching? Henry provides a great breakdown of Florida State, Clemson , Virginia Tech and Duke. If you’d like more details on the ACC visit D1Softball for their special conference breakdown (subscription).
Finally, if you have a thing for Irish food and wouldn’t be adverse to visiting a few pubs then next summer you’ll want to head to Dublin for what promises to be some exciting softball and lots of pleasantries around town.
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Locked On ACC’s Candace Cooper is not only an informed sports journalist but also one that’s lots of fun to engage with when it comes to ACC sports. Cooper joins Will and Jim on ACC Nation to talk about the 2022 football season, drop some thoughts on what teams will do in 2023 and then dives head first into conference basketball.
What does Cooper think of this past season? Well, there are some teams that exceeded expectations and then there are those that didn’t. Should there be changes made? Can you expect at least one ACC coach to be on the hot seat in 2023?
Collegiate Baseball’s ’23 Preview | Guts And Glory
Will Clemson continue to be the top dog or have other teams caught up and are about to pass Dabo Swinney on the highway to the CFP? With post season success, some minor tweaks to staff and solid recruiting teams will be far more engaging in pursuit of an ACC Championship.
Can the ACC continue to be the conference of quarterbacks? Cooper reminds us it takes more than one player to make a team but there certainly are some exciting QB’s returning to the fold next season.
EngagingWith the opportunity to talk about more than just football Will and Jim jump into how men’s and women’s basketball teams are performing so far. The men’s standings speak volumes about the unsettled nature of ACC hoops this season. As of Thursday, January 12 Clemson leads the conference with a 6-0 record followed by Miami at 5-1. Then, there are five teams with 4-2 records including; Virginia, Duke, Wake Forest, Pitt and Syracuse. Only three teams are ranked in the latest AP Top 25.
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When it comes to the ACC women, as Cooper says, you need to bring your ‘A’ game every time you play. The top five teams in the standings are; Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Notre Dame and NC State. These certainly aren’t the only teams engaging in a battle for the top spot. The teams making the AP Top 25 are; Notre Dame, NC State, Virginia Tech, Duke and North Carolina.
It’s an engaging and fun interview with Candace Cooper of ‘Locked On ACC’ and we encourage you to follow them on YouTube, Twitter and listen to their podcast on your favorite platform.
The full throttle impact of conference play in men’s college basketball is spread out before us and it’s evident that versatility is a key to success. There are surprises among the ACC as teams rise to the top of the standings but will they stay there? Are they for real? Then there are the teams that should be delivering the goods and whose play is as flat as a pancake. Where’s the juice, man?
While we go looking for it let’s take a look around at the Division I conferences and talk about the teams that are punching what undoubtedly will be their ticket to the big dance. Will Ojanen takes a look at where we stand at the beginning of the conference schedules and who’s making hay.
Big Underdog 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology
College BasketballWho’s the best team in the country right now? Will shares his observations and thoughts. See if you agree. Who are some of the surprise teams that will likely be headed to a bid?
Will pulls some highly opinionated comments out of Jim (not difficult) in regards to one (okay, it’s more) team(s) that believe they can buy their way to a college basketball championship (among others sports).
Be sure you subscribe to ACC Nation (podcast, streaming radio, YouTube) for ACC sports news and interviews.
If you thought the beginning of the 2022 men’s college basketball was mind-boggling, you haven’t seen anything yet. Jason Carmello of Big-Underdog.com talks hoops with Will and Jim and what is driving his bracket at this early point in the season. And, he gives us some intriguing food for thought as to how it may all play out come March.
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Carmello starts out by looking at the top teams and then breaks down teams throughout the Top 25. Find out why, ‘guarding’ may well be the key to winning a national title and which teams just aren’t delivering.
BracketHow are teams from the ACC performing? Some surprising stats that will go a long way in explaining why some teams deserve a spot and others, not so much.
Virginia, Duke, Virginia Tech, Miami are all in the Top 25 but what other teams have a shot? Can North Carolina put together a comeback? What about Clemson and Syracuse? The latter three teams may not be in the bracket now but it doesn’t mean they don’t have a shot.
It’s an interesting conversation that runs the gamut of college basketball teams and conferences. If you didn’t get enough this time around don’t worry. We plan on having Carmello back several times to share his thoughts. Until then, we encourage you to make his website a must-follow.
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Scott Satterfield finally got his way, his way out of Louisville that is with a six-year contract with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Seemingly on the proverbial hot seat for most of his tenure with the Cardinals he finally found an effective way to leave fans with a permanent bad taste in their mouths with his less than stellar departure, stage left.
Disastrous Ending For UNC | CFP 22 Rankings And Bowls
The big switcheroo prompted us to have Jeremy Wahman of Cardinal Sports Zone on to make some sense of the changes underway in Louisville. No….we won’t get into Louisville basketball. At least not on this episode.
What else is going on? More than you can shake a stick at, at least figuratively. At the front end of the show we promised results of the North Carolina vs UCLA NCAA Women’s Soccer College Cup matchup. It didn’t go the way the Tar Heels would have liked but it was a wild game. The final, 3-2 in 2 OT’s.
SatterfieldWhat’s the latest in men’s and women’s basketball? We know there’s a weekly Top 25 but there’s something new and in some cases disturbing when it comes to rankings. The NCAA Net is out and we take a look at the top teams and then one team that seems to be fighting to be at the bottom on the men’s side. ACC women’s teams are smoking this season as a cluster scramble in dominating the top 10.
Satterfield, Transfers And More On ACC Nation Radio
We share some interesting news on baseball, ice hockey, the Heisman and look at the top players from ACC + 1 teams in the portal on this week’s episode. Be sure to subscribe. Have we told you it’s free?
No guts, no glory or so the saying goes. This weekend we’ll find out what kind of grit two teams have as they face off for the ACC Football Championship. Will and Jim share their opinion on who comes out on top and why plus the latest CFP Rankings and Bowl Projections for the ACC + 1 teams.
Georgia Tech announced their new head football coach late on Tuesday and special guest Kelly Quinlan of JacketsOnline.com drops by to share his thoughts. Was it a good choice? How do the fans feel about it?
GlorySyracuse bows out of a bowl. Find out what the story is and why it is a good move for the players.
The ACC and Big Ten have wrapped up their Challenge series, one that has run for 23 years for the men. What’s next for the men and women? Find out in the story below.
ACC Basketball Opts For SEC In 23 | Bye, Bye Big Ten
The NCAA Volleyball Tournament is underway with five teams slated to play in first round action. Be sure to listen to ACC Nation Radio for the results.
How are ACC wrestling teams and individuals doing in the latest NWCA and InterMat rankings? Click here to read the story.
Will and Jim take a look at the latest USA Today Coaches’ Polls for men and women. The numbers are slim on the men’s side but the women are owning some valuable real estate in the Top 25 with more teams close to breaking through.
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The football week begins now as the Virginia Tech Hokies travel to Raleigh to get down and dirty with the NC State Wolfpack. Get the complete ACC + 1 schedule along with oddsmaker's favorites at our ACC Nation Media Guide. Last week also provided some Thursday night football. Will and Jim go over last weekend's games starting with Virginia at Georgia Tech. What did the guys think of the outcomes of each of the matchups? Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast and be notified when each episode is released.
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Down And Dirty
What were the most surprising games from last week? What can you expect from teams in Week 9? The guys share their thoughts on all the games and who should come out on top. There's no holding back on some personal perspective this week and count on some finger pointing at who can and should do better.
Will and Jim wrap things up with a look at the ACC men's and women's basketball season which debuts on Monday, November 7. A quick look at the poll reveals what promises to be a super competitive and exciting season ahead in ACC women's hoops with five teams in the top 15 starting with No. 5 Louisville.
Tested And Triumphant | Power Poll 9
On the men's side there are just 3 teams in the top 25 and 4 from 28 to 35 in the Receiving Votes category looking for their chance to debut. North Carolina is the top dog in the national poll at No. 1 and the Tar Heels have rewarded head coach Hubert Davis with a bright new shiny contract to say thanks. No holding a good man down.
The outside world had good vibes for the Boston College Eagles football program in May. With the return of Phil Jurkovec at QB and Zay Flowers at WR there was a buzz about what could be a turning point for the team under head coach Jeff Hafley. With November drawing near and a schedule that offers promise of only one win to round out the season it begs the question. What went wrong?
A J Black, the Publisher/Editor of BC Eagle Insider and Host of the daily podcast Locked On BC shares his observations on what ails the team from top to bottom. Can Hafley correct the issues at hand before the season comes to an end? Do fans, boosters and most importantly, the administration think he's delivering the goods?
ACC Stars Unlock Pelicans Promise | 5 Minutes With…
Eagles
How has this season impacted the NFL Draft stock of Phil Jurkovec? Will he opt to play one more year in college and will he enter the transfer portal?
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When it comes to Hafley and Jurkovec, the gleam is gone among students. What about the locker room? Are the players still on-board? Black has thoughts and answers to these and many other questions regarding the Eagles on 5 Minutes With...
Sports Illustrated's Chris Dodson drops in for a 5 Minutes With segment to update us on the progress of the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans. Former Duke stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram plus Georgia Tech's Jose Alvarado are providing some much needed punch and Dodson provides the details.
How are the players fitting in? Is New Orleans their kind of town? Dodson talks about how the smaller media market may be just the right fit as it allows the players and their families to settle in, become comfortable. The plus is that it allows them to improve their games.
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Pelicans
Pizza may be the mainstay of many a college student but the culinary choices in New Orleans will open up many doors for Williamson, Ingram and Alvarado. Dodson shares some of the restaurants and types of foods that may be on their menu now. Be sure to take notes should you find yourself visiting.
Strong ’22 ACC COY Candidates | What About Elko?
How do the Pelicans stack up this season? Are there championships on the horizon? Dodson provides an honest evaluation of where the team is in their journey.
There's a stunning lack of ACC men's basketball teams in the AP's Preseason Top 25. Some of that stems from the dismal performances from last year. Well, with a few exceptions. At the top of the rankings sits North Carolina that is much like many of the teams in the top 5 in that they're loaded with talent and depth.
Will and Jim take a look at the top 5 teams and then delve into the 3 conference teams that made the Top 25. Don't worry, we also looked at the teams that are receiving votes as well because three of the four will likely slip right into the poll once the season begins.
Power Poll 8 | Crushing Expectations – Plus And Minus
Stunning
You'll want to take a look at the latest poll while you're listening to the podcast (be sure to subscribe). We're also available on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe. And, if you're looking for rankings for other sports then head over to ACC Nation Radio for an update.
No pain, no gain? It's a battle every step of the way for teams wanting a shot at the ACC title. At this point of the college football season the pain of losing takes a long time to go away. Unfortunately, the accumulation of said misery has been building for weeks for some while the dark reality is just sinking in for others. On the positive side of things? The ACC finds itself with three undefeated teams and five teams in the latest USA Today Coaches' Poll Top 25.
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Who are the winners and who are the losers in Week 7? Will and Jim review the games from last weekend and take a look at what's in store for fans of ACC + 1 teams this week. Though the schedule is still limited, action gets underway on Thursday with a primetime mash-up between Virginia and Georgia Tech from Atlanta on ESPN.
Battle
The big game on Saturday features two undefeated teams and who can say they had this on their bingo cards? Syracuse heads to Clemson for a noon game on ABC to battle it out to be the leader in the Atlantic Division of the conference. Both teams have already locked in bowl bids. Clemson is already at 7-0 overall while Cuse is at 6-0.
There's one other undefeated (in conference play) team over in the Coastal Division. North Carolina is 3-0, 6-1 and have locked in a bowl bid. The Tar Heels have the week off before heading into a challenging home stretch to finish the season.
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Amazing individual performances and exhilarating outcomes headlines week 6 of ACC + 1 football. Will and Jim take a look back at weekend action and forward to see what is ahead on the schedule. Upsets, close games and injuries are the topics of discussion. Will Devin Leary's injury help give Syracuse the edge against NC State? Oddsmakers seem to think so. And when it comes to Clemson and Florida State they only give a Tigers a small margin to play with. Could it be both Syracuse and Florida State will take advantage of their home field to rack up a win?
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Exhilarating
Week 7 Fearless And Focused | Football Media Guide
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Amazing individual performances and exhilarating outcomes headlines week 6 of ACC + 1 football. Will and Jim take a look back at weekend action and forward to see what is ahead on the schedule. Upsets, close games and injuries are the topics of discussion. Will Devin Leary's injury help give Syracuse the edge against NC State? Oddsmakers seem to think so. And when it comes to Clemson and Florida State they only give a Tigers a small margin to play with. Could it be both Syracuse and Florida State will take advantage of their home field to rack up a win?
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Exhilarating
Week 7 Fearless And Focused | Football Media Guide
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Our two special guests talk about fire and fortune on this episode of ACC Nation. It's truly a tale of two teams as Kelly Quinlan of JacketsOnline talks about the firing of AD Todd Stansbury and Head Football Coach Geoff Collins and gives us some ideas of who may fill their shoes. Steve Infanti, Sports Director at Syracuse's NewsChannel9 provides some insight into how Cuse has gotten off to a 4-0 start and will likely be 5-0 after this weekend. The big question is the back-end of the schedule and will the Orange make it to a bowl.
Will and Jim take a quick look at two big games in the ACC this weekend. The first is Wake Forest and Florida State which may be impacted by Hurricane Ian. The second is NC State and Clemson at Death Valley. Will one or both of these games have to be moved or postponed? Keep an eye on the weather.
ACC College Basketball ’22 | Fierce Preseason Rankings
Fire
Who will light a fire under the Yellow Jackets for the remainder of the season? A former player with a passion for the team's success. Will it be enough to make a difference?
What are the keys to Syracuse making it to a bowl this season? It could all come down to the last game of the season. That's right, check your schedules.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast and ACC Nation Radio on your favorite platform plus watch the interviews on YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe while you’re there.
Our two special guests talk about fire and fortune on this episode of ACC Nation. It's truly a tale of two teams as Kelly Quinlan of JacketsOnline talks about the firing of AD Todd Stansbury and Head Football Coach Geoff Collins and gives us some ideas of who may fill their shoes. Steve Infanti, Sports Director at Syracuse's NewsChannel9 provides some insight into how Cuse has gotten off to a 4-0 start and will likely be 5-0 after this weekend. The big question is the back-end of the schedule and will the Orange make it to a bowl.
Will and Jim take a quick look at two big games in the ACC this weekend. The first is Wake Forest and Florida State which may be impacted by Hurricane Ian. The second is NC State and Clemson at Death Valley. Will one or both of these games have to be moved or postponed? Keep an eye on the weather.
ACC College Basketball ’22 | Fierce Preseason Rankings
Fire
Who will light a fire under the Yellow Jackets for the remainder of the season? A former player with a passion for the team's success. Will it be enough to make a difference?
What are the keys to Syracuse making it to a bowl this season? It could all come down to the last game of the season. That's right, check your schedules.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast and ACC Nation Radio on your favorite platform plus watch the interviews on YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe while you’re there.
There's only one thing Cuse football fans want more of this season. Wins. When you have lengthy dry periods in college ball it's much harder to stir up the built in fan base as opposed to the pros. It's been a veritable desert in the Dome for as long as it has taken an entire class to pass in and out the doors. Now with 3 wins under their belts, and wins are wins no matter how you get them, the fanbase aren't the only ones cranked up about how things are progressing.
Special guest Emily Leiker of Syracuse.com joins Will and Jim to talk Syracuse football. What's behind the seemingly sudden change in fortune? Why are the coaches that vote in the USA Today Coaches' Poll beginning to move the Orange up in the voting? Leiker breaks down some of the pluses and minuses that are moving the team forward and have held them back in previous seasons.
Surprise! Basketball Is A Few Short Weeks Away – Tristan Freeman Talks Pre-Season Top 25
Syracuse
Syracuse hosts Virginia in an important ACC matchup that can make all the difference in each program's progression. A win will get them that much closer to a bowl bid.
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Tristan Freeman, Site Expert with Fansided's Busting Brackets website shares his thoughts on college basketball with ACC Nation. Freeman's preseason Top 25 and ACC power rankings point to a resurgence of the conference. But, which teams will be leading the way? What are the strong points and weaknesses?
We'll take a look at the projected top 5 national teams, talk about the 'sneaky good' teams that are lurking and then delve into the ACC. We snatch up a handful of conference basketball teams that have potential and some that will lead you to scratch your head.
Football Media Guide | Week 3 Surprising, Irresistible
Basketball
Who are the top 5 teams in the ACC? What makes them top tier teams? Are there any coaches on the hot seat this season?
Get ready for November 7 the opening date for ACC Men's Basketball by listening to this breakdown and visiting Busting Brackets.
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Headed into Week 3 of ACC football there's more good, a little bad and a whole lot less ugly. Will and Jim review Week 2 of ACC + 1 action, share some good news and also some bad and take a look at the upcoming schedule.
With a few exceptions teams are putting things together in a way that adds to the win column. Those that aren't, it's been frustrating to say the least. Even with rosters full of grade A talent not everything is coming together. Yet. Following three weeks of football the excuses will need to be tossed out the window.
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Football
Week 3 ACC Nation Media Guide
What are the games we'll be keeping an eye on this week? Florida State travels to Louisville on Friday. On Saturday, Purdue heads to Syracuse, Texas Tech visits NC State and the Miami at Texas A&M game.
Keep in mind that scheduling has changed to accommodate more games on the ACC Network. The Wofford at Virginia Tech matchup begins at 11:00am ET on Saturday.
It's the teams that you don't hear that much about that sneak up and bite you. Boston College may well fall into that category among the conference this year. We've talked about how dangerous it is to stay within a safe little bubble of media chatter year after year. It often leads to overinflated expectations for some and flying beneath the radar perspectives for others.
Special guest Curtis Flannery of SB Nation's BC Interruption joins us on ACC Nation to break down the Eagles. Third year head coach Jeff Hafley saw his team struggle after a hand injury to QB Phil Jurkovec. Many thought that 2021 was his last year but he surprised many by returning to the fold. The same 'wow' moment occurred when WR Zay Flowers also decided to come back. If that offensive tandem holds off the injury bug then Hafley could lead his team on an interesting run.
Wicked Big Weekend Of Fun | Pigskin Picks Week 1
Boston College
Will and Jim break down the offense and defense looking at strengths and weaknesses. Flannery shares his thoughts on the Yo-Yo schedule and if Boston College is headed for another post season bowl bid. If that's the case, perhaps COVID won't get in the way and they'll have their time in the Sun.
College Football | Tigers Dominate, Pack Looming Week 1
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Special guest Sam Neumann of The Clemson Insider joins us and delves into the inner workings of the team as they prepare to open the season. Neumann discusses the change in coordinators, the schemes, the players and breaks down the schedule.
If you were thinking the less than stellar offensive performance and loss of two top end coordinators was the end of the empire, think again. As always, Dabo Swinney called for next man up and by exercising that guideline filled his coordinator positions. The next challenge was breaking players free of the 'injury bug'. Once you have them back, it's plug and play time for the Tigers.
ACC Nation Power Poll
Does that mean they won't face challenges in the ACC this year? Not quite. While Clemson has a few years on everyone when it comes to building their program the rest of the conference has been catching up. That makes for better football all around.
Clemson
The Tigers will face a number of teams this season that will give them a run for their money. Does that mean they won't find a way to the College Football Playoffs? Neumann shares his thoughts on the overall schedule and where you can expect stumbling blocks.
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When you've been to the top of the mountain it's hard to consider having to start at the bottom all over again. Florida State has been to the summit and they've also been struggling to put together the goods that will help them ascend once again. Special guest, Curt Weiler of The Osceola on the Rivals Network joins us as to discuss the in's and out's of the team.
There's good news but then again there's far more potential on the horizon then there has been for the past several years. Mike Norvell enters his third year at the helm and there's been plenty of pundits placing him on a 'warm' seat but is that an accurate portrayal of where both he and the team stand?
Weiler provides some glimpses into why Noles fans are finally having something to be positive about. It may be an endlessly slow process for fans but is it realistic to expect a complete turn-around in three years with all things considered? That's more of a question for AD Michael Alford.
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Florida State
Will gets into the breakdown of the Florida State offense with a look at QB Jordan Travis, who will protect him on the offensive line and what types of weapons at running back and wide receiver are at his disposal. Jim looks at the special teams play and Weiler points to experience among the kickers but some question as to who will return kicks.
On defense things are looking much more 'together' than they have in the past. With some experience on the line, at linebacker and among defensive backs this iteration of the Noles should be far more competitive than last year.
Florida State opens the season in Week Zero (Saturday, August 27) against Duquesne and then on September 4 travel to New Orleans to face LSU. Will and Jim discuss the schedule with Weiler and get his thoughts on wins/losses.
How easily we forget. The adage, out of sight, out of mind certainly applies to Pitt when it comes to media outside of Pittsburgh. There were lots of reasons why the team had success last year but when you project how they'll do in a new season you may want to take a look at what they do have not just what they lost. Corey Crisan, Pitt beat writer for DKPittsburghSports joins us on ACC Nation and helps paint a clearer picture regarding Pat Narduzzi's latest crew.
You may be surprised when you hear about how loaded (we're not talking re-loaded here either) this team is on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Crisan explains to our Will Ojanen that the offense may be missing several top players from last year but that doesn't mean they've gone backwards.
The same is true when it comes to their defense. You can expect a far more energetic and power based approach on both sides as Pitt seeks another Division title and an ACC Championship.
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Pitt
Crisan shares his thoughts of how the team will do against opponents on this year's schedule which starts with the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia on Thursday, September 1. There's plenty of games from start to finish that will present a challenge but another interesting matchup has the Panthers travelling to take on Miami to wrap the season on November 26.
For Wake Forest the loss of starting quarterback Sam Hartman was an immediate nightmare. But it seems as if it may become an opportunity if everything clicks for Dave Clawson's new starter. The offense jet fuel is still there. It's just a matter of having the right spark plug to ignite it. Special guest, Les Johns, the Publisher of 247's Demon Deacon Digest joins us and shares his insights and observations about the Deacs.
After addressing the 600 pound gorilla in the quarterback room Will talks with Johns' about the offense and who to keep an eye on this season. There's plenty of juice in the backfield and among the wide receiving corps this season.
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Wake Forest
What about the defense? It's been a question the past few years but there is a new Defensive Coordinator and lots of talent that can make a difference. Will Wake Forest be able to slow down teams instead of trading scores?
Can the kicking game keep up this season?
Then we take a look at all of the regular season games and where Johns' thinks the team will end up in the win/loss bracket. There are a few surprises in the mix.
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https://youtu.be/yszfvMwMgd0
You can hear it from the backseat as you suffer through a relentless hurry up and wait routine on a trip. Are we there yet? Virginia Tech football fans are no more fond of repeating that question over and over again then they are hearing it sitting behind the wheel. Nonetheless, there it is. Now, Brent Pry is the dad who must partially zone out as he steers the Hokies back to success.
Our special guest, Andy Bitter of The Athletic has a few years under his belt covering the Hokies and understands the pain, suffering and indignation of the fans. He shares some important observations about the coaching staff and players that can start leading to success.
Coaches Poll ’22 | Alluring Perception Vs Reality
Virginia Tech
Bitter provides a breakdown of the offense and defense with Will then looks at the schedule with Jim. No crystal ball action here just down to earth realistic observations.
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https://youtu.be/332zhwdoUDI
Steven Muma from SB Nation's 'Backing The Pack' joins us on our ACC+1 Football Preview Series to talk NC State. This could be the year where Dave Doeren's years of work all come together and brings an ACC title to Raleigh. From a stellar quarterback to a solid defense things are coming together at the right time but is it enough?
The ACC football season kicks off in under a month with the Pack stirring up Carolina college football fans with their opener against East Carolina on September 3.
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Jim and Will take a look at the offense, defense, special teams and the schedule with Muma and get some interesting perspective on what NC State brings to the table.
NC State
ACC Nation Preseason Power Poll
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https://youtu.be/cuEOtNBhJns
Scott Satterfield has had a bumpy ride at Louisville. But, given the opportunity his fourth year may not be his last with the program. Why? The off-season has seen changes in staff, a ramping up of quality transfers and players who are coming into their own at the right time. The question is, can it all come together this season? We'll find out early in the schedule. If the Cardinals can make it through the first few games showing promise the overall season may end up being better than expected. If not, then expect the fans to roll out the hot seat.
As the ACC+1 Football Previews continue we're joined by the publisher of Cardinal Sports (part of the Rivals network), Ty Spalding who provides some insight and his thoughts on what to expect this season. There's plenty of talent, there's more confidence and the fan base is finally seeing what they expected from day one.
Football Rankings | Daring ACC+1 Preseason Poll
Louisville
Will and Jim take a look at the personnel on offense that could deliver more wins and get Louisville over the hump. If you are ranking the team based upon last year's performance, it may be a good idea to go over the roster. There's more experience, talent and drive on this year's roster.
When it comes to the defense a combination of veterans and transfers will help fix the glaring weakness that was found last year.
What about special teams? Last season the team lost 4 games by 6 or fewer points that may or may not be attributed to a lackluster kicking effort. There's competition in camp this fall and it's time to deliver the goods.
Be sure to follow Ty Spalding on Twitter and at louisville.rivals.com.
https://youtu.be/jfuFvXvNOGw
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A firefighter knows that it only takes an ember to rekindle a raging forest fire. The embers of college athletics realignment are still lurking. There is every bit of a chance that the once out of control burn of just a few weeks ago may reignite. The latest news has the Big 12 stepping away from the Pac-12 with the configurations that were discussed. The SEC's commissioner made the comment at their conference football media event that there was no more change on the table.
That leaves the Big Ten lurking in the shadows, Notre Dame sitting pretty and unlikely to make a quick decision and the ACC wrapped up in a nice little cocoon that may only provide a sense of security.
What's next? Will the Big Ten swoop in and gather up the remaining (or a portion thereof) Pac-12 schools? Will the ACC, Pac-12 and ESPN hash out a new contract that puts more money on the plate for teams, gives the western teams a network and stabilizes the recent mad dash for cash?
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Realignment is the main course on this episode of ACC Nation as we get serious about where things stand and what may happen next.
Realignment
Might there be some surprise announcements in store during the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte? What better venue to unfurl a new 'conference' configuration and maybe even announce the new location of the ACC headquarters.
Will and Jim take a look at the ACC players drafted by Major League Baseball. Both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech scored two players apiece in the opening rounds.
ACC+1 Football Previews start up again on our next episode. Subscribe to the podcast, YouTube or listen to ACC Nation Radio.
In this bonus segment of 5 Minutes With...our special guests are Jon and Renee Laaser, the co-founders of Laaser's Ladybug Society. The organization aids in mental health education plus treatment and holds a variety of sporting events in central and eastern Virginia with plans to expand.
Mental health issues have seen an uptick as people have become isolated due to the pandemic and also because of economic struggles. The most disconcerting rise comes via suicide among youth. The answer comes first with awareness, acceptance and open discussion. In the past, mental health issues were often swept under the rug or ignore because there were no easy answers. The Laaser's hope their message will be inspiring and open doors.
The answers may not be any easier but as more and more high-profile individuals discuss their challenges, individuals who deal with issues no longer feel alone.
Discover More At Laaser's Ladybug Society
Inspiring
Jon and Renee Laaser share their individual journeys that led them to create this non-profit organization. They share personal details of their challenges and the things that have and do help them move forward.
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Be sure to volunteer, ask questions or participate in their multiple sporting events that help bring people together and inspiring them to search for answers. Connect with them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
For first year head coach Mike Elko there are far more questions than, perhaps, answers. Is Duke football ready to take that all important next step on the competitiveness scale? Will the constant chatter of realignment be a driving force that moves the school toward positive investment in the program?
The Publisher of Devils Illustrated, Conor O'Neill joins us to talk about the Blue Devils and what we can expect moving forward. The ACC+1 Football Preview Series continues on ACC Nation with Jim and Will.
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Duke
There may be some surprises as players step into schemes that make the most of their talents. When it comes to recruits, Duke is making great strides to build for the future. Listen for O'Neill's thoughts on how both the offense and defense will perform in Elko's first year.
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https://youtu.be/tZYqsf2_fSo
The annual summer meltdown over conference realignment is on but the stakes are much higher this time around. With major schools bolting from the PAC 12 and lots of rumors swirling around who might be next we invited Mike Barber, who covers the ACC for the Richmond Times-Dispatch to join us.
Will realignment help or hurt Virginia and Virginia Tech? Could it leave one or both stranded if the ACC has a meltdown? The clock is ticking and anxiety is building around what may happen next. Is the conference in a position of strength or weakness?
Conference
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There's plenty of chatter surrounding Virginia but what about Virginia Tech? Are the Hokies going to be without a date to the prom?
Barber shares his thoughts on the teams that have been reported as possibly headed to the SEC. What teams may be headed to the Big 12? Is anyone lined up for the Big Ten?
The bomb that came close to leveling the Pac 12 created a tsunami that is just beginning to ripple across the college sports landscape. With USC and UCLA shedding their west coast skins to join the Big Ten it has everyone making projections about who and what is next. Make no mistake, those first two shoes were just the beginning so strap yourself in for what is sure to be the wildest rollercoaster you've ever ridden.
The editor of USA Today Sports' USC Trojans Wire, Matt Zemek joins us on 5 Minutes With... to share his thoughts on how this move will impact several conferences including the ACC. None of us have a crystal ball but the chatter is re-emerging about how it may impact the folks on the East Coast. Five schools are mentioned as possible departures. Some you may have surmised, others maybe not.
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What will the commissioner of the Pac 12 have to do to keep the remaining sheep in his flock? Zemek shares some quick thoughts there and why many of those schools don't seem good fits with say, the Big 12. So many, what ifs and maybes are churning up the fan bases across the country.
PAC 12
It looks like we've hopped, skipped and jumped over super conferences into mega conference status with the sweep of the hand. Does anyone know what might come next? Zemek says the commissioners are playing the long game and may have an idea about what comes next but their lips are sealed.
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Ultimately, who comes out on the winning side of all these moves? We know that the money game is the big draw for schools but what about their fans? Does anyone care about what you think or how you might feel about such drastic changes? For now Pac 12 fans are left dangling but who knows who may be next.
What will it take to take Virginia football in the right direction? Will there be a turning point soon in the success of the program that will put rear-ends back in the seats of Scott Stadium? Athletic Director Carla Williams couldn't have sent a louder, clearer picture of where she and thousands of fans want Wahoos football to be with the hiring of former Clemson Offensive Coordinator Tony Elliott as head coach. Elliott came with a price and that was facility upgrades.
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The Publisher of Wahoos 247, Jacquie Franciulli joins us to talk about what you can expect this fall and moving forward from Virginia football. New coaches, new schemes, new players and a potential Heisman candidate in Brennan Armstrong should be enough reason to light a fire under fans.
Virginia
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Will breaks down some of the offense with Jacquie. What are the strengths? What are the weaknesses? What's holding Brennan Armstrong back from being on the Heisman list? Then, they jump into a look at a defense that was iffy last year but may present a different look this year.
Jim talks about the schedule and Jacquie points out that Tony Elliott couldn't have asked for a better one in his first year. Could there be some bumps in the road? The end of the season might be a challenge but Jacquie predicts the Hoos take the Hokies this season.
Special guest, Manny Navarro of The Athletic and Host of WideRightPod previews the Miami Hurricanes with Jim and Will on ACC Nation. You can subscribe to the podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio or watch us on YouTube to catch all of the ACC+1 football preview series.
With a completely new coaching staff headed by former Miami player Mario Cristobal the pieces are coming together quickly. One positive, no outlandish preseason expectations. It's all about putting together a team that can and most likely will be very competitive within the ACC.
Football Rankings | Daring ACC+1 Preseason Poll
Miami
Will breaks down the offense and defense with Manny. Who's running the show? What changes are expected at running back. Who steps up in the receiving corps? The transfer portal has helped fill in needs on defense. Will that be enough? Jim takes a look at the schedule. Where are the biggest challenges this season for the Canes? An early matchup with preseason #5 Texas A&M in mid-September will test the mettle of this team. It's not all roses but things are looking better.
With three consecutive top 15 recruiting classes it may be time for North Carolina to blossom this fall. Mack Brown has the pieces to the puzzle and brings back Gene Chizik to tighten some loose screws on defense. The once Top 10 touted team in 2021 has a chance to make things click and get on a roll this season. Can they? There's more than enough talent to make this team a surprise in the conference.
Will breaks down some of the finer points of the defense with Jones as they look at personnel and what Chizik brings to the table. Then Jim asks, who's the starting QB and is there any truth to the rumor we could see two getting time on the field? Jones breaks down the receiving corps and what needs to happen then looks at the backfield where there needs to be an emerging star.
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North Carolina
This year's schedule offers a potential jackpot. Can North Carolina take advantage of the early games and so much home advantage? The Appalachian State and Notre Dame games will be telling. Speaking of Chapel Hill, you may want to get your tickets now for Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Pitt and NC State all of which are home games.
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Geoff Collins needed to make some bold changes to Georgia Tech football and he has. There's a glint of optimism among a refreshed staff and the multiple add-ons to the roster via the Transfer Portal. But, the Yellow Jackets, once again, have a brutal schedule to deal with....or do they? Could they win enough games to make it to a bowl in the post-season? Listen to our guest, Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher of JacketsOnline.com and make up you own mind.
The pieces of the puzzle are slowly but surely coming together but is there still time for Geoff Collins? Is he on a hot seat that can't be ignored or are there other factors involved that put that concept into dispute?
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Quinlan takes us through the offensive scheme, some of the players and what to expect this season. Then a quick dissection of the defense and whether a porous secondary will no longer be leaky this fall.
Georgia Tech
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College football recruiting can be dicey at times and even more so when you add in the impact of the Transfer Portal and NIL. Are ACC teams beginning to move in the right direction in competing for quality role players? Will and Jim delve into the 24/7 recruiting rankings for 2022 and 2023 and analyze the impact on teams. Who's moving up? Who's surprisingly not?
The annual ACC+1 football previews are just around the corner. Beginning in early June we'll start our weekly focus on each team. Then, by late August, just before Week Zero kicks off the season we'll have a preview round up, picks and power poll. In addition to our weekly episodes we're adding a new feature called, "Five Minutes With...." with interviews and commentary.
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Football Recruiting
Also, on this episode a quick look at some of the spring sports action as the conference sends teams into NCAA Tournaments.
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What would you think if you were told 10 conference teams were projected to be in post-season play this season? The first thing you might think is, what happened to all of the SEC powerhouses? That's a great question. Our special guest from D1Baseball, Aaron Fitt, explains what is going on at the mid-point of the college baseball season and who he thinks has a shot at going to Omaha. It's been a wild season so far and you can expect even more down the stretch.
There's plenty of other ACC sports action going on, too. Jim and Will give a quick run-down of how teams stack up in the latest polls and who's taking home ACC titles. A look at golf, tennis, softball, lacrosse, beach volleyball and track and field is on the agenda. But first and last, the NFL Draft is game on this week so the guys look at the ACC players likely to go in the first round.
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Omaha
This year isn't about the flash but rather the men who make the game happen from down in the trenches. The linemen, the edge rushers, linebackers and corners are the stars of the show this year. Only one quarterback is currently projected to go in the first round and he'll likely sit for a year before taking the reins.
What about ACC quarterbacks? There's been plenty of talk about who may or may not be the top selection but according to Mock Drafts we'll have to wait until the second round to find out. The NFL Draft begins on Thursday.
Which conference teams have the best shot at Omaha? Find out on this week's episode.
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ACC women's basketball players scored big in the 2022 WNBA Draft nailing down 7 spots. On this episode of ACC Nation Podcast (subscribe now) we look at who is moving on to become a professional. We've got the lates D1Baseball Top 25 and a new ACC leader following a weekend series sweep. Who is headed to the NFL? We take a look at two mock drafts, one from the NFL and the other from CBS Sports that gives us an interesting preview of what's to come at the end of the month in Las Vegas.
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Will and Jim have the latest from the WNBA Draft as it was happening. Emily Engstler of Louisville was selected No. 4 in the first round with the remainder of ACC players going in the second round.
Miami moves up to No. 2 in the latest college baseball rankings after sweeping No. 3 Virginia. What other conference teams populate the poll?
WNBA
You may be surprised by the players that are in two NFL Mock Drafts that we have to share. More so, where they land or didn't land according to these projections. One player from NC State has a lot to be happy about if these mocks are accurate.
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It's a wrap! Unbelievable basketball put ACC men's and women's basketball teams in position to bring home the bacon in 2022. The way the season ended will be etched in the memories of players, coaches and fans for years to come. The efforts down the stretch by NC State and Louisville women's basketball and then North Carolina and Duke were nothing short of phenomenal. There's plenty to talk about on this episode of ACC Nation Podcast (subscribe, like and watch us on YouTube).
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When spring rolls around there's a complete reboot of ACC sports. One conference team competes in beach volleyball and is ranked in the top 5 again this season. Find out who it is if you haven't guessed already. We look at baseball, lacrosse, rowing, softball, golf, track and field and tennis. We encourage you to take a peek too. There could be a national champion or two among these sports.
Wrap
On top of the great competition there are a number of programs that are excelling even though they are still fairly new. Virginia Tech women's golf and Clemson softball top that list. Speaking of softball, there are five teams ranked in the Top 25 which is more than usual for the ACC.
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Perhaps it’s been a better year for ACC basketball than we initially thought. NCAA basketball tournaments, a total of four venues, has provided great recruiting tools for men’s and women’s teams in the conference. With teams in the WNIT, NIT and both NCAA Tournaments, the late season surge has done wonders in helping put a shine back on the ACC. There’s more to come, too. With teams in the NCAA Final Four there’s the possibility of a national title in both men’s and women’s competition.
Jim and Will delve into March Madness with a look at the performances of conference teams and select who they think will bring home the trophy.
The guys think UConn getting a seed in Bridgeport may have an unsavory smell (watch on YouTube) and share your thoughts on the matter.
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NCAA Basketball Tournaments Some thoughts on how men’s teams performed and what to look for next year.
What incentive is there for Sam Brunelle to return home and play for Virginia? Maybe more than most people realize. Will she? A new coach may be the key.
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The transition from winter to spring sports is in full swing and thus time for everyone to look at the latest ACC sports news. There's plenty to review and even more to preview especially with ACC men's and women's basketball. Before the guys get into sharing some of the latest on that front they'll go over conference action and important dates for NCAA selection shows and tournaments.
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The ACC Women's Basketball Tournament seemed like a lock for two of three of the top teams but somehow Miami didn't get that memo. The Canes battled their way into the championship game against a daunting NC State. The Pack came away with the win and an MVP award for one of their outstanding role players.
Want a look at the ACC Men's Player of the Year? Who is the ACC Men's Coach of the Year? We've got the list and how players and coaches ranked in the voting. We share our thoughts on the players that excelled and some that, perhaps, should have been included in a list or two.
ACC Sports News
The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament gets underway in New York today (Tuesday) and runs through Saturday. The first round games are on the ACC Network (read more here) before switching over to ESPN and ESPN2. Is there a clear winner? The guys don't think so and believe there could be a path for several teams to produce an upset or two. Would it be enough to get into the Field of 68? We'll find out on Sunday, March 13 beginning at 6:00pm ET on ESPN. The women's selection process begins at 8:00pm ET.
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Is it an exact science? No, but bracketology depends on the black and white world of statistics to tell a story. How does it work? Our special guest, Jason Carmello, Big Underdog's bracketologist is here to explain how it all comes together. Want to know why being an AP Top 25 team or having more wins in conference standings doesn't mean as much as Quad wins and losses? Carmello explains in detail and then applies the examples to teams who hope to make the Field of 68.
What ACC teams will be sipping on lemonade and which will be sucking on a sour lemon when all is said and done? Carmello, a top ranked bracketologist, lays it all out for Jim and Will on ACC Nation.
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Why are there so many conference teams on the bubble this year? What can wins in the ACC Tournament do for those teams? Are there teams outside the conference that we should be watching?
Bracketology
There's lots to talk about when it comes to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and having a grasp of how the brackets work will help you make picks this season. Be sure to listen and we strongly encourage you to follow Carmello on Twitter and at big-underdog.com.
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https://youtu.be/6L5eftVrYXk
Notre Dame is lining up to take 2022 by storm. Special guest, Joshua Vowles of One Foot Down joins Jim and Will to talk basketball, football, baseball and the questionable dancing skills of a former coach. Mike Brey has quietly re-inserted the Irish into the discussion in ACC men's basketball as the team sits at No. 2 in the conference standings. Where will this take them in post-season play? First things first. The ACC Tournament may be the launching pad for the Field of 68.
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Anyone who has ever watched Seinfeld knows of the herky-jerky dance moves of Elaine Benes. If you're an Irish fan you know of the somewhat dubious moves of one former coach. Needless to say, he's not getting very high marks from these judges.
New head football coach Marcus Freeman is turning heads and putting the team in position to go after that elusive national championship title. Vowles shares the roller coaster ride of emotions that have come with change at the top and how it all transpired.
Notre Dame
It's been a few years since Notre Dame baseball has risen within the ranks of the Top 25. The Irish are
building a program within an ever competitive ACC that wants a shot at Omaha.
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Watch the interview on YouTube and be sure to subscribe.
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For Wake Forest men's basketball fans the well has been a bit dry. The arrival of Steve Forbes promised to at least start seeding some clouds so there would be some rain. Forbes and his staff have made the most out of the transfer portal and built a formidable team in short order. One that is looking at being (at present) a No. 9 seed in the Field of 68 according to bracketologists. Special guest, Conor O'Neill, the publisher of Deacons Illustrated joins us to talk about men's basketball, football and a bit about baseball.
The increased fortunes of the men's basketball team arrived sooner than O'Neill expected and it's been exciting watching this season's journey of success. What or should we ask who has sparked that turn for the better? Find out why that question challenges O'Neill on an unexpected front.
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Wake Forest
Is there a rivalry between Wake Forest and Louisville? It may have started in football but is it also finding it's way into basketball as well? A little bit of history will point the way to an answer.
D1Baseball's Aaron Fitt has had a thing for Wake Forest the past few years only to be disappointed at the end of the season. What the coaching staff has done to correct previous shortcomings and why Aaron may come around to the new and improved Demon Deac's.
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Clemson Insider's Sam Neumann makes a return visit to ACC Nation to give us a rundown on the Tigers. Football delivers the biggest news of the past few months with a major change in coaching personnel. Neumann shares his thoughts on the transition and what that may mean for the offense and defense of the team.
What would a football team be without a quarterback controversy? Not that there's one (at present) but we wanted a perspective on what kind of challenge junior DJ Uiagalelei might face from incoming freshman Cade Klubnik.
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We venture off the beaten path for a moment or two for some conversation about Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson plus a few other Clemson players (and coaches) in the NFL.
Clemson
There are several teams that can and probably will be a challenge for Clemson in the ACC's Atlantic Division. Who are they and what do they bring to the table in 2022?
Next on the list of topics we take a quick dive into the basketball program under Brad Brownell. Yes, there's been a contract extension under a new AD but is that really telling? Our perspective is that there may be a need for fresh blood and a different perspective with recruiting. What does Neumann think?
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Clemson baseball is legendary. When Jack Leggett was let go and Monte Lee brought in it was assumed that things would pick up within a year or two. Where is the program now and is that good enough? There will be some high expectations this season for the team. Is this a make or break it year for Lee?
The 2022 ACC Baseball season begins February 15 and there's an awful lot of promise residing on the roster of teams. D1Baseball's Aaron Fitt joins us to talk about the smoking pitchers and big bats that are swinging in the conference. Fitt and his colleagues have six conference teams in their preseason Top 25 and we talk about each one in this preview.
NC State sits atop the conference in the eyes of D1Baseball writers as the team to beat. There's also plenty of talent perched and ready to strike at Florida State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Duke and Miami. Fitt also gives us a taste of other ACC teams that have the goods but the question remains, can they cash in their chips to make it to Omaha?
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Baseball
We take a few sidesteps as we look at No. 1 ranked Texas and what makes them such a dangerous team. How many SEC teams are in the Top 25? A look at the PAC 12 and Big 12 contenders as well.
You can watch the interview with Aaron Fitt on YouTube (be sure to follow) as well as all the other special guests that join us on ACC Nation.
Want to talk Louisville sports? Special guest, Ty Spalding, publisher of CardinalSports.com joins us to hit five hot topics. First up, the departure of Chris Mack and some background outsiders may not have heard before. What contributed to the change in direction? Spalding provides us with the insight we've been looking for and his thoughts on where the program is headed.
Next up in our all too brief conversation that is chocked full of goodies we look at how Scott Satterfield's topsy-turvy ride. Is Louisville football beginning to get back on track or is Satterfield's seat 'warm'?
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There's been a big leadership gap in the athletic department and it's led all the way to the top of the school. Does that need to change? Will it change? This leads to the rumors of Tom Jurich returning as AD. It may be a money talks and, well, you know how that goes. Will the next leaders cede their control of sports at the school?
Louisville
Jeff Walz has done some amazing things with the women's basketball program over the past few years. The Cardinals continue to push ahead in the ACC and are projected as a No. 1 seed in Charlie Creme's newest bracket at ESPN. Spalding shares some observations on the team.
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Finally, if you're looking for good food you should always ask a sports media person. We asked Spalding where he'd head if he was visiting Louisville and he had some answers that steak lovers will need to make note of.
There's a lot to talk about when it comes to Virginia sports. The publisher of Wahoos 247, Jacquie Franciulli shares her observations and thoughts on both Cavaliers basketball and football. For many, Tony Bennett's squad has come out flat this season but some of it was to be expected. Why? Franciulli lays out multiple reasons and then takes fans to the promised land for next season. Speaking of brighter futures, with the hiring of former Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott as the new head coach of the football program there's many things for fans to get pumped about.
One potential bump in the road is getting alumni and fans excited about football and buying in with support. That support comes by filling the seats and making donations to bring the facilities up to snuff. Football isn't the only place that a financial infusion will help. The need to keep pace in Olympic sports with competitors is also raising red flags.
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Franciulli gets into detail about the basketball program, the players and challenges they've faced the past few seasons. The key to success may actually be staying away from the transfer portal where players have limited time to learn Bennett's pack-line defense. So where do you go to find the kind of athletes best suited to UVA?
Virginia Sports
When it comes to Elliott the recruiting efforts are already helping turn the corner. It started with players who considered leaving the program when Bronco Mendenhall departed and has extended into new recruits. Elliott having his fingers in two national championships at Clemson doesn't hurt when it comes to opening doors.
https://youtu.be/r2RjeSuJ9Yk
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As each day passes there's additional news that fires up Virginia Tech fans. It seems like it's been a long time since there was this much enthusiasm surrounding the program. It all revolves around new head coach Brent Pry and the exciting additions to his staff. Special guest Chris Coleman of Tech Sideline joins us to analyze the hire, what it will take to get the most out of the players and what to expect moving forward.
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If you're a glass half full person then you'll like what Coleman has to offer in the way of what he sees ahead for the program. It's not so rosy when it comes to the basketball program especially when it comes to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Hokies Football
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There's no shortage of ACC sports news this week as rankings are out for baseball, fencing, swimming, gymnastics, ice hockey, tennis and of course, basketball. We get into the latest bracket from ESPN's Joe Lunardi by looking at possible first round opponents of the four conference teams he projects for the Field of 68. Jim and Will take a quick look at what's going on in the conference and then start breaking down that possible March Madness scenario for ACC teams.
A reminder to subscribe to the show so you can catch all of the special guests visiting with us. For Georgia Tech fans, Kelly Quinlan stopped in earlier this week to talk about Geoff Collins and Josh Pastner. Coming up, Chris Coleman from TechSideline with a rundown of Hokies action. Jacquie Franciulli of Wahoos247 gets into Virginia football and basketball. And to start February off Aaron Fitt of D1Baseball joins us to break down their preseason Top 25 rankings and give us his impressions of ACC baseball.
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News
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Our special guest on ACC Nation is the Publisher of JacketsOnline, Kelly Quinlan. Does Georgia Tech have a deadly coaching combination in Josh Pastner and Geoff Collins? By asking that question we want to know if the struggles both the men's basketball team and football programs are and have had are putting the school in a tough position. At what point will it all become too much for AD Todd Stansbury? Are we even close to discussing hot seats here or is this simply the frustrations of fandom beginning to boil over?
Quinlan has some thoughts on the programs and what we can expect to change. Some of the answers may surprise you while others may not go over so well. What does the future hold for Georgia Tech football and basketball. Hold on fans, the ride is going to get wild.
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Georgia Tech
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College basketball has been a wild ride since the first game back in November. Are things any better now that we've hit conference play in January? Jim and Will take a look at the play of ACC men's basketball teams thus far and share their thoughts on if they have bombed or are just late bloomers.
Consistency appears to be a critical word when describing the play of almost every team across the board. We're pretty sure it isn't every team but, wow, there just doesn't seem to be any way of explaining what's happening in men's college basketball. Give it a few months and we'll all have some of that wonderful 20/20 hindsight and maybe an answer.
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A rather unsettling aspect of what is going on applies specifically to the ACC. One look at week 1 and then week 10 of the AP Top 25 lays out how conference teams were wiped out with a magic wand.
We share some thoughts on coaches that may not or should not be around much longer. We'll only give you a couple of guesses as to who that should be. You'll have to check in with the guys to find out their thoughts.
College Basketball
Ranking ACC+1 Football | The Way-Too-Early Power Poll
ACC Nation is available as a podcast on your favorite platform (subscribe here), streaming radio (links) and you can watch us (follow) on YouTube. Our special guest on the next episode is Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher of JacketsOnline. We'll talk about Georgia Tech basketball and football and get his thoughts on the forward progress of both programs.
https://youtu.be/LUgvujO0vP4
On the mid-week podcast our special guest is analyst/bracketologist Jonathon Warriner of MakingtheMadness.com. Jim and Will open the book on college basketball and Warriner writes the story. From a down year for the ACC and what that may mean in March to the re-emergence of the PAC 12 we cover east to west coast in detail. At the end, Warriner, who resides in the Kansas City area shares his choice on where to find the best barbeque.
A quick note to say thanks to both Warriner and Will Ojanen for being on the show while a major storm was passing through both of their hometowns. Both gentlemen made it through unscathed.
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Who are the best teams? Who are the worst teams in the Power 5? The ACC has one in the running but ultimately we head to the west coast for our answer. Speaking of west coast the PAC 12 is generating some excitement with UCLA, Arizona and USC. What about the other conferences? We look at the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Big East, American Athletic, Mountain West and yes, the ACC. Warriner says it will take some strong efforts by teams in the conference to find an open spot in the NCAA Tournament this year. Is this the year the ACC comes up on the short end of the stick?
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We take a look at the top 5 teams in the AP Top 25 where Warriner wonders why No.'s 4 and 5 aren't flipped. We have a simple answer that won't surprise you.
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There's a lot of exciting ACC championship sports news right up front and then we hit basketball in this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. The conference has been loaded with volleyball talent this season and it's paying off. Louisville and Pittsburgh head to the NCAA Volleyball Semifinals. It's the first time either program has made it that far. The ACC achieved a conference first with three teams in the Elite 8.
Florida State defeated BYU on PK's, 4-3 to win the NCAA Women's Soccer College Cup Championship.
Clemson and Notre Dame battled it out for a spot in the NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup Championship playing through 2 OT's before the Tigers won it on PK's, 5-3.
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Take a look at the latest ACC teams and individuals in the ITA Singles and Doubles Rankings.
Basketball And 3 ACC Favorites
Will and Jim run down the latest in women's and men's conference basketball plus a look at Charlie Creme's bracket for ACC women.
With only one conference team in the latest men's AP Top 25 we ask and maybe answer what is going wrong with a few teams.
Coming up on the mid-week episode we'll have Jonathon Warriner of MakingtheMadness.com as our special guest. You'll get a broader look at college basketball and he'll share his thoughts on where the season might be headed. That last part may be of serious interest to you ACC fans as January looms ever nearer.
There's three ways to listen, watch and subscribe - ACC Nation Podcast - ACC Nation Radio - ACC Nation YouTube. Before you check it out be sure to support us with a quick visit to PayPal below.
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Give yourself a gift that keeps on giving all year long. You get to choose from three free subscription choices when it comes to listening to ACC Nation. Simply choose your favorite podcast, streaming radio platform or watch on YouTube and get updated on the latest conference sports news or check out the interviews with special guests. On this episode Jim Quist and Will Ojanen throw their hat in the ring when it comes to reviewing the ACC Football Championship. Then they take a look at the 11 bowl invitations for the ACC+1 teams. We also review the latest conference sports news covers men's and women's soccer and volleyball plus a quick look at ACC basketball.
The matchup with Pitt and Wake Forest was pegged as an offensive endeavor by pundits. It ended up a battle between the Panthers defense and Demon Deacons offense. Defense ultimately won out but not without a few glorious moments of offensive thrills.
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What's next on the football agenda? Plenty of post-season action and great matchups to keep you entertained over the holidays.
Bowls A’ Plenty For The ACC+1 With 11 Eye-Opening Invites
Florida State women's soccer defeated BYU in PK's to win the NCAA College Cup Monday night. This weekend two men's teams battle it out in the semi-finals. No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 8 Clemson will play on December 10 at 6:00pm ET.
In NCAA Volleyball Championship action No. 1 Louisville, No. 3 Pittsburgh and No. 8 Georgia Tech all hope to move forward to the title game. What better gift?
Can anyone explain why there is only one, that's right, one ACC men's basketball team in the AP Top 25? It's not looking good early on in the college basketball season as more and more conference teams struggle to get out of their own way. Will things change in January when we hit the regular season full-stride? Can we depend on the kind of growth necessary to get bids to the NCAA Tournament in March?
https://youtu.be/V1cBcK1-bQg
When Virginia head football coach Bronco Mendenhall dropped the bomb that he was leaving the program it left many unanswered questions. We reached out to the Dean of Virginia sports coverage, Jerry Ratcliffe of JerryRatcliffe.com to chat about the who, what, how and when of Mendenhall's time at Virginia and his decision. Ratcliffe fills in the picture for fans up to this point and expects more pieces of this puzzle to be found as time moves forward.
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Here are some of the highlights/questions of our interview -
What Bronco Mendenhall brought to the Virginia program in the way of culture.Did the closeness with his staff make it difficult to make changes?Recruiting, especially in Virginia was challenging.Could the defensive performance have been the undoing of Mendenhall's run?How the announcement was and was not a suprise.AD Carla Williams is facing big challenges in the selection of a new coach.Why Williams' experience at Florida State, Vanderbilt and Georgia may come in handy.Could there be another head coach at Virginia that will need to be replaced?
Bronco Mendenhall
How the Commonwealth Cup loss left a bad taste.Was Anthony Poindexter offered a spot mid-week to join the program?Ratcliffe has the bullet points for The Perfect Storm.What's next for Bronco?What will the current crop of assistants do?Which one (or more) could or should be retained?Who's the favorite replacement among alumni, supporters and fans?Can a decision really be made in 72 hours?The importance of the new coach to help raise money for a new football complex.
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https://youtu.be/ab8lndfPSHE
NCAA football has been one monstrous coaching carousel over the past weeks. The ACC+1 teams haven't been immune to this virus as it appears to infect everyone. From Virginia Tech's Justin Fuente, to Duke's David Cutcliffe and Notre Dame's Brian Kelly plus a slew of offensive and defensive coordinators there has been monumental change. The Hokies and Irish have already filled their spots but what about the Blue Devils? Might they be interested in taking a slightly different path with their next hire? So far that appears to be the common thread with the new head coaches.
It hasn't just been coaching staff as Miami showed athletic director Blake James the door and Florida State's David Coburn indicates he'll be retiring. Who will step up and fill these shoes? Can we expect more changes in athletic departments in the coming weeks? Once we're out of the recruiting phase and have completed bowl games you should see more movement among staff.
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Coaching Carousel
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Our thoughts on the upcoming ACC Football Championship Game between Wake Forest and Pitt. The latest line was 72 and Will thinks you should go over. Who do we think will win? You'll have to read the latest ACC Pigskin Picks to see what our team thinks.
A quick look at the Players of the Year and the amazing amount of talent that returns next year in the ACC.
If you're a Comcast Xfinity subscriber and having waiting two years to watch the ACC Network then there's some good news for you.
Finally, a quick spin around the ACC to look at basketball. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge started out rough for the conference but there were some big wins in Wednesday's action.
https://youtu.be/HtZosJuCE5o
Was there a Turkey or two in ACC action this weekend? Will and Jim review the latest football games from the conference plus look at this week's AP Top 25 'Oopsies'. The PAC(k it up) 12 proceeded to eliminate any hopes of making it the College Football Playoffs following a stinker between Utah and Oregon. Ohio State throttled Michigan State, Clemson is re-emerging and Notre Dame sent a message to the committee that they want in. Another fun weekend in paradise with only one sure thing in the ACC. Pitt took down Virginia and won the Coastal Division. Unlike in years past where Coastal Chaos reigned supreme it's all about Atlantic Anarchy as the division championship will be decided in the final week of play. Could Clemson surprise everyone? There's a remote possibility and it bears watching.
Congratulations to the NC State women's cross country team who has won the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championship.
There's more sports coming your way this week as we head to Thanksgiving. Not only do we wrap up Fall sports but we are beginning to wade into the pool and we're wrestling with the best from the ACC. There's ice hockey, basketball and indoor track and much more waiting around the corner. Lots for us to talk about over the next few months.
For right now, focus on the bird, safe journeys over the hill and through the woods to your favorite grandmother and save us a slice of pie with a scoop of ice cream. And hey, if you have any Turkey left over we'll take a sandwich or two for the road.
ACC Nation Radio Goes Everywhere You Go This Thanksgiving
Winner Winner Turkey Dinner
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There are lots of questions swirling around the departure of Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente. WDBJ7's Travis Wells joins us to talk about the Hokies and what to expect next. There's lots of ground to cover as we look at Fuente's time in Blacksburg, how it all started and how it ended. Who are some of the coaches that Director of Athletics Whit Babcock might be (emphasis on might) looking at to take over the program?
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You'll hear what kind of coach would fit best in a small town environment such as Blacksburg's. In addition to Babcock, who may be on the in-house search committee. Wells also shares with us the special history of the interim coach and how that plays into this weekend's game against Miami.
Virginia Tech
Don't forget to catch the ACC Nation Weekend Wrap Podcast where we review the week's ACC sports news and take a closer look than the scores on ACC+1 games.
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There's no Joe Rogan on this podcast but we do have some fun at his expense. He's a walking punch-line. Would you expect less from us? On this week's episode of ACC Nation Podcast we've got cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball and ice hockey sports news from conference teams. We can't miss out on the opportunity to examine the opening of the basketball season. Some great matchups and some, well, give a listen and find out for yourself. We've got our weekly Top 25 'Oopsies' which thankfully were reduced significantly this go around. Then we break down the ACC+1 football action from Thursday and Saturday. Some great performances by players and fun matchups kept us all entertained. There's more to come but you'd better pay close attention because we're a few short weeks away from the ACC Football Championship game, i.e., the regular season is just about over.
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No Joe Rogan
It's NCAA Championship time for cross country, field hockey and soccer. Not far behind volleyball is rapidly approaching. Even though the ACC doesn't recognize ice hockey as a conference sport several of schools compete at the Division I level. Boston College and Notre Dame are ranked in the latest USCHO polls and we drop the numbers.
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The close games highlighted the weekend of college football in the ACC. The not-so-close games, well, they speak for themselves. We're rolling up on the conclusion of the regular season. Who will grab division titles? Who's headed to the ACC Championship. It's an ever evolving scenario that we're keeping our eyes on.
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ACC Nation Staff @accnation -
Welcome to our Ted (TED) Talk regarding high-profile coaches at the college level blaming 'things' on the media. Our recommendation? In short, don't do it because it will come back to bite you in the arse. Now, as a matter of habit we tend to steer clear of what is usually an outburst of frustration on the part of a coach or coaches. No one's perfect. It happens. In this case one Geoff Collins crossed what we felt was a red line. The two journalists on the receiving end of his scorn are big boys who can take care of themselves but we thought we'd add this. And please not, there's no 'and with all due respect' attached. Coach. Shut the hell up. Focus on what the issue at hand is and roll with it. As mother's everywhere used to say, 'you attract more bees with honey' or some such sage advice when we got into a conflict with peers. Our advice comes free and without strings attached so use it liberally.
Yeah, so no one said we had to be the nice guys all the time either. We're more than willing to give players, coaches, fans and administrators the benefit of the doubt. It also applies to fellow members of the media and blogosphere. That benefit is applied frequently not because we're catering to anyone. No, it's as mentioned above, none of us are perfect. But, like anyone we also have only so much to give on being patient. You try ours, we try yours. There's some give and take here.
Ted Talk
On the Weekend Wrap we take a look at ACC sports news, the Top 25 'Oopsies' (why are there so many?), ACC+1 football and the upcoming men's basketball season starting Tuesday. There's lots on the plate. Dig in and prepare yourself for Thanksgiving.
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ACC Nation Staff @accnation -
On the Weekend Wrap we take a look at the latest ACC sports news, Top 25 'Oopsies' and wrap up October's conference football action. But first, we take a minute to say, 'Happy Anniversary' to one of our own. To properly celebrate you'll need a healthy (?) dose of M&M's, Cheesy Poofs and a Vegas hotel room to set the mood. Let's just say, that's how we someone of us roll at ACC Nation.
We start with a look at the ACC championship action in cross country, field hockey, soccer and even college ice hockey. Then we move on the never-ending supply of Top 25 college football upsets that keeps everyone guessing about what the first CFP rankings will look like come Tuesday night.
Who are the leading teams in the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions of the conference at this point? Who's nailed down a bowl bid and which teams are close? There are surprises all around so jump in and give this week's podcast a listen, grab us on the go with ACC Nation Radio or watch us on YouTube below.
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Happy Anniversary
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Special Guest, Jacquie Franciulli, Publisher of Wahoos 247 joins us on this week's mid-week interview. With an important football matchup between Virginia and BYU set for Saturday we take a look at the Cavaliers and what they bring to the field. Yes, we've got some basketball for you as well and a quick look at impressions from the practice game. Franciulli paints a picture of a dinner table to die for during the holidays which leads to why she's fluent in Portuguese. Be sure to follow her on Twitter @JacquieFran_.
The late night game between Virginia and BYU has many twists and turns. The Cougars are ranked No. 25 in the latest AP Top 25 while Virginia is just outside the 25 at No. 30. When it comes to the ESPN FPI Virginia is ranked 27 and BYU 51. Oddsmakers have BYU at -2 1/2. What does Franciulli think will make the difference in this game?
Who are some of the playmakers to keep an eye on this fall in basketball? After being overlooked by multiple outlets in their preseason rankings the Cavaliers debut in the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll at 25. Is there more than meets the eye?
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Jacquie Franciulli
https://youtu.be/L03E7jMpPcI
Anyone willing to bet on the Heisman Candidates? Anyone? When it comes to the players from the ACC we've heard plenty of talk about how Pitt's Kenny Pickett or Virginia's Brennan Armstrong should be in the running. But those aren't the only names that are floating about in this discussion. We took at look at VegasInside.com to see who the oddsmakers are going with and we lay that out for you in this episode of ACC Nation. We've also got the latest rundown of top-ranked ACC teams in fall sports and one for winter as well. There's a never ending supply of Top 25 'Oopsies' games on tap and of course, the latest from around the ACC+1.
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast then we encourage you to do so as we have an interesting schedule of guests coming up. On the next episode is Jacquie Franciulli, the Publisher of Wahoos 247 to talk all things Virginia. If you're not a podcast person then we offer up ACC Nation Radio or you can watch us on YouTube (link below).
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Heisman Candidates
https://youtu.be/ZsDHOwrQN00
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
With this episode, Sports News 9, we share the latest college football Top 25 'Ooopsies' and 'Wow, it was really that close' games. We explain why ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis' view of the ACC is very wrong. Get with it Rece! Then, a rundown of conference fall sports teams that are ranked at or near the top. The ACC owns a lot of turf in women's and men's soccer, field hockey, women's and men's cross country and volleyball. Will the weekend change the Top 25 polls? We're approaching the mid to late portion of the season for some of these sports and we'll have the latest on the website.
We've got some great guests coming up on ACC Nation who will talk football, basketball and much more. Be sure you subscribe to the podcast and/or YouTube plus listen to ACC Nation Radio. Where you go, we go and we're available 24/7.
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Sports News 9
https://youtu.be/gTNbU8JDEYI
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
ACC Nation Staff @accnation -
Sports news 8 is this week's episode of ACC Nation's Weekend Wrap. The guys enjoy the sweet, sweet tears of Crimson Tide fans. Plus, they wonder where Paul Finebaum is now when it comes to Nick Saban. You know Finebaum, the guy who infamously proclaimed Dabo's Dynasty Done? Don't hold your breath waiting for his response. That game headlines our weekly 'Ooopsies' Top 25 upsets list along with some games that were just far too close for comfort. And, of course we jump into the madness of ACC+1 college football. If you weren't pumped up during this week's games then you might want to see a Doctor to confirm that you're still alive.
Indulge us, if you will, for a few minutes, okay, many minutes in which to savor the deliciousness of Texas A&M knocking off Alabama. There's nothing quite like a loss to help bring the 'bragadocious' back down to Earth. So, maybe that won't sink in with one loss. So, we're predicting Georgia lays some 'whoopass' on Alabama and owns the SEC. Would that mean Tide fans will be sitting at home watching the Dawgs go for a national title? Like we said, delicious.
We've all come to the conclusion that a madness, much like Rabies, is spreading like wildfire through both divisions of the ACC. Everything you thought you knew last week (think baby and bath water) got tossed out on Saturday. Some of the scrappiest games we've seen in a long time flooded the airwaves this weekend. Sorry Comcast subscribers. Close scores, last second (literally) efforts and even overtime were part of the discussion.
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Sports News 8
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https://youtu.be/SGzEl1J3Peo
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
While many of you are immersed in football there's a large number of fans who can't wait for the return of college basketball. The countdown is on and we thought it might be a good time to invite Tristan Freeman of Busting Brackets on to talk hoops. We get into their preseason Top 25 Power Rankings by looking at the Way-Too-Early version from April and the latest released in September. It gives us a good look at the impact of the transfer portal, both good and bad and how some of the 'COVID Seniors' impact teams as well. Freeman goes through the top 5 teams for us by looking at personnel.
That's not all though. We get his thoughts on how the transfer portal is improving the game and how NIL may help keep players around longer.
Then it's time for a look at the top teams in the ACC. Why Virginia Tech and Louisville were part of the earlier rankings but aren't any longer. What moved Virginia into the Honorable Mention category? Some thoughts on coaches, players and what the future holds.
Don't forget to feed the kitty so the guys won't have to walk uphill both ways through blizzards this Winter. It's very much appreciated!
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College Basketball With Tristan Freeman
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Be sure to listen to the Weekend Wrap on ACC Nation for the latest on ACC football.
https://youtu.be/6DzoI4NGesQ
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
What an amazing way to kick-off college football in October. Six Top 25 teams took a dive while five ACC teams added some Pumpkin Spice to the mix with one score margin games. The Weekend Wrap takes a look at both categories tosses in a 'remote' reference that only regulars can fully appreciate. It all started and finished with hold your breath finishes in the conference as Virginia held on against Miami and Clemson fought back Boston College. There was a mixed bag in between among the ACC + 1. There's lots of Pitt chatter going on after their win but the one thing we didn't hear about was this. Did Geoff Collins shake Pat Narduzzi's hand at the end of the game this year?
It appears as if the PAC 12 may have squandered their playoff hopes after their top ranked team got clipped in OT by an unranked. That wasn't the only loss in that conference either.
Over in the SEC two top 15 teams lost to the unranked further weeding out teams that probably don't deserve to be there or ranked as high as they've been.
Notre Dame finally met the wall in their matchup with Cincinnati. It was just a matter of time and to throw more gas on the fire now there's a big question mark at QB. None of the three thrown against the wall appeared to stick but is that a quarterback issue or something more?
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Pumpkin Spice
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https://youtu.be/STmg4Iu02Cw
Where will ACC teams rank in the latest AP Top 25? Who moves up in the ACC Nation Power Poll? Find out this week on the website.
Don't forget to join us for the mid-week show where our Special Guest is Tristan Freeman of Busting Brackets. We'll talk about their preseason Top 25 college basketball poll and what we can expect in the ACC.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Our mid-week special guest is the Editor of Cardiac Hill. Mike Wilson talks Pitt Panther football. He takes us from an up and down September to what to look for as the schedule fleshes out. The chatter around Kenny Pickett is explored a bit more in detail. We look at his stats and even a recent comparison to Dan Marino. Is Pat Narduzzi sitting on a warm seat? Or, is there something he can do (remember 2018?) to get an extension? Anything seems possible in this division and for that matter, the conference. Wilson provides some analysis of the offense. Then he delves into why the defense is slower on the draw this season.
There's a lot to talk about and a narrow window in which to fit it all. Be sure to subscribe to receive the podcast (free). Don't forget to listen to us on ACC Nation Radio or watch the program on YouTube (see the link below). Before you do, take a moment to not only subscribe but rate the show and leave a comment or question. And, if you would, support our efforts with a small donation by using the 'donate' button below. We appreciate it.
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Mike Wilson Talks Pitt
The Panthers head to Georgia Tech this weekend. Wilson doesn't think there will be much of a home field advantage for the Yellow Jackets. Could it be an exciting and possibly close game? Wilson thinks it could be so keep an eye on this matchup.
Where does Pitt rank in the latest ACC Nation Power Poll? A solid win this week against a conference opponent will go a long way toward restoring faith in the Panthers.
https://youtu.be/LD0cwh2Way0
We couldn't have asked for a better mid-week guest on our last episode than Sam Neumann of The Clemson Insider. This week Mike Wilson of Cardiac Hill will join us for the mid-week show to talk about Pitt and what's on the horizon. It seems too early for ACC teams to come to the big fork in the road but alas they have. For some, it's a change in direction for their season and for others it must feel like it's been stuck in them. We also brought along a special fork for you fans that have overstepped your boundaries. There's a lot to talk about and just enough time to fit it all in some whether you're listening to the podcast, around the world on ACC Nation Radio or you've just discovered our YouTube channel, thanks for letting us join you each week.
It's been a Gomer Pyle kind of season. One surprise, after another surprise and yet another surprise to numb our brains. Everyone is questioning what we thought we knew about every single one of the ACC + 1 teams. With the release of the latest AP Top 25 everyone and I mean everyone is jumping on the 'let's kick them while they're down' train. Follow the ACC or a team therein? Better get used to another year of abuse from the inferiority complex conference, better known as the SEC. Oh, did we mention Mizzou lost to an ACC team yet? Now didn't that feel kinda good?
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Big Fork
What kind of damage has been done to teams in the rankings? There was major damage to Clemson dropping from No. 9 last week to No. 25 in the latest poll. NC State benefitted with a debut at No. 23 while Wake Forest also joined the Top 25 at No. 24. North Carolina went from No. 21 to only receiving one vote this week. Meanwhile, Notre Dame as part of our ACC + 1 moved from No. 12 to No. 9.
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https://youtu.be/kS5pL5GFgNQ
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
What better time to talk about Clemson football than right now? The Tigers have gotten off to an unaccustomed rocky start and all signs point to some issues on offense. Special guest Sam Neumann of The Clemson Insider joins us on our new mid-week ACC Nation to take a look back at last week and and what lays ahead. We get right to it with an analysis of the offense. What's right? What's wrong? What can be fixed? Is it just a matter of time and some minor adjustments or are there bigger questions in play? Will the fans have the patience? Lots and lots of questions and Neumann addresses as many as possible.
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Neumann examines the first three games of the season and especially the Georgia Tech matchup and lays out some observations. Will Tony Elliot and Robbie Caldwell be able to address some shortcomings on the OL before other teams use the same attack that the Yellow Jackets did? We take a look at the transfer of Lyn-J Dixon and the ascendancy of freshman Will Shipley.
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Clemson Football
The wide receiving corps is potent and ready to play. Paired with a newly established run game and given protection the Clemson offense of old may return sooner rather than later. In the meantime, it's all the Brent Venables' defense where 'next man up' still applies.
It looks like Dabo Swinney's crew will have their hands full in Raleigh as the Tigers take on the Pack. This is a must-watch game.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio or subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the show.
https://youtu.be/3ZX80b2cs0I
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
After week three of college football some coaches need to experience flame throwing hot seats. We don't hold back on who and why in the weekend wrap of ACC Nation Podcast. Coming up later this week our special guest is Sam Neumann of The Clemson Insider who'll share his thoughts on the sputtering Tigers offense. So, it's a week full of holding teams accountable for their head shaking performances. Everyone gets a dose of that medicine called reality as there's no more room for excuses. You get paid big bucks, now make something equally big happen on the field or face the wraith of fans who have no more patience.
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Just as a quick reminder, not only will Sam Neumann be joining us mid-week but our next mid-week special guest will be Mike Wilson of Cardiac Hill to help dissect the dizzying roller-coaster ride know as Pitt. You deserve answers and we want to ask the questions. If you have any of your own feel free to drop them to us here.
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Flame Throwing Hot Seats
Experience the sizzle for yourself from start to finish of this past weekend's schedule. There's plenty of talk within the ACC about 'upping the game' when it comes to football. We've been hearing it for years now and it's come down to, 'You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk'? We know it's what you're yelling at your tv or in person when watching the games (though we did clean it up a smidge) so don't be too surprised.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aepS6b1U_oI
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
After two weeks of college football there are lots of questions about Florida State football. Curt Weiler of the Tallahassee Democrat joins us on ACC Nation Podcast to provide some answers and insight into the program. We start with an amazing effort against Notre Dame. Stumble through Jacksonville State. Then look ahead at what games on the schedule that hold promise. For fans questioning Mike Norvell and what he brings to the program here's a taste of sanity that might help deliver a clearer picture than what you've been seeing on some Message Boards. Jim and Will get some lowdown on injuries, poor choices and take a look into the proverbial crystal ball with Weiler to see what lays ahead for Florida State football.
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Is this a better program than what was in place before it? Weiler thinks it is and that Norvell brings some promising recruits and transfers to the the table. He also thinks the program can't afford anymore losses of a nature like that against Jacksonville State which will upset the recruiting apple cart. It's a tricky balancing act.
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Florida State Football
A win against Wake Forest is almost a must this week as the majority of the schedule will be challenging. Can the Noles make it to a bowl this year?
What about realignment, going to the SEC and the Alliance? Weiler share some interesting thoughts and background for perspective.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio or subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the show.
https://youtu.be/FfG16UhqeLo
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Aside from a few glimmers of hope the debut of ACC football was a weak one. Among the disappointments there were also some positives. In fact, more than imagined. Yes, there were a couple of performances that shattered the illusions (delusions?) of some fan bases. Jim and Will gladly share their thoughts on the opening round of college football across the conference. There's the need for multiple Missouri moments moving forward as everyone takes stock of their team's efforts. Several wins and losses are quite as clear as imagined. As for the positive takes, we've got a lot and we have one rule of thumb to go by following week one. It's only one game. We'll know who these teams are in a few more weeks so have some patience.
In addition to football we run down some of the latest sports news for soccer, field hockey, cross country and tennis. We'll have the latest polls for each of these sports elsewhere on this site.
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Weak One
Coming up on the next ACC Nation Podcast our special guest is Curt Weiler of the Tallahassee Democrat. We'll dig into what Mike Norvell has going on at Florida State after a great debut against Notre Dame. Can they keep that momentum going? A big challenge awaits in week three as the Noles travel to Wake Forest.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio or subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the show.
https://youtu.be/Ge3x8BSAejE
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
There's a certain air of optimism around Georgia Tech football in Geoff Collins' third year. With a quarterback that is a blink away from reaching the next level, a stable of running backs that are dual threats and finally some beefy linemen perhaps it's warranted. We'll find out what's happening with the Yellow Jackets this season with our special guest Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher of Jackets Online on this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. You can also listen to the interview on ACC Nation Radio or watch it on YouTube. Is this the year the team finally turns the corner. There were signs of it last year amidst the madness of COVID when lack of training and quarantined players hampered all of college football.
Things are definitely different this year. You can hear the confidence in the voices of the players and coaches. It's become infectious among many fans and has crept into the media coverage as well. Is this a better team? Certainly it's different than what Collins found when he took over from Paul Johnson. It takes time to re-build a team and Collins is going into the magic three year mark where many expect, nay, demand results.
Top Overrated And Underrated ACC College Football Teams
Georgia Tech Football
Will and Jim dig into the offensive side of the ball with a look at quarterback and running back. Quinlan reveals that Jeff Sims is no longer a freshman trying to keep his head above water. No, Sims is iron forged in fire and he's got plenty of heat to share including that of Jahmyr Gibbs who is a dual threat that can leave defenders in the dust. The line has improved and are no longer the undersized and outclassed group that struggled to hold off hungry defenders. This group is capable of giving both Sims and Gibbs both time and space to put points on the board.
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Where are the weak spots? Perhaps on defense but that remains to be seen how this team clicks. We'll get a good look at them when they face off with North Illinois in their opener.
ACC Football Media Guide – Teams, Times, TV And More For Week One
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https://youtu.be/dH9T2exXYpk
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
If you want the bigger picture, especially when it comes to college football, you have to talk to someone who covers it nationally. That's just what we did with our special guest this week, Bill Bender of Sporting News. We were fortunate enough to squeeze him in with his tight schedule. He promised to come back for a more detailed interview in the future. Bender gives us his thoughts on realignment, alliances, NIL, the top teams and teams to keep an eye on from all of the Power 5 conferences. Plus, as always we sneak in a question about his favorite food. After having lived in Charlotte for a few years you probably won't be too surprised by the answer.
The changing face of college sports leaves us with the conclusion this isn't our father's game of football any longer. A new generation with new wants and needs will re-shape things for the future. Are super conferences part of that grand scheme? Bender has some thoughts on that and what it might mean as we go forward.
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Bill Bender
What might transpire if an alliance is formed between the PAC 12, Big Ten and ACC? There may be some schools missing from the equation. Where will they go if a new super conference doesn't include them? Is it all about football? How does basketball fit in?
We have some interesting questions regarding each of the conferences and Bender has some very intriguing answers. There's definitely plenty of food for thought on this episode of ACC Nation. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, listen on streaming radio or watch the YouTube episode below (subscribe and follow).
https://youtu.be/PU7a0G-ybHQ
Coming up on ACC Nation we'll have as our special guest, Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher of Jackets Online to talk about Georgia Tech football.
In addition to Quinlan, we'll have more interviews focusing on ACC football plus we'll dip into basketball, soccer, volleyball and more as the sports season gets underway.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The Publisher of Wake Up, Conor O'Neill joins us on ACC Nation Podcast this week to talk about Wake Forest football and biscuits. That's right, biscuits and where he thinks you can find the best morning combos. O'Neill provides a great breakdown on one of the teams that we think will be a surprise this season. In eight seasons as head coach, Dave Clawson has taken the Demon Deacons to five consecutive bowls. Will he make it six? That may depend on one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the ACC. Sam Hartman can begin writing his ticket to the NFL with a solid year and Clawson has provided him with all of the offensive weapons he'll need to shine.
When Wake Forest fans turn to CBS it won't be the network. Christian Beal-Smith returns to power up the running game. Last year Beal-Smith turned more than a few heads when he put up over 100 yards against North Carolina, Virginia, NC State and Virginia Tech. He'll be joined by Michigan transfer Christian Turner and Justice Ellison.
Who's Up Next? Find Out With ACC Nation Radio
The receiving corps is loaded but who steps up to be a leader this year? Clawson thinks it's one of the best he's seen in a while.
One of the keys to making an offense tick is the offensive line. O'Neill calls a time-out and straightens us out on having five starters return. The next man up features two players with interesting side stories that he shares.
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Wake Forest Football
Boogie Basham is in the NFL and though there may not be the same splash at the position the two ends will deliver consistency. The defensive line has 7 players with starting experience and there are two transfers.
The linebacking corps may only have two starters coming back but the level of experience overall may have ticked up a notch.
If you're looking for lots of improvement then look no further than the DB's. Eight starting experience players are back.
O'Neill looks at the schedule and gives us his impressions of how those games may play out. The end of the season could be a rough and tumble run on the road but with minimal injuries the team should have a load of confidence going up against North Carolina, Clemson and Boston College.
https://youtu.be/uCaPCd2RDG0
Be sure to watch the interview with Conor O'Neill and others on YouTube.
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Is Boston College football turning a hard corner this season? Under second year head coach Jeff Hafley things are looking bright for Eagles fans. Our special guest, the Editor and Publisher of Sports Illustrated's BC Bulletin, A.J. Black pulls up a chair and chews the fat with Will and Jim on the podcast. There are some exciting weapons in Hafley's bag of surprises and right up front, don't say we didn't let you in on this poorly kept secret. We can only see one area of concern and Black keeps all of us in the loop.
Jeff Hafley is aggressively building his program and he wants to notch his belt with important wins in the ACC. We take a look at the offense weapons such as QB Phil Jurkovec. He may well be the guy to go 'all in on' when it comes to the 2022 NFL Draft. Is that the only threat in the quarterback room? What does the future look like at the position for Boston College?
Jurkovec has a slew of weapons to go to including running back Alex Sinkfield, a transfer from West Virginia and freshman Xavier Coleman. The receiving corps includes tight end Trae Berry, Zay Flowers, Jaelen Gill and Kobay White returns off an ACL injury. What makes all this tick is the offensive line with five returning players that are well seasoned.
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Boston College Football
The defense is still a work in progress. The line returns 3 starters and 7 players with experience but the real question may be at linebacker where things are still a bit green. When it comes to the defensive backs everyone returns but will the experience count where it matters most? Will opposing quarterbacks be able to take the top off?
We run down each game on the schedule and Black gives us his thoughts on how the Eagles will perform and why they may or may not win. It's a promising schedule for a second year coach who was frustrated by COVID when he tried to implement his system last year. There's not much in the way this season.
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Be sure to follow A.J. Black on Twitter and for all your Boston College news turn to BC Bulletin.
On the next ACC Nation Podcast - Radio - YouTube episode -
Conor O'Neill (Wake Forest)
Special Guest Jeffrey M. Adams, a Senior Partner at the law firm Abbey, Adams, Byelick and Mueller, LLP discusses the flare-up between the Big 12 conference and ESPN. What legal implications may be involved? We'll talk about what the American Bar Association refers to as "Wrongful Conduct" in interference with contractual and economic relations. There's more than meets the eye and why legal counsel for several entities may or may not have their hands full. Is this a case worth pursuing? Many on social media think it's a foregone conclusion but is it? Adams' thoughts on the world of college sports may bring many fans to a screeching halt. Life isn't black and white, it's many shades of gray. Those agreements, those contracts that you thought were iron-clad may not be as solid as you imagined.
Is college sports as we've known it about to get tossed into the trash-bin of history? With the NCAA seemingly folding like a bad lawn chair under the weight of Mark Emmert's recent comments, the NIL, aggressive moves by the SEC and ESPN moving pieces around the chess board, expect things to get a bit dicey.
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Jeff Adams
Adams paints an interesting picture not only for college football but basketball and all sports as the way we knew things to be become the way things were. There will be changes to all sports with the NIL, realignments must happen and how will Olympic style sports survive if the money should dry up? Can baseball survive on it's own? How will basketball teams compete when NIL money comes into the full picture?
There are lots of questions, few crystal balls and seemingly fewer leaders with capes these days to lead the way. On the home turf, how will the ACC react to potentially having Clemson poached? Are there mergers on the horizon?
An interesting conversation with Jeff Adams puts an exclamation point on the week. You will want to listen to this episode of ACC Nation Podcast, also available on ACC Nation Radio and YouTube (see link below).
https://youtu.be/hm6cZtwLes8
Special Guests coming up on ACC Nation -
A.J. Black (Boston College)Conor O'Neill (Wake Forest).....and many more. Be sure to subscribe.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
There's a lot going on in Virginia sports these days and The Daily Progress' Bennett Conlin stops by to talk about some of it. Football, basketball, ACC media days, conference realignments, Olympics, a shared dislike of the Pack and of course, food and drink. Breaking a bit from tradition we start off with Conlin's favorite digs around Charlottesville and other ACC school towns. With long and sometimes weird hours a person has to eat and have a drink once in awhile. Take out your notepad especially if you're building your bucket list of restaurants to check out.
The insanity of conference realignment and how that may impact the ACC. Conlin shares his thoughts on teams he thinks make the most sense in adding and what they'll bring to the table. As a James Madison grad he tosses in some thoughts on how JMU can take advantage of all the changes as well.
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When it comes to an overload of information the ACC media days (football in this case) exposes you to all of the teams in the conference in addition to multiple coaches and players. To top it all off you hear from ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips just as the realignment story is breaking so you get a feel for what may or may not be happening behind the scenes.
The Latest Interviews And Sports News On ACC Nation Radio
Bennett Conlin
What does a new season hold in store for Wahoo football fans? There are mixed messages in every direction but the potential is such that there is a feeling Virginia may be somewhat of a surprise. Portions of the team are flying under the radar and Brennan Armstrong's talents are under appreciated. Can Bronco Mendenhall get the most out of his team in the fall?
When you're talking about Virginia you can't simply over look the men's basketball team. We didn't and Conlin answers some key questions regarding offense playmakers and what they'll need to do this season.
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The Olympics are looming large at the moment and quite a few Virginia athletes are participating. We take a quick look at who, what and how they'll contribute to the Cavaliers.
Be sure to follow Conlin on Twitter @BennettConlin and for complete coverage of the Virginia Cavaliers subscribe to The Daily Progress.
Coming Up On ACC Nation Podcast
A.J. Black (Boston College)Conor O'Neill (Wake Forest)
https://youtu.be/aNbeUYWt_gw
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Does the recent spate of conference realignment talk have you confused? You're not the only one. That's why we invited Matt Zemek, the Editor of USA Today's Trojans Wire and a twenty-year veteran of covering college football to join us on ACC Nation Podcast. We couldn't have asked for a better guest to help explain why Texas and Oklahoma are unhappy with the Big 12. Zemek lays out how this may impact other college conferences and significantly change the landscape. From the PAC 12 to the ACC and everything in-between you should probably expect a shift in teams in more than one place. We asked Zemek who he thought might be good additions to the ACC should the conference go in that direction. Find out his picks and see if you agree.
Zemek doesn't hold back when it comes to the job that commissioners (past and present) are doing for their conferences. Who does he think is the best among the Power 5? What are his thoughts on Notre Dame sticking with the ACC or leaving for the Big 10? There's a lot on the the menu in this special episode.
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Matt Zemek
Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter @MattZemek and at USA Today's Trojans Wire for coverage of USC Sports.
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Coming up on ACC Nation Podcast -
Bennett Conlin – The Daily Progress (Virginia)A J Black – BC Bulletin (Boston College)Conor O’Neill – Wake Up (Wake Forest)
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
WDRB's Rick Bozich joins us on this week's episode of ACC Nation Podcast. Rick shares some interesting stories on his journey through the world of sports. It all started in Gary, IN which explains his affinity for the Chicago White Sox. Hear his thoughts on Rick Pitino and Bobby Petrino plus his wild ride with one Bobby Knight of Indiana basketball fame. Of course we'll talk about Louisville football and basketball. His opinions are well-seasoned and get right to the heart of the matter. There are a handful of sports journalists that cover the ACC and we rank him right up there among the best. Find out why by subscribing to the podcast or watching the interview on YouTube (see link below).
Often early influences help drive who and what we become later in life. For Bozich, exposure to top-tier sports started with Notre Dame football and eventually a wide range of Chicago professional sports. It's all led to being a member of the US Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame.
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Rick Bozich
https://youtu.be/K4hEDwlHcCM
Bozich gives us his impressions of how Scott Satterfield and Chris Mack are performing as head coaches. He shares his thoughts on how Louisville fans may need to be a bit more patient in allowing coaches to build their programs.
Will and Jim look at how the football team stacks up this season with Bozich providing some important details on key positions. How does he think the Cardinals will do this year? Be sure to listen and we encourage you to listen to the WDRB Sports Podcast where Rick Bozich interviews Phil Steele.
Coming up on ACC Nation Podcast -
Bennett Conlin - The Daily Progress (Virginia)A J Black - BC Bulletin (Boston College)Conor O'Neill - Wake Up (Wake Forest)
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Like the Phoenix rising the guys from ACC Nation Podcast return with a full schedule of sports news. Who is Henry Davis and why has he upset the apple cart? The Louisville catcher caught everyone off guard by being the top pick in the MLB Draft. We have a look at the players coming out of the ACC and three high school players that were drafted high that will have an impact on conference recruiting rosters. If you have Comcast Xfinity there is some hope that you'll be watching football on the ACC Network by September at least according to commissioner Jim Phillips.
Who are the top draft prospects for the NBA coming out of the ACC? Florida State, Duke and Virginia contribute to the Top 30 list. We take a look at the CBS Sports Top 100 and find that all of the conference players are moving up in value.
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What would a mid-summer podcast be without a look at football? After all, we're about a month and a half away from the start of conference games. Coming up first is the ACC Kick-Off on July 21 and 22. Plenty of coaches, players and media all mixing it up and giving us a look at what's coming this fall.
Phoenix Rising
Speaking of football, what's up with Phil Steele's divisional breakdown and all the ties? What does it mean to have five Atlantic Division teams tied for second? It's only slightly less confusing with four teams tied in the Coastal. Whatever you take away from it all there's one thing we can say for sure. There's better football on the horizon for ACC fans.
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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
You could use a million and one phrases, like, the rubber meets the road but when it all comes down to the nuts and bolts, it better be bat meet ball. NC State and Virginia have ventured into the College World Series (CWS) through slightly different paths but both teams are nothing short of scrappy when it comes to their wins. Will and Jim take a look at some ACC sports news first and then dive head first into how the conference has performed in post-season baseball action.
Two ACC performers came away with gold during the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Virginia's Michaela Meyers and NC State's Elly Henes delivered in the 800M and 5KM. There's an interesting side note to the Henes win that we share with you on the show.
Florida State had a great softball season but unfortunately they came up short against top-ranked Oklahoma in the WCWS. The Seminoles return a young but experienced squad next season. Our colleague Chris Bond notes that now that they've held been in a position to hold the cup they'll be ready to drink from it in 2022.
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Bat Meet Ball
The ACC had a great baseball season and sent 8 teams to the NCAA Regionals. Three of those teams made it to the Super Regionals including Notre Dame, a team that had a stupendous regular season that held incredible promise going into the post-season. The Irish couldn't muster enough to take the final game of the three-game series with Mississippi State and clinch a Super Regional spot.
NC State captured the first spot in Bracket 1 of the CWS among conference teams. Later in the day Virginia fought back against a tenacious Dallas Baptist to make their way into Bracket 2.
We outline the games that are coming up this weekend in Omaha. Find out the matchups, times and where you can watch coverage.
And as a final note, some thoughts on the site of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
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https://youtu.be/GIO3VYTyysg
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Puckersville, it's where some fans reside and others just visit. This Memorial Day Weekend's schedule of both ACC and NCAA tournament action kept followers on the edge of their seats. From tennis, golf, lacrosse, rowing and track and field we take a look at the latest sports news. Then we take a look at the NCAA Regional Baseball matchups. As a heads up, you'll want to check out your available channels on your television provider (cable or streaming) to see if they carry the ACC and/or SEC Networks. Not all games will be on ESPN and some will be on the aforementioned.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast, listen to ACC Nation Radio and if you would, we'd appreciate a review and your support to continue to keep the program free to you.
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It's all about titles this week as teams and individuals grab ACC and NCAA championships. Conference women dominated the NCAA singles and doubles championships. Six men's teams moved on in the NCAA men's golf championship. For a moment we thought there'd be two ACC teams in the WCWS but it was not to be. Find out who clinched the first spot. When it comes to lacrosse the women's and men's NCAA championships were nothing less than spectacular and of course, an ACC team came away with the win in both. It was a better year than most in ACC rowing as three teams made it to the NCAA championships. And, don't forget we still have a couple of sports that are still working toward the finals and that includes men's golf, track and field and baseball.
Puckersville
When the No. 9 seed ends up as the conference champion in baseball you may want to keep a close eye on how they do in the NCAA regionals. The ACC is stronger than ever this year as they send 8 teams to the NCAA tournament. We think it should have been 9 as Pitt missed the cut.
The guys look at each regional and share some thoughts on how teams match up and who might be the team to beat in each one.
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https://youtu.be/kr6TFa-1-w4
Baseball - Hot Dogs - Apple Pie. The ACC Baseball Tournament is underway this week and that provides plenty to talk about on this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. But, we don't stop there as there's a full-plate of conference sports continuing in NCAA Tournament action. Plus, we take a look and share some thoughts on how the writers from ACC Nation are ranking teams for the upcoming football season. Jim and Will toss in some thoughts as they count down from one to fourteen how we think teams will finish this fall. Do you agree or disagree with the early ACC Nation Pigskin Picks?
What's on the agenda for this last episode in May? We keep you updated on the latest NCAA lacrosse action for men and women. What's next for NCAA golf? NCAA rowing features three ACC teams. Two teams from the conference advance to the Super Regionals of NCAA softball. There's also tennis and outdoor track and field going on this week that we'll feature on the website.
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ACC Nation Radio - At Home, Work, In Your Car
Before we jump into the, as D1Baseball calls it, quagmire of conference baseball let us entertain you with our thoughts on the fall. Can we expect something different with ACC football this season? Will teams rise or fall?
Baseball - Hot Dogs - Apple Pie
Where will conference teams finish this season? We take a look at what the writers are thinking in regard to conference rankings. Sure, it's early but in a profession that deems it okay to release a Way-Too-Early Top 25 in December (that would be right after the season ends) we think this piece is better timed. With most transfers safely in the pocket, spring practice and games under their belts, we believe there's more than enough to provide a clear crystal ball.
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Who are the top seeds? When will the games be played? Which teams have the most to lose and the most to gain? A look at the ACC Baseball Tournament. Are there any games that can push teams out of the NCAA Tournament? Can a win or two put others back into play for an at-large berth?
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https://youtu.be/GfMaMrmwx7A
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It's that time of year. The transitions of ACC teams from conference tournament action into the NCAA. With double the sports news because of the carry over of fall sports to the spring we've got plenty to talk about on ACC Nation Podcast. Jim and Will also run down some of the notable conference basketball players being mentioned in NBA Mock Drafts. Plus, a rundown of ACC baseball players who are on the MLB Top 100 list as professional baseball's draft is also just around the corner.
ACC baseball is the only remaining conference active sport with the tournament just over a week away. Find out what sports wrapped the conference season this weekend and which teams won the ACC Championships.
Of note to conference baseball fans, two teams were named to the potential host list for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
We've got the latest on NCAA Selection Shows and you'll find out details in additional stories posted on the website.
Transitions
The NBA and MLB Drafts are coming up in the next few months. We've got the latest on the NBA Lottery and Draft plus a look at a Mock Draft and where ACC players might be headed.
Jim and Will talk about baseball's top prospects from an MLB list with a focus on ACC teams. We end with a question. Why does the MLB continue selecting players long before they are ever ready to play professionally? Maybe you have the answer.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The ACC scores in the 2021 NFL Draft with not only the top pick but also in the number of players selected in seven rounds and as UDFA's. Before we get into the laundry list of players headed to the pro's we'll round up the latest ACC and NCAA sports action for you. As always, there's a whole lot on the plate with the combination of fall and spring sports being played out. The guys will do their best to touch on as much as possible in this week's episode of ACC Nation Podcast. Don't forget. You can listen to the program on ACC Nation Radio and watch it on YouTube.
Before you jump into the show, can we ask a small favor? Please review and/or rate us on the platform you use to listen or watch us on. The guys love the feedback. And, if you can visit our PayPal site and keep the momentum going. It's most appreciated!
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Before taking a look at the NFL Draft results and the absolute steals picked up in UDFA action afterward there's a rundown of the latest ACC and NCAA sports news.
Field HockeySoccerBeach VolleyballGolfLacrosseTennisRowingSoftballTrack and Field
ACC Scores
A look at rounds one through seven of the 2021 NFL Draft and the players from the ACC and Notre Dame that have been selected. To wrap things up, some stellar players were not drafted but did immediately generate interest as UDFA's.
How many sports can you pack into the spring season? We'll let you know when we finally finish counting. But seriously, the fall sports that were moved because of COVID provides plenty of great action. Find out who the latest champions in ACC action and who's headed to NCAA Tournaments? We've got that. Plus we take an in-depth look at baseball basketball and more. Find out which teams will likely be in the Field of 64 and who Charlie Creme is projecting in his latest bracket to make the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
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Baseball Basketball And More
Which teams won the ACC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships?Find out about the ACC Men's and Women's Golf Champions.NCAA Women's Soccer Championship is underway. Who's seeded?The ACC Women's Lacrosse Championship runs through this weekend. Who's the top seed?The latest college baseball Top 25's have four ACC teams. We take a look at D1Baseball's Field of 64 and how ACC teams stack up. Who are the top teams in a Way-Too-Early Top 25 for women's basketball?The ACC teams projected to hit the NCAA in the latest bracketology.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Ken Cross of College Hoops Watch is our special guest on ACC Nation Podcast (Subscribe). Ken drops by to discuss the impact of the NCAA Transfer Portal upon men's college basketball. Plus, he shares some thoughts on the coming season. You're in for quite a ride if your a men's college basketball fan. Teams become stacked as more and more players move around. To further strengthen rosters the NCAA's extra year of eligibility is keeping more players right where they are.
Just how many players in the Division I are actually opting to go the transfer route? It's far more significant than you may have thought. This is especially true with the NCAA allowing for a one time transfer without sitting out a year.
What kind of impact does this have on players? How about teams? Coaches may have to hit the road more just to keep a roster. Ken has some thoughts on how this will all impact the sport and how everyone will adjust.
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Ken Cross College Hoops
We take a look at the ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25. Ken gives us his thoughts on how the top dogs and the teams in the ACC will perform. He gives us his prediction for who takes home the conference title this coming season. Then reflects on Mike Young at Virginia Tech, the Boeheim's and the transition from Williams to Davis at Chapel Hill.
What does Ken think of the top seeds in Joe Lunardi's (also far, far too early) Bracket? One team doesn't belong.
Finally, we talk a bit about food. Ken says if you like hotdogs you've got to hit Green's Lunch in Charlotte. When in the Tampa area you might enjoy Frenchy's Cafe.
And, if by any chance there's a BBQ place in North Carolina that ships. And we're sure there is. Drop us a line so we can hook you up with a man longing for a taste of home.
Subscribe to the ACC Nation YouTube channel and watch the latest podcast with special guest, Ken Cross. Other videos include coverage of the ACC in our feature, In Pictures - Dave Wolpert.
https://youtu.be/F-awyomI-DU
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
In the latest episode of ACC Nation Podcast, Sports News 7, we touch on all of the ACC and NCAA championship dates and scenarios. Then we delve into why the word, befuddled, applies to ACC baseball. It's an upside down world this season as the northern conference teams dominate the latest rankings. Then we share some thoughts on transfers and how exciting it is to watch spring football. Welcome back old friend, we've missed you.
Before you get too far into the show you'll want to look up the movie, Being There with Peter Sellers. It will provide some context for some of the conversation along the way.
We'd appreciate your review of the show on your favorite platform. Feel free to send us feedback and suggestions as well. And, if you'd like to buy us a coffee (beer?) or two we'd be very appreciative.
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Sports News 7
Championship SchedulesVolleyballWomen's GolfWomen's GymnasticsMen's SoccerWomen's SoccerMen's and Women's TennisMen's GolfWomen's LacrosseMen's LacrosseField HockeyBeach VolleyballSoftballOutdoor Track and FieldRowing
NCAA Ice Hockey and Fencing
Will takes a closer look at the outcome of the NCAA Frozen Four.
Jim talks about the NCAA Fencing Championships.
ACC Baseball
A look at the top teams in the conference and how they're performing. The surprise teams this season. An exciting series is slated for this weekend in Blacksburg between the Hokies and Yellow Jackets. Can anyone stop Louisville? Who's headed to Omaha?
ACC Football
A quick look at spring football action and some thoughts on NC State and Florida State.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast or catch all of the action on ACC Nation Radio.
ACC men's basketball teams started out the NCAA Basketball Tournament with a whimper. Let's call it, an implosion. It wasn't just ACC teams struggling to survive either. The upside down world of collegiate sports that began it's strange journey last year around this time continues to befuddle. Not everything is terrible in the world though. Both Florida State and Syracuse continue their march toward....well, who knows what but fans aren't complaining.
Jim and Will crank up this episode of ACC Nation Podcast with gobs of sports news. The doubling down on sports action due to the NCAA moving competition and championships from the fall to the spring provides plenty to talk about.
Here's a list of some of the stories we're talking about -
Which ACC swimming and diving team won the 2021 NCAA Championship?A conference wrestler, seeded No. 2, upsets No. 1 to take home an NCAA Wrestling TitleACC fencers load up the NCAA ChampionshipsThe Top 25 ACC baseball teams this weekWhich four conference softball teams made the Top 25?The CRCA Rowing Top 20 includes three conference teams including a top 3Which team dominates both men's and women's collegiate lacrosse?A look at the latest AVCA Beach and Volleyball polls includes a No. 1 team
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Implosion
Things aren't all bad on the basketball front. We take a look at the progress so far with ACC women's teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Have A Minute? Enjoy A Doughnut.
Let's not forget the NIT. The Wolfpack continue to get in critical minutes.
The first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was not kind to ACC teams. The losses came fast and furious but the impact of Florida State and Syracuse created a wave. How far will it go? We'll find out this week. Stay tuned!
ACC men's basketball teams started out the NCAA Basketball Tournament with a whimper. Let's call it, an implosion. It wasn't just ACC teams struggling to survive either. The upside down world of collegiate sports that began it's strange journey last year around this time continues to befuddle. Not everything is terrible in the world though. Both Florida State and Syracuse continue their march toward....well, who knows what but fans aren't complaining.
Jim and Will crank up this episode of ACC Nation Podcast with gobs of sports news. The doubling down on sports action due to the NCAA moving competition and championships from the fall to the spring provides plenty to talk about.
Here's a list of some of the stories we're talking about -
Which ACC swimming and diving team won the 2021 NCAA Championship?A conference wrestler, seeded No. 2, upsets No. 1 to take home an NCAA Wrestling TitleACC fencers load up the NCAA ChampionshipsThe Top 25 ACC baseball teams this weekWhich four conference softball teams made the Top 25?The CRCA Rowing Top 20 includes three conference teams including a top 3Which team dominates both men's and women's collegiate lacrosse?A look at the latest AVCA Beach and Volleyball polls includes a No. 1 team
Support Our Podcast
Implosion
Things aren't all bad on the basketball front. We take a look at the progress so far with ACC women's teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Have A Minute? Enjoy A Doughnut.
Let's not forget the NIT. The Wolfpack continue to get in critical minutes.
The first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was not kind to ACC teams. The losses came fast and furious but the impact of Florida State and Syracuse created a wave. How far will it go? We'll find out this week. Stay tuned!
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
There's tournaments galore to talk about on the basketball front. The ACC, the men's and women's NCAA and the NIT get some love in this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. But, there's more sports news on the agenda first. How does the recent hire of Earl Grant to be the new head coach of Boston College men's basketball. Our thoughts, observations and expectations, were they met? We look for the pluses and anticipate the reactions of Boston sports fans on social media on the other side of the coin. Will hits it on the head by saying, 'Give the dude a chance'. We'll see.
We reflect on some of the thoughts that A.J. Black (podcast) shared with us on an earlier podcast regarding the hiring process. The ACC Board of Directors have rid themselves of the intra-conference transfer rule which will allow players to move in conference and compete immediately.
A look at the latest D1Baseball Top 25 and how the 'northern' schools are excelling in a less than perfect scenario. How are men's and women's lacrosse teams doing? Stellar, as always. The polls prove it out. And, the ACC had three second-place finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
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Tournaments
ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
A rundown of each round of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament - Our ThoughtsThe struggles of year one for Wake Forest but a bright future aheadOur picks go off the rail in the second round - Jim eats crow over CuseMiami continues their roll with a win over Clemson - Say hello to Isaiah Wong (Beast)Duke begins to click but COVID punches their ticket
https://youtu.be/ig4jbcU9db0
Surpassing Ralph Sampson in the record booksNorth Carolina unloads on Notre Dame (Walking away from the TV)*Subtle (not-so) skipping over a game (We get back to it)Georgia Tech pulls away from Miami when it countsWhat might have happened between Duke and Florida StateVirginia Tech's COVID break and North Carolina's back-to-back games - The result?Virginia - Syracuse. A last second shot clinches the winThe clock is ticking slowly on how things will work out for the Cavaliers moving forwardThe depth pulls it out for Florida State against North CarolinaSurprise of the Tournament (as always when it comes to the ACC) Georgia Tech wins!The stories that come with sports championships
NCAA Women's Basketball Seeds - ACC
The Number One Seeds - NC State, UConn, South Carolina and StanfordTournament action begins on March 21#8 Oklahoma State - #9 Wake Forest#2 Louisville - #15 Marist#8 Syracuse - #9 South Dakota State#7 Virginia Tech - #10 Marquette#8 Oregon State - #9 Florida State#5 Georgia Tech - #12 SFA#7 Alabama - #10 North Carolina#1 NC State - #16 North Carolina A&T
NIT
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts make a wise investment in his young team by taking them to the NIT. The more experience, the better. The Wolfpack will open with a match-up against Davidson.
REGISTER NOW TO PLAY ALONG!
NCAA Men's Basketball Seeds - ACC
Seven ACC teams are headed to the tournamentUnder the No. 1 seed Gonzaga - #4 Virginia faces off with #13 OhioUnder the No. 1 seed Michigan - #4 Florida State plays #13 UNC GreensboroUnder the No. 1 seed Baylor - #8 North Carolina matches-up with #9 Wisconsin#7 Florida meets #10 Virginia TechUnder the No. 1 seed Illinois - #8 Loyola Chicago battles #9 Georgia Tech#6 San Diego goes up against #11 Syracuse#7 Clemson is challenged by #10 Rutgers
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
There's more sports on the plate than you can shake a finger at this week. We start out covering ACC sports news and then move into ACC Basketball. The latest Top 25's, NET Rankings and Quadrant performances, brackets from Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm and the ACC Men's Basketball award winners. Then we jump into the fun of picking the winners and losers in the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
First up, NC State won the ACC Wrestling Championship. Duke swept the ACC Fencing Championships. A quick look at the ACC Women's Basketball award winners. The ACC Women's Basketball Tournament was all that and more (read more). Notre Dame upsets Florida State which sets up Virginia against Louisville as a shot at another ACC regular season title for the Cavaliers. As far as conferences go, the ACC leads with 11 cross country teams headed to the NCAA Championships.
The Noles get dinged in the latest polls based on a loss to Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Virginia rises after knocking off Louisville. Only three ACC teams populate the Top 25 polls. Who would have seen these three teams?
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ACC Basketball
We take a look at the NCAA NET Rankings plus some of the Quadrant wins and losses. The top to No. 51 of ACC teams. Which of these teams will hear their names called on Selection Sunday?
The surprise in the numbers? Georgia Tech who started off 'rough' and is finishing stronger than expected. Or, why Josh Pastner was in the running for ACC Coach of the Year honors.
Breaking out the latest brackets from Joe Lunardi (ESPN) and Jerry Palm (CBS Sports). Find out who the Last 4 Byes are and what is up with the 'Boeheim Bubble'? Will there be 7 ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament?
Struggling on the road should concern several teams in the conference. The first that comes to mind, Florida State. How do they offset that factor?
ACC Awards
Who picked up the ACC Player of the Year honor? Was it a surprise or was this player clearly the best overall? The depth of conference rosters is staggering. Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year honors find a home at Florida State. Coach of the Year honors belong to Mike Young for his work with the Hokies. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year? It belongs to Jose Alvarado. Most Improved Player? Our thoughts on having that category. Who's on the All-ACC first team?
ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Picks
First Round
Pitt vs MiamiWill - MiamiJim - MiamiDuke vs Boston CollegeWill - DukeJim - DukeNotre Dame vs Wake ForestWill - Notre DameJim - Notre Dame
Second Round
Syracuse vs NC StateWill - NC StateJim - NC StateMiami vs ClemsonWill - ClemsonJim - ClemsonDuke vs LouisvilleWill - LouisvilleJim - LouisvilleNotre Dame vs North CarolinaWill - North CarolinaJim - North Carolina
Quarterfinals
Virginia vs NC StateWill - VirginiaJim - VirginiaGeorgia Tech vs ClemsonWill - Georgia TechJim - Georgia TechFlorida State vs LouisvilleWill - Florida StateJim - Florida StateVirginia Tech vs North CarolinaWill - North CarolinaJim - North Carolina
Semifinals
Virginia vs Georgia TechWill - VirginiaJim - VirginiaFlorida State vs North CarolinaWill - Florida StateJim - Florida State
ACC Men's Championship
Virginia vs Florida StateWill - Florida StateJim - Virginia
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
There's more sports on the plate than you can shake a finger at this week. We start out covering ACC sports news and then move into ACC Basketball. The latest Top 25's, NET Rankings and Quadrant performances, brackets from Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm and the ACC Men's Basketball award winners. Then we jump into the fun of picking the winners and losers in the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
First up, NC State won the ACC Wrestling Championship. Duke swept the ACC Fencing Championships. A quick look at the ACC Women's Basketball award winners. The ACC Women's Basketball Tournament was all that and more (read more). Notre Dame upsets Florida State which sets up Virginia against Louisville as a shot at another ACC regular season title for the Cavaliers. As far as conferences go, the ACC leads with 11 cross country teams headed to the NCAA Championships.
The Noles get dinged in the latest polls based on a loss to Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Virginia rises after knocking off Louisville. Only three ACC teams populate the Top 25 polls. Who would have seen these three teams?
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ACC Basketball
We take a look at the NCAA NET Rankings plus some of the Quadrant wins and losses. The top to No. 51 of ACC teams. Which of these teams will hear their names called on Selection Sunday?
The surprise in the numbers? Georgia Tech who started off 'rough' and is finishing stronger than expected. Or, why Josh Pastner was in the running for ACC Coach of the Year honors.
Breaking out the latest brackets from Joe Lunardi (ESPN) and Jerry Palm (CBS Sports). Find out who the Last 4 Byes are and what is up with the 'Boeheim Bubble'? Will there be 7 ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament?
Struggling on the road should concern several teams in the conference. The first that comes to mind, Florida State. How do they offset that factor?
ACC Awards
Who picked up the ACC Player of the Year honor? Was it a surprise or was this player clearly the best overall? The depth of conference rosters is staggering. Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year honors find a home at Florida State. Coach of the Year honors belong to Mike Young for his work with the Hokies. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year? It belongs to Jose Alvarado. Most Improved Player? Our thoughts on having that category. Who's on the All-ACC first team?
ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Picks
First Round
Pitt vs MiamiWill - MiamiJim - MiamiDuke vs Boston CollegeWill - DukeJim - DukeNotre Dame vs Wake ForestWill - Notre DameJim - Notre Dame
Second Round
Syracuse vs NC StateWill - NC StateJim - NC StateMiami vs ClemsonWill - ClemsonJim - ClemsonDuke vs LouisvilleWill - LouisvilleJim - LouisvilleNotre Dame vs North CarolinaWill - North CarolinaJim - North Carolina
Quarterfinals
Virginia vs NC StateWill - VirginiaJim - VirginiaGeorgia Tech vs ClemsonWill - Georgia TechJim - Georgia TechFlorida State vs LouisvilleWill - Florida StateJim - Florida StateVirginia Tech vs North CarolinaWill - North CarolinaJim - North Carolina
Semifinals
Virginia vs Georgia TechWill - VirginiaJim - VirginiaFlorida State vs North CarolinaWill - Florida StateJim - Florida State
ACC Men's Championship
Virginia vs Florida StateWill - Florida StateJim - Virginia
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
This week, as we wrap up the ACC men's basketball regular season, we're joined by special guest Mike Wilson, the Assistant Editor of Cardiac Hill. Will Ojanen and Jim Quist talk with Wilson about the Pitt men's basketball team. The fits and starts that head coach Jeff Capel has and will face along the way. Wilson also gives a taste of what's to come with Pat Narduzzi's 2021 squad.
We open up the can of worms immediately to find out what's behind all of the Pitt men's basketball transfers. We start with Xavier Johnson's passive-aggressive relationship with Capel.
Johnson isn't the only player transferring. On the heels of Johnson's announcement Au'Diese Toney decided to follow suit.
The impact of losing two players and who steps up? Analyzing the first game after the changes as Pitt faced North Carolina.
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Mike Wilson
An explanation of what's going on with Jeff Capel's recruits leaving. Mum's the word from the coaching camp.
Pitt Men's Basketball
What category does Jeff Capel fit into as a coach?How will Johnson's 'jawing' impact his future?Fan base reaction to CapelDon't compare Pitt fans to the Eagles fanbaseTaking a closer look at the freshmen moving forward
What Players Are NBA Bound?
What player might be an ACC POY candidate and headed to the pros?Are player ratings 'all that'?Who is showing flashes of promise?Recruiting - Why the pantry looks bare for '21 and '22Searching for that 3 point shot threatHighlights of the season
Panthers Football
A drop-off on defense? Don't count on itKey piece of the offense returnsPursuing higher level recruits on offenseThe love-hate relationship with Pat NarduzziIs Narduzzi part of the long-term picture?
Finish With Food
Looking for a good 'English' breakfast? Try Piper's Pub in PittsburghMike recommends the Irish Boxty and the Bangers and MashInteresting place to visit - The Angry Dog, Dallas
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Special guest Andrew Jones, Publisher of Tar Heel Illustrated joins us on ACC Nation Podcast to discuss men's basketball, some football and tips on how food can serve you best when on the road. Will Ojanen and Jim Quist delve into North Carolina sports with Andrew Jones.
We start with examining the "strange" loss to Marquette and the win over Florida State. The ups and downs of Tar Heels basketball. What's going on? It all begins with Louisville.
There's a theme that you'll want to pay attention to in this episode. Jones points to the freshmen frequently and the big picture. Keep this in mind when discussing next season.
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The Buzz in the buildingA look at Walker KesslerIncrements of growthKerwin Walton is delivering - The outside threatReversal of Fortune at the line
Andrew Jones Tar Heels Basketball
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Roy Williams' frustrations and how he's dealing with it"The Cloud" - An important factor for the programKey? ConsistencyNext Step?Glass half full, half empty
ACC Basketball
Who's the best player? An insider's view from press rowGarrison Brooks - An explanationRoy shakes the treeThe most important stat for North CarolinaSome very important statistical rankings
What's The Future Hold?
Caleb Love must growThe summer pro 'punk' transitionWho else can or will deliver 3's?NCAA Tournament - NET talkWhy Tar Heels fans should cheer on Duke and KentuckyDoes Roy Williams get the respect he deserves?
Football
Looking at the '21 season and beyondWhat types of personnel will be essential to win?Defense - It starts with the coordinatorBattling for the CoastalA team that we'll check in with this fall. Maybe not their coach
Food Stop
The seasoned press guy with hints on maximum performanceFavorite restaurant? Primanti Brothers PittsburghPeanut Butter Pita (Extra Crunchy) Good luck finding it in a tube!Alas......Pizza (Pineapple or no pineapple?)You don't want to miss the end
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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Florida State beat writer for the Tallahassee Democrat, Curt Weiler joins us to talk about the success of Noles basketball and more. The Seminoles are on the rise in the latest men's basketball polls and are looking at the top seed in the ACC Tournament. In the latest Jerry Palm Bracketology from CBS Sports Florida State is a No. 3 seed replacing Virginia as the top conference team.
Despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic and limited attendance by fans Florida State is creating excitement with this year's team. Reflecting on the contrast between Noles football and basketball.
Is it too early early to say that Leonard Hamilton has built a dynasty? There's an asterisk here and Weiler explains what Florida State needs to do to lay claim to that label.
Curt Weiler
What does it take to get Florida State to make a similar (to football) investment in basketball, that next step?Florida State is one of the few ACC teams to have success against Virginia - Why?Who stepped up when MJ Walker was out against Pitt?Has Scottie Barnes lived up to the early 'hype'?The impact of seasoned players this yearThe Seniors - Who might take advantage of the NCAA 'extra year'?Players who are NBA talentHot bed for recruiting
Want More ACC Football News? Want More ACC Sports News?
What prompts Hamilton to play so many players?Working on the Big GuysTaking a look at the ACC stats - Two names pop up....then?What a team effort deliversWhat's the story with the Noles 3 point game?Looking at the NCAA Tournament - Will FSU deliver?Is this a Final Four team?How much longer will Leonard Hamilton stick around?
Noles Football
Adding McKenzie Milton at quarterback. Can he make an impact?Mike Norvell kills it on the recruiting trail. Will this be a young team or a very young team?Willie Taggart's pay-off. How does it impact the budget?
Florida State Sports
Women's Basketball, Beach Volleyball, SoftballSoccer, Volleyball, Women's TennisBaseball - How's Mike Martin, Jr doing?
The Personal Side
Atlanta Pro Baseball and FootballRestaurants you should check outMadison Social TallahasseeCollege TownThe Pit - Durham (when travelling) Never pass up Creme Brule or Key Lime Pie
Our thanks to Curt Weiler of the Tallahassee Democrat for joining us. Follow Curt on Twitter @CurtMWeiler.
Podcast - ACC Basketball
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
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BC Bulletin's A.J. Black discusses Eagles MBB with Will and Jim (podcast) including the recent firing of Boston College men's basketball coach Jim Christian. The before the end of the year dismissal caught a lot of people by surprise. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and allowing the dust to settle we get a look at what has transpired. Black starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together for us in this special podcast for ACC Basketball.
Tension builds between Christian and AD Pat KraftHow COVID played into the decisionA 'jackass' member of the media gets called outSome of the inner workings of sports politics in the NortheastIssues: Building a roster and sloppy playWhere does Scott Spinelli fit in this picture?A nice plug for Red Bull
Kelly Quinlan Georgia Tech MBB - ACC Nation Podcast
The scenario - Does Kraft have an ace up his sleeve?Pat Kraft really wants to win - What will it take?Boston College fan? Keep up with the Eagles at BC BulletinWith the firing will there be a loss of players currently on the roster?Will there be a mass exodus or will players be patient and see who's next?
Eagles MBB
The recruiting issue - the only way to go is upRecruiting news? CricketsThe candidates - Find out who is being consideredThe reality check - the coaches that are worthy of considerationWhy one name stands out and would be a perfect fit
ACC Baseball Coaches Pick Favorites For 2021 Season
How administrations can create (inadvertent or not) train wrecksAn interesting name is tossed outNo more beating a dead horseGut feel about the future of the programApples to Oranges comparison for coaching hires
Our thanks to the Editor and Publisher of BC Bulletin, A.J. Black for joining us to talk Eagles men's basketball. Follow A.J. on Twitter @AJBlack_BC
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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Special guest Kelly Quinlan, the Publisher of JacketsOnline joins us on ACC Nation Podcast. Quinlan shares his thoughts on Josh Pastner, the Yellow Jackets men's basketball team and what the football season may look like. As a bonus he shares some suggestions of places to eat across the ACC.
In this one instance it may be worth be repeating what is learned from history when it comes to Georgia Tech men's basketball. A look back to help you find your way to the future.
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Grading Josh Pastner's job so far as head coach at Georgia TechLosing James Banks and the impact on the team's performanceThe need for an NBA quality player that will push them into the next levelPlayer injury statusForcing turnovers - Scheme and talentJose Alvarado - What drives himBreaking down an important statWill Alvarado and Wright return since they have COVID eligibility?Who steps up?
Kelly Quinlan
Will Michael Devoe (a Junior) return for another season?Moses Wright - Is he underrated?Looking ahead at the rest of the scheduleDoes the team have a shot at the NCAA Tournament?Resumes count
Georgia Tech Football
Where is Geoff Collins in the timeline of a rebuild of the program?What does WIN mean? Could it have anything to do with Waffle House?Getting to the 5-7 game win level will bring fans alongRecruiting notes - Some dissing of TennesseeWhat's the next step at QB?Will Gibbs be an All-ACC running back?The difference between Johnson's and Collins' approachWhich is more dominant this season? Offense or Defense?
Bringing Out The Foodie
Atlanta is a hotbed for entertainment - Let's talk foodThe melting pot offers diversity in the restaurant sceneSuggestions of where to head for just about every kind of mealPastry? Sublime Doughnuts.ACC vs SEC - Hands down better selection of food in the ACC townsPizza - Pineapple or no pineapple?Favorite dessert - There are two answers
Our thanks to Kelly Quinlan of JacketsOnline for joining us on ACC Nation Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @Kelly_Quinlan for the latest on Georgia Tech.
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Ball Durham's Kevin Connelly joins us on ACC Nation Podcast this week to delve into the mysteries of this season's Duke's men's basketball team. What will it take to get past the struggles of a young team? How long will Coach K be sticking around? Can this team make it to the NCAA Tournament this season? Before you respond to that last question be sure to hear out Kevin's reasoning, it may change your mind.
It hasn't been the best of seasons for the Blue Devils. Connelly shares his thoughts on how things have gone so far and why. Is it a youth issue? Perhaps a lack of a strong leader on the court? Read some of the latest thoughts by Connelly at Ball Durham and find out whose stock is up and which player's is down.
Taking a look at the roster and talking one and done status. Two major pieces are expected to try their hand at the NBA but hold on. How has that worked out for other players before them?
Kevin Connelly Duke MBB
Who are the NBA level players?The reasons for moving onOne and done gets exposed but that doesn't mean it's overDoes isolation really work?Two top 10 recruits - three offers still outstandingSecond-guessing fans. What is it that you really want?Coach K - Who, what, when and how?Big decisions ahead for the next Duke AD
ACC Basketball
What's ahead on the schedule in February?Big Dance or Wallflower?Thoughts on the ACC TournamentDoes a resume count?Stack the wins to make it to the Field of 68Looking at the roster - Where players need to improveInconsistent play is hurting the overall performanceAssessing the backcourt
And More
Kevin also covers St. John's - How are they doing?Chicken Parm - It's easier to answer than you'd thinkRestaurant recommendations - Da Noi (Bayonne)Wishing Well Restaurant (Saratoga Springs)Chocolate Chip Skillet for dessertSeven layer cake from Judicke's Bakery (Bayonne)
As always, a lot of fun talking with Ball Durham's (and Storm The Paint's) Kevin Connelly about Duke. Be sure to follow Kevin on Twitter @KevinConnelly24.
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Special guest Shannon Russell talks with Jim and Will about the struggles and highlights of Louisville men's basketball on ACC Nation Podcast. From the injury bug to working out the bugs in a young team Chris Mack has had his hands full this season. The team is seeded No. 8 in the latest bracket from Andy Katz. Will they make it through what appears to be a tough February? Russell addresses those questions and more.
How have injuries impacted the team this season?What's the word on Malik Williams? Will he play this season?Youth leads to inconsistency - Starting from scratchA daunting schedule is aheadIs the dominating game against Georgia Tech a precursor?How is Chris Mack reacting to the struggles?What kind of emotional impact has the combination of COVID and the injury bug together had on the players?Carlik Jones - WorkhorseTapping the Grad Transfer market
Shannon Russell
Taking over a major sports role in the midst of COVIDA mixed bag when looking at the statsGoal: SustainabilitySamuel WilliamsonIt's February - Is there a sense of urgency?The progression of David JohnsonWhere's the 3 point game?Who steps up on offense?Recruiting notes - Looking at the futureHappy hunting grounds
Louisville Men's Basketball
Reaching their potential - Can it be done in a month?What Louisville needs to see and avoid in the NCAA TournamentJim asks, 'Is it all that'?Pizza is on the way after recording this podcastA favorite place to eat - Welcome to Dinosaur Bar-B-QueLooking forward to the Bourbon Trail
Our thanks to Shannon Russell of the Courier-Journal for talking about Louisville men's basketball with us on the podcast. Be sure to follow her on Twitter @slrussell
We begin our twofer on ACC Nation Podcast with special guest Aaron Fitt. A Managing Editor and National Writer for D1Baseball Fitt drops by to talk college baseball with an emphasis on the ACC. The benches run deeper, the talent is more seasoned and fans are in for a spectacular season due to the carryover of players from 2020. Though there still won't be that many fannies in the seats this spring a lot of action will be carried on sports starved cable outlets.
Dave Wolpert and Jim Quist look at the D1Baseball Preseason Top 25 teams starting with a top 5 preview by Fitt. Find out about changes to the 2022 format for the College World Series and how it will impact the fan experience in Omaha.
The top dog again this year is Florida. What makes the Gators the team to beat? What other teams are in the top 5? One is an ACC team that features depth and lots of pitching strength.
Aaron Fitt
See the latest on ACC teams in the preseason D1Baseball poll and their list of conference All-Americans.
What's on the agenda?
The Top 5 teams previewThe ACC teams in the Top 25COVID delivers a plus for college baseballWill there be an impact on the MLB?Where is the MLB headed?How Jr compares to SrWhat teams are lurking just outside the Top 25?Who does Fitt see heading to Omaha?A well travelled writer tells us about the best places to eat
Our thanks to Aaron Fitt from D1Baseball for joining us. Love college baseball? We recommend subscribing for premium content. Follow Aaron on Twitter @aaronfitt
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The Virginia Tech men's basketball team got off to a solid start this season under head coach Mike Young. Like most of the ACC the Hokies have had a bumpy ride this year. Chris Coleman from TechSideline joins Jim and Will to talk about the players, coach, program and fans on this week's ACC Nation Podcast. Be sure to subscribe to hear this episode and others.
There's lots to talk about on this episode. We start with Monday's breaking news that the men's basketball team lost a key player. You'll get a good look at the team and then we move into some interesting thoughts on football. And, what would one of our episodes be without some insider information on where to chow down in Blacksburg?
Let's start with the big story. It isn't the success of the team but rather the loss of a player which may impact the program. The suspension of Tyrece Radford is front and center. Will he be back?
Chris Coleman
Breaking down the players and their performancesAn explanation regarding the polls and the NCAA TournamentThe Yin and Yang of the Hokies and their 3 point effortsThe ultimate glue guyRecruiting - How to go after 'your players'Building the rapport with fans
Building Hokies Basketball
The importance of having AAU connectionsLooking at the ACC overallSome thoughts on longer term player investment versus one and doneHow many teams can make the NCAA Tournament?Is the conference suffering from mediocrity?Waning optimism
Transition To Football Runs Through A Beanie
If you don't like the weather in Blacksburg, wait fifteen minutesHow the football team performed this seasonFocusing players has been a challengeStrengths and weaknesses that lay ahead for the HokiesThe players hitting the NFL DraftMixed messages
Struggles Ahead?
Hot seat?Recruiting takes a ding because....What sells Hokies football?Four star, three star, two star......getting caught up in rankingsHonest opinion - Justin Fuente's futureIs there another Beamer in the mix?
Getting The Goods
Looking for good eats in Blacksburg? Our Daily Bread gets a nodHow about on game day?Q: Favorite sport? A: Today? Ask me again later, too.Working out and readingBe sure to follow Chris Coleman on Twitter and read his articles at TechSideline
Yes, we know it's still January and we're in the middle of winter but forgive us for having an optimistic spring in our step. You see, the thought of having an even close to normal season in multiple sports has made us giddy. Before we get back on track with looking at ACC men's basketball with our special guests we take a moment to wrap up football. Well, we also take a look ahead with a plethora of Way-Too-Early Top 25 polls. You really need to hear them to believe them.
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In addition to football we roll through multiple polls and talk about the following sports:
BaseballBeach VolleyballWrestling GymnasticsIce HockeyIndoor Track and FieldTennisFootball
How three polls ranked teams after all was said and done with the 2020 college football season.
The latest Way-Too-Early Top 25 polls don't see eye-to-eye for 2021 which is a good indication there will be more competition for a national title. Or, it could be that it's too early to be making guesses about something that could change dramatically in 8 months.
Spring
What teams in the ACC (football) do we think aren't getting enough love/respect? We have a one team that we agree with each other on. Can you guess who that might be?
Breaking down the early looks at a handful of ACC football teams.
Unleash The Basketball Kraken
The evolution of teams in the ACC may be going slower than usual due to COVID nonetheless it's beginning to kick in for several programs. Who are these teams and why are they beginning to succeed?
We start with Virginia and how Tony Bennett has found the perfect combos on the court and players are on a roll. Be sure to listen to our interview with Zach Carey discussing the Cavaliers with Will.
The storm known as Florida State is taking off. Stats don't lie, their numbers are staggering.
A new reckoning in the ACC as Duke and North Carolina fall out of the Top 25. What's going on with North Carolina? We have an answer.
The latest AP and Coaches' Poll and how ACC teams line up.
A quick look at the latest bracketology and how teams line up. Listen closely to the changes that occurred from January 15 to January 18.
Jeff Capel's Pitt team moves into position to grab a spot in the tournament.
The growth of Virginia Tech has been step by step over the years. Have the Hokies arrived? Mike Young enables his players to succeed.
Looking for number two at Louisville. Will Chris Mack find his guy by tournament time?
ACC Women Surge
The top teams in the country reside in the ACC. Louisville and NC State are on a tear at No. 1 and No. 2.
A look at Charlie Creme's bracketology and where conference teams are projected to seed.
The struggles of Notre Dame continue as the program adjusts under a new head coach.
Syracuse behind the returning Tiana Mangakahia who has a spring in her step find themselves on the rise.
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Want to know what's going on with Virginia men's basketball? Like with many complicated things in life the answers you are looking for are simple. Sometimes you just have to talk to a guy in Philly. That's what we did as Zach Carey joins us to talk about the in's and out's of offense, defense, players and Tony Bennett. The only thing we didn't ask him? Where can you find Philly's best cheesesteak?
We'll save that argument inducing question for another time. But first, Will and Jim talk about a disappointing end to ACC football. It was a bad finish to an already rocky season.
The Cheez-It Bowl began with a thud for Miami before they dusted themselves off for a rally. It wasn't enough though as they fell to Oklahoma State and lost D'Eriq King to an ACL injury. Jim has some thoughts regarding the 'Fire Manny Diaz' crowd.
Wake Forest got off to a good start before wearing down against Wisconsin in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Find out who hits the Transfer Portal from the Deac's. Next season the offense looks good but what about the defense?
Zach Carey
Notre Dame had the misfortune of drawing the short straw and facing off with Alabama in one of two College Football Playoff semifinals. No more 'friends with benefits' for the Irish next season when it comes to the ACC. Jim's highlight of the game? Nick Saban getting a flag. Will proves that even after 21 years he's still got some 'Southern Boy' in him.
Yes, ACC fans will have to suck it up listening to the 0-6 taunts but it can't be nearly as bad as the fate that awaits Clemson fans. When your head coach taunts an opponent by voting them No. 11 and you lose against said team then karma is at work. Mouth meet foot.
Brent Venables seemingly had no answer for the Ohio State offense. Meanwhile, social media stirs the pot with a Justin Fields vs Trevor Lawrence who goes first in the draft scenario.
So Long ACC Football
The pain doesn't stop with the College Football Playoff debacle. It picked up the very next day with the Bowl Season action. First, the Gator Bowl where NC State (a ranked team) fell victim to Kentucky (an unranked team). Turnovers were instrumental along with the Wildcats controlling key periods of possession. We look at how the Wolfpack will look next year (and hey, it's good news).
With key players sitting out North Carolina still had a decent game against Texas A&M. The Aggies simply took control in the latter portion of this matchup to cinch the win. The Tar Heels should be the second best team in the ACC next season and we'll tell you why.
Thankfully There's Basketball
We start looking closer at the trials and tribulations of ACC men's basketball on the podcast as we move into 2021. Our first look is Virginia a team that began with high hopes ranked at No. 4 nationally but who has fallen to No. 22 in the AP Top 25.
What's going on in Charlottesville? Our guest, Zach Carey of Locker Room Access has a good eye and ear when it comes to Cavalier basketball. Here are some of the highlights of Will's interview with Zach.
Is the defense as good this year?Where is Sam Hauser coming up short?Turnovers were the key to the loss to Gonzaga. Was it a learning opportunity?Rating Kihei Clark's performance. If given the opportunity can Reece Beekman deliver?Is Casey Morsell thinking too much?Trey Murphy - Is he the biggest surprise?Kadin Shedrick steps up.Where can Virginia's three-point shooting improve?Is Tony Bennett trying to figure out the best offense for this team?How to reconcile the fan behavior of the Philadelphia Eagles vs Virginia Cavaliers.
Be sure to follow Zach on Twitter and his coverage of Virginia at Locker Room Access.
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Clemson came away with another ACC Football Championship wrapped in paper and bow with a big win over Notre Dame. There was a deep sigh of relief in South Bend on Sunday. The CFP selection committee only moved the Irish down a few notches in the top 4 lining them up for a game against Alabama. What would have been a Rose Bowl appearance has now been moved to Texas due to COVID. The Tigers moved up to the second spot and will play Ohio State in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl.
On this year ending program we take a look at the Clemson-Notre Dame game. We look at the CFP and preview some of the bowl games that ACC teams are headed to this season. There are lots of cancelled bowls and teams that opted out of playing as well. Will it be the same? No, but let's just be happy we have what we have at the end of the year.
COVID has hit close to home and we repeat our urgings for you to follow safety protocols so you or someone close to you doesn't come down with the virus.
Paper And Bow
The guys talk about Trevor Lawrence and the Heisman Trophy plus where he may now be headed in the NFL Draft.
There's talk of ACC men's and women's basketball and some of the struggles of once mighty programs.
Is Will destined to become a Marvel Comics superhero?
This season's biggest sports story - one guess.
Our thanks to the many guests who have joined us the year. We look forward to having them back and adding more to our list. Our goal continues to be to inform and entertain you.
Have a safe and healthy holiday(s). We'll be back with our full podcast in 2021, in the meantime look for special short-casts to wrap up bowl games.
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Our special guest on ACC Nation Podcast/Radio this week is a contributing writer for BasketballNCAA.com. She's also the Press Officer for Italy's College Basketball Tour. Isabella Agostinelli joins us from Perano and shares her love of NCAA basketball, talks about some of the players she follows, who she thinks is the hot team and sets us all straight on what not to put on pizza.
First, we talk about the latest action in ACC men's and women's basketball. A look at the AP Top 25 polls first. Who are the top ranked conference teams?
A look back at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. It started ugly. It ended with some wins and three big games were cancelled because of COVID-19. Some important wins by conference teams.
Isabella Agostinelli
The interview -
A Fulbright Scholar gets hooked on journalism at St. Bonaventure University.If you didn't know about Pesaro, listen carefully and you'll find your next bucket list trip. A passion for basketball.Breaking the glass ceiling as a woman sports journalist covering basketball.Read Isabella's coverage of NCAA basketball on her blog. Also, at BasketballNCAA.com. Focus on Italian men's and women's players.Alessandro Lever (Grand Canyon), Tomas Woldetensae (Virginia), Lorela Cubaj (Georgia Tech), Elisa Pinzan (USF) '21 Duke Recruit Paolo BancheroWhat is the College Basketball Tour?The challenges of ordering ice cream or 'pizza' in Pesaro. Do you know about Rossini? Find out what kind of pizza is 'sacrilege'.Comparing the differences between the focus of players - U.S. vs European. Two different worlds.What are the challenges of an NCAA player adjusting to play in Europe?Food and drink. Why some things never change when it comes to beer.Isabella says, 'keep an eye on Illinois' this season. Big surprise regarding the bad start by Duke. High marks for Clemson men's and women's teams visiting during the College Basketball Tour. Notre Dame women's basketball team after their championship win.Hey Syracuse! We've got a suggestion for a student for the master's program.
Football Recap
The AP and USA Today Top 25 teams.The top ACC teams.Recapping ACC football action.What was truly the highlight of the Pitt-Georgia Tech game?Louisville finds a way to eliminate turnovers to pull off a win over Wake Forest.North Carolina puts up offensive yardage that is mind-boggling against Miami.Florida State begins to show promise with their young players as they take out Duke.Virginia Tech was nothing short of dominant against Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup game.Who's playing this weekend? Two games on the schedule and one last ACC weekend of football.
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A look at a not so stellar start for the ACC/Big Ten men's college basketball challenge, well, at least on the part of the ACC. With only one win to open the mash up any hopes of catching up on Wednesday night slipped through the conference's fingers with three COVID related postponed. One of several notable losses belonged to Duke. Following the game coach Mike Krzyzewski talked extensively about how the pandemic is impacting the players and the game as a whole.
Will and Jim talk about the conference teams and their performances in a quick review of opening night. Find out how Will aptly applies a Wile E. Coyote analogy to the Hokies.
Krzyzewski
Is the NCAA serious when they say, 'Student-Athlete'? In other words, do they really care about the education (first) and the mental and physical well-being of the person before the athlete? It's not a difficult question to answer.
There is a need for uniformity and one central leadership role to guide sports at the college level. In other words, the buck stops here. Will we see changes in college sports following COVID-19?
A quick rundown of the ACC women's basketball schedule.
ACC Basketball Scoreboard
ACC/Big Ten Men's Challenge - TuesdayMiami 58 Purdue 54Minnesota 85 Boston College 80 OTOhio State 90 Notre Dame 85Penn State 75 Virginia Tech 55Illinois 83 Duke 68Rutgers 79 Syracuse 69
ACC/Big Ten Men's Challenge - WednesdayClemson 67 Maryland 51Louisville Wisconsin PPDGeorgia Tech 75 Nebraska 64Florida State 69 Indiana 67 OTNC State Michigan PPDMichigan State Virginia PPDPitt Northwestern *LATE
ACC Women's Basketball - WednesdayGeorgia Tech 86 Boston College 68Louisville 73 Duke 49NC State 76 Elon 47
More From ACC Nation
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This week's special guest on ACC Nation Podcast is the Co-Host of the Teel and Barber podcast and ACC Beat Writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mike Barber. Will and Jim talk with Mike about ACC football, basketball, coaches, COVID-19, food and ask, which exit?
How severely has the pandemic hurt athletic programs across the ACC. Mike provides a bigger picture view and thoughts on how long it may take to recover.
What impact the basketball season will have on the question above.
Will the fans be pumped to return to the venues?
Are we still going to be exercising COVID protocols by next year?
Mike Barber
A look at the Clemson vs Virginia Tech game. A 'Keep-Away' strategy on the part of the Hokies.
Talk about a buyout - Is it realistic? The numbers don't add up.
Why putting a team on the field this season is a bigger job than imagined.
If Shane Beamer were to have come to Virginia Tech and fail....what would be the impact?
Twitter Lights Up
What was ABC thinking when they booked a special guest in the middle of the Clemson-Virginia Tech game?
Friends with benefits - Notre Dame and the ACC. What to expect from this Grand Experiment?
The win-win of having the Irish be a part of the ACC football program full-time.
How have the ACC coaches been performing? Who are Mike's three possible candidates for Coach of the Year.
Improvements
Brennan Armstrong continues to step up and lead the Cavaliers offense after injuries decimate the defense.
Missteps - How do two ACC coaches recover? Or will they?
About that exit......
Food, drink, fun.
A nice plug for Perch in Richmond.
What's the word on the ACC Commissioner job? Eyes are looking toward Charlottesville.
ACC Basketball
The dilemma at Virginia is.....teamwork? The Cavaliers are still looking for that 'fire'.
Is Virginia Tech ahead of schedule? Mike Young brings his brand of special to the Hokies.
The list of ACC basketball teams rising in the polls. Who is the sneaky good team to watch out for in the conference? The answer may surprise you.
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How do we rank the efforts of ACC football coaches this season? It's as simple as a thumbs up or a thumbs down. We're more than generous with both. Some you might find perplexing but a team's season speaks for itself. We take a look at the opening week of ACC basketball then review last week's football games plus hear from coaches Tony Bennett, Mike Young, Jeff Hafley and Brian Kelly. You won't want to miss the interesting exchange between Young and beat writer Mark Berman either.
Amidst it all we drop in the latest USCHO ice hockey rankings for men and women.
The opening week of the ACC basketball season started out big in both a positive and negative fashion.
Are fans looking for the coaches head on a platter in Atlanta? Georgia Tech drives into a pothole big enough to suck up an SUV.
Thumbs Up
The 1-point curse. No. 4 Virginia stumbles while Syracuse and Louisville eek out wins by just one.
Virginia Tech pulls out a big win over Villanova to further upset the apple cart at the top of the poll.
The guys relish Richmond knocking off Kentucky.
Tony Bennett talks about the energy level against San Francisco.
A quick look at the first polls (before the new one on Monday) along with some KenPom numbers.
Mike Young with some thoughts on the Hokies' performance against Villanova.
Finger In Your Eye
Roanoke Times beat writer Mark Berman walks into a trap.
ACC Football
The guys take a look at last weekend's conference matchups.
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly begins looking ahead following the win over North Carolina.
Is the ACC a 'friend with benefits' for the Irish?
Weirdness at Syracuse as the game with NC State ends with a head-scratcher.
Clemson rolls Pitt and sends a message they have a chip on their shoulder.
Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley talks about what makes the Eagles successful.
Georgia Tech rolls Duke.
Ranking The Coaches (Get Your Thumb Out)
Who gets a thumbs up? Who gets a thumbs down? Are there coaches that are on hot seats?
Be sure to follow ACC Nation on social media @accnation at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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We plan on carbing you out on this episode of ACC Nation Podcast. While we're at it we go hunting for the perfect Turkey. It was easier than first imagined. We didn't even have to call. On this Thanksgiving show we look at football, basketball, soccer and the NBA Draft. We deliver the bird and there's plenty of stuffing. This family get-together has plenty of opinion and when all is said and done we expect to go home with a slice.
Up first, a look at the NBA Draft and the players out of the ACC that were selected in the first round. Then, who are the top two ranked men's college soccer teams? If you didn't know we'll tell you and one came away with an ACC Championship.
Jerry Palm is out with his latest college men's basketball bracketology. Virginia is a top seed and we'll share the other teams making the bracket.
What's going on in football? The votes are in for the latest Top 25 teams and we'll share where ACC teams stand this week.
Turkey And Stuffing
Will and Jim share their thoughts on the games from this past weekend.
Louisville 30 Syracuse 0
What has Syracuse become? There is a bright spot - Sean Tucker. Social media talk begins to swirl around looking for a new coach.
Louisville. Plenty of talent on offense. Building on defense. Fix the turnovers.
Pitt 47 Virginia Tech 14
'Fugly' 'Pathetic' Hokies drop the ball. What's going on? No, seriously. What is going on at Virginia Tech? Is a buy out on the horizon?
Pitt finds their offensive firepower as Kenny Pickett(s) apart the Hokies D. Did Narduzzi move to a less warm seat with this win?
Virginia 55 Abilene Christian 15
A stat-padder game for the Virginia offense. Rough week on defense. Briggs transfers and Snowden breaks his ankle.
NC State 15 Liberty 14
No 'three-fer' for the Flames against ACC opponents. Cue applause. If there was a warm seat for Dave Doeren it has flipped. Defense rules the roost with a respectable running game on offense.
Two no-performance games - Wake Forest and Duke, Clemson and Florida State.
How engaging your mouth before your brain is a dangerous game to play.
Looking ahead to games this weekend.
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Who is this Twitter persona, 'Phony Bennett'? A Virginia alum, Wahoo men's basketball fan and a social media warrior who is quick of wit. We invited the man behind it all to join us on ACC Nation Podcast to talk about Virginia basketball. Just in case you were wondering, nothing Phony here when it comes to knowing about the program.
Before we talk with our special guest we take a look at ACC sports. First up soccer, the polls and the winner of the ACC Women's Soccer Championship.
We run down the latest AVCA Volleyball poll. Things look pretty good for ACC teams.
What kind of carnage has the pandemic left behind in college sports? A conference cancellation of fall sports, cutting Olympic sports, an ACC men's basketball program is on pause while it's head coach deals with COVID-19 and a former ACC coach says we should be talking about 'May Madness'.
Phony Bennett
First up, a look at what happened in ACC football this past weekend. We start with the latest AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll to see how teams are ranked. There seems to be an issue with one conference team and how they've lost ground in one of the polls.
We review the following games:
Miami @ Virginia TechWake Forest @ North CarolinaLouisville @ VirginiaNC State @ Florida State
The Interview
Basketball and a little moreA possible 3 month ride on Twitter hits it's 8 year strideLooking back at the Virginia championship runWhat Sam Hauser brings to the offenseJay Huff's foul issues - Are they in the past?Depth - Could the front court be a problem?'Unbeefed'Jack Salt 2.0 (The Ummph Factor)How 'it' all began and whyDifference maker? Reece BeekmanClark and Beekman become the new power coupleCasey Morsell - Is he getting ready to step up?The question that every UVA fan hates to answerFavorite memories of Charlottesville (From restaurants to basketball)The JPJ ExperienceThe wonders of ACC Network commercials
Soccer, golf, football and lots of basketball is what Will and Jim offer up on the Sports News 6 episode of ACC Nation. The guys delve into the AP Top 25 for men's and women's basketball and share some thoughts on the ACC teams that are ranked. What does Kihei Clark think of the Wahoos being a top 5 teams this season? Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast and take us with you everywhere 24/7 at ACC Nation Radio.
What's new in ACC sports news?
Teams are set for the ACC Women's Soccer Championship SemifinalsACC golfers tee up for a shot at the 2020 Masters Golf TournamentMore and more COVID 19 related postponements in college footballThe first college basketball game falls victim and it involves an ACC teamNot so good news from Mike Norvell at Florida State regarding a number of playersWho are the top 5 teams in the AP Top 25?What does Kihei Clark think of Virginia being ranked No. 4?How does the ACC media predict teams to finish?Find out who the Preseason ACC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year areThoughts on Seth Greenberg's ACC 'sleeper team'Which ACC women's basketball teams are in the AP Top 25?
Sports News 6
Be sure to listen to our interview with ESPN College Basketball Analyst Seth Greenberg and hear his thoughts on the coming season.
Look at the early KenPom numbers for ACC teams.
On this short form podcast, Sports News 5, we touch on the latest from the ACC. We've got updates on championship action in field hockey and soccer. Who are the top ranked teams in men's and women's basketball? You'll find out. Seth Greenberg shares a thought on conference favorite Virginia and their keys to success. Plus, find out where and when you can watch conference coaches and players talk about the upcoming basketball season.
North Carolina and Louisville battled it out for a conference titleWhich women's teams move on in the ACC Soccer Championship?Find out when the men begin play and who the top seeds areThe AP Top 25 polls are out for men's and women's basketball. Who are the ranked teams from the ACC?How did an ACC Blue Ribbon Panel rank women's basketball?You won't want to miss the ACC Women's Basketball Tipoff and Men's Operation Basketball.
Sports News 5
Be sure to listen to the entire interview with ESPN College Basketball Analyst Seth Greenberg on ACC Nation Podcast. Click for a direct download. Want more? Subscribe and have the podcast delivered to you automatically when each episode drops.
Keep up with the latest from ACC Nation Radio wherever you go and available 24/7.
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Our special guest on ACC Nation this week is two-time ACC men's basketball Coach of the Year and ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg. His intelligent, passionate approach to the game he loves translates just as well on television as it ever did on the court. Coach Greenberg starts us off talking about the ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 5. We touch on his journey from coaching to becoming an analyst. Then a look at the Top 25 ACC teams and select conference teams (including his sleeper).
We start things off with a rundown of sports news from the ACC. Find out who captured the ACC Field Hockey Championship. We've got the dates for the ACC Women's Soccer Championship. Plus, for out of conference sports fans we've got the latest preseason Ice Hockey polls.
We jump into football with a look at the latest college football polls from the AP and USA Today. There are three ACC teams in the top 10 this week and a handful receiving votes.
Seth Greenberg
Will and Jim run down the weekend's football action from the ACC and have some choice words for officiating crews and coaches.
You'll find out which three teams are, as of today, still in the running for a shot at the ACC Football Championship.
The guys wrap up their segment with a look ahead and some of the games on the schedule.
Check out the latest rankings in our piece, 'Playoff Shakeup? - College Football Top 25'. Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast and take ACC Nation Radio with your everywhere 24/7.
There's a whole lot of sports packed into this episode. Hold on to your hat.
Our thanks to Nick LoPinto of The Montag Group for his efforts in making things happen behind the scenes.
The Greenberg segment begins at :44 in the episode.
This week's episode, Sports News 4 is chocked full of news about fall sports. Everything from ACC Championships, NCAA Championships in 2021, basketball and football. There's a lot on the plate as the guys discuss ACC basketball, too. You'll find out information on ACC Operation Basketball and the ACC Women's Basketball Tipoff. We didn't forget the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. We share the ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25 poll for men's basketball and re-visit Joe Lunardi's Bracketology from early October.
Before we get into the latest ACC football news we update you on Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball. The winners (team and individual) of the ACC Cross Country Championships and the latest polls for men and women.
Then a quick look at the ACC Field Hockey Championship, the ACC Men's and Women's Soccer Championships. We've got the latest soccer polls and the AVCA Volleyball Poll.
Be sure to subscribe to ACC Nation Podcast so you receive the latest episode delivered in a method best suited to your needs. If you already subscribe via a podcast platform, we'd appreciate you rating the show.
Sports News 4
Before we get too deep into the football portion of the program you'll want to check out the latest from KenPom. We include the Top 25 and a look at Dickie V's Preseason All-American list which is suspiciously short of ACC players.
After the guys run down the aforementioned ACC Basketball they dive into ACC Football. First up on the list of tasty tidbits are the bowl berths that await conference teams. There are new names, a new bowl, some postponements and a substitution to flesh out. Then it's on to the AP Top 25, a look at the past weekend of action and some thoughts on this weekend.
Don't forget to get the latest schedule at Times, Teams, TV and compare notes with the ACC Nation Power Poll.
Listen to the latest programs on ACC Nation Radio by clicking here. We're available 24/7 on your smartphone, tablet or desktop.
Special guest on this week's episode of ACC Nation is Mike Vukovcan of Pittsburgh Sports Now. Mike shares his thoughts on Pitt football and we broach the question of hot seat status across the board. Fans aren't happy and the question is, are the alumni ready to pitch in the bucks to buy out a contract? Will it go that far now or will it be addressed at the end of the season?
First, we take a look at the latest polls starting with college football in the AP Top 25. Who are the top 5 in the nation? Which ACC teams remain ranked this week? Which team is receiving votes just outside the Top 25?
Then it's the United Soccer Coaches Poll of men's and women's college soccer. The ACC tops both sides and is well represented overall. A look at the AVCA Volleyball poll has one conference team in the top 5 and several in the rankings this week.
Mike Vukovcan
The guys review the ACC football weekend looking at performances, rolling off some stats and sharing their thoughts on the outcome of games.
Our guest, Mike Vukovcan shared his thoughts on Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi in this opinion piece at Pittsburgh Sports Now. Mike's Twitter response to the outcome of the Notre Dame-Pitt game, along with many fans prompted us to reach out to him.
What happened against Notre Dame - "An embarrassment"Has Pat Narduzzi had enough time?Will AD Heather Lyke have patience or demand a correction?The buyout may be too steepIs change imminent?Playing scared and quitting doesn't go over well Analyzing the coordinator hiresMoving from a running attack to a passing game under WhippleWhat is the answer?
Lead Or Get Out Of The Way
Taking applications from innovative offensive coordinatorsAnswering the question - Why do QB's run to the sideline to talk with Whipple?Are other teams really trying to steal Pitt's offensive calls?Calling Comcast - Pitt fans aren't happy with youBucking the Boss - Don't do it unless you have another job waitingWhat is really going on with Kenny Pickett?Sifting through the rumorsTherapy sessionBreaking down the Pitt defensive break downAll or nothing approach tests the corners
Is That All There Is?
Why no, no it's not. Let's talk basketballThe excitement about what Jeff Capel brings to the programThe slow build as Capel brings in 'his guys'Putting the pieces together - one recruiting class away from successThe importance of developing playersGuard strength is a big key this season
The Editor-In-Chief of Carolina Blitz, Vashti Hurt joins us to talk about the Tar Heels, Wolfpack, Blue Devils and Panthers. Our primary focus is on the North Carolina-Florida State game. What went right and what went wrong? Where do the Tar Heels go from here? We take a look at some of the playmakers and how Mack Brown has taken this team to new levels.
But first, Will and Jim break down the games from this past weekend and share thoughts on the good, the bad and some real ugly in the ACC. There are some hard questions ahead for programs that want to continue to build. Yes, that includes looking at coaching changes.
Did Dabo put the pedal to the metal against Georgia Tech?Social media pundits want to push out Geoff Collins.....already?Speaking of pundits some (tongue-in-cheek?) want to boot Syracuse from the ACC after their loss to Liberty.Hot seat alert - 'Clemsoning' is long gone but 'Pitting the bed' may have arrivedMidway through the season and the best the Irish can produce is a 5 point win over Louisville. What's going on here? Two wrongs don't make a right.Who is this Wolfpack team and where are they headed? Hot seat alert - Is it time to move on in Durham?Virginia discovers 'burnt toast' in their secondary. Wake Forest continues to surprise.North Carolina sleep walks through the first half and wakes up too little, too late in the second against a reinvigorated Florida State.Watch out, here comes a healthy Hokies team hitting on all cylinders.
Vashti Hurt
Talking North CarolinaWhat happened in Tallahassee? Florida State set the tone and it included a buzz-sawThree dropped passes put a lid on the comebackPushing each other in practice - the success behind the Running Back duoThe arrival of Carolina Blitz - the journeyWhich guy would you let date your sister?Podcast, radio....where to listenWho's the Goat?My nickname was 'Barkley'The North Carolina defense struggles to create turnoversChazz Surratt - An eye for the ballSam Howell - Still in the running for the Heisman?Talking about Mack BrownOut on a limb with a saw - North Carolina vs Notre DameLooking aheadNC State - injuriesDisrespect - Early oddsPreviewing Carolina sports - What to look forward toWhere's the hoops schedule?
Points For Zoom Set-Ups
On the right side of Vashti's AuntWill's place is party central
Brett Ciancia, the publisher of Pick Six Previews joins us on ACC Nation Podcast to talk about the big picture of college football. Where do things stand so far with the conferences that are playing? What impact will the next conferences to come on board with their seasons have upon the playoff picture? So many questions and Brett has plenty of answers. You don't want to miss this episode. Be sure to subscribe.
Coming up this week we have the latest men's and women's soccer rankings, volleyball poll, ACC Nation Power Poll and Pigskin Picks.
A quick look at the latest AP Top 25 for college football starts out the weekly ACC football review. Will and Jim toss in some random thoughts and opinions galore along the way.
Brett Ciancia
We wanted to get Brett on to talk about all things college football as we're well into the season. What's going on not only in the ACC but also the SEC, Big 12, AAC and some thoughts on the Big Ten and PAC 12 as well.
Clemson belongs right where they areNorth Carolina lives up to expectationsThe conference coaches are worthy of mentionIs Travis Etienne an early Heisman favorite?A closer look at the performance of Clemson thus farSam Howell is a dark horse Heisman candidateNorth Carolina looks like a playoff contender
Other Conferences - SEC
Florida's defensive implosionSome struggles - LSU, AlabamaLockdown defense - Georgia
Big 12
Sun Belt losses hurt the conferenceLast hope - Oklahoma StateNo playoff teams?
AAC
A number of teams ranked but not likely to make the playoffsThe need to punch-up with teams in the Power 5
Independents
BYU is delivering on offense and defenseIs this a top 15 team?
PAC 12
Is Oregon still the team to beat?USC may be a contenderTalking about Cal's defense
Big Ten
The Buckeyes and everyone else?Keep an eye on Penn StateIndiana is moving upBig questions in the West
Questions - Answers
Most impressive start for a new coachFreudian slip by Will?Whose job has been saved by the pandemic?Most disappointing team so far and can they turn it around?Craziest games so far this season
More ACC Breakdown
What's going on with Louisville?Has Florida State found their QB?
How To Keep Up
What's it take to cover college football for Pick Six Previews?
College Football Playoffs
Brett talks about who he thinks should make it to the playoffs. Will we have two teams from a conference this season? And, what conference might that be?
Breaking down Notre Dame and if they'll make the playoffs. How much do the Irish want another shot at a national championship title?
Looking Forward To 2021
Find out how you can get Pick Six Previews. What goes into producing the final product and what you'll get.
Our thanks to Brett Ciancia, Publisher of Pick Six Previews for joining us and sharing a snapshot of the college football season so far. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @PickSixPreviews.
Read More From ACC Nation
On this week's episode of ACC Nation Podcast we're joined by special guest Ryan Kantor of TigerNet and SB Nation's Shakin The Southland. There's plenty of talk about when it comes to Clemson football. Plus, we do our weekly review of ACC football games and provide some sports news from around the conference. So, if you're an ACC fan come join us and be sure to subscribe so you'll get the latest sent directly to your email or favorite platform. And don't forget, ACC Nation Radio is always available 24/7 and is ideal for streaming at work or on long trips.
We start with a quick update of ACC sports news. The AVCA Volleyball poll is stuffed full of ACC teams in this short season. Out of 15 spots the conference populates six.
A new United Soccer Coaches Poll is coming out this week and we'll have the men's and women's rankings here on the website.
What's new in ACC football? Check out the latest ACC Nation Power Poll and college football rankings.
Ryan Kantor
Wake Forest has a 'stat padder' game with Campbell. CBS is more than a television network.How a cookie can divert a conversation in the blink of an eyeWe've implemented a new 'phrase' within the ACC - PittingAll eyes turn toward Pat NarduzziNC State earns an upset win - Watch this QB!North Carolina shakes off the rust and faces a challenging Boston CollegeWTH Virginia Tech? 'This is something that needs to be addressed'Duke reduces the mistakes and improves their performanceFlorida State finds their heart and soul in a struggle with Jacksonville StClemson and Virginia answer questions and also raise a fewConsistency on offense and defense is beginning to show in the ACC
Let's Talk Clemson Football
Thoughts on the Clemson-Virginia gameWhy Ryan was 'underwhelmed' by the Tigers performance Was the offensive line an issue?Clemson notoriously starts slow and builds - Why the Virginia game was importantLack of focus or is that who they are? Clemson extremely efficient in converting 3rd and longWhat's the status of Justyn Ross?Travis Etienne improves his receiving capabilitiesRunning back depth - How things have changedDefense - Freshmen Sack Machine
Changing Lanes
How to properly pronounce, 'Dabo'Brent Venables - The futureThe BBQ battle beginsWelcome to The Smokin PigThe LB's are the current strength on defenseSome weaknesses against the Virginia passSpecial teams - Kicking
Challenges
Will D'Eriq King's running game present a challenge?The Canes player to watch - Cam'Ron HarrisWill Miami pull out the turnover chain? A little 'smack talk'This presents as a 'stiffer test'Clemson's offensive line vs the Miami defensive lineThe crowd influence at Death Valley
Thanks to Ryan Kantor from TigerNet and SB Nation's Shakin The Southland for spending some time with us and talking about Clemson. Be sure to follow Ryan on Twitter @ryan_kantor.
Read More From ACC Nation
Special guests this week on ACC Nation Podcast are Jeff and Matthew from All Sports Discussion. We've got an extra helping of ACC football and much more. After a rundown of the past weekend's conference action we talk with the guys about the two Tech's. Jeff breaks down what's happening at Georgia Tech. Matthew dissects Virginia Tech. If you like ACC football, you'll love this episode.
We start off with a look at the polls for soccer. The ACC is dominating both the men's and women's side. Then we move on to the latest AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches' Poll. Next, a quick look at the ESPN FPI. Then, to light a Tiger's tail on fire we share the Allstate Playoff Predictor. We have a feeling that list will end up on the wall in the Clemson locker room.
Will is a frequent guest on the All Sports Discussion podcast. We've also had both Jeff and Matthew on the show before. As always we appreciate the guys joining us. Even though everyone's schedules were challenged this week and Matthew was in North Dakota it all came together. There was more (timewise) than usual but when it's good content you keep it all.
Jeff And Matthew
After the opening round up of ACC sports news Will and Jim jump into the latest football action with a review of the games.
We start off with Jeff (Begins at 32:09) with an in-depth rundown of what he sees out of Georgia Tech. Will Geoff Collins fix the little things?
The Matthew (Begins at 56:25) shares his thoughts on how the Hokies are performing after one game and what he's sees for the future.
On this episode of ACC Nation Podcast there's plenty of sports to talk about and we dig up some extra for good measure. From the NCAA Woman of the Year to basketball to football action we've got it covered. Olympic sports got underway in the ACC. The Big Ten sets their starting date for football. The PAC12 may do the same this week. And, Jim even admits to being a doofus on a podcast and Will agrees.
What else are we talking about? ACC men's golfers playing the U.S. Golf Open Championship, basketball tournaments and what makes them special. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Louisville 'Bubble', why South Dakota may not see Duke and aside from the beer scene, Asheville ain't Maui.
Breaking down the AP Top 25 from the top 5 to teams receiving votes we look at where the ACC lines up. Who's getting First Place Votes this week and who might next week?
Doofus On A Podcast
Breaking down the games from the weekend's ACC schedule. Were there surprises? Yes, and we explain who, what and why.
Boston College 26 Duke 6Pitt 21 Syracuse 10Notre Dame 52 USF 0UCF 49 Georgia Tech 21Clemson 49 The Citadel 0Miami 47 Louisville 34NC State 45 Wake Forest 42
Looking at last week's ACC Nation Power Poll and some thoughts on where teams may be this week.
Previewing the upcoming week of ACC football -
Louisville at PittNotre Dame at Wake ForestGeorgia Tech at SyracuseDuke at VirginiaTexas State at Boston CollegeFlorida State at MiamiNC State at Virginia Tech
Read More From ACC Nation
Special guests this week on ACC Nation Podcast/Radio are Les Johns and Scott Hamilton. Johns, the Publisher of Demon Deacon Digest talks with us about the pluses in the Wake Forest football program. Never to miss an opportunity we also ask about Steve Forbes, the new men's basketball coach for the Deacs. Hamilton, a veteran columnist and radio host joins us in the second half to share thoughts on the ACC football weekend and some games that are coming up. You won't want to miss Johns and Hamilton on this week's episode.
Right off the bat we get a 'taste' for North Carolina BBQ with Les giving a plug to Bibs in Winston-Salem.
A look at the positions of strength -
The wide receiversQuarterback playDeveloping Quarterback talentBuilding a relationship with wide receiversInsight into the running gameWhy Wake Forest programs fly under the radar nationallyWhat makes special teams so special?
Then we move over to the Wake Forest men's basketball team and the addition of Steve Forbes. Les drops a tease for an interesting story involving Forbes that he's working on.
Who is the expected leading scorer?Building the future through recruiting - is COVID19 slowing up the process?The facilities are a great selling tool
What Les considers to be 'great music' wraps up the interview.
Johns And Hamilton
Our next guest, Scott Hamilton brings his wit to our review of the weekend's games in the ACC.
Miami over UAB - D'Eriq King delivers but are there still weaknesses?North Carolina over Syracuse - Should we have expected more from the Orange?How many teams would love to have Tommy DeVito?Georgia Tech is a team on the rise. Should anyone be shocked by the win?Is Florida State what they used to be under Bobby Bowden?Pitt opens with a big win. Can the Panthers keep the offense rolling?Notre Dame comes up with a win against Duke. Brice looks good at QB for the Blue Devils. Ian Book delivers for the Irish.It's difficult to gauge teams this early in 'this season' but we weigh both teams as evenly as possible.Faustian dealsLouisville delivers on opening day. Satterfield is a people person. Is the coming challenger to Clemson?Clemson and Wake Forest - Is Dave Clawson one of the best coaches in America? Will the Demon Deacons pick up 7 or 8 wins?
ACC Nation Podcast - Football
Then we jump forward to take a look at some of the games on the schedule. A few quick previews -
Miami at Louisville - This game is the start of the ACC season. This should be Game Day material.UCF and Georgia Tech - Yes there was a win....butBoston College at Duke - Don't bet against David Cutcliffe.
A serious note about how COVID19 has impacted sports media.
With a little experience on a fairway or two we ask Scott what his favorite golf course is and he doesn't hesitate.
Read More From ACC Nation
At the end of their time recording this episode of ACC Nation Podcast, Will said to Jim, we talked about a whole lotta nothing. Well, there must be something of interest they discussed, right? Yes, no and maybe. If you're looking for some thoughts on college football then probably. There's only one way to find out.
The guys share a phone number for you to call with your opinions, questions or shout outs. Be sure to put it to good use. You could be their next guest on the program.
On the program -
The American College Football Top 30ESPN's FPIUSA Today Preseason Coaches PollAP Preseason Top 25Why certain teams shouldn't be included in the pollsWhere ACC teams rankA quick look at the first week of ACC football
Whole Lotta Nothing
With COVID-19 throwing a wrench into the works college football got off to a start this past weekend with an FCS game. Was it perfect? No, but it was football and we should all be celebrating.
The normal kick-off for the ACC is out the window and we'll have to focus on a Labor Day weekend (Monday night) game between BYU and Navy. It should be a great match-up.
Miami gets the honors of starting conference action this year as they host UAB on Thursday, September 10.
We'll be sure to share the complete teams, times and television schedule with you as the games approach.
Coming up this week a look at the updated ESPN FPI and the ACC preseason all-conference team and predicted finish of teams (media).
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Would you like to have the podcast delivered to you each week? It's as simple as choosing your favorite platform or having it sent to you via email. Take your pick here. You can also listen to ACC Nation Radio 24/7 here.
We were looking for a different kind of experience for this week's ACCNation Podcast. So, we turned to the guys from Cardinal Sports Zone Podcast. There's lots to talk about when it comes to Louisville sports. We got what we asked for (different) and, dare we say, a lot more. Sure, we talked about football, basketball, baseball but there were lots of other things, too. So many things that you'll simply have to listen to the show because we're at a loss of words on how to describe it.
We've had Jeremy Wahman on the podcast to talk about Louisville sports before and he's an excellent guest. With the pandemic we felt an overwhelming need to do something a bit different this time when it came to our Louisville preview. So, not only did we invite Jeremy back but we also asked for his crew from CSZ Podcast (subscribe and listen) to join us as well.
So this week we have the pleasure of hosting Jeremy, Shawn, Dalton, Joey, Sam and Higgy. Will and Jim had several conversations before this all came together about how they were going to pull this off. There's the technical challenge, there's the who gets asked what dilemma and, of course, would things go totally off the rails? All these questions and more are answered on this episode. Needless to say, it was a lot of fun.
Cardinal Sports Zone
Will there be a season and why?The financial impactBreaking down footballThe offense, defense, special teams and recruitingWhere will the wins come from?How Lamar Jackson is still helping the teamA taste of what makes CSZ fun to listen toSome suggestions on where to eatWhat to expect at the Yum CenterIs Louisville headed to the CWS?
Read These ACCNation Sports Stories
Our confirmed special guest could not join us to talk about Virginia Tech sports but that didn't hold us back any. Jim, Will and our ACCNation Photographer, Dave Wolpert (who calls Roanoke home) have some thoughts on Hokies football. Plus, some comments on the NCAA and the job Mike Young is doing with the Virginia Tech basketball program. A little bit of a wing and a prayer at the last moment but lots of interesting points and definitely fun as Dave joins us for the first time on the podcast.
Some quick notes on the changing of the guard at North Carolina as Mike Fox departs as head coach of Tar Heels baseball. Find out more in the links below.
Subscribe To ACC Nation Podcast
The continuing discussion is, are we going to have a season? While the guys were recording Twitter was hot with athletes who are becoming more vocal by the day that they want to play. Meanwhile, the P5 conferences look more and more like they won't. There's two down and only the Big 12, SEC and ACC remain standing. Before breaking down Hokies football in detail the subject of Raheem Blackshear receiving his NCAA waiver to play comes up. Needless to say there's little love lost when it comes to the organization.
Hokies Football
What's up with Justin Fuente? Will he stay, will he go? The answer may be in Will's analysis which makes it much harder for coaches to leave lucrative contracts in a COVID world.
The offensive line is 'road grader' good. How a plethora of returning starters will make all the difference in the world for the success of the offense.
There's lots of potential and a whole lot of returning starters lining up on the offensive side of the ball. The biggest question is at running back. Will it be a committee approach or will one player stand out?
Is it possible there may be a battle at quarterback or does Hendon Hooker have it locked up?
The receiving corps may have lost some players but those that step up have tons of potential.
Defense
The looming question on this side of the ball is who is Justin Hamilton as a coach and what does he bring to the program?
Caleb Farley may be gone but this side of Hokies football is stout. There's more than one player to contend with in the linebacking corps.
Virginia Tech's defense only has (aside from the loss of Farley) one projected starter that wasn't a starter last year. Breaking down the line, linebackers, corners and safeties.
Special Teams
Cool as a cucumber - this unit brings back experience and consistency. Sometimes that's all you need to win games in college football.
The guys look at the schedule and project where they see wins/losses.
Hokies Basketball
Mike Young is building a program. What does it look like in the coming season?
Brad Franklin, the Publisher and Managing Editor of Cavs Corner (Part of the Rivals Network) joins us on ACCNation Podcast. If you're looking for a breakdown of Virginia basketball and football you've found your treasure trove of information. On this episode we look at what Tony Bennett brings to the ACC and NCAA discussion this season. Then we analyze Bronco Mendenhall's program and what can be expected from the Cavaliers this year.
Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite writers made their way to where they are today? Before touching on sports we delve into Franklin's journey to CavsCorner.
Basketball
The surreal aspect of Virginia basketball's national championship. What it took for Tony Bennett to get the team to overcome a loss to UMBC and fight their way back the next year.
Will there be a change in the minutes played by Kihei Clark this season? How does Reece Beekman fit into the picture?
How Jay Huff and Sam Hauser compliment each other.
Is this Virginia team ripe for bringing home another national championship title?
At what point did Virginia basketball 'turn the corner'?
How winning impacts recruiting. The pandemic and how it has changed the process.
Brad Franklin
Football
The steps to success and how it is paying off on the recruiting trail.
What is the bread and butter of this year's team? Breaking down the defense.
Are people are underestimating Virginia after the loss of Bryce Perkins?
Special teams raises some questions. Who's punting? Who's replacing Joe Reed on returns?
Who are the grad transfers and how will they impact the offense?
Can the offensive line open up space to get the running game going?
The Stress Factor
What happens when you go shopping at the Mall of America?
Who's 'Your Guy'?
Our thanks to Brad Franklin for joining us. Looking for more coverage of Virginia basketball and football? Visit and follow Cavs Corner.
Wilson and Cramer from SB Nation are our special guests on ACCNation Podcast this week. That's Mike Wilson of Cardiac Hill discussing Pitt football and basketball and Jeff Cramer of From The Rumble Seat to talk about Georgia Tech football. We take a look at some of the bigger stories in sports as well before delving into our interviews.
One of those stories involves Clemson AD Dan Radakovich testifying (remotely) before a Senate sub-committee. It felt as if shots were fired across the bow (audio) during the hearing on Integrity of College Athletics chaired by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.
Pitt AD Heather Lyke also testified in regard to the impact of gambling upon college sports.
Wilson And Cramer
Our first guest is Mike Wilson of Cardiac Hill who drops by to discuss both Pitt football and basketball.
Some thoughts on if there will be a college football seasonThe key(s) to Pitt succeeding in the ACCThere are some important pieces on offense....will they step up?Important vote(s) of confidence in Pat NarduzziPromising QB's in the stableWhat part of this team will click first?Will the Panthers deliver the best defense in the ACC?
Pitt Football
Breaking down the defense and talking about the role playersSpecial teams players - Kicking, Punting, ReturnWhat if's - Is there an advantage or disadvantage playing in the spring?The Notre Dame questionShared opinions
Pitt Basketball
Breaking down the rosterHow fans feel about Jeff CapelThe players that left and the players that step upUnduly influenced
Georgia Tech Football
Our second guest writes for From The Rumble Seat, Jeff Cramer breaks down the Yellow Jackets.
Jim and Louisville fans salivateAnalyzing the strengths of Georgia TechBreaking down the defense - SecondaryThe DL - short on returning starters but plenty of experienceLooking at the linebacking corps
Special Teams
A kicking game in fluxLimited practice time during the spring - will it hurt?Monster punting - and he knows how to throw as wellReturns - split set
Yellow Jackets
The family football splitThose 'Dawgs'Looking closer at the coaching staffRecruiting notes
Getting Excited About The Offense
Moving from the experiment to 'their program'Checking out the QB'sRunning, Passing - The StandoutsHow the OL can make all the differenceThoughts on whether there will be a fall or spring schedule
Our thanks to both Mike Wilson and Jeff Cramer for joining us on ACCNation Podcast to talk about football and more. One fun fact worthy of mentioning - this was the first podcast experience for both gentlemen. They did a great job and we look forward to having them join us again.
On this episode of ACCNation Podcast we are joined by Thomas Shults of Orange Fizz and Kevin Connelly of Ball Durham. Shults and Connelly bring us up-to-date on Syracuse and Duke football, basketball and more. The countdown is on. Will we have a college football season? Both guests have thoughts on the topic right up front.
Contrary to some hog slop that a select group of dimwits are trying to feed sports fans, the media definitely wants the season. But, it's got to be done smart and with the health of all involved considered. We can say with certainty that everyone at ACCNation wants all sports to return. To top that comment off, we collectively have never heard anyone in sports say otherwise.
Shults And Connelly
Thomas Shults - Orange Fizz
Why St. Louis and Los Angeles?Will there be a fall college football season?New Offensive Coordinator will ties to Baber takes over. The pass is the name of the game.Keys to success for Tommy DeVito starts with the offensive line.Is DeVito a dual threat quarterback?The running backs.The wide receivers.A look at the defense and where there were short-comings last year.New Defensive Coordinator has lots to work with in the secondary.
What If?
If things don't start to shake loose over the next two season is Dino Babers on a hot seat?The performance of AD John Wildhack.A look at one of the top safeties in college football, Andre Cisco.Special teams and the next man up.
Basketball And Other Things
What's Jim Boeheim's magic when it comes to recruiting.The guards, the shooting game and how it's coming together.When and if Jim Boeheim retires, who's up next?If you could pick any coach out of all that are active who would you choose to be next up at Syracuse? (Watch out Louisville and Virginia).Quentin Hillsman is bringing in a loaded women's basketball team.Will Tiana Mangakahia return?A look at Syracuse lacrosse.
Kevin Connelly - Ball Durham
How to keep busy during the summer months. Like baseball? The harsh reality of no season slowly settles in.A potential ACC schedule that includes Notre Dame has David Cutcliffe sending mixed messages.Will the Irish eventually become a full-fledged member of the ACC?What will the season look like with all of the expected changes?How being known as a 'basketball' school may keep the heat off the football program.
Career Moves
Coming to Ball Durham.The turnovers that hurt last year, are they going by the wayside?A difference maker fills the quarterback slot.Is there enough time for Clemson transfer Chase Brice to absorb all of David Cutcliffe's offense?Deon Jackson and Noah Grey bring a dearth of talent at Running Back and Tight End. But, what about the rest of the receiving corps?Why Coach Cut is taking over the offensive play-calling.
Strengths
The Blue Devils defense is poised to give opponents fits.Getting after the quarterback. How the line sets the tone.The secondary is stacked and will not be a soft target.Special teams turnover. Plenty of questions.Where will the wins come from on the schedule as it stands?
Recruiting For The Future
Aggressive recruiting is netting positive results.Kara Lawson comes to Duke. A solid hire.Time is on the side of the basketball season.What will Duke men's basketball look like this season?Who do you think will take over when Coach K retires?The timeline for when that might happen.It's a wrap!
Our special guest on this episode of ACCNation Podcast is the owner/editor of BC Bulletin, AJ Black. The burning question everyone is dealing with across the college athletic landscape is, will there be football. We'll touch on that along with many other sports in the Boston College wheelhouse
As always we jump into some of the major headlines of ACC sports and they include the following:
A new women's basketball coach has been named at DukeThe ACC slow rolls the debut of select conference sportsWhen will the conference make a decision on football?
Be sure to subscribe and listen to the special guests we have on ACCNation Podcast or listen on ACCNation Radio.
AJ Black
What are we talking about this week?
Will there be a season and why?Reflecting on the addition of Notre Dame to a special schedule. Jeff Hafley brings energy to Boston College football.Analyzing the offense. Will there be changes?The quarterback situation - will there be an NCAA waiver?Are we 100% sure about the QB's name?AJ knows 'a guy'Phil Jurkovec may be the game-changer the Eagles need.Street & Smith's rank Boston College 5th in the Atlantic
Staff Changes
Hafley brings college and NFL experience to the table. So do his offensive and defensive coordinators.Will fans and the administration give the new regime time to succeed?The defense was woefully inadequate last season. What will make a difference?Both the linebacking corps and secondary will step up this year. Will the defensive line?Kicking and special teams. Building toward consistency.
New AD
Martin Jarmond starts the ball rolling. Patrick Kraft takes over. The biggest challenges are fund-raising and addressing men's basketball.Improving facilities to match others in the ACC.Jim Christian is clearly on a hot-seat this season.The Under Armour deal - where does it stand with Boston College?
Basketball
The talent on the roster and transfers coming in that may make a difference.Where's the scoring coming from?A turn-around for the women's basketball program. Building excitement among fans.
Ice Hockey
Boston College suffers a slump over the past few years but it looks like they are returning to their former stature.
Wicked Awesome Finish
Dunk's and hair cuts.
A looming question in college sports is, ball or no ball? We'll share some sobering statistics regarding COVID 19 and college football. What will it be like if the football season moves to a January start? Remember your dad's stories about walking uphill both ways in the snow in order to get to school? Plus, there's some information out of Texas that you may find helpful when it comes to coronavirus.
What else is on the menu in this episode of ACCNation Podcast? We'll share some interesting numbers for ACC football teams and discuss if it will make a difference.
The name changes in store for a couple of professional teams looms large. Washington and Cleveland are taking a swing at it first. Is it upsetting fans? Not as much as some would lead you to believe.
Uphill Both Ways
A close up look at how COVID 19 may impact not only college football and basketball players but also their coaches.
Will and Jim look at Street and Smith's preseason Top 25 and where ACCNation teams stand.
We'll take a look at the Heisman Trophy Watch and who may be a dark horse candidate. And we'll take a peek at the transfer quarterbacks expected to make an immediate impact.
There may be a question or two regarding whether college teams play this fall but we're moving ahead with our annual football previews. Joining us this weekend will be A.J. Black. A.J. is the owner/editor of BC Bulletin which is part of the Sports Illustrated family. Listen to the podcast to hear some of the other guests we'll have in the coming weeks.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, follow us on your favorite platform or catch up ACC sports by listening to ACCNation Radio.
Keep up with Will on Twitter @WillsWorldMN and Jim @ACCTheQ.
On this episode of ACC Nation Podcast/Radio we take a look at the preseason ACC Nation Power Poll. Plus the latest Pick Six Previews' Top 25 and how ACC Nation teams are ranked. We toss in Athlon Sports' Top 50 college football players to give you a taste of what's to come. Then, a look at the number of AD's in the ACC with the gravitas that it takes to become commissioner.
With the latest COVID 19 reports going south there is concern that some teams may be in a bad spot. We highly recommend wearing a mask especially if you expect sports to return anytime soon.
In the coming weeks we'll be talking with the likes of A.J. Black about Boston College and Mike McDaniel about Virginia Tech as our annual football previews crank up. At the same time we'll sneak in some great information from sports publications. On the list, Athlon Sports, Lindy's and Street & Smiths to help round out your knowledge base.
Brett Ciancia at Pick Six Previews has brought out the salty dogs. His annual Top 25 and review of teams stirs the pot.
Gravitas
Who are the ACC Nation players in Athlon Sports' Top 50 college football players list? We run down the list which has a nice mix of offensive and defensive players. Who are the four quarterbacks that have made the list?
It takes gravitas to make things come together, to make things happen as an ACC Commissioner. John Swofford has proven that he has it. We look at the list of potential candidates that may replace Swofford next year. Gravitas is in full display with these individuals.
As a sidebar the guys look at adding a new team or two to the conference. The new financial realities brought about by the pandemic may necessitate some geographic shifts. Who would you add?
Some thoughts on John Swofford and what he has delivered for the ACC.
On this week's episode our special guest is Christopher Dodson of Forbes Sports. Dodson provides insight into the legal maneuverings involving Zion Williamson and Gina Ford. What's on the line? Reputations and at least $100 million in damages. The case heads back to North Carolina after flirting briefly with the legal system in Florida.
Will and Jim take a look at Boston College's new Athletic Director and what he brings to the table. Then, the guys break down the latest Joe Lunardi college men's basketball bracket. To wrap things up, with the college football season looking more and more likely to begin on time the guys take a look at multiple early Top 25 polls and how ACC Nation teams stack up.
Be sure to read more about Zion Williamson from Christopher Dodson at Forbes and subscribe to the podcast, Protect The Nest at Apple Podcasts.
Christopher Dodson Talks Zion
The latest legal motions in Florida and North Carolina.
When did allegations of wrong-doing begin?
Why the case is coming back to North Carolina.
How do shoe companies come into play?
What's Duke's role?
The role Zion plays in helping the New Orleans Pelicans become a title contender.
Boston College
The Eagles have a new AD. Who is it and what do they bring to the table?
It's 2015 and the question is, who is Cammy Leech?
Who are the projected number one seeds in the latest Lunardi Bracket?
Mike Krzyzewski and Brian Kelly are about to get hit hard by an IRS ruling. Dabo? Not so much.
Top 25 Football
A look at Athlon's early rankings of college football.
What ACC Nation teams are in the poll and why?
A total of 6 polls and each with a different idea of how teams are ranked.
Be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast or internet radio platform. And follow us on social media at accnation.
This week's special guests on ACC Nation Podcast include Virginia Rowing head coach Kevin Sauer and NunesMagician.com Managing Editor, John Cassillo. Coach Sauer gives a look at what it takes to be a competitive rower at the Division I level and we find out what is behind his success. John Cassillo talks about Dino Babers, Jim Boeheim and how Syracuse will find success on the field and court this season.
If you're not familiar with the sport of rowing this is a great opportunity to get a feel it from one of the best coaches in the country. Coach Sauer likens the teamwork to having synchronized golfers swinging away on a surf board.
What kind of athlete makes for an ideal rower?
When do the athletes that make up rowing begin to come into their own?
How did Coach Sauer get into rowing and what drew him to Virginia?
What's next for the program and what Sauer would do if he 'hung up his oars'?
Sauer And Cassillo
Our second special guest, John Cassillo talks about Syracuse football, basketball and the challenges for the athletic program.
Will Tommy DeVito finally start living up to his 4 star expectations?
Why opponents would be unwise to sleep on a re-emerging 'Cuse.
Speaking of sleeping on teams, John discusses what Jim Boeheim brings to the ACC next season.
Will Coach Boeheim ever leave the game?
Syracuse women's basketball slowly builds toward greatness.
The financial struggles due to COVID 19 and how AD John Wildhack is meeting the challenge.
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Our special guest on ACC Nation Podcast/Radio this week is former NC State guard Aislinn Konig, perhaps better known as 'Ace'. We had the opportunity to Zoom chat with Konig from her home in British Columbia about her basketball journey. It's a fascinating story that is far from over. The bump in the road that COVID-19 presents is merely a new challenge to be overcome. After listening to our conversation we think you'll come away with the same impression that we did. Konig is up for the task at hand.
By now you know that our Jim Quist has a slightly different take on interviewing people. He's a bit more interested in the personal story as opposed to, say, the stats. It's a good way to learn more about an athlete, media figure or whoever the guest might be.
There are plenty of fun stories, great insight and lessons learned in this interview.
Aislinn Konig
The family influence, the old school players and the coaches who've made an impact.
Making a conscious decision to be the best.
Learning how to focus on success academically and athletically.
The climb from AAU to Brookswood to Team Canada and ultimately to NC State. What each meant in her development as a player and a person.
'Be Unforgettable'
The pressure on players, no matter where it comes from, is very real.
Handling the recruiting effort. A challenge for any athlete. What sold her on the Pack?
Looking back at the NC State years. Finishing on a high note regardless of COVID-19.
Why golf may not be as calming for a true competitor.
That one food place in Raleigh that could get her in trouble if they expand out west.
Check out Aislinn's website and read her blog acekonig.com.
The Pandemic is impacting more than professional and college sports. We take a look at how COVID-19 is upsetting the apple cart in youth sports. Our special guest, Grayson Smith, is a multi-sport athlete moving from middle into high school. How has being limited in his interaction with others changed the way he looks at sports? Plus, Will and Jim talk about the departure of Martin Jarmond from Boston College, the what-if's of delayed sports seasons and toss in their thoughts on players who are favored for the Heisman Trophy.
Boston College loses a dynamic Athletic Director to UCLA. The changes that Martin Jarmond brought to the school and what awaits his successor.
The impact he'll have on UCLA and the PAC-12. Bruins' fans should be excited.
Pete Thamel's list of potential replacements for the Eagles.
Grayson Smith
We're hearing plenty of talk about the impact of Coronavirus upon pro's and college sports. What about youth sports? Some scary numbers when it comes to the financial impact. If you aren't growing a crop of new athletes then who will feed the next levels of competition?
What are kids that are into sports doing to fill in the blanks?
Working out at home.
Favorites and why they've left an impression.
The experience of working with a trainer.
An important skill for people who like to eat....cooking.
Scary Numbers
What happens if sports doesn't return this fall? The financial impact on youth sports, colleges and the pro's is wide ranging.
The Group of 5 and HBCU schools face a big hit to their budgets. Can it be made up?
No fans in the stands? It's possible but how about the ticket and concession revenue?
Remember this number, 10%.
An 8 game schedule without non-conference match-ups. Where does Notre Dame fit in?
It's not just football. Some thoughts on the basketball season.
Reflecting On History
Learning lessons from the last Pandemic.
More Of The Same Thoughts On The Heisman Race
Who are the favorites? The guys believes there are only two on the list. Find out who.
Our special guest is SB Nation's Caroline Darney who shares her thoughts on Virginia sports, how Coronavirus impacts life and a laugh or two on this episode. Where to start when it comes to talking with Caroline? We took several steps back to the abrupt finish of the ACC Tournaments and the reality that college basketball was done for the season. Be sure to check out Virginia coverage at Streaking The Lawn.
Now that several months have passed Caroline reflects on how everything transpired.
What if the ACC Tournament had played out. Who does Caroline believe would have come out on top and why?
Who moves forward from the ACC into the NCAA Tournament? Is there a national title team among the mix? Thought exercises always require a caveat.
The one team within the conference that, 'why do we keep doing this', applies to.
Caroline details some of the impact of COVID-19 on college sports....the good and the bad. How the money game plays out with athletes.
Caroline Darney
Will rule changes hurt or help college basketball?
Sports media and related fields takes a hit due to the pandemic and what some of those changes mean.
Animals make all the difference when you work from home.
Projecting the possibility of fall seasons playing out. Is it becoming a money question?
Cutting sports isn't the answer and here's why.
A Look At Virginia Football and Basketball
Challenges for Bronco Mendenhall's 2020 team are right up front. The QB situation is intriguing. The Cavalier's defense looks good. Is it a bowl game team?
Breaking down a loaded basketball team. Who brings what to the game?
The Wooden Classic, Big Ten Challenge and Villanova adds to the dynamics of the coming schedule.
Binge Time
What's on TV? Making the most out of the offerings by NetFlix and Amazon. A great list of shows to watch should you become bored.
What not to listen to in podcasts during a pandemic.
"Do you think Tom Nook is a crook?"
Clearing up a myth regarding Caroline's dog.
On this episode of ACC Nation Podcast we're joined by special guest Conor O'Neill of the Winston-Salem Journal. Conor gives us background on firing of Danny Manning, how newly named coach Steve Forbes can make an impact plus shares some insiders info on Wake Forest. We'll also take a look at the CBS 25+1, how the latest bracketology impacts ACC men's and women's basketball and early entry candidates for the NBA Draft.
First up, a look at the top 5 teams in the very early CBS 25+1 men's college basketball poll. The guys talk about the basketball recruiting hotbed of Minnesota, dissect the teams at the top and are momentarily distracted by a 'Juicy Lucy'.
A look at the brackets for men's and women's college basketball, specifically the ACC.
The Early Entry Candidates for the NBA Draft. Thoughts on who's coming and going.
Conor O'Neill
Special guest from the Winston-Salem Journal, Conor O'Neill talks to us about the transition from Danning Manning to Steve Forbes by Wake Forest.
Why was Manning let go? A look at his buyout and how it may be a strategic move by Athletic Director John Currie.
What are the possibilities of cutting athletic programs? Conor asked John Currie. Find out what his answer was.
How the Wake Forest environment helps keep administrators and coaches around.
Why Steve Forbes is different.
What will Forbes do to build the roster?
Capping off a crazy and hectic week, Conor reaches for a....?
It was a week full of surprises in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Multiple doors opened and others closed. Jim and Will talk about the well-planned departure of Notre Dame icon Muffet McGraw. Then, they run down the latest on conference football players headed to the NFL. Plus, we discuss the changes in Wake Forest's men's basketball program.
What appears to have been one of the best executed changeovers in head coaches took place right in front of our faces. Amazingly it was without us knowing about it. The word is that Muffet McGraw plays a mean game of 3-D chess. If you don't believe it look at the way her retirement was handled. We tip our hat to a special coach who made a big impact on the sports world.
Sports starved fans helped knock the NFL Draft ratings out of the park. The guys copped to snoozing through parts of it during Round 1. They offer up suggestions on keeping the process moving.
We take a look at the players from ACC Nation that were picked in Rounds 1-7. Then, the Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA) that have been signed (Sunday, April 26, 2020) so far.
Doors
In addition to running down the numbers the guys share thoughts on the players. We take a look at the teams to which they are headed. Then we toss in who they think should have been picked sooner.
As doors open for football players another closes for Danny Manning at Wake Forest. With seemingly no break on the horizon the school decided to part ways and announced their decision on Saturday.
We discuss a list offered up by Conor O'Neill of the Winston-Salem Journal and encourage those interested in a career as a consultant to go for it. And a bonus pick that would be intriguing.
The Golden Rule is easier than some may imagine to exercise. We'll simplify it. If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Okay, so not the best example in the world but it helps get the idea across. We like sports, you like sports. What does it take to get sports back? A little sacrifice on the part of everyone. Yes, it applies to everything else in life and it can be broken down to the basics for all.
On this episode of ACC Nation Podcast Jim and Will take a look at the WNBA Draft, men's college basketball rankings, the latest brackets from Joe Lunardi and meander through some highlights and low-lights of the sports world.
Virginia's Jocelyn Willoughby is even surprised as she's the first ACC player selected, going Round 1 Pick 10 in the WNBA Draft.
A look at the latest rankings for ACC men's basketball from Jon Rothstein and NBC Sports.
Golden Rule
What would contribute to the demise of this year's college football season? Is it possible? Kirk Herbstreit thinks so and the guys discuss some of the things that would shut down sports in 2020.
The dangers of Zoom when you haven't had a cut in a while. Ex. Ben Roethlisberger
The impact of COVID-19 upon the economy hits close to home. The guys talk about how sports media is feeling the pain and what you can do to help ease it.
How long will it take to get athletes in shape to play football? The NCAA's Chief Medical Officer tells Nicole Auerbach between 4-6 weeks. Practice would have to begin no later than mid-July for the ACC to comply. The clock is ticking.
Florida State's AD sums up the financial implications upon his school's athletic program succinctly if there is no football. "God help us if that is the scenario."
The One About Dick Trickle
The guys wrap up the episode with behind the scenes media stories with one in particular about a NASCAR driver with an interesting name.
Jim Quist @ACCTheQ -
In this episode, Sports News 3, of ACC Nation Podcast we look at the latest rankings of college basketball, find out which players and coaches are on the move, share the latest from the NCAA and get reactions to you wearing sweatpants for work at home. That's just a sampling on this quick-cast that sends us into the weekend.
Jon Rothstein has his list of college basketball's Top 45 men's teams out and it's already changed due to NBA commitments. Which ACC teams make the grade?
NBC Sports jumps on the bandwagon with their preseason Top 25.
A North Carolina player officially declares for the NBA Draft while other ACC players are trying to find a new home via the Transfer Portal.
Louisville coach Chris Mack has the best tweet (in my opinion) addressing the impact of high school players bypassing college.
Syracuse women's basketball loses an assistant who gets a head coaching nod.
Sports News 3
The economy is continuing to take a toll on the world of sports. Vox Media announces furloughs.
On the lighter side, the LA Times thinks you need to dress appropriately at home. One of our own says, you should be thankful for what you get.
A foreshadowing of what's to come? Florida State's AD shares a disturbing thought.
The NCAA has adjusted their freshman eligibility rules and they indicate how long athletes need to prepare for playing.
Some football notes from the ACC and NFL.
And, a final reminder about the WNBA Draft.
Jim Quist @ACCTheQ -
In this edition, Sports News 2, of ACC Nation Podcast we take a look at ACC basketball, football, coaching, transfers, bracketology, blind pigs and baseball. At least one of those topics should intrigue you and/or keep you entertained. Be sure to check out the latest brackets from Joe Lunardi to see how ACC teams are projected.
ACC women's basketball is undergoing some changes as players move on the WNBA, coaches move up and the transfer portal nabs another player.
The White House and college sports conferences are trying to find their way past the impact of COVID-19. Find out what commissioners are telling Vice President Mike Pence.
Will Dabo Swinney make the leap into the NFL as a coach? Well, one site wants you to at least consider it.
Sports News 2
The college coaching carousel has slowed tremendously with the uncertainty surrounding the impact of Coronavirus. Will it have an impact on buy-outs?
Find out part of the reason why a team that's been in the dumps is moving up and is included in the latest bracket.
Let's talk about how blind pigs find an acorn once in a while and how that relates to the Heisman Trophy.
Finding Your Man
Is it too early to let everyone know who your QB will be this season? Everything blooms earlier in Raleigh.
Who do their peers think are underrated college baseball coaches? Two ACC names pop up on the list of 15.
Jim Quist @ACCTheQ -
On this quick-cast episode, Sports News 1, we've got the latest on the WNBA Draft, questions surrounding the likelihood of a football season and look at transfers impacting basketball. But that's not all. You'll find out which teams are the favorites to win the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions of the ACC.
Then, a quick peek at the recruiting job at Florida State. Mike Norvell and staff are turning the Seminoles around quickly. Who are some of the new names set to play for the team in the coming season?
Up first - who are the top ACC women's basketball players in the WNBA Draft? Find out plus get the schedule for the virtual event on ESPN.
Sports News 1
Could the NCAA football season be in jeopardy? One well-know college broadcaster says, yes. Find out what AD's and coaches are saying plus the latest sports poll reveals what fans are thinking.
We name just two names of transfers that will have an immediate impact on ACC basketball. Who are these players? Where are they coming from? And, most importantly, where are they headed?