It's on.....ACC Football 2009!

Welcome to the new season. Let's jump right in, and, be on the lookout for mobile blogging entries from our group of ACC Sports contributors from across the region.

When They Made It Big: "Ten years ago, Virginia Tech arrived in the big time, riding the arm and legs of Michael Vick to the national championship game."

Sports: Don't-miss games for 2009 : "Staff writer Ken Tysiac of the Raleigh News and Observer has done his homework. Now, he tells you what to expect from the college football season."

The pressure is already on Wall : "Staying humble and hungry. That's an objective set by Kentucky basketball freshman John Wall."

Michigan investigates charges: "The University of Michigan announced Sunday that it has launched an investigation into allegations that its football program regularly violates NCAA rules limiting how much time players can spend on training and practice." Crazy story....

Bowden family won't go gently into that good night


ACC Columnists and General
Jeff Schultz » If ACC wants to get noticed, it needs to step up against SEC

Aaron McFarling: UVa's spread offense equals fresh thinking

Morris: At long last, a title for Tigers : "Give Tommy Bowden credit for putting Clemson in position to challenge for an ACC championship every one of his 9½ seasons as coach. The missing ingredient nearly every year seemed to be a coach who could elevate his team to the championship level."

Linda Robertson Miami Hurricanes will weather recent adversity: "A quarterback exodus. Randy Shannon in coaching-contract limbo. A player's jaw broken when he was cold-cock..."

Furman Bisher » The Case of ACC basketball

ACC Football Spotlight: Coach masterminds turnaround

ACC Football Spotlight: 1st-year coach faces challenges

ACC Football Spotlight: Turner finally clear-cut starter at quarterback

ACC Football Spotlight: Wake's Skinner quiets his doubters


Conference Headlines
Virginia Tech
When They Made It Big: "Ten years ago, Virginia Tech arrived in the big time, riding the arm and legs of Michael Vick to the national championship game."

HOKIES NOTEBOOK: Drager Making the Transition From Offense to Defense

The 'Godfather's' Son Aims to Shine on Field

Va. Tech's Stinespring: Offense should be improved

College football preview: Virginia Tech players, coaches say chemistry is superb

College football preview: The coach-in-waiting game


North Carolina
Ex-UNC receiver earns plaudits from Giants

Mike Paulus is looking to improve on shaky start: "Quarterback Mike Paulus’ debut season at North Carolina didn’t go exactly as he planned."

Tar Heels trim down on defense, look to apply even more pressure: "North Carolina defensive tackle Cam Thomas is a self-proclaimed Southern boy who likes to eat greasy food. But when UNC’s def..."

Cavaliers sign Danny Green:"The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed rookie forward Danny Green, their second-round pick in this year’s NBA draft."


Georgia Tech
Classroom blitz: "Here a handful of Jackets who aspire for more than football glory."

Ga. Tech's receiver Thomas loves Jackets' offense

Are two kickers better than one?

Media guide typo shows UGA tied Tech last year

3 strong Georgia Tech freshmen will impact defense


Florida State
Florida State running backs struggle with assignments: "After watching three of his players go down with minor injuries in the first two weeks of practice, running backs coach Dexter Carter finally has his full complement of five tailbacks again."

Florida State's Louis Givens wants 'to be a spark': "After struggling with a hamstring injury for the first week of preseason practice, senior receiver Louis Givens is starting to regain his form."

Kicking battle going down to the wire at Florida State: " When Dustin Hopkins arrived on campus this summer as the nation's top-rated kicking prospect, it was assumed that the Texas native would be handed Florida State's place-kicker position."

Florida State practices in rainy conditions: "Coaches had been wishing for a wet and nasty practice to see how their players would handle those conditions, and they got it when a steady rain doused the practice fields Thursday."

Florida St. safety Jamie Robinson makes strides at new position: "FSU's Jamie Robinson struggled at times last season with the transition from cornerback to safety, but he's soaring now."

Florida St. safety Jamie Robinson makes strides at new position: "FSU's Jamie Robinson struggled at times last season with the transition from cornerback to safety, but he's soaring now."

Florida State D-line depleted by injuries: "After opening preseason practice with three senior defensive tackles, the Seminoles practiced with none of them Wednesday. "


NC State
Pack's Wilson aims to avoid more injuries: " Nothing could make Russell Wilson forget last year’s visit to South Carolina."


Clemson
5 reasons to be confident in (or worried about) Parker : "It has been 64 years since Clemson has started a freshman quarterback in its season opener, and that player went on to become an All-American by his senior season."

Age is no issue for Tigers' Napier

Game-by-game: Forecasting Clemson's schedule

Grading Clemson position-by-position

Clemson football 2009 depth chart

Veteran Cloy poised to anchor Clemson line

Practice report: Swinney encouraged by kicking

All over but the waiting for Tigers


Miami
Miami Hurricanes' A.J. Highsmith embraces his new role

A.J. Highsmith getting thrust into Miami spotlight

Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon: 'No' to incoming transfers

Miami Hurricanes QB Cannon Smith chooses Memphis: "The University of Miami quarterback transfer saga has come to a close. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cannon Smith, who told UM coach Randy Shannon on Monday he was leaving the Hurricanes to pursue another college, has chosen Memphis as his new school."

Miami Hurricanes' Jimmy Graham continues to impress: "Senior tight end Jimmy Graham, the Hurricanes' former power forward who is playing college football for the first time, continues to be the focus of plenty of buzz around the program."

Burden on Miami Hurricanes' seniors to lift team, impress NFL: "For all the young talent on this University of Miami football team, it's critical the senior class makes a big impact. NFL evaluators will be watching."

UM coach Randy Shannon mum on starters

Miami Hurricanes begin pre-dawn practices: "The Hurricanes had their first 5:45 a.m. practice Thursday under the lights at Mark Light Field, home of th..."


Wake Forest
Paul discovers basketball is the universal language


Maryland
For Terps, 'Mature' Turner Is the Man at Quarterback

Walk-ons defy the odds, make Terps offensive line: "Realistically, Alfonso Gonnella knew he didn't have the money to send his son, Andrew, to play..."

Tracking the Terps: Football team elects its captains

Terrapins Notebook: Coaches Look for Playing Time for Backup QB

Friedgen Has It Under Control

At Safety, Tate's a Big Hit

Terrapins Notebook: Douglas Finds Himself in the Mix at Running Back

Sports Digest: Riley to be Cal's starting QB for opener against Terps: "Coach Jeff Tedford announced that Kevin Riley will be his starting quarterback when No. 12 California opens the season against Maryland on Sept. 5. Tedford made the announcement after practice Monday. Riley had been competing with Beau..."


Virginia
For Cavs, Many Happy Returns

Cavaliers Notebook: Poindexter Returns to the Secondary -- as Coach

Fans Cannot Be Involved in Recruiting, but the Line Blurs

Cavs Looking for Help From Ex-Head Coaches

Cavaliers Notebook: Second Scrimmage Could Bring Shape To Depth Chart

College football preview: Opportunity knocks for UVa's Vic Hall

College football preview: Ups, downs plentiful in Groh's UVa tenure

Former star still shines at UVa


Duke
Duke scrimmages for opener under lights: "The Duke Blue Devils held their final scrimmage of the preseason Tuesday night at Wallace Wade Stadium to help prepare for opening night against Richmond, but some of their stars ..."

Scott steps up early for Devils

Cutcliffe: Blue Devils finally get on track


Boston College
BC quarterbacks starting to score some points

Change a familiar pattern for BC’s Gunnell

BC quarterbacks rusty in scrimmage, coaches left scrambling