ACC Kickoff 2014 has arrived! And with National Champion Florida State, they have bragging rights.
(C+P) –The July 20-21 Atlantic Coast Conference media days represent the official kick-off the 2014 ACC college football season. Coaches, marquee players, and media will participate in this extravaganza at the luxurious Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Can the Seminoles Repeat?
Will Florida State, the reigning national champion, with 2013 Heisman Trophy Laureate Jameis Winston –the Freshman sensation– repeat last year’s brilliant run in his sophomore season?
Or, will Jameis Winston’s crab leg adventure and other off-field shenanigans become a distraction? To be fair, Winston is diligently working to rehab his off field image.
Read: Charlie Ward and Jameis Winston youth outreach..
But to be perfectly honest, the talent is there (no doubt, the man can capital letter “B” ball), however, questions marks exist concerning his NFL stock. To be precise, Mr. Winston urgently needs to demonstrate to pro-scouts that he has the maturity, personal off-field ethics and intangibles of leadership (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson) to become the face of a NFL franchise.Many are hoping Winston’s star rises on the NCAA field and not TMZ sports gossip. Clock is running…
Louisville front and center. The return of Bobby Petrino.
Can Louisville, with the return of The Notorious B.O.B. — head coach Bobby Petrino — find glory in their inaugural ACC season? Or, will any onset of early frustration lead Petrino to, well for lack of better phrase, pull a Petrino cut-in-run? Petrino, touted as an Offensive genius (can we say Mike Martz) is also known to: “When the tough get going, Petrino looks for greener horizons.” I’m just saying.
Is Duke the real McCoy?
Is Duke University, 2013 ACC championship game loser to National Champion Florida State (45-7), for real or just a 2013 Cinderella story? Just think, this ACC school better known as a basketball power-house, posted 10-2 regular season record, their best in Duke football history, and they have 14 returning starters. Additionally, Duke was a 2013Chick-Fil-A Bowl contender against Texas A&M. Who can forget the Texas A&M stunning 52-48 comeback against Duke in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl?
In this thriller for the ages, A&M QB sensation Johnny “Football” Manziel heroically orchestrated a Vince Young like late game win against a Duke team that most odds makers said had no chance at all. Duke was one Johnny Football
(think Michael Jordan in football pads) naked boot leg pass away from a huge Chick-Fil-A Bowl upset.
January Madness?
The College Football Playoffs. How will the NCAA’s first year of post-Bowl playoffs impact the ACC? And, will playoff match-ups lead to the college football version of college basketball March Madness mania? College football fans and boosters have been clamoring for years, no decades, for a postseason playoff system. Supporters want the on-the-field action to decide the NCAA National Championship, not some subjective poll — not even the BCS. Well, you got your wish, sort of, I think. The playoff system is not as extensive or inclusive as the NCAA basketball playoff version, but it’s a start in the right direction. You decide. Here’s how the playoff system will work: College Football Playoffs.
Predictions aside. Let the games begin. A la Herm Edwards: “This is why we play the game.”
Student-Athletes Interviews
2:00 p.m. Virginia, Kevin Parks and Anthony Harris
2:15 p.m. Duke, Laken Tomlinson and Kelby Brown
2:30 p.m. Clemson, Cole Stoudt and Vic Beasley
2:45 p.m. North Carolina, Marquise Williams and Norkeithus Otis
3:00 p.m. Florida State, Jameis Winston and P.J. Williams
3:15 p.m. Wake Forest, Jordan Garside and Kevin Johnson
3:30 p.m. Boston College, Andy Gallik and Dominique Williams
3:56 p.m. NC State, Tony Creecy and Art Norman
4:11 p.m. Virginia Tech, Willie Byrn and Luther Maddy
4:26 p.m. Georgia Tech, Shaquille Mason and Quayshawn Nealy
5:01 p.m. Pitt, Tyler Boyd and Ray Vinopal
5:16 p.m. Miami, Duke Johnson and Denzel Perryman
5:31 p.m. Louisville, DeVante Parker and Lorenzo Mauldin
5:46 p.m. Syracuse, Sean Hickey and Cameron Lynch
Stay tuned for Day 1 Report.
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