ACC Spring FB Preview .. Tigers out in front [Archive]

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Ga_Gamecock

02-21-2008, 03:17 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3254553

Experienced Tigers expected to rise above the pack

By Heather Dinich
ESPN.com
(Archive (http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://search.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=heather_dinich&name=SEARCH_m_archive&srvc=sz))

Updated: February 20, 2008, 1:32 PM ET
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Print (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3254553&type=story) When ranking the ACC teams, three tiers are easily distinguishable. Clemson clearly leads the group. The middle of the pack must expand to accommodate 10 of the 12 teams. And then there's Duke, which remains, well, Duke.
The Tigers have, arguably, the most pieces in place to reach the ACC title game in Tampa and win it -- so long as they figure out how to come through in the fourth quarter of close games. Defending league champ Virginia Tech had a mass exodus of talented seniors and "little" Wake Forest is quietly becoming one of the conference's most consistent teams. Meanwhile, Miami and Florida State are pushing to regain respect. Here's an early preview of how the jumbled ACC might eventually shake out:

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1. Clemson Tigers (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=228)

What we know: Just about everyone -- 18 of 24 starters, including both specialists -- are back from last season's 9-4 squad.
What we don't know: How the offensive line will fare with three new starters.
How the Tigers can get to Tampa: Win the close ones.
ACC Spring Practice Primer

http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa_conf/sml/trans/acc.gifTake a quick look at the position battles, coaching changes and other key factors to pay attention to during spring practices around the ACC. Heather Dinich (http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3253792)

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/259.gif2. Virginia Tech Hokies (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=259)

What we know: The Hokies will have an experienced offensive line, running back and two quarterbacks to choose from.
What we don't know: How Virginia Tech is going to compensate for the loss of 21 players who comprised the winningest senior class in school history.
How the Hokies can get to Tampa: Road wins at Miami, Florida State and Boston College.

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3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=154)

What we know: Nine starters are back on defense, including the entire secondary and every linebackers.
What we don't know: The Demon Deacons lost two assistant coaches for the first time in Jim Grobe's tenure, but they were replaced with veteran assistants who have worked under Grobe before.
How the Demon Deacons can get to Tampa: Cut down on turnovers and continue to score ridiculous amounts of non-offensive touchdowns.

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4. Florida State Seminoles (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=52)

What we know: The Seminoles have a favorable schedule, but FSU must navigate its first three games with a roster limited by player suspensions.
What we don't know: How the Seminoles will react to the suspensions and fare without roughly eight impact players for the first three games.
How the Seminoles can get to Tampa: The running game has to improve as does the secondary, where Tony Carter didn't have the season the staff had been hoping for. Pat Robinson had been coming on, but he is one of the suspended players.

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5. Miami Hurricanes (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2390)

What we know: Randy Shannon and his staff brought in a boatload of talented recruits, and nine of them are already on campus for spring practice.
What we don't know: If the recruits can help immediately.
How the Hurricanes can get to Tampa: Find consistency at quarterback and winning more than two league games this season would be a good start.

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6. Maryland Terrapins (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=120)

What we know: The Terps have a quarterback with starting experience in Chris Turner (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=169181).
What we don't know: How the players will adapt to the offensive scheme under first-year coordinator James Franklin, and how the receivers will take to their new coach.
How the Terps can get to Tampa: Starting the conference schedule with a win at Clemson is a good beginning, and beating Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on a Thursday night would do wonders to help close out the schedule strong.

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7. Boston College Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=103)

What we know: The Eagles will need all the senior help they can get, and former starters Brian Toal (linebacker) and defensive tackle B.J. Raji will bring that on the defensive side.
What we don't know: How good Jeff Jagodzinski will look without inheriting oodles of Tom O'Brien's talent.
How the Eagles can get to Tampa: Start with finding a quarterback, a running back and a few guys to block for them.

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8. Virginia Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=258)

What we know: Chris Long is gone.
What we don't know: Who the quarterback will be.
How the Cavaliers can get to Tampa: A lot of last year's luck.

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9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=59)

What we know: Paul Johnson will bring a new option offense and Dave Wommack will spice things up on defense.
What we don't know: Who the quarterback will be.
How the Yellow Jackets can get to Tampa: Reschedule. Johnson's first league game is at Boston College, followed by a road trip to defending champ Virginia Tech. Go ahead and throw a visit to Clemson in there. Not the easiest ACC welcome for Johnson, huh?

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10. NC State Wolfpack (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=152)

What we know: Having Toney Baker (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=175240) and Jamelle Eugene (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=175247) in the backfield together should help take some pressure off the quarterback.
What we don't know: Who the quarterback will be.
How the Wolfpack can get to Tampa: Buy tickets.

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11. North Carolina Tar Heels (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=153)

What we know: Quarterback T.J. Yates (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183674) and receiver Hakeem Nicks (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183652) should be one of the more productive combos in the league.
What we don't know: How the defense will fare under first-year coordinator Everett Withers.
How the Tar Heels can get to Tampa: Hope a North Carolina city hosts the ACC championship game in a few years.

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12. Duke Blue Devils (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=150)

What we know: The Blue Devils will have an experienced quarterback and a new coach with a reputation for developing them.
What we don't know: How the program will respond to an overhaul of the entire staff, and how quickly it might pay off.
How the Blue Devils can get to Tampa: The 11 other ACC schools are placed on probation by the NCAA.
Heather Dinich is a college football writer for ESPN.com. Send your questions and comments to Heather at espn.hd@hotmail.com.

FinchMcCrunkNasty

02-21-2008, 03:22 PM

I could have blindfolded myself, spun around 10 times, got kicked in the nuts, run over by a car and then picked names out of a hat and made better picks than that. WAKE 3RD?? NORTH CAROLINA 11TH??? CLEMSON 1ST??? Win the close games...NOT POSSIBLE! If they could only play Duke 12 times a year...

CaptainCrunch

02-21-2008, 03:35 PM

Ga_Gamecock

02-21-2008, 03:46 PM

Wow wake is finally getting some pre-season love.They lost 3 starts on the O-Line (Steve Justice, Matt Brim, Louis Frazier) their best receiver (Kenny Moore) who by the way set the all-time record for catches in a season (98) breaking Torry Holt's record of 88. They also have to replace their two top TEs (John Tereshinski and Zac Selmon). On defense they only have to replace two D-Line starters (Zach Stukes and Jeremy Thompson). So they get a ton of players returning including QB Riley Skinner, RB Josh Adams, WRs Demir Boldin and Jordan Williams OL Trey Bailey (Byrnes) and on defense they return agruably the best secondary in the ACC with Alphonso Smith (8 INTS last season), Chip Vaughn (105 tackles last season), Brandon Ghee (63 tackles last season), and Kevin Patterson (52 tackles last season). All 3 linebackers return as well. Wake should be pretty solid next season good to see them getting some love.
It seems to me the gurus are usually a season off ... to me the key is looking at mature depth (esp in the trenches) and how good with the QB play be ... if you have returning guys in those positions and the depth to weather the season, you could make a run ... basing preseason rankings or projections based on last years team is incredibly shortsighted IMO, and it seems it happens often ...

if i had to make a 'darkhorse' prediction for the sec it would be USC or Auburn (and if memory servers they have a lot of young OL coming back and their D was solid last year) ... LSU has a lot of QB issues and took some NFL hits ... the UGAs and UFs have a lot of talent and are the frontrunners ... and the scary thing is UFs running game is going to be lights out with Moody in the backfield - all of those teams return a solid D, proven or promising QBs, and guys manning the trenches ...

BTW, just found this on AU - a free article

http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=776957
February 21, 2008

Auburn returns a lot of starters from last season but no position is more stacked with returning starters and experienced players than the offensive line.

All five starters return upfront giving offensive line coach Hugh Nall (http://auburn.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=270) a lot to work with when spring practice gets underway Sunday, Feb. 24.
http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/884/519618.jpghttp://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifAuburnSports.comhttp://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifZiemba will take over at left tackle."It's been a long time since I remember having that many back," said Nall. "It's certainly a positive. We've still got a lot of work to do. The good thing is we have a lot of guys stepping up and competing.

"I think there's some good, quality depth out there. It's going to be fun to see what happens."

Despite having the starters back, including three that started as true freshmen last season, Nall expects a lot of competition this spring.

"We'll go in with a starting five but I hope the guys not in the starting five understand its wide open," said Nall. "Anybody can take anybody's job. If they play and perform better than the one in front of them, they'll move up.

"I'm going to play the best five."

Sophomore Lee Ziemba (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84216) will man the left tackle position after starting all 13 games at right tackle as a true freshman last season. Ziemba played left tackle in high school.

"What Lee did best was play hard," said Nall. "He gave us a chance to win games with his effort and the attitude he brought to the offensive line.

"I want to see him continue to develop his fundamentals and finish techniques better. He's all about playing with great effort."

Junior Andrew McCain (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=55756) will begin the spring as Ziemba's backup. McCain could also get a look at the right tackle position.

"It's time for Andrew McCain to step up," said Nall. "He needs to play the game the way it needs to be played. He's been inconsistent with his level of play at times. We need to see him play good on every snap.

"If he proves to me he's one of the best five then he'll play. We'll either move him to the right or move Ziemba to the right. It's wide open but you really want to solidify the left tackle position with two good players."
http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/884/544133.jpgTodd Van Emsthttp://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifPugh will begin spring as the starting right tackle.Sophomore Ryan Pugh (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84211), who started seven games as a true freshman at left tackle, will begin spring as the starting right tackle. Pugh will also get reps at center, the position he was recruited to play.

"Ryan Pugh is a center at some point in time but right now, I've got a pretty good center," said Nall. "Ryan has played enough tackle in this type of system to give us good, quality play out there just like he did at left tackle last year. Right tackle may be more suited for him.

"He's just a hard-nosed kid."

Behind Pugh will be redshirt freshman Jared Cooper (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84204).

"I'm anxious to see Jared Cooper," said Nall. "We redshirted him and he's certainly been working hard in the offseason.

"Any young offensive lineman like Jared, their pass protection has to be worked on, and he has to work on learning the system. He didn't really get to run the system in bowl practice so it's going to be a catch-up deal for him."

Senior Tyronne Green (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=44008) returns as the starter at left guard.

"I thought Tyronne had a really good year for being a first-year starter," said Nall. "I thought he did some really good things on pass-pro and run blocking. When he gets on the edge pulling or on screens we've got to get a little more production out of him."

Sophomore Byron Isom (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=63548) will begin spring as Green's backup. Isom will also get a look at right guard.

"I've really been excited with what I've seen from Isom in the offseason," said Nall. "The way he's been working, he's going to be pushing for one of the five or at least fighting for some playing time. We'll probably work him at both the right and left side.

"He seems to be getting a little more physical and pushing himself a little more. I think he's got a chance to be a good player for us."
http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/884/544138.jpghttp://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifTodd Van Emsthttp://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifRamsey was one of three true freshmen to start on the OL last year.Sophomore Chaz Ramsey (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84212) returns at right guard after starting 10 games as a true freshman last season.

"I think Chaz really did some good things for us," said Nall. "He played hard. I thought we asked him to do a lot of things that you really wouldn't want to ask a young lineman to do. Whether he was ready or not, he tried and made mistakes full speed. I thought he had a great first year for getting thrown in the fire like that.

"He's just got to get more physical in all aspects. That comes with gaining more mass and strength in the weight room."

Nall expects Isom, sophomore Bart Eddins (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=63542) and redshirt freshman Kyle Coulahan (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84205) to push Ramsey during spring drills.

Both Eddins and Coulahan came to Auburn with a defensive background. Eddins played defensive line in high school and was moved to offensive line last year.

Coulahan was recruited as an offensive lineman after playing defense in high school. He wound up working with the defensive line on the scout team last fall to help shore up depth issues.

"The big thing with Bart is getting the mentality of coming from defense where you go all out," said Nall. "The fundamentals on the offensive line are more controlled. You have to be under control to make a block."

"Both those guys are very similar in their mentalities. I like their toughness and their aggressiveness. We just have to control it to hitting the ball in the fairway instead of in the woods. They hit it hard but it's been going in the woods too much."

Senior Jason Bosley (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=8) returns at center after starting 16 career games over the past two years.

"He brings great leadership and is a very hard worker," said Nall. "He's just a special young man, an Auburn University graduate. He recently got engaged so he's got a lot to work for and play for and he's really fun to watch work out there. He pushes himself to new limits every day.

"I think the experience he had last year will carry him into an even better year this year."

Behind Bosley will be sophomore Mike Berry (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=63558), who will also get a look at both guard positions and right tackle. Berry started three games at right guard last season.

"Berry needs to play more consistent, hard-nosed, aggressive, fundamental football," said Nall. "He's just got to do it more and more on a level basis and not be so up and down."

Nall said Pugh will also get some snaps at center along with Ramsey.

Further depth will come from sophomore Lee Tilley (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=63556), and walk-ons Rudy Odom (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=55760) and Jackson Timmerman (http://auburn.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=69176).

If you are not already a subscriber to AuburnSports.com, now's the perfect time to sign up for a 7-day free trial. Click HERE (http://auburn.rivals.com/subscribe.asp) to join the thousands of Auburn fans who already use AuburnSports.com as their source for all the breaking news.

Once you've signed up, check out all our spring previews below and get ready for a HUGE WEEKEND as Auburn holds its first Junior Day, begins spring practice, hosts Alabama in basketball and opens the baseball season at Plainsman Park.

More Spring Previews:
Auburn rebuilding at d-tackle (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=776830)
New look for AU's wide receivers (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=775892)
Coleman difference-maker at DE (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=775482)
Auburn returns loaded backfield (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=774712)
Competition tight at linebacker (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=774099)
Quarterback competition wide open (http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=773253)

CaptainCrunch

02-22-2008, 05:51 PM

man, I would love to have that kind of offensive line