ACC Football

As college football enters the final two-week homestretch before the regular season kicks off, things look a little different than they did a year ago at this time. 

When last year's Associated Press Top 25 poll dropped on August 24, the Pac-12 and Big Ten had they would be postponing their football seasons until the end of the calendar year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the recency of the leagues' decisions at that point, all conferences were included in the ranking before Pac-12 and Big Ten schools were dropped the following week. 

This year, no such disclaimers should be needed. 

The AP Poll and Coaches Poll both had the same preseason Top Four rankings last year—Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia—and they both had Notre Dame No. 10 and Texas A&M at No. 13. The latter two finished Nos. 4 and 5 in the final College Football Playoff poll last year, while Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State finished 1-3. This year's coaches' poll, which was released last week, featured the Crimson Tide at No. 1, with Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Georgia rounding out the top five. 

       

Predicted AP Top 25

1. Alabama 

2. Clemson 

3. Oklahoma 

4. Ohio State

5. Georgia 

6. Notre Dame

7. Texas A&M

8. Cincinnati

9. North Carolina

10. Iowa State 

11. Florida

12. Oregon

13. Miami (Fla.)

14. USC

15. Wisconsin

16. LSU

17. Indiana

18. Iowa

19. Washington

20. Texas

21. Penn State 

22. Oklahoma State

23. Ole Miss

24. Coastal Carolina

25. Liberty

Alabama, Clemson will top poll 

It's never smart to bet against the Crimson Tide, and even though Alabama will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, it's almost certain to be the preseason No. 1. Sophomore Bryce Young has only attempted 22 passes in college, all as Mac Jones' backup last season. He was the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2020 class and is considered a potential Heisman candidate if he lives up to the reputation Jones and Tua Tagovailoa built. 

Alabama returns eight starters on defense but just three on offense. That's what tends to happen when you have one of the greatest offensive units in college football history, and if anyone has the depth and talent to replace that production, it's the Tide. 

Clemson will be start a new starting quarterback after Trevor Lawrence went first overall in the 2021 NFL draft, and like Alabama, the Tigers have a star quarterback from the 2020 class to replace him.

D.J. Uiagalelei, who threw 117 passes last season in relief of Lawrence, gets five other offensive starters back, and the defense returns all 11 starters from a unit that was among the best in the country last year. 

Neither Clemson nor Alabama returns quite the depth it normally does, but considering at least one of the two has played in every national championship game since 2016, who is going to count them out?

       

Michigan on the outside

One of the most storied programs in college football history could find itself outside the preseason poll for the first time since 2015. No, not Texas, which last missed the Top 25 that year. The Longhorns, whether deserving or not, will likely find themselves in the poll yet again.

But Michigan, which finished just 2-4 last season, will not. Jim Harbaugh's program has been on a downward trend recently, and returning just three of 11 starters on offense doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that's going to change this season. The Wolverines will have nine back on defense, but they'll also be starting a new running back and are in the middle of a three-way quarterback competition. 

The good news is that Michigan's non-conference schedule isn't particularly daunting, though it is expected to face four Top 25 teams in the Big Ten this season. 

The Pac-12, ACC and Big Ten are having "high-level discussions" about forming an alliance between the three conferences, per Max Olson of The Athletic:

Talks have centered around not just a scheduling alliance in football but in broader cooperation, according to sources in the three conferences. Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren and ACC commissioner Jim Phillips have been having conversations for several weeks.

As The Athletic noted, it's unclear how scheduling would work between the three conferences, but the goal is to get on the same page and vote on key concerns, including College Football Playoff expansion and any "NCAA governance changes," per Olson.

Olson's report also comes amid news that the SEC plans to expand by adding Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas.

“This is their shot right back at the SEC,” one athletic director told Olson.

Per Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Big 12 is reportedly not involved in these conversations. The Big 12 is currently a 10-team league at the moment, although Oklahoma and Texas reportedly will be gone in 2025.

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic tweeted that the report is "not good news" for the Big 12 as the conference is likely forced to forge ahead without the two powerhouse schools.

Regarding why the Pac-12, ACC and Big Ten would go this route, Matt Fortuna of The Athletic explained the logic.

The NCAA announced the formation of a constitution committee, with the hopes of expediting a proposed governance model. It is there, in voting power, where an alliance among the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 would really show those three conferences’ power—41 votes to the 16 votes of the expanded SEC.

When asked for comment, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff told the following to The Athletic:

"I’ve been in frequent and regular contact with all of the other A5 commissioners the last few weeks about the complex issues that are facing the industry." In addition, he said there is "nothing to report on this specific matter at this time."

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg confirmed the Athletic report, writing that the conferences "have engaged in preliminary talks about an alliance, likely centered on scheduling."

Rittenberg also noted that the conferences have "plenty to work out" but numerous meetings in person have occurred in the last few days.

As he prepares to take over as Clemson's starting quarterback, D.J. Uiagalelei is going to be part of a prominent national marketing campaign for college football this season. 

Uiagalelei and Dr. Pepper announced Wednesday that they have partnered together for the "Fansville" ad campaign. 

We hear a new neighbor's moving to Fansville 🤫 https://t.co/FaRUrhOEy2

— Dr Pepper (@drpepper) August 11, 2021

Speaking to ESPN's Andrea Adelson, Uiagalelei talked about why he decided to work with Dr. Pepper. 

"I wanted to do brands that are authentic to me," he said. "I don't want to be one of these people that do all these different brands. I can have a long-standing partnership with Dr. Pepper. They go hand in hand with college football."

This marks the second known sponsorship deal that Uiagalelei has signed since the NCAA rule changes that allow players to profit off their names, images and likenesses went into effect July 1. 

The Tigers star previously signed a partnership agreement with North Carolina-based fast-food fried-chicken restaurant Bojangles. 

Adelson noted Uiagalelei will be the only active college football player featured in the Fansville commercials this year. 

Dr. Pepper launched the Fansville campaign in 2018 as a series of ads that parody sports television shows and movies. It features a long-standing rivalry in an unnamed town between "State" and "Tech" schools. 

According to Adelson, Uiagalelei has already filmed the commercial. It's unclear when the spots will start to air, but the 2021 college football season is scheduled to begin Aug. 28. 

A 5-star prospect and the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings, Uiagalelei saw significant playing time as a true freshman. He started two games when Trevor Lawrence missed time after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Uiagalelei finished the season with 914 passing yards, nine total touchdowns and a 66.7 percent completion rate in nine games for the Tigers. 

Clemson will kick off its 2021 season on Sept. 4 against Georgia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.    

University of Miami quarterback D'Eriq King is the first collegiate athlete to sign an NIL agreement with a professional sports team after partnering with the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers announced the deal Monday with the creation of "FLA Athlete," a program that will give student-athletes the ability to profit from their names, images and likenesses. The organization plans to add other collegiate stars within the state to the program.

King will appear at the team's games and develop a merchandise collection and other content to promote the NHL squad across South Florida. 

The Houston transfer is heading into his second year with the Hurricanes after totaling 23 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions in 11 games last year. 

After leading Miami to an 8-3 record last season, King is considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy in 2021:

Top Heisman Odds for the 2021 Season @DKSportsbook 🏆

Spencer Rattler +600
DJ Uiagalelei +750
Bryce Young +900
JT Daniels +1200
Sam Howell +1400
CJ Stroud +1400
D'Eriq King +2000
Kedon Slovis +2800
Bijan Robinson +2800

Who ya got? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fpxSJ8k2ml

— br_betting (@br_betting) August 2, 2021

The quarterback has signed several endorsement deals since the NCAA changed its rules this summer to allow players to profit off their names, images and likenesses. King already has agreements with College Hunks Moving Company, Murphy Auto Group, Dreamfield, The Wharf and Panini America.

The latest deal enters new territory, however. 

"We are thrilled to welcome D'Eriq to Panthers Territory as our first 'FLA Athlete," Panthers Chief Strategy Officer Sam Doerr said in a statement. "D'Eriq is a superstar both on and off the field and we are excited to reach and engage South Florida sports fans in new ways through this collaborative partnership."

The partnership could help the Panthers build their fanbase after they struggled to fill their arena in recent years. The team has ranked in the bottom five in the NHL in attendance in each season from 2016-17 to 2019-20, per ESPN. 

Legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden died Sunday.

He was 91.

Today we lost a legend but you never lose a legacy. Rest In Peace Coach Bowden pic.twitter.com/f7pQpUPqbJ

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 8, 2021

Celebrating a life well lived. pic.twitter.com/9nVysRjWeQ

— Terry Bowden (@CoachTBowden) August 8, 2021

Bowden was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer last month.

"I've always tried to serve God's purpose for my life, on and off the field, and I am prepared for what is to come," Bowden said in a statement announcing his illness. "My wife Ann and our family have been life's greatest blessing. I am at peace."

Bowden had been in declining health since being diagnosed with COVID-19 last October.

One of the most decorated coaches in college sports history, Bowden guided Florida State's football program from 1976 to 2009. The Seminoles went 315-98-4 under Bowden, winning two national championships and 12 ACC titles.

From 1987 to 2000, Florida State never won fewer than 10 games nor finished any lower than fifth in the final Associated Press poll.

"Coach Bowden built a football dynasty and raised the national profile of Florida State University, and he did it with dignity, class and a sense of humor," Florida State president John Thrasher said in a statement. "Although his accomplishments on the field are unmatched, his legacy will go far beyond football. His faith and family have always come first, and he is an incredible role model for his players and fans alike. He is beloved by the FSU family."

While Bowden's coaching resume speaks for itself, he was also known as a larger-than-life personality who embraced the spotlight of major college football. He was one of the most quotable coaches in sports history, offering both short quips that dug at opponents and long speeches that pushed his teams to the next level.

When Bowden was at Florida State and Steve Spurrier presided over Florida, there was no better rivalry in college football—and certainly none more entertaining.

"Coach Bowden coached a long time there," Spurrier said last month. "He made FSU football what it was. I was at Florida 12 years, and 11 of those years they were in the top four in the nation. We had to play them the last game of the season. I said how come Tennessee doesn't have to play these dudes the last game of the season like we do?!"

Bowden, who also coached for six seasons at West Virginia, retired after the 2009 season as the second-winningest coach in college football history, behind only Penn State's Joe Paterno. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Clemson Tigers cornerback Fred Davis II surrendered to police Sunday after being charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Per that report, the Clemson Police Department said Davis was driving his Dodge Charger 115 mph "in a 55-mph speed zone when he crashed his car into the rear of a mail carrier's truck" on July 21.

The mail truck then flipped over into oncoming traffic, causing two other vehicles to crash as they tried to avoid the mail truck. The mail carrier was seriously injured in the crash.

"This willful and wanton action severely limited his ability to navigate safely through traffic and caused Davis to lose control of his vehicle prior to the collision," Clemson police said in a statement. "The injuries the mail carrier sustained in this crash are severe and will require months or longer for recovery."

While South Carolina law does not currently allow for increased penalties in reckless driving cases that result in severe injury, Schlabach noted that such a bill is being considered in the state legislature. 

Clemson Police Chief Jorge Campos appeared to be advocating for the passage of that bill in his remarks on the situation. 

"These egregious and aggressive driving acts that result in serious injury to another need to have appropriate penalty," he said. "In most cases, the injured suffer much pain, multiple medical procedures, lengthy recovery times, and whose freedom to live life injury free are taken from them. The offender, especially if they are not hurt, currently only have a few hurdles to navigate and get to live life freely, while the injured do not."

Davis, 19, was not injured in the crash. He has been released on bond. 

"Fred Davis remains with the program but will be subject to internal discipline," a school spokesperson told Alexis Cubit and Bristow Marchant of The State. "Grounds for internal discipline for misdemeanor charges like this are covered under the terms of the Clemson Student-Athlete Handbook, which says that the head coach can recommend a course of action, and upon concurrence of the designated (Clemson University Athletics Department) administrator, administer sanctions."

The rising sophomore appeared in 11 games for the Tigers last season and was expected to push for more playing time in the 2021 campaign. 

Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson will be honored with a statue at the University of Louisville outside Cardinal Stadium.

Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra announced the news Monday on the Deener Show (h/t Shawn Barbour of Cardinals Sports Zone).

The statue will be placed at the main entrance alongside fellow Louisville great Johnny Unitas, who also went on to a great professional career in Baltimore.

Jackson was the first Cardinals player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2016 during a season in which he totaled 30 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns.

Over his final two seasons in college, Jackson totaled 7,203 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns, 3,172 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. He won the Heisman in 2016 ahead of other top quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson before finishing third in voting in 2017.

He also earned the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, Maxwell Award as the nation's top player and twice won the ACC Player of the Year award. 

The individual accolades will help him be immortalized at the school alongside Unitas, who went onto be named a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Jackson will hope for similar success in his professional career and is already on his way with an MVP award in his second NFL season with the Ravens. If he keeps it up, he will be alongside Unitas and Ray Lewis with another statue outside M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. 

A University of Miami spokesperson confirmed Hurricanes safety Avantae Williams has been suspended after being arrested Wednesday on domestic violence charges.

ESPN reported Thursday that Williams is being held on $10,000 bond after he was charged with three counts of aggravated battery of a pregnant person in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Williams was dismissed from the football program.

"We are aware that football student-athlete Avantae Williams has been arrested by the Miami-Dade Police Department," the school spokesperson initially said in a statement. "He was immediately suspended from all team activities."

According to Susan Miller Degnan and David Ovalle of the Miami Herald, police reported there was an argument between Williams and a woman who's pregnant with their second child. Williams requested she be moved out of their shared home by the time he returned from football practice.

The woman told police she was still in the process of moving out when Williams returned and allegedly turned violent, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her on the bed while yelling, "Get the f--k out." She said he then threw her out of the house, which caused her head to hit the ground.

She asked neighbors to call police and was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for "multiple bruises to her arms," a bruise on her neck and broken fingernails, according to the police report.

Williams was represented by a lawyer and didn't speak with police, per the Miami Herald.

The 20-year-old defensive back is a native of DeLand, Florida. He joined the Canes as part of their 2020 recruiting class, but he sat out his first season because of "chronic and lingering medical issues." He was cleared to return in March and took part in spring practice.

Miami is scheduled to kick off the 2021 campaign Sept. 4 against Alabama.

Former Florida State head coach and college football legend Bobby Bowden announced he has been diagnosed with a "terminal medical condition," per Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat.

"I've always tried to serve God's purpose for my life, on and off the field, and I am prepared for what is to come," he told the Tallahassee Democrat in a statement. "My wife Ann and our family have been life's greatest blessing. I am at peace."

A number of figures around football shared their best wishes and what Bowden meant to them and the sport after learning of the news on Wednesday:

Praying for Coach Bowden and his entire family! Incredible man who is loved by so many and the Nole Family is with him. 🙏🏻

— Mike Norvell (@Coach_Norvell) July 21, 2021

Mike Leach: “Coach (Bobby) Bowden is a tremendous person. He has been an example for all of us. He made us all want to coach when we were younger"

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 21, 2021

Mike Leach said he used to watch Bobby Bowden in jr hs, saying his teams threw the ball before most did. "I don't think the game would be the same without him.'

— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) July 21, 2021

Prayers for Coach Bobby Bowden and his family. We all love Coach ! @FSUFootball

— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) July 21, 2021

Henry reported that Bowden's health "deteriorated" after he tested positive for COVID-19 in October. He was also hospitalized in late June and has "struggled to regain his strength." 

"I feel fine but I can't do much," he told the Tallahassee Democrat on July 5. 

The 91-year-old Bowden went 377-129-4 in his coaching career, trailing only John Gagliardi (489), Joe Paterno (409) and Eddie Robinson (408) in all-time wins among college football head coaches. He won two national championships with Florida State (1993 and 1999), won 12 ACC titles at the school and went to 31 bowl games. 

He started his head-coaching career at Howard College (1959-62) before spending six years with West Virginia (1970-75). He joined Florida State in 1976 as the head coach, a position he held until 2009.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Never one to shy away from a bold opinion, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shared his thoughts about the possibility of an expanded College Football Playoff field.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Swinney said he doesn't support a 12-team field: "Our team wasn't for it. They don't want to play more games. And to be honest with you, I don't think there's 12 teams good enough."

The outspoken Clemson head coach did joke that college football could adopt a relegation system, like they use in the Premier League. 

"Maybe we should have a 40-team Premier League with a 12-team Playoff and if you stink you get relegated to the other level or something," Swinney said. "I don't know."

Swinney's comments come after a sub-group of the College Football Playoff management committee presented a proposal last month to expand the current playoff format from four teams to 12. 

While the proposal has yet to receive approval, there appears to be some traction for it moving forward. 

College Football Playoff board chairman Mark Keenum said in a statement released on June 22 the board has authorized a "review phase that will engage other important voices in this matter" as they continue to decide to proceed with the recommendation. 

Under the proposed format, the field would be comprised of the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams. The top four teams would receive a first-round bye. 

The current four-team College Football Playoff format began with the 2014 season.

A total of 11 different programs have played in the College Football Playoff over the past seven seasons. Alabama (three) and Clemson (two) are the only schools that have won multiple titles under this format.