(01-01-2022 08:28 PM)Statefan Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 04:16 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 02:43 PM)Statefan Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 07:37 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(12-31-2021 10:55 PM)Schema Wrote:  Clemson starts off the season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Georgia Tech on Monday, September 05. As of right now, all but one of the other conference schools on the schedule have a game locked-in on the following Saturday, September 10. They are all out-of-conference games, with Boston College being the exception. According to FBSchedules, BC is playing @ VT on September 10. FSU is the only one that isn't currently showing a game on September 10.

So, that means that Clemson is either going to have a very early open date in week 2, or they will be playing @ FSU with a short week, or something has to be shuffled around. If there is any shuffling, the most logical would be with the La Tech (currently September 17) or Furman (currently October 08) games.

Move one of Clemson's buy games to Week Zero and give them two byes.

I can't support ******* with Clemson in that way. "Fair" can not really exist in a 15 member conference so giving more leeway to those that might make you more money has to be the way forward.

So why is UNC playing in Week Zero?

Exposure and likely a bye week before ND.

This is their likely schedule:

8/27 Florida A&M
9/3 at App State
9/10 at Ga State
9/17 Open
9/24 Notre Dame
10/1 VT
10/8 at Duke
10/15 at UVa
10/22 GT
10/29 Open
11/5 at Miami
11/12 Pitt
11/19 at WF
11/26 NC State

This gives them an open date before Notre Dame and Miami. There is minimal travel the last three weeks and minimal travel between weeks 3 and 9. Duke is a defacto home game and a trip to UVa is not a substantial trip.

So are you saying to support 2 byes for UNC but not for Clemson?

(01-01-2022 04:49 PM)schmolik Wrote:  How has the ACC handled teams playing on Labor Day in the past? Do they always get a Week 2 bye? Do they play FCS teams? Having a Week 2 bye or a short week isn't ideal.

The two examples I can think of were VT in 2010 and GT in 2017:
Both played an FCS the following Saturday. VT hosted James Madison, GT hosted Jacksonville State.

(01-01-2022 09:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 08:28 PM)Statefan Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 04:16 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 02:43 PM)Statefan Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 07:37 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Move one of Clemson's buy games to Week Zero and give them two byes.

I can't support ******* with Clemson in that way. "Fair" can not really exist in a 15 member conference so giving more leeway to those that might make you more money has to be the way forward.

So why is UNC playing in Week Zero?

Exposure and likely a bye week before ND.

This is their likely schedule:

8/27 Florida A&M
9/3 at App State
9/10 at Ga State
9/17 Open
9/24 Notre Dame
10/1 VT
10/8 at Duke
10/15 at UVa
10/22 GT
10/29 Open
11/5 at Miami
11/12 Pitt
11/19 at WF
11/26 NC State

This gives them an open date before Notre Dame and Miami. There is minimal travel the last three weeks and minimal travel between weeks 3 and 9. Duke is a defacto home game and a trip to UVa is not a substantial trip.

So are you saying to support 2 byes for UNC but not for Clemson?

What I am saying is that I do not expect Clemson to open their season in week 0 with Furman. GT is going to be not much better than Furman. I expect Clemson to have replaced Uglyugly and to have found an additional running back who is bigger than Shipley. If you want two byes you have to open with a nationally televised game with an FCS school or you have to play at Hawaii or play a school that plays at Hawaii next year. Or you can play in PR or Ireland. I just don't see Clemson doing that.

Clemson has 80K fans to keep happy regarding when and what time the game starts and it matters all season long. At UNC football matters only until Midnight Madness for Basketball and then it's a complete afterthought. You have to squeeze what you can out of UNC early.

(01-01-2022 09:09 PM)copycat Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 04:49 PM)schmolik Wrote:  How has the ACC handled teams playing on Labor Day in the past? Do they always get a Week 2 bye? Do they play FCS teams? Having a Week 2 bye or a short week isn't ideal.

The two examples I can think of were VT in 2010 and GT in 2017:
Both played an FCS the following Saturday. VT hosted James Madison, GT hosted Jacksonville State.

Labor Day Monday games are one offs, there is not enough for a pattern. Although everyone remembers VT choking to Boise State in DC and then having to turn around in 3 days and play JMU and losing.

Rethinking Clemson if they did move Furman to follow GT, that means Clemson needs a game on the 24th and 8th with an ACC school and BC can fill that spot on the 24th.

That makes for

GT at Mercedes Dome
Furman
La Tech
at BC
Louisville
at FSU
Open
Miami
at WF
at ND
NC State
Syracuse
South Carolina

I just think about the trash the media will heap on Clemson with those first three games.

Maybe FBSchedules has the Clemson v Furman game listed incorrectly, or perhaps it got changed at some point and has not been updated.

This article on Furman's athletic site says it is from September 26, 2019 and it shows the date of the Clemson game as September 10, 2022. So, I'm going to go with that for now.

https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2019/9/2...-2025.aspx

September 05: Georgia Tech (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)
September 10: Furman
September 17: Louisiana Tech
September 24: TBD (Teams currently open = @ BC, @ FSU, @ Wake; @ BC seems most likely)
October 01: TBD
October 08: TBD (Can't be @ Wake)
October 15: TBD
October 22: TBD
October 29: TBD (Can't be @ BC or Syracuse)
November 05: @ Notre Dame
November 12: TBD
November 19: TBD (Can't be @ BC or @ FSU)
November 26: South Carolina

(01-01-2022 08:23 PM)Statefan Wrote:  I thought you purposely scheduled Furman, Wofford, and the Citadel to be a November break before South Carolina. You have that in 24, 25, and 27.

It looks like we started doing that occasionally around 2013. We played an in-state FCS or G5 team the week before UofSC in 2013, 2014, and 2017. In 2019, we had an open week before UofSC since that was a year that allowed two open dates. This past season, we played UConn two weeks prior to UofSC instead of the week before. So, it looks like we try to schedule that way most of the time, but not every year.

on my acc schedule template im moving furman to week 2 as i don't think clemson wants a bye but fsu won't play lsu then clemson

IF CBS Sports is accurate, schedule Clemson at Wake Forest in late November. November 19?

Let's use ESPN products since they actually televise our games:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...all-top-25

Mark Schlabach
ESPN Senior Writer
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The 2021 college football season has just ended, with Georgia beating Alabama 33-18 in Monday night's national title game, but it's already time to look ahead to the 2022 season.

Not surprisingly, Nick Saban's Alabama squad will start our 2022 Way-Too-Early college football top 25 as No. 1, leading three SEC teams in the top four.

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Thanks to some industry-shaking coaching moves and an overflowing transfer portal, this has been a wild offseason that shows no signs of slowing down. As a result, these rankings will be updated several times throughout the offseason.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2021 record: 13-2 (7-1 SEC)
Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: OT Evan Neal, WR Jameson Williams, DE Phidarian Mathis, S Jordan Battle, CB Josh Jobe, RB Brian Robinson Jr., WR John Metchie III
Key additions: CB Eli Ricks, OT Tyler Booker, DE Jeremiah Alexander, WR Shazz Preston, RB Emmanuel Henderson, RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Outlook: It probably wasn't the strongest team of the Nick Saban era, given the Crimson Tide's struggles on the offensive line and on defense at times this past season. Nonetheless, the Tide will be favored to win it all in 2022, with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young and much of the defense coming back. The Tide might dip into the transfer portal to help replace Williams' and Metchie's massive production. Ricks, an All-American at LSU in 2020, will help shore up the Tide's secondary.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes
2021 record: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: WR Garrett Wilson, WR Chris Olave, G Thayer Munford, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, DT Haskell Garrett, DE Tyreke Smith, CB Marcus Williamson, PK Noah Ruggles
Key additions: ATH Alex Styles, OLB C.J. Hicks, DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr., OLB Gabe Powers, ATH Kaleb Brown, DT Caden Curry

Outlook: The Buckeyes just missed making the College Football Playoff for a third straight time under coach Ryan Day, with a humbling 42-27 loss at rival Michigan knocking them out of contention. Much of Ohio State's problems in 2021 can be attributed to the defense. Day hired Jim Knowles, who revamped Oklahoma State's defense the past two seasons, and Knowles will have his work cut out for him. With quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson coming back, the offense should again be explosive, even with Wilson and Olave turning pro. The receiver corps is in good hands with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The 2022 season will be demanding, with a home opener against Notre Dame, Big Ten road games against Michigan State and Penn State and divisional crossover games versus Iowa and Wisconsin at home.


ESPN
3. Georgia Bulldogs
2021 record: 14-1 (8-0 SEC)
Starters expected to return: 9 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: DE Travon Walker, NT Jordan Davis, DT Devonte Wyatt, LB Nakobe Dean, LB Channing Tindall, CB Derion Kendrick, OT Jamaree Salyer, RB James Cook
Key additions: S Tykee Smith, DB Malaki Starks, CB Jaheim Singletary, RB Branson Robinson, OLB Jalon Walker, CB Daylen Everette, QB Gunner Stockton

Outlook: The Bulldogs finally ended a 41-year national championship drought with a win over the Tide and will enter the 2022 season as the SEC East favorites. Georgia will undergo a massive facelift on defense, starting at the top with coordinator Dan Lanning leaving to become Oregon's new coach. Former Florida and South Carolina coach Will Muschamp and inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann will work as co-coordinators in 2022. Georgia's losses on defense will be extensive, and younger players such as Tramel Walthour, Jalen Carter and Nazir Stackhouse will have big shoes to fill on the D-line. Quarterback Stetson Bennett is eligible to return for another season; he will probably battle JT Daniels and Brock Vandagriff for the starting job next season. Georgia's offense might have to do more heavy lifting in 2022.

4. Texas A&M Aggies
2021 record: 8-4 (4-4 SEC)
Starters expected to return: 5 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: OT Kenyon Green, DT DeMarvin Leal, RB Isaiah Spiller, TE Jalen Wydermyer, DL Jayden Peevy, DB Leon O'Neal Jr., DE Tyree Johnson, LB Aaron Hansford, DE Micheal Clemons
Key additions: QB Max Johnson, QB Conner Weigman, DT Walter Nolen, DT Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, WR Evan Stewart

Outlook: The Aggies took a step back in 2021, which wasn't much of a surprise after they lost four starting offensive linemen and quarterback Haynes King broke his leg in the second game. Now, Texas A&M's defense, its strength this past season, will have to be rebuilt. Defensive coordinator Mike Elko left to become Duke's new coach; Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher hired Mississippi's D.J. Durkin to replace Elko. The entire front four on defense -- tackles Leal and Peevy and top pass-rushers Johnson and Clemons -- are expected to leave. Leading tackler Hansford will have to be replaced, as well. If King is healthy, he'll battle LSU transfer Max Johnson and incoming freshman Weigman, the No. 1 pocket passer in the ESPN 300, for the starting job next season.

5. Michigan Wolverines
2021 record: 12-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 5 defense, 0 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: DE Aidan Hutchinson, OLB David Ojabo, RB Hassan Haskins, LB Josh Ross, SS Brad Hawkins, CB Vincent Gray, S Daxton Hill, C Andrew Vastardis, OT Andrew Stueber, DT Christopher Hinton
Key additions: CB William Johnson, DE Derrick Moore, OT Tyler Morris, S Keon Sabb, WR Darrius Clemons

Outlook: It might have taken seven seasons, but Jim Harbaugh finally broke through what looked like a ceiling at his alma mater. The season ended with a flop, a 34-11 loss to Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl, but that won't take away from a breakout campaign. The Wolverines defeated Ohio State for the first time in a decade, won the Big Ten for the first time since 2004 and reached the playoff for the first time. After there was mounting pressure to fire Harbaugh following the 2020 season, he shook up his coaching staff, and the changes paid off. First-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald did fantastic work, and he might have to do even more next season with Hutchinson and Ojabo turning pro. Identifying Haskins' replacement and settling a quarterback battle between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy will be priorities this spring.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2021 record: 11-2
Starters expected to return: 7 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: S Kyle Hamilton, RB Kyren Williams, G Cain Madden, QB Jack Coan, NG Kurt Hinish, DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, LB Drew White
Key additions: LB Jaylen Sneed, WR Tobias Merriweather, CB Jaden Mickey, DE Tyson Ford, ILB Niuafe Tuihalamaka, OT Aamil Wagner, S Brandon Joseph

Outlook: The start of the Marcus Freeman era didn't go off as planned, as Notre Dame blew a 21-point lead in a 37-35 loss to Oklahoma State in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. The former defensive coordinator will grow into the position, but it's hard to ignore his energy and desire to upgrade recruiting. The defense got a boost with junior end Isaiah Foskey deciding to return, along with fifth-year seniors Jayson Ademilola and Justin Ademilola. Joseph, an All-American at Northwestern in 2020, has had nine interceptions the past two seasons. Center Jarrett Patterson also hasn't announced his future plans. With Coan departing, Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner will battle for the quarterback job this spring. The offensive line should be better, especially after freshmen Joe Alt and Blake Fisher emerged as the starting tackles. The Irish will play road games against Ohio State, North Carolina, Syracuse and Southern California in 2022.

7. Utah Utes
2021 record: 10-4 (8-1 Pac-12)
Starters expected to return: 7 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: LB Devin Lloyd, LB Nephi Sewell, DE Mika Tafua, WR Britain Covey, RB TJ Pledger, C Nick Ford, OT Bamidele Olaseni, S Vonte Davis
Key additions: LB Mohamoud Diabate, QB Nathan Johnson, ATH Justius Lowe, LB Lander Barton, S Elijah Davis, LB Justin Medlock, WR Landon Morris, TE Logan Kendall

Outlook: The Utes' inspiring season ended with a disappointing 48-45 loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Still, Kyle Whittingham and his team did amazing work following the tragic deaths of two players. The Utes should again be favored to win the Pac-12, even with star players such as Lloyd, Sewell and Covey departing for the NFL. Last week, the Utes added transfer Diabate, who was Florida's second-leading tackler last season. Quarterback Cameron Rising will enter the offseason as the undisputed starter. The Utes open the 2022 season at Florida and also play San Diego State in a nonconference game.


The Utes should again be favored to win the Pac-12. Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
8. NC State Wolfpack
2021 record: 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 10 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: OT Ikem Ekwonu, RB Zonovan Knight, RB Ricky Person Jr., WR Emeka Emezie, DE Daniel Joseph
Key additions: ATH Michael Allen, DT Brandon Cleveland, OLB Torren Wright, G Jacarrius Peak, QB M.J. Morris, P Shane McDonough

Outlook: The Wolfpack were disappointed about not having the chance to complete just their second 10-win season in 116 years when the Holiday Bowl was canceled because of COVID-19 issues for UCLA. But NC State will be in prime position to reach that milestone in 2022, and possibly win even more. Quarterback Devin Leary, who threw for 3,433 yards with 35 touchdowns, is returning. Ekwonu, a potential top-10 pick, will be difficult to replace, but the other four starting offensive linemen should return. With linebacker Payton Wilson, cornerback Derrek Pitts Jr. and safety Tanner Ingle already declaring their intentions to stay, the Wolfpack might bring back 14 of their top 15 tacklers. NC State's nonconference schedule in 2022 (East Carolina, Charleston Southern, Texas Tech and UConn) is more than manageable.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
2021 record: 12-2 (8-1 Big 12)
Starters expected to return: 7 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: RB Jaylen Warren, WR Tay Martin, G Josh Sills, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Devin Harper, S Kolby Harvell-Peel
Key additions: WR Talyn Shettron, QB Garrett Rangel, RB Braylin Presley, OT Tyrone Webber, LB Xavier Benson, RB C.J. Brown

Outlook: The Cowboys came within a few inches of winning the Big 12 title and possibly reaching the CFP, but instead settled for a 21-point comeback in their win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, which coach Mike Gundy called the biggest in the program's history. With quarterback Spencer Sanders and most of the offense returning, the Pokes should be potent again in 2022. The defense will need a facelift -- Knowles left for Ohio State and leading tacklers Rodriguez and Harper departed. Gundy isn't sure whether he'll promote from within or hire an outside candidate as defensive coordinator. The Pokes will play Big 12 road games at Baylor, TCU, Kansas State, Kansas and Oklahoma next season.

10. Michigan State Spartans
2021 record: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Starters expected to return: 5 offense, 9 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: RB Kenneth Walker III, WR Jalen Nailor, C Matt Allen, OT Kevin Jarvis, DE Jacub Panasiuk, DE Drew Beesley, K Matt Coghlin
Key additions: LB Aaron Brule, DE Khris Bogle, LB Jacoby Windmon, RB Jalen Berger, CB Caleb Coley, DT Alex VanSumeren, RB Dillon Tatum, WR Antonio Gates Jr.

Outlook: Mel Tucker is convinced he can build a national championship caliber program at Michigan State, and he took a big step toward credibility in his second season. The nine-win improvement from 2020 is the biggest in school history. The Spartans started 8-0 and were No. 3 in the initial CFP rankings before cooling off. They'll undoubtedly miss Walker, who was the second-leading rusher in the FBS with 1,636 yards in 12 games. The Spartans added Berger, a transfer from Wisconsin, and might be looking for another running back to help. Three starting offensive linemen are expected to exit, along with Nailor, the team's second-leading receiver. Much of the defense will return, but the Spartans need better pass-rushers, which is why they added Brule from Mississippi State and Windmon from UNLV.

11. Clemson Tigers
2021 record: 10-3 (6-2 ACC)
Starters expected to return: 11 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: DE Xavier Thomas, LB James Skalski, CB Andrew Booth Jr., FS Nolan Turner, CB Mario Goodrich
Key additions: QB Cade Klubnik, CB Jeadyn Lukus, WR Antonio Williams, OT Collin Sadler, WR Adam Randall, CB Toriano Pride

Outlook: Change is finally coming to Dabo Swinney's dynasty, and the Tigers are undergoing a major overhaul on their coaching staff, after Brent Venables left for Oklahoma and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott was named Virginia's new coach. Swinney stayed in house to replace them, promoting Wes Goodwin to defensive coordinator and Brandon Streeter to offensive playcaller. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) in his first full season as a starter, and he might be pushed by Klubnik, who is enrolling this month. The Tigers have to play better on the offensive line and need playmakers to emerge at receiver. Streeter might look to get running backs Will Shipley and Kobe Pace and tight ends more involved in the passing game. The defense will get a boost from the return of tackle Bryan Bresee, who missed much of 2021 with a torn ACL.

12. Oregon Ducks
2021 record: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12)
Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, CB Mykael Wright, CB DJ James, QB Anthony Brown, WR Devon Williams, G George Moore, S Verone McKinley III
Key additions: QB Bo Nix, LB Devon Jackson, ATH Jalil Tucker, DE Gracen Halton, S Trejon Williams, LB Harrison Taggart, DB Christian Gonzalez, DT Sam Taimani

Outlook: After former coach Mario Cristobal bolted to return to Miami, his alma mater, the Ducks are gambling on Lanning, a first-time head coach. Lanning inherits a defense that loses Thibodeaux, potentially the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, but brings back a lot of talent, including LB Noah Sewell, CB Dontae Manning and NT Popo Aumavae. Only three starters on offense are expected to leave, and Lanning is bringing in former Auburn starter Nix to compete for the starting quarterback job. Even with Lanning's inexperience, there's enough in place for the Ducks to win the Pac-12 North again. The Ducks open the season against Georgia in Atlanta and play BYU at home.


Noah Sewell is one of Oregon's returning stars for next season. Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
13. Houston Cougars
2021 record: 12-2 (8-0 AAC)
Starters expected to return: 7 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: G Keenan Murphy, C Kody Russey, OT Dennis Bardwell, CB/KR Marcus Jones, DT Logan Hall, DE David Anenih, LB Deontay Anderson, CB Damarion Williams, WR Jake Herslow
Key additions: WR Matthew Golden, WR Brice Johnson, OL Demetrius Hunter, CB Moses Alexander, DE Nadame Tucker, DT Amipeleasi Lange

Outlook: After winning 12 games for only the third time in school history, the Cougars will again be among the AAC favorites in 2022, if not the favorite. There are plenty of pieces coming back on offense, including quarterback Clayton Tune, RB Alton McCaskill and receiver Nathaniel Dell. The offensive line needs to play better and Dell needs help on the perimeter. Houston's "Third Ward" defense is what has fueled its resurgence under Dana Holgorsen, and the Cougars are fortunate coordinator Doug Belk is sticking around after drawing interest from a handful of Power 5 programs. Jones' big-play capabilities on kick returns and in the secondary will be sorely missed.

[b]14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons[/b]
2021 record: 11-3 (7-1 ACC)
Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: WR Jaquarii Roberson, RB Christian Beal-Smith, TE Brandon Chapman, DT Miles Fox, LB Luke Masterson, LB Traveon Redd, CB Ja'sir Taylor
Key additions: DT Kobie Turner, WR Jaydn Girard, CB Zamari Stevenson, DE Eli Hall, WR Wesley Grimes, LB Tommy Bebie

Outlook: Dave Clawson continues to do amazing work at Wake Forest, leading the Demon Deacons to at least 10 wins for only the second time in the 114-year history of the program. Wake Forest won the Atlantic Division and played in its sixth consecutive bowl game. With quarterback Sam Hartman coming back, the Demon Deacons should be right back in the mix for an ACC title in 2022. Hartman will miss Roberson, who had 71 catches for 1,078 yards with eight touchdowns, but A.T. Perry is just as good. Beal-Smith, the team's leading rusher, entered the transfer portal. As potent as Wake Forest has been on offense, its defense could be better. Clawson hired Purdue defensive coordinator Brad Lambert to replace Lyle Hemphill, who left for Duke.

Personally I think ESPN has us too high and Clemson too low.

I would go with:

1. Bama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. TAMU
5. scUM
6. Clemson
7. Michigan State
8. ND
9. Ok State
10. Ole Miss
11. NC State
12. Baylor
13. Utah
14. Oregon
15. Wake Forest
16. Houston
17. BYU
18. USC
19. Iowa
20. Miami

If MSU is a top 10 pre-season team, with 5 returning starters on offense and 9 on defense, than so is Pitt. Pitt would have beat Sparty by 2 TDs if its backup QB didn't get hurt on the second series.

All five starting OL returns, as do Pitt's top 2 receivers including its Bilentnikoff winner plus it is adding a freshman All-American transfer at WR. Its top 3 rushers return, along with a 2nd team freshman all-american TE. Former Pac-12 freshman of the year Slovis transferring in as QB from USC.

The defense returns 9 of the 11 players that started in the Peach bowl, including a majority of the 2 deep.

14 of the AP Top 25 teams didn't start the season ranked (an all-time record). Obviously pre-season anything is meaningless, but it also is pretty good bulletin board material. Pitt schedule is tough though, opening back to back with WVU and Tennessee. Getting the Vols the week after the Backyard Brawl revival is going to be emotionally tough.

(01-11-2022 04:12 PM)CrazyPaco Wrote:  If MSU is a top 10 pre-season team, with 5 returning starters on offense and 9 on defense, than so is Pitt. Pitt would have beat Sparty by 2 TDs if its backup QB didn't get hurt on the second series.

All five starting OL returns, as do Pitt's top 2 receivers including its Bilentnikoff winner plus it is adding a freshman All-American transfer at WR. Its top 3 rushers return, along with a 2nd team freshman all-american TE. Former Pac-12 freshman of the year Slovis transferring in as QB from USC.

The defense returns 9 of the 11 players that started in the Peach bowl, including a majority of the 2 deep.

14 of the AP Top 25 teams didn't start the season ranked (an all-time record). Obviously pre-season anything is meaningless, but it also is pretty good bulletin board material. Pitt schedule is tough though, opening back to back with WVU and Tennessee. Getting the Vols the week after the Backyard Brawl revival is going to be emotionally tough.

I would go with:

1. Bama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. TAMU
5. scUM
6. Clemson
7. Michigan State
8. ND
9. Ok State
10. Ole Miss
11. NC State
12. Baylor
13. Utah
14. Oregon
15. Pitt
16. Wake Forest
17. Houston
18. BYU
19. USC
20. Iowa
21. Miami

Thanks for the reminder.

Could be PSU media trying to keep you down because outside of games with Tenn and WVa all you really have is Miami and UNC/VT that may or may not have their **** together.

(01-11-2022 01:16 PM)Statefan Wrote:  Let's use ESPN products since they actually televise our games:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...all-top-25

Mark Schlabach
ESPN Senior Writer

...
8. NC State Wolfpack
2021 record: 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 10 defense, 1 special teams
Key starters expected to leave: OT Ikem Ekwonu, RB Zonovan Knight, RB Ricky Person Jr., WR Emeka Emezie, DE Daniel Joseph
Key additions: ATH Michael Allen, DT Brandon Cleveland, OLB Torren Wright, G Jacarrius Peak, QB M.J. Morris, P Shane McDonough

Outlook: The Wolfpack were disappointed about not having the chance to complete just their second 10-win season in 116 years when the Holiday Bowl was canceled because of COVID-19 issues for UCLA. But NC State will be in prime position to reach that milestone in 2022, and possibly win even more. Quarterback Devin Leary, who threw for 3,433 yards with 35 touchdowns, is returning. Ekwonu, a potential top-10 pick, will be difficult to replace, but the other four starting offensive linemen should return. With linebacker Payton Wilson, cornerback Derrek Pitts Jr. and safety Tanner Ingle already declaring their intentions to stay, the Wolfpack might bring back 14 of their top 15 tacklers. NC State's nonconference schedule in 2022 (East Carolina, Charleston Southern, Texas Tech and UConn) is more than manageable.

I thought John Skipper stepped down at ESPN due to a substance abuse problem... didn't Mark Schlabach learn anything from that? The dude is obviously on something!

(01-01-2022 03:10 PM)Statefan Wrote:  Most of these rivalry games OOC need to happen in October.

For Clemson:

Monday 5th at GT in Chick Fil A
Sunday 11th at FSU - 8 PM Game
Sat 17th La Tech
Sat 24th Louisville
Sat 1st of October at BC [
Sat 8th Furman
Sat 15th Miami - 8 PM Game
Sat 22nd Open
Sat 29th at WF (this is the best you can do unless you push the open week to week 9.
Sat Nov 5th at Notre Dame - 8 PM Game
Sat Nov 12th NC State - Could be a really big game?[color=#800000]
Sat Nov 19th Syracuse
Sat Nov 26th South Carolina
Anyway this is how I would see the ACC monetizing Clemson. I think they are discounting FSU and want them out of the way. Miami is the second favorite in the Coastal and a mid season game makes a rematch in the ACCCG less of bore. Normally the ACC would give Clemson an open week before ND, but only having to travel to Winston should make up for that. (I know this is slighting a few teams, but you have to sleight someone when you are guessing)

Clemson would never agree to playing South Carolina in October. If Kaplony were still here, he would protest that to high heaven. Same thing with Florida State and Florida, IMO.

However, I can see UGA being willing to play Georgia Tech in October. The game would probably draw a lot better, and Tech would have good attendance too moving our game with them away from Turkey Day. Same thing with Kentucky and Louisville.

(01-13-2022 01:29 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 03:10 PM)Statefan Wrote:  Most of these rivalry games OOC need to happen in October.

For Clemson:

Monday 5th at GT in Chick Fil A
Sunday 11th at FSU - 8 PM Game
Sat 17th La Tech
Sat 24th Louisville
Sat 1st of October at BC [
Sat 8th Furman
Sat 15th Miami - 8 PM Game
Sat 22nd Open
Sat 29th at WF (this is the best you can do unless you push the open week to week 9.
Sat Nov 5th at Notre Dame - 8 PM Game
Sat Nov 12th NC State - Could be a really big game?[color=#800000]
Sat Nov 19th Syracuse
Sat Nov 26th South Carolina
Anyway this is how I would see the ACC monetizing Clemson. I think they are discounting FSU and want them out of the way. Miami is the second favorite in the Coastal and a mid season game makes a rematch in the ACCCG less of bore. Normally the ACC would give Clemson an open week before ND, but only having to travel to Winston should make up for that. (I know this is slighting a few teams, but you have to sleight someone when you are guessing)

Clemson would never agree to playing South Carolina in October. If Kaplony were still here, he would protest that to high heaven. Same thing with Florida State and Florida, IMO.

However, I can see UGA being willing to play Georgia Tech in October. The game would probably draw a lot better, and Tech would have good attendance too moving our game with them away from Turkey Day. Same thing with Kentucky and Louisville.

until recently UK/UL was played at the beginning of the season anyway.

Problem: if they moved those two games, it creates a divisional imbalance on the final weekend for the ACC (since UL and GT are not in the same division, it gives both of them an odd number of teams free). Possible solution: have Wake play Vandy and Pitt play WVU on the last weekend, thus rebalancing the divisions. That would result in the following games in the ACC: GT/Miami and NC State/Louisville.

Two good games (and potentially important to the ACC race, too). That said, I like GT/UGA and UL/UK just the way they are.

(01-13-2022 11:25 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(01-13-2022 01:29 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 03:10 PM)Statefan Wrote:  Most of these rivalry games OOC need to happen in October.

For Clemson:

Monday 5th at GT in Chick Fil A
Sunday 11th at FSU - 8 PM Game
Sat 17th La Tech
Sat 24th Louisville
Sat 1st of October at BC [
Sat 8th Furman
Sat 15th Miami - 8 PM Game
Sat 22nd Open
Sat 29th at WF (this is the best you can do unless you push the open week to week 9.
Sat Nov 5th at Notre Dame - 8 PM Game
Sat Nov 12th NC State - Could be a really big game?[color=#800000]
Sat Nov 19th Syracuse
Sat Nov 26th South Carolina
Anyway this is how I would see the ACC monetizing Clemson. I think they are discounting FSU and want them out of the way. Miami is the second favorite in the Coastal and a mid season game makes a rematch in the ACCCG less of bore. Normally the ACC would give Clemson an open week before ND, but only having to travel to Winston should make up for that. (I know this is slighting a few teams, but you have to sleight someone when you are guessing)

Clemson would never agree to playing South Carolina in October. If Kaplony were still here, he would protest that to high heaven. Same thing with Florida State and Florida, IMO.

However, I can see UGA being willing to play Georgia Tech in October. The game would probably draw a lot better, and Tech would have good attendance too moving our game with them away from Turkey Day. Same thing with Kentucky and Louisville.

until recently UK/UL was played at the beginning of the season anyway.

Problem: if they moved those two games, it creates a divisional imbalance on the final weekend for the ACC (since UL and GT are not in the same division, it gives both of them an odd number of teams free). Possible solution: have Wake play Vandy and Pitt play WVU on the last weekend, thus rebalancing the divisions. That would result in the following games in the ACC: GT/Miami and NC State/Louisville.

Two good games (and potentially important to the ACC race, too). That said, I like GT/UGA and UL/UK just the way they are.

I think most Pitt fans would be ecstatic playing the Brawl every year as part of Rivalry week. I know I would.

(01-14-2022 12:04 PM)Shannon Panther Wrote:  I think most Pitt fans would be ecstatic playing the Brawl every year as part of Rivalry week. I know I would.

If they do, it should be on Friday so it doesn't get lost with all the other rivalry games. VT/UVA is the same way. I like it better on Black Friday.

(01-11-2022 08:18 AM)schmolik Wrote:  IF CBS Sports is accurate, schedule Clemson at Wake Forest in late November. November 19?

on my entire mock that is exactly what i have scheduled for the 19th

Any news on Duke’s final OOC game?