The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTIC DIVISION RECAP
BOSTON COLLEGE
Coach: No debate — ACC is the best
■ Season opener: Boston College at Northern Illinois, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1, CBSSN
The Eagles have won two conference games in the past two seasons, but that didn’t stop coach Steve Addazio from making a rather bold statement.
He said the ACC is the best conference in college football.
“That’s not even debatable anymore.” With his “undisputed” comment, Addazio is somewhat backhandedly blaming the league for his program’s struggles.
But despite that awful conference record, Boston College still went to the postseason because of its 4-0 nonconference record and beat Maryland 36-30 in the Quick Lane Bowl.
CLEMSON
ath to title game s a ‘lot of hard work’
■ Season opener: Kent State at Clemson, noon Sept. 2, ESPN
The Tigers may have won the national title last year, but that doesn’t mean they’re done.
Clemson lost a lot of key players, but DT Christian Wilkins wants the younger players to know they aren’t entitled to anything.
Wilkins told tigernet.com, “It’s not an easy route. It’s not an easy path. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of preparation in and out, each and every day, and you’ve got to be ready for each and every game, and this is a tough league, too.
“The ACC is the best league in college football, and you can get beat each and every day, so you’ve really got to be on it because you never know.”
FLORIDA STATE
isher is happy to open gainst Alabama
■ Season opener: Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game: Alabama vs. Florida State (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta), 8 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN
Coach Jimbo Fisher was asked if he’s ready for the opener against Alabama.
“I scheduled it, so I better be ready for it,” Fisher said.
While he wouldn’t want to do it every year, Fisher said it’s a great way to kick off the season and believes the game will be a measuring stick for his team.
“That is what college football is all about,” Fisher said. “You get to walk into that atmosphere, that environment. You are talking about the two winningest teams in college football over the last seven years. That is great for our league and for college football.”
LOUISVILLE
Jackson won’t focus n a Heisman repeat
■ Season opener: Louisville vs. Purdue (at Indianapolis), 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Fox
Lamar Jackson didn’t start last season thinking about winning the Heisman Trophy. It just ended up that way.
Of course the QB had a lot to do with outcome, thanks to his dizzying array of open-field moves and downfield throws.
Jackson figures it’s a good approach to start this year, too, even with the chance to become only the second player to repeat as a Heisman winner.
“I love the game of football,” Jackson said. “I didn’t think I would win the Heisman Trophy — it just happened, just playing football. And that’s what I’m doing this year.”
.C. STATE
New position title or versatile Samuels
■ Season opener: South Carolina vs. N.C. State (Charlotte, N.C.), 3 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN
Jaylen Samuels has been so impressive the ACC has decided to name a new position after him — well, sort of.
There will be a new position on the AllACC ballot that was inspired by Samuels called “the all-purpose back.”
“It makes me feel very good,” Samuels said. “Just to add another position, that’s crazy to think about. But that is very special to me, and I will keep working hard to prove people wrong.”
The versatile Samuels has been effective as a runner, receiver and returner.
YRACUSE
ime to start earning little respect
■ Season opener: Central Connecticut at Syracuse, 7 p.m. Sept. 1
LB Zaire Franklin knows the drill: When Syracuse enters the room, most of the media tend to ignore the team.
The three-year captain for the Orange said respect is something that has to be earned, and “we are no stranger to that fact. When you come to media day, you can see the pecking order, and there is no more motivation than that.”
WAKE FOREST
‘WakeyLeaks’ are behind them
■ Season opener: Presbyterian at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m Aug. 31, ESPN3
The Demon Deacons are hoping a new season means they can officially put the “WakeyLeaks” scandal behind them.
Wake Forest’s surprising 7-6 season under Coach Dave Clawson that culminated with a bowl win against No. 23 Temple last December was overshadowed by the situation involving former assistant coach turned broadcaster Tommy Elrod. The school says he leaked, or attempted to leak, plays to opponents.
Senor TE Cam Serigne says all he and his teammates can do is control the controllable. Serigne said the scandal is in the past, and the only thing the Demon Deacons can do is move on.
Elrod was fired from his position as the analyst for the team’s radio broadcasts.