ACC Notebook For 09-22-2006 - College Football News And Picks

ACC Notebook For 09-22-2006
By Tom Hanson
Posted: 4:30 am PDT 2006-09-22

At the University of Miami, Athletic Director Paul Dee, Coach Larry Coker and QB Kyle Wright all got a vote of confidence this week. But that might not be the news Miami Hurricanes fans wanted to hear.

After an embarrassing 31-7 loss to Louisville last week, the Hurricanes' demise, an unusual 1-2, became the buzz of South Florida. The fans are clamoring for a change but, for now, they will have to wait. Dee said Coker's job is safe. Dee said that the Canes can still reach their goals: win the ACC title and make a BCS bowl berth.

Dee, also, became part of the rumors, but UM president Donna Shalala told the Miami Herald that an unscheduled meeting of the school's trustees had nothing to do with Dee's job status. There had been speculation that Dee would be forced to retire. Dee said he expects to fulfill his final contract, which runs through 2010.

Coker, who got a three-year extension last year extending his contract through 2009, said he expects to be on the hot seat. Miami does have a $2 million buy-out option.

The endorsement hasn't stopped Canes faithful from speculating about a future coach. Butch Davis, the former UM head coach, and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, an ex-Miami assistant, have topped the wish list. Former Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez, who owns a home in Naples, Fla., has also been mentioned as a possible replacement.

Coker doesn't like the rumors, but understands that it's the nature of the beast.

"You don't like (the rumors) at all," Coker said. "But you understand it, realize it. I've been in high-profile programs before at Oklahoma and Ohio State. I understand it and understand the frustration of our fans. We have great fans, and this is a great program, and they expect greatness out of the program. So I understand it. Believe me, nobody wants to win any more than I do and our staff does and our players do."

Coker indicated that he's not worried about his future at the "U."

"I'm not concerned about job security, I'm really not," Coker said. "I'm concerned about getting our football team back to where they need to be and winning football games. We do that, and job security will take care of itself."

With an off week and Houston next on the schedule (Sept. 30), Coker is trying to build the confidence in his team. He started by saying that Wright is still his starting quarterback. "He's our starter," Coker said.

As for the rest of the team, Coker admits that a shakeup could happen.

"You always consider (making changes)," he said.

Miami is expected to get big left tackle Reggie Youngblood back in the starting lineup. Youngblood, who missed the Louisville game because of ankle injury, returned to practice this week.

MORE HOT SEATS: FSU offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden is getting accustomed to the criticism. So why should his habits or the fans' outrage change because the Seminoles' offense is a dismal 105th in the nation?

The FSU message boards have called Bowden's firing for sometime. When asked if he's still avoiding the newspapers and message boards, Bowden answered, "Why?"

"Just asking," said the reporter.

Bowden laughed and then said, "Why, you don't have to ask me that question."

Despite the obvious answers, Bowden admitted that a quarterback controversy might be brewing. With starter Drew Weatherford not exactly setting the world on fire, the coach said that there was a plan to give backup QB Xavier Lee a look.

"We had a plan (to get Xavier in the game) last week and a plan the week before. I sure would like to see that plan happen," Bowden said.

The lack of offense hasn't prevented WagerWeb.com from making No. 18 FSU a 30-point favorite over Rice on Saturday.

SPECIAL SEASON: With its second double-overtime victory, Boston College is looking as if it might have one of those storybook seasons. The miracle wins are shades of 1984 and Doug Flutie. And QB Matt Ryan is starting to remind people of Flutie. At his current pace of 297 yards passing per game, Ryan would smash the school's 22-year-old record. Flutie threw for 3,454 yards in 1984.

Boston College moved up three spots, from 23 to 20, in the AP poll with the win over BYU. The Eagles are a 7-point road favorite on WagerWeb.com against North Carolina State on Saturday.

DYING FOR RESPECT: At Clemson, head coach Tommy Bowden commemorates big road wins against Top 25 opponents by putting a tombstone on the practice facility. But as of Wednesday, the tombstone denoting the 27-20 win over No. 9 Florida State had not been delivered.

Bowden joked about the absence of the marker.

"Most people die, and they get it in three days," Bowden said.

North Carolina is a 16-point underdog at WagerWeb.com this weekend at home against Clemson and is probably not looking forward to being the No. 19 Tigers' next victim.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK: Georgia Tech will feature an old look Thursday night against Virginia in the nationally televised game. The Yellow Jackets will wear throwback uniforms from the 1970s. With white helmets, gold jerseys, white pants and black cleats, head coach Chan Gailey doesn't get too hyped about the threads.

"It's a uniform," Gailey said. "We've got a job to do, and a game to play. It's fun for the fans and for the marketing people, I guess, but fun is not the word I would use. We've got make sure it's not a distraction."

Georgia Tech (2-1) is a WagerWeb.com 16.5-point favorite over Virginia (1-2).

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