For about five years now I have defended the ACC.

I've told family and friends that an ACC team was going to step up and become a serious national contender.

Clearly I have been wrong.

Ever since the ACC expanded the first time with Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech, it's like the conference has been the most dysfunctional of any of the BCS conferences.

So why should 2012 be any different?

I don't think I can give you a good reason. But there are still going to be some good matchups that are worth watching.

Maybe this is the year FSU lives up to its potential or Clemson doesn't have a meltdown.

Here are the 20 best ACC games in 2012.

20. Clemson at Boston College

Boston College's 2011 was a complete train wreck and Frank Spaziani's job will be on the line this season.

So will the Eagles rally for their embattled coach or just bail on him in 2012?

If BC can win its home games next year, then the Eagles could become a bowl team again.

Clemson is one of the more talented teams in the ACC, so it's important for them to not let a game like this get away if they want to be a serious contender in 2012.

Early prediction: Clemson 38-17

19. Virginia Tech at Boston College

Here's another game at Boston College and the Eagles will get another shot at knocking off one of the ACC's top programs.

Boston College will need to figure out a way to stop quarterback Logan Thomas and Bud Foster's defense will put a lot of pressure on the Eagles' offense.

Quarterback Chase Rettig should be better in 2012 and if he can find enough playmakers around him, he could lead BC to an upset or two next season.

It would help if the Eagles could establish a running game against the Hokies. no comments

Until a team from another conference really challenges the SEC in the BCS National Championship, you have to wonder which Southeastern Conference team will win it all in 2012.

USC seems to be the favorite right now to challenge the SEC for supremacy, but the Trojans might have to run the table to get consideration for the title game.

With the SEC increasing its membership from 12 to 14 next season, it's unclear if that will hurt or help the conference in its quest for a seventh consecutive BCS title.

It's not like Texas A&M or Missouri are considered contenders, but who should be considered the top five teams that will bring another title to the SEC?

Alabama

Alabama may be losing a number of key players to the NFL, but the Crimson Tide have something every other program in the nation does not: Nick Saban.

You don't think Saban makes a big impact in a game? Just look at how the Tide played in winning their second BCS title in three seasons.

Quarterback A.J. McCarron developed into a solid player and gained a serious amount of confidence in beating LSU.

For everyone worried about the loss of Trent Richardson, all you had to see was how well Eddie Lacy ran the ball in the title game.

Alabama's toughest task will be replacing all of that talent on defense that will be playing on Sundays next fall.

South Carolina

South Carolina should have running back Marcus Lattimore back from a knee injury, and quarterback Connor Shaw is now an experienced leader.

Steve Spurrier had one of his finest seasons as a coach, and if he can get the Gamecocks to play that way again in 2012, South Carolina could be a surprise team.

South Carolina's defense will be able to play with the best in the SEC.

The Gamecocks won't play Alabama during the regular season, but they will get Georgia (Oct. 6), LSU (Oct. 13), Florida (Oct. 20) and Arkansas (Nov. 10), as well as SEC newcomer Missouri on Sept. 22. Carolina will also face rival Clemson in the season finale on Nov. 24. no comments

Boston College's Frank Spaziani needs a win more than he needs a hug.

And he's not alone.

Even before national signing day and spring practice, there are at least 10 coaches who need a big 2012 to save their current jobs.

Some may actually pull it off, but it's not going to be easy.

Spaziani has made some changes on his staff, but will that be enough to have a better 2012?

Derek Dooley, Tennessee

Derek Dooley got the Tennessee job by default.

Once Lane Kiffin bolted for USC, the Volunteers were looking for someone with SEC pedigree and a cleaner reputation.

Enter Derek Dooley, son of legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley.

Dooley is in the third year of a six-year contract that pays him $1.8 million per season.

How has he repaid Tennessee? With 11 wins in 25 games. Dooley won just 17 of 37 games at Louisiana Tech before landing the job in Knoxville. no comments

WVU's overtime victory over Cincinnati on Saturday was exciting, but my favorite moment was at halftime.

Enjoy the video (courtesy of Blue & Gold News) as the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl champs are honored.

Also, is there any coach in America cooler than Dana Holgorsen? I think not.
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If you had never heard of Terrance Ganaway before the Valero Alamo Bowl, I'll bet you do now.

That's of course if you stayed up late into the night to watch him.

A great bowl performance can make any player gain more name recognition. But can it help a player improve his draft stock?

Well, an impressive game certainly can't hurt.

Here are 25 players who definitely improved their standing going into the draft.

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

It's not like Justin Blackmon needed a big game, as he's a sure-fire first-rounder and more than likely the top wide receiver.

But if a GM or coach didn't believe Blackmon can be a game changer, then his performance in the Fiesta Bowl sent a clear message of what he can bring to a team.

When Oklahoma State needed someone to make a play after falling behind Stanford 14-0, Blackmon tried to fire his teammates up on the sideline.

Then, he went back onto the field and caught a short pass and raced 43 yards for a touchdown. On the very next possession, he caught another Brandon Weeden pass and cruised past the Cardinal defenders for a 67-yard score.

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There are programs who would just love to crack the final Associated Press rankings.

Then there are those who only care if they are in the Top 10, and another elite group who feel the season isn't a success unless they are a Top-5 team.

With a few media voters picking LSU and Oklahoma State No. 1 on their final ballot, that gives you a glimpse into why some programs may feel slighted by the final rankings.

Here are six who have a gripe.

Houston Cougars

Houston was on the verge of playing in a BCS bowl when it was upset by Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship.

The Golden Eagles won 11 games, so the loss shouldn't have hurt Houston as much as it did.

The Cougars came out blazing against Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl and should have easily finished higher than No. 18 with a 13-1 record. no comments

Phil and Tom are keeping it a little shorter than normal, but that doesn't mean we have shortchanged anyone—especially the BCS National Championship game.

Was Alabama's 21-0 victory over LSU the most boring game ever? See what we think. How about Nick Saban? Is he the greatest coach ever?

We mix in a little Penn State coaching hire just to make sure there is some variety this week.
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West Virginia will face a number of "what ifs" between now and the start of 2012.

The biggest at this point is what conference will the Mountaineers be playing in when the season kicks off in September.

For now, let's assume WVU will be in the Big 12.

So Dana Holgorsen and his score-happy offense should fit right in with teams like Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Texas and so on.

But if the Mountaineers are going to make an immediate impact in their new conference, some new faces must make a major impact.

Expectations are already high for players like quarterback Geno Smith, receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, and defensive back Terence Garvin.

Now some of these players have already hit the field and had moments of success for WVU, but they were not in the spotlight in 2011.

So maybe these five guys will become key components to West Virginia's first season in the Big 12.

Josh Jenkins, OL

Josh Jenkins was one of WVU's most heralded recruits out of Parkersburg (W.Va.) High School in 2008.

He became a All-Big East performer as an offensive guard, but missed 2011 because of a knee injury suffered in the spring game.

He's worked hard in rehab and a thin offensive line will welcome him back. no comments

With the SEC rematch between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama almost set to be played out in the BCS National Championship, it's time to offer some thoughts and predictions on the game.

Does Tom have a man-crush on Nick Saban? Sort of seems like it, but you'll have to listen for yourself to find out.

The championship game is going to have a tough time living up to the offensive explosions we have see in the other BCS games.

Phil and Tom also talk about the new coaching hire at Penn State, the merciful end to Ohio State's season and so much more.
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I actually remember watching quarterback Oliver Luck lead West Virginia to a shocking upset of Florida in the 1981 Peach Bowl.

There was the 1989 Fiesta Bowl when WVU faced Notre Dame with a national championship on the line, and the 2000 Music City Bowl where the Mountaineers defeated Mississippi allowing Don Nehlen to leave a winner.

No Mountaineer could ever forget the 2008 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma, 48-28, after everyone in the nation figured the Sooners would just roll past WVU.

Hey, I even attended the 1989 Gator Bowl when WVU lost to Clemson.

But one West Virginia bowl performance will always stand out as my favorite. no comments