College Football Live - Day One of ACC Media Days

Episode Date: July 22, 2024

Day 1 of ACC Media Days and host Victoria Arlen is joined by Sam Acho, EJ Manuel and Pete Thamel to bring you all the sites and sounds of the day. Catch podium sounds of FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell and Georgia Tech HC Brent Key, plus a welcome to newcomers SMU. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Monday, another week, another conference media day. Today we're making our way to Charlotte for ACC Media Day 1. Now, three new teams mean that for the first time, the event features four full days of interviews from players and coaches, and we'll hear from FSU head coach Mike Norvell momentarily. Welcome into College Football Live. I'm Victoria Arlen, and we keep the college football media days rolling on with the ACC. Florida State, Georgia Tech, SMU are all expected to talk today.

And joining me now is Pete Thammel and EJ Manuel, who are in Charlotte. EJ, I'm going to start with you. What are you most curious about as we enter day one of ACC Media Day? Well, curiosity-wise, Victoria, I think just more so how do these players present themselves in front of the media? Obviously, through new members with SMU, Cal and Stanford, how do they assert themselves within the conference? But also, this is truly the ACC conference of quarterbacks. And with all the transfer portal guys coming in, guys like Cam Ward, and you get a bunch of really good return. Turner's as well, like Virginia Tech's Karen Drones.

Haynes King at Georgia Tech trying to build off what he did last season. I think those are probably the main two things I'm excited to see throughout ACC media days. EJ, I really think you mentioned Cam Ward, the Hurricanes Samir, the most intriguing team in this league. We've seen Clemson dominate the league for a while. Florida State obviously wins the league title last year. They bring a lot of talent back.

But to me, can the hurricanes burst through? They've been the portal kings, but can they be the on-field kings? And I think with Cam Ward pulling the trigger, and obviously Damien Martinez is one of the best players in the Pac-12, the last couple of years. coming in. They have the weapons. Can they execute it on the field? Well, you mentioned weapons, Pete, and another guy, Xavier Restrepo was going to be back as well. The receiver, you know, he's like that third down, money, money down kind of guy, red zone situations. Anytime he was in an isolated one-on-one matchup against the DB,

he always won. And so he's going to be a favorite target of Cam Ward as well. Now, E.J., is there any surprises so far as you've been kind of wrapping up the first day? No big surprises. I thought Commissioner Phillips did an excellent job of, you know, answering the questions that he was given, even cracked some jokes and kind of kept their light in the room. I'm sure Pete could touch on that even more. But, you know, of course, the big conversation is going to be around realignment. What's Florida State? What's Clinton going to do? And even Carolina and all those situations. But ultimately, look, we're still going to have football coming up in four or five weeks. And I think that's the main thing that I'm excited about.

Yeah, E.J., I don't know anyone that's gone through a good divorce. And I don't know any schools that have gone through a good breakup with a conference. And I think we're at that point now. Jim Phillips, you did use some more forceful language maybe than he'd been used it for. and I think that was intentional. He also used the form signed documents a few times. That phrase felt like it came from the lawyers, right? Like Florida State and Georgia, I'm sorry. Florida St. Clemson obviously signed these documents, so the ACC's going to hold them to them.

The one thing I'm certain of in this is it's not going to unfold quickly. The August 15th deadline is coming if they were going to leave the league for next year. Obviously not the season coming up, but the following one, I was told this morning that both Florida State and Clemson are not going to put in their notice to leave the league by then. So we have two more years of legal wrangling. And as usual, EJ, the lawyers will win. Absolutely. And we're going to talk more with Pete about that in just a bit,

but we're going to keep things moving with a team that made a lot of headlines last season. The defending ACC champ Florida State is seeking consecutive conference titles for the first time since winning three straight a decade ago. The Seminole's are slight favorites to win the conference. Now, FSU was tasked with replacing 14 of its 22 starters from last season, and that's includes the quarterback position, where DJ Ui-ungal-Lay transferred from Oregon State to take over for Jordan Travis. The All-State Playoff predictor says the Knowles had the 11th best chance to make the 12th team playoff. Last year, they missed out on the four-team field following an undefeated regular season. And we've got head coach Mike Norvell.

Season, you know, it's been a great off season for our program, you know, from starting back there in January, going through the winter program, spring practice, you know, the summer workouts, and then reporting tomorrow, just so excited about this team, excited about the young men that I get to coach. You know, our program has won 23 games over the last two years. We have 77 players that were a part of last year's team that are back for this next season. So we've got a lot of experience and guys that have contributed to helping, you know, elevate the program to where it is, and now all of our focus goes into the task at hand. And, you know, our objective this year is just to go get better.

You know, coming off, you know, what was a, you know, a 13-0 regular season and championship game. It was something that was really, you know, really a special experience for our entire program. But, you know, it sets the stage an opportunity for us to continue to push and continue to elevate this program to ultimately where it deserves to me. And that's among the nation's elite, you know, when you look across the course of college football. I've got a great group of young men that are here with me today, your three guys that have been within the program, you've been a part of that journey. And they're tremendous representatives of your Florida State football and then so many great young men that are back in Tallahassee that you have, like I said, have contributed so much work to help build us to where we are and ultimately where we're going. So excited about the days that are ahead. We've got a great opener kicking off in Dublin.

Ireland, you know, kick off the college football season and, you know, doing so against a very talented opponent in Georgia Tech conference opener. Our first two games are conference games. So there is an ultimate sense of urgency around our program to be able to get off to the best start that we possibly can. So excited about, you know, the steps ahead and, you know, looking forward to getting back on the practice field here this week. Coach, we have microphones in the room.

if you would, please raise your hand as 15 of them seem to have just shot up into the air. We'll get the microphones to you as quick as we can. To your right, coach, second row. We'll start with the two gentlemen wearing the teal shirts. Hey, Coach Mike, Chris Heidel from Herbysm Radio in Baltimore. Talk about the defense. Last year was such a great defense flying around with Jared Burson. Also, who's the next person and the next man up on the defense?

Well, you know, really excited about, you know, a couple of guys that we have here today. You know, Patent, who's been an all-conference performer. You former your rookie of the year in the ACC. You know, I was an all conference for a performer this past season. He was really expecting him to take another step in his game. Josh Farmer was an all-ACC performer there on the defensive front. You know, we've got a great supporting cast with those guys in the forcing unit. You look at all three phases of our defense.

You know, a guy like DJ Lundy who's, you know, played, you know, so many snaps throughout the last four years of, you know, of his time at Florida State. Now he emerges as a leader within the course of this defense. You know, the guys in the secondary, I think we've got two of the best corners. You know, in the ACC, guys that are all-American type capabilities in Fentral Cyprus and Azari-Thomas, you know, very experienced defensive backfield with length, size, ability. So, you know, I think our defense is, you know, as deep as it's ever been. We've been able to have some guys that have really grown throughout their time here.

But then, you know, also coupling that with some new. newcomers that have come in, whether, you know, Marvin Jones Jr. Cione, you know, Cam Riley that's joined in, you know, an Earl Little, you know, different guys that have, that have been able to come in and compliment the guys that are around that you're really, really fired up about what that group can be. Coach, keep it right there to the right. We're fired up to see what that team could be as well. Let's welcome in Sam Acho.

Sam, what was the biggest thing that stood out from Norval's comments? The biggest thing that stood out from Mike Norville's comments were his confidence in his team. Florida State lost 10 players to the draft last year. Three at receiver, running back, quarterback. I mean, the list goes on and on and on. Two defensive studs in the NFL, yet he's still confident to his team in his team. This to me points to a coach that has been building not only in the recruiting pipeline, but also in the transfer portal. He knows what his team is capable of.

He thinks some of those transfers, some of the young players that he also. talked about are going to be able to step up big this season. Now we have lots of changes for this 2024 team. Pete, what more can you tell us about what the identity of this team will be? Well, the identity isn't going to be these flashy skill Florida State guys and their nice suits. It's going to be in the trenches and I believe in Florida State's defensive line more than anything else. You heard Mike Norvell mentioned Patrick Payton on the edge. He had 14 and a half TFLs last year. He had 10 pass breakups. That's like almost unfathomable for a defensive lineman.

And then they've got two big hosses in the middle who are high school teammates, Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson. Florida State is like a lot of teams. They're trying to emulate the SEC and beat the SEC. You do that in the trenches. And the final piece is Florida State had nine of ten guys drafted last year where transfers. The latest transfer who's going to join that list is Marvin Jones Jr. You remember his dad.

Pretty good Seminole. He is a monster on the edge. We saw him in the spring game. He's an impressive looking young player. Yeah, Pete, he's going to be an excellent player. for that defensive line. But my focus is the secondary. And I think that's going to be the key for this defense.

You start with Azarie Thomas, a long corner. I'm hearing names like Jalen Ramsey around when people mention Azari Thomas, which is high praise. I don't want to put that much pressure on him. But he certainly is a player that can kind of go in that fold of being another first round pick at DB for FSU. Then also Shaheen Brown, a player that's been there for a long time. So we talk about not just talent, not just size and ability, but also experience.

That's going to be huge for this Florida State team in 2024. Well, we're going to shift gears because a big topic for FSA. FSU was, of course, their quarterback and their new quarterback coming into town. So last season at Oregon State, DJU posted a QBR of 81, a mark that would have ranked just ahead of Jordan Travis for highest in the ACC. He's also ranked top 10 nationally in air yards per attempt, averaging two yards more than his final year as Clemson starter. Now, EJ, DJU returning to the ACC.

How does he fit into that FSU offense? Yeah, well, he fits perfect because. Victoria. And one of the biggest things about DJU is the fact that he can push the ball down the field. And I think Coach Novell is going to cater the offense to exactly that. And it's going to probably be led with the run game. You got Lawrence Toafili coming back. He was an ACC MVP champion in the conference championship. And also Roy Dale Williams coming over from Alabama.

But when you mix in the run game, you have play action passing. That opens up those deep third, you know, those dig routes, those go balls, those back shoulder phase that you can take advantage of a one-on-one matchups when they have seven or eight guys in the box. So I'm expecting DJU to kind of revamp his career. And at the end of the day, give himself a chance to play at the next level. And I'm expecting similar things. What we saw from DJ Yu Yangola last year at Oregon State was a lot of under center play action and deep shots. That's to his strength. It plays to DJU strength.

We saw the air yards increase from his time at Clemson to his time in Oregon State. I expect that trend to continue at Florida State. Florida State, talking about Toafili, they will have a great run game. And so you lean on that run game. You go towards that play action. Offensive line protects you. Now you're able to push the ball down the field. DJU is known to have a big arm.

He used it last year at Oregon State. I expect more of the same this year at Florida State. Now, EJ, can they match their near perfect season this year? Well, it's going to be tough. I mean, the schedule is not going to be easy, especially after starting blocks. Georgia Tech is a very talented football team. They won seven games last year and also kept it off for the bow victory. The weekend after that, they got Boston College.

And if you remember that game, Thomas Casalanos, quarterback hit the scene and he played extremely well too. So look, I think the half, the front half of this schedule is going to be really tough. The key is can they stay healthy? But at the end of the day, can you just stay confident? I think that's going to be the big key for DJU. Don't get down yourself. You're in some tough games. You've got a great defense. Don't feel like you have to try to do too much to win the game. You got a bunch of other guys around you that can help you win too. I want to note that DJU not in attendance at ACC Media Days. And his choice, he said that Florida State should be represented by players who were part of last year's ACC championship team.

Pete, a huge headliner for the last year has been conference realignment. And can you give us an update on where FSU and Clemson stand? I know you mentioned a little bit earlier. Can you elaborate a little bit more on that? Absolutely, Victoria. I think we're going to have two years of the ACC intact as it is right now, unless there's some seismic change that come from elsewhere, meaning if there's some type of breakaway or some major, major shift.

And I think the next mile marker to look for in Florida State and Clemson, will be will the ACC come to some sort of negotiated resolution with them will they settle out of court and allow them to escape that grant of rights until then we're going to be dialed in on the meaning of those contracts the bill billed those contracts the the site of these court cases has been bandied back and forth a few times in recent but I don't see a major major shift a major trigger in anything for at least the next 18 months in this unless there's some type of settlement if we get a settlement and the ACC agree to let them leave for hundreds of millions of dollars, then we could have a reconstituted ACC,

and then we'd find out where Florida State and Clemson could go. The Big Tenor of the SEC is not going to be interested in either of those teams while they have legal entanglements, and the legal entanglements are significant right now in a lot of ways. They're just starting. Now, Pete, how realistic would that settlement be in the near future? You know, Victoria, that's a hard thing to say right now, because I think the reality of a settlement is going to come once we get down the road

legally a little bit, right? All the sides are going to want to read the tea leaves. But I do think from the ACC standpoint, North Carolina has been and remains the lynchpin of the future. If they could settle in some way and get some guarantee for North Carolina to stay and be the bedrock of the league going forward, perhaps with some additional money going their way, that would be the ACC's most logical path going forward. What the ACC can't do and what none of the members want is those two teams leave, they pay their money, and it leaves a blueprint for everyone else to leave, and then the league falls apart. So there's a lot of difficult decisions and there's no linear path forward here. I do think it is going to take some time and we're going to have to see a little bit of where things start legally before we get a picture of where it's headed.

As always, thank you, Pete, for explaining that a little bit better. We're going to be keeping a close eye on that. And coming up on college football live, we've got a big welcome to the ACC for SMU. Pete tells us why this is a must-win season for the Mustangs, but our guys have some doubts. That's next. We're continuing to roll into ACC Media Day 1 from Charlotte, and we're going to head towards a newcomer. So let's get to know one of the new additions, the SMU Mustangs, who officially joined the ACC on July 1st. Now, SMU won 11 games in 2023.

It's most in the season since 1982. The Mustangs haven't had consecutive 10-win season since doing four straight in the 80s. Now, quarterback Preston Stone threw for just under 3,200 yards in 2023. He also had 28 touchdown passes, which ranked 12 in the FBS and would have led the ACC. Now, SMU opens its season on August 24th at Nevada. Its ACC opener won't be an easy one as it hosts defending conference champion, Florida State, on September 28th. Now, Pete, it's a big change from the AAC to the ACC. What should we expect from SMU this year?

We should not expect SMU to flinch Victoria. Rhett Lashley told me this morning in college football right now, if you don't have the resources, you don't have a chance. And SMU, as evidenced by them being at this very media day today, has the resources. They put up the money to go into the ACC, and Rhett Lashley said it's obvious to everyone that they're all in. And EJ, if you looked at who they battled in the portal for players,

they weren't battling AAC-level teams. They were battling SEC teams. They were battling ACC-heavy weights. SMU is ready and ready to compete, and we've seen that through how their boosters stepped up to allow them to get in the league. All right. Well, Sam, biggest concern from SMU this year as they make this transition. Yeah, the biggest concern are the biggest people who are going to be on the offensive and the defensive line for SMU.

They're changing conferences. The line of scrimmage is going to be different. No longer are you in the AAC, but now you're in the ACC. You're playing bigger bodies. The run game is going to be different. The D line is going to be different. So my big concern isn't Preston Stone and the offense. it's about how will you handle the trenches.

There's a three-game stretch. This isn't necessarily trenches oriented, but you got TCU, you got Florida State, you got Louisville, three teams that are going to be tough opponents in that second quarter of the season. That's just a small sample size of the teams they have to play. But my main concern is what will SMU do when your bodies get beat up

and later guys on the roster, the twos and the threes have to get in there? Can they hold up on the line of scrimmage? Yeah, Sam, I have the same concern. And if you go back and watch SMU last year, specifically against Oklahoma, their offensive line really couldn't stop the front seven from OU. And then late in the season, when they played Boston College in a bowl game, they couldn't stop a nosebleed on the defensive side as far as them just being able to run the football. So I think that's going to be the key.

Look, Sam's right, the body size, the body types, excuse me, are going to be much different on a weekly basis. But skill position-wise, they get all those guys back. I think they're returning seven receivers. They got an excellent tight-in. They have really two good quarterbacks at that position as well. Yeah, that Florida State game, too, is going to be a pretty much a wake-up call to. But according to our ESPN analytics, there's light at the end of the tunnel.

SMU has the fifth highest chance to win the ACCC. All right. Coming up, we've got fantasy football is the number one fantasy game with the season right around the corner. Sign up now and get your league started at ESPN.com slash fantasy football. And still to come, we hear from Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key on why culture may be the key to the yellow jacket. We've got you covered with more from ACCC Media Day. Snap up Ancestry DNA's lowest price ever in our incredible cyber sale. With 50% off ancestry DNA kits, it's the perfect time to help a loved one unwrap the past.

And with their latest update, they'll discover their family origins like never before. With even more precise regions and new and exclusive features. Their best gift, our lowest price. 50% off ancestry DNA, only until December 2nd. Visit Ancestry.ca for more details. Terms apply. Week Zero kicks off with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland. College Game Day will be there, of course, kicking things off at 9 a.m. Eastern before Florida State and Georgia Tech get the 2024 season underway at noon. All of that on ESPN and the app.

Closing out ACC Media, day one from Charlotte. And we heard from Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key on the culture of the team. You build the culture of your football team January through July. You build your football team in the four weeks in August. And it remains to be seeing what type of football team we're going to be. I know what type of locker room we have. I know the type of people we have on our football team. What type of leaders we have.

And I'm excited to see where the team is going to be. So we're ready to get to work. Quicker we get down from here, quicker we get back, quicker we report tomorrow. We get out on that field and practice on Wednesday. Let's ride. All right. EJ, in what ways do you see Georgia Tech being able to build off of their momentum from last year? Well, the main way is because of their quarterback, Haynes King, returning.

And this guy is tough as nails, Victoria. He was able to play all 13 games and a huge reason why they won. I mean, the production that he was bringing through the air. I think the main thing for him with passing game, just clean up the interceptions. If he just cussed that in half and goes to seven, this team is going to win a lot of football games. He can also run the football as well, put his shoulder down, and get those dirty yards. So I'm expecting another big season from Haynes King. And EJ, he's got four returning offensive linemen to protect him.

So the game plan in Dublin is going to be simple for Brent Key and Old Old Old O. Lyman, shorten the game and go to the pub. Georgia Tech is going to try to bleed the clock, churn out yardage on the ground like they did last season, leading the ACC and rushing and see if they can steal a victory. Yeah, no, I agree with that. I think Georgia Tech has some confidence that was built off of their season last year. Remember that upset win against Miami? Hanks King was the quarterback then.

And this is the same team as last year. So I think the confidence going in, obviously, week one, Florida State, find a way to win that game. And early in the season, you could stack some big time wins, build confidence going into this season built off of last year. Now, Georgia Tech with a huge game coming out the game against FSU and Ireland. Pete, who's got your eye in that one? Well, for me, it's Jamal Haynes, the tailback for Georgia Tech.

He obviously rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. And I think if Georgia Tech is going to put an upset bid forward, he has to negotiate his way through that very good Florida State defensive line. Georgia Tech is going to bring back an experienced, nasty offensive line, and that's where their identity is going to be, same as Florida States on that other side of the ball. I mean, there's a lot to pay attention now. Things are just getting started in Charlotte.

Thank you, fellas. Tomorrow we hear from five more ACC teams, including Virginia Tech, who return more production than any team in the country, plus newcomers Cal and Stanford. Tuesday also kicks off day one of Big Ten Media Days from Indy with no divisions and a rebuilding Michigan. Is this the year Ryan Day in Ohio State returns the top of the Big Ten? For Sam, EJ and Pete, I'm Victoria. See you tomorrow.

It's going to be a good one. Are you guys excited for tomorrow? I can't wait. Chip Kelly, Ohio State. Get me to Indy. Let's go. I'm here for it. Yeah, Pete, you got to catch a flight, Pete.

So we're going to let me. let you go catch a flight. We'll see you tomorrow.