The 2016 ACC Football Kickoff, or Media Days, is getting underway today in Charlotte N.C. Along with coach Bobby Petrino, The University of Louisville will send Heisman candidate, Lamar Jackson and last seasons leading tackler, Keith Kelsey as representatives. The Atlantic division interviews will take place on Friday July 22nd so we will have to wait until tomorrow to hear from our boys.
Media Days are great for getting to know a few key players from other teams, hearing a whole lot of coach speak and hearing players come up with creative answers to the same questions they hear everyday. My favorite part is the announcement of the all-ACC teams and the media poll. I have made it perfectly clear that I am not a fan of preseason polls so why would I like this poll? Glad you asked….
I am a fan of this poll because I believe it will give us Louisville fans a much-needed dose of reality. Just as it should be, the hype train is running full steam ahead. While you and I know what type of product we will see on the field this year, the rest of the conference is not a true believer just yet. Most people need to see you win a few of the big games before they have faith in you. We have not beat Florida State or Clemson since we joined the ACC. We all believe that we are on their level but the rest of the world still believes we are a step below the two teams who have won the ACC each of the last 5 seasons and have a combined 29 ACC championships.
Yes I believe we will be voted third behind Clemson and Florida State. When that happens the dose of reality will be administered. We need the vote to go that way so we feel slighted and hopefully the team will play with that felling. This team is so talented and if you put a chip on their shoulders, it could be bad news for ACC opponents. While I can’t disagree with Louisville being voted third, I believe we will beat Florida State and have a very close loss to Clemson. If we could somehow pull off victories over both and beat the Coastal champion in the ACC championship, I believe we will be playing in our first ever college football playoff.
Thursday, July 21
10 a.m. Commissioner’s Forum – Watch Live on theACC.com & ESPN3
11:50 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. Coastal Division Interviews – Watch Live on theACC.com & ESPN3
Friday, July 22
10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Atlantic Division Interviews – Watch Live on theACC.com & ESPN3
Monday, July 25
10 a.m. 2016 Preseason Media Poll announced
via theACC.com and official social accounts
Wednesday, July 27
10 a.m. 2016 Preseason All-ACC Team Announced
via theACC.com and official social accounts
As Always, GO CARDS!
