Clemson president James Barker supports the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC, explaining his position in an email to The Post and Courier on Monday.
“The University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University are both outstanding institutions and we welcome them and their strong football traditions to the ACC,” Barker wrote. “They are a good fit for our conference because each university has a history of excellence in athletics competition and academic achievement. That balance is a hallmark of the ACC and an important value for all of its member institutions, including Clemson.’
Barker said entering the New York and Pennsylvania markets will benefit Clemson.
“This expansion also gives us a chance to tell the Clemson story to a broader audience up and down the Atlantic seaboard from Miami to New England,” Barker wrote. “That’s a very positive outcome of this conference expansion.”
Popularity contest
Clemson is the 10th-most popular college football program in the country, according to research by the New York Times. Clemson was the most popular team in the ACC. South Carolina was ranked 24th-most popular.
The top five were: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame and Texas.
Virginia Tech game time announced
The ACC announced Clemson’s Oct. 1 game at Virginia Tech will kick off at 6 p.m. and air on ESPN2. The raucous environment of Lane Stadium should be a tough first road test for first-year starters such as quarterback Tajh Boyd.
He said it
Offensive coordinator Chad Morris, on his tough coaching in practice: “I don’t need any 22-year-old friends.”
He was pleased with the improved toughness he saw from his offense against Auburn. He said the receivers and offensive line blocked with more aggressiveness.
Injury updates
Morris said he expects running back Andre Ellington (hamstring) to return to practice today and be available to play against Florida State. … Florida State Quarterback E.J. Manuel left the team’s loss to Oklahoma with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said Manuel could be out “one day to two weeks.”
