What we've learned about ACC: Clemson aims to take next step
With changes afoot at Duke, Wake Forest and Va. Tech, this year may prove this isn't your father's ACC. Tony Barnhart says Clemson may just prove the point. 

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What we've learned about ACC: Clemson aims to take next step
With changes afoot at Duke, Wake Forest and Va. Tech, this year may prove this isn't your father's ACC. Tony Barnhart says Clemson may just prove the point. 

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What we've learned about SEC: You can't block South Carolina's Clowney
As spring football ends, Tony Barnhart offers five takeaways to consider before fall. A couple: Jadeveon Clowney's a bad man on the gridiron and Auburn's Jay Prosch is inspiring. 

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Some guiding rules, worthy names to make selection committee fair
The group that makes up the first playoff selection committee will have a highly-scrutinized job. Tony Barnhart offers up some guiding principles and some worthy names for rooting out any hints of bias. 

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It's time for some of this big money to trickle down to college athletes
If the NCAA can't, or won't, approve stipends to athletes, then it might be time for the power conferences to form their own division, Tony Barnhart says. 

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Wuerffel, a leader on and off the field, most deserving of HOF
Danny Wuerffel led Florida to four SEC championships and one national title, but Tony Barnhart says the QB's work off the field makes him a true Hall of Famer. 

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Nine-game conference schedule remains contentious issue in SEC
SEC schools now play an eight-game conference schedule. Tony Barnhart examines the pros and cons of moving to nine games, which is probably inevitable. 

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With SEC Network announcement, Slive cements legacy
Mike Slive had a tough act to follow when he replaced Roy Kramer in '02. Tony Barnhart says the SEC Network stands as his crowning achievement. 

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Ain't that a Peach: Atlanta bowl has come a long way
Rain, snow, sleet, sparsely attended ... to part of the playoff rotation -- Tony Barnhart recounts how the Chick-fil-A Bowl (nee Peach) came so far. 

For all the wrong, one group toasts what's right in college sports
We know the issues -- scandals, alleged cheating, etc. -- plaguing college sports. But Tony Barnhart chats with Jack Nicklaus, who works with a group that celebrates what athletic scholarships should be about. 

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Already a Tide legend, McCarron obsessed with not letting roll end
AJ McCarron is already a Bama legend after leading the Tide to two straight titles. But Tony Barnhart says it's the worry of ending that historic roll that keeps McCarron driving his teammates. 

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Malzahn restores hope, trust during trying time for Auburn
The SEC is a tough place to rebuild, but Tony Barnhart says Gus Malzahn has given Auburn fans reason for optimism entering his first season. 

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After awful 2012, Yellow Jackets' defense looks to regain sting
Georgia Tech's ACC title hopes hinge on improving a defense that was a wreck in 2012. Tony Barnhart says new DC Ted Roof is working to give the Yellow Jackets their sting back. 

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Doormat no more, Vanderbilt sets sights on challenging in SEC East
Vanderbilt's done having sand kicked in its face, thanks to coach James Franklin. Tony Barnhart says the Commodores look to challenge in the SEC East. 

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Jones selling optimism at Tennessee, but success still a long way off
Once a model of consistency, Tennessee football has been stuck in rebuild mode since 2008. Tony Barnhart says Butch Jones looks like the man to finally lead the Vols back, but it will take time. 

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Florida State looks to improve on 12 wins after losing Manuel
EJ Manuel was a stud, and Florida State won 12 games with him. Yet the season rang hollow, and Tony Barnhart says the Noles hope to resonate more in 2013. 

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Newly committed Watkins looking for big rebound season at Clemson
Sammy Watkins admits 2012 was a bust. Tony Barnhart says the Clemson star now realizes it takes work to succeed and is out to prove himself. 

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ACC burning questions: After offseason of change, who emerges?
Pitt and Syracuse are in, Maryland is on its way out, and Florida State and Virginia Tech break in new coordinators. Tony Barnhart wonders who emerges in the ACC after all the changes. 

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Eyeing more exposure, FCS power Georgia Southern ready for FBS leap
FCS powers Georgia Southern and App State will cope with growing pains moving up to FBS. But Tony Barnhart says the leap makes sense for schools looking to expand their regional brands. 

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Gamecocks have two QBs, but no controversy -- just goal to win SEC
QB controversy? Not at South Carolina. Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson will share playing time, but Tony Barnhart says the two best friends have but one goal: winning the SEC title. 

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Dawgs' D, minus Jones, Ogletree, is in question-answering mode
Jarvis Jones? Gone. Alec Ogletree, too. Tony Barnhart says Georgia's defense, facing a rugged schedule, has to answer questions to contend or even keep up with the Dawgs' offense. 

Despite losses on D, improved QB Driskel should keep UF in SEC hunt
Will Muschamp is defense first, but Tony Barnhart says Florida's coach knows that QB Jeff Driskel's continued growth likely keys SEC hopes. 

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SEC West burning questions: Is another BCS title a certainty?
Bama is the favorite to win another BCS title, while Texas A&M isn't far off. But what about LSU and the rest of the SEC West? Tony Barnhart takes stock of college football's toughest division. 

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SEC East burning questions: Can Dawgs hold off Gators, Gamecocks?
Can Georgia get back to the SEC title game or will it be South Carolina or Florida? How far off are Tennessee and Vandy? Tony Barnhart looks into the SEC East's burning questions. 

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Aresco focused on new football brand after Big East defections
Realignment has killed the old Big East, but commissioner Mike Aresco tells Tony Barnhart that he remains upbeat about the future of his to-be-named conference. 

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Fans don't like new ejection rule for targeting, but it's the right call
Fans will be livid next season when a player gets ejected for targeting a defenseless player with his helmet but Tony Barnhart says the new rule is protecting the game. 

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Ole Miss recruited a top class, but Rebels will need more in SEC
Ole Miss signed one of the best recruiting classes for 2013, but the Rebels will need more such classes to challenge in the SEC West, Tony Barnhart says.