Is the ACC doomed in football? Not if it follows these five steps What happened to the ACC we used to know? Where's the spirit? The guts? Tony Barnhart says nothing is over, despite all the Florida State fuss. If the ACC wants to stay relevant in football, here's the plan. Missouri and Texas A&M prepare for tough sledding vs. SEC defenses Welcome to the SEC, Missouri and Texas A&M. Prepare to be crunched. Tony Barnhart says the thought of facing the nation's biggest and fastest defenses every week is an unsettling thought for Aggies and Tigers coaches. Conference shuffle creating room for upstarts to make jump to FBS In college football's realignment shuffle, it's go big or get left behind. Tony Barnhart says that's why, ready or not, fledgling programs like UNC Charlotte, Georgia State, Old Dominion and UTSA are making the jump to FBS. Wherever Florida State lands, its reps need to get on same page Who speaks for Florida State? A misguided trustee? The AD or football coach? Former players? Fans? Tony Barnhart says FSU needs to speak with one voice when it comes to whether to stay in the ACC or go to the Big 12. Vindicated Fulmer about to take deserved step into Hall of Fame Phillip Fulmer's impressive Tennessee run ended without fanfare but his vindication continues. As the program struggles to regain past glory, the coach is thrilled to enter college football's Hall of Fame, Tony Barnhart says. Georgia State coach, former pro Curry: Concussions a call to action While some point the finger at players, the NFL and football itself amid growing concerns about the effects of concussions, Tony Barnhart says Georgia State's Bill Curry wants the leaders of the sport to take charge. Five Burning Questions for SEC West: Can 'Bama rely on passing? AJ McCarron says he's ready, but are coach Nick Saban and defending national champion Alabama prepared to let their QB air it out? Tony Barnhart says the Crimson Tide are just looking to keep defenses honest. Five Burning Questions for SEC East: Can Bulldogs repeat? Are the Bulldogs in trouble early with so many players in the doghouse? Are the Gators finally for real? Who carries the ball for the Vols? Tony Barnhart tries to answer five pressing questions in the SEC East coming out of spring. Memo to BCS commissioners: Your credibility is on the line again Yes, there will be a playoff. But some plans, especially a conference-champs-only final four, undermine the concept of the best teams playing for a clear title. Tony Barnhart tells the BCS it can't afford more doubts.
April
Still smarting from brutal 2011, Dooley says Vols are on right track Tennessee loses its two best players and endures a nightmare schedule in 2011 to finish 5-7. Derek Dooley admits the Vols were 'soft.' Tony Barnhart says the coach knows such results are unacceptable in Knoxville. A year after Tuscaloosa tornadoes, Saban, Tide still helping to rebuild A year after deadly tornadoes ripped through Tuscaloosa, there's still plenty of rebuilding to be done. But Tony Barnhart says there's also a lot of hope, thanks in part to the efforts of Nick Saban and his players. Johnson quietly carving out legacy in shadow of Georgia Tech legends He's not big on bluster, or passing, but Paul Johnson has the best record of any Georgia Tech coach in his first four seasons. And, with four O-line starters back, Tony Barnhart says this might be Johnson's best team yet. Pot a problem in college football? Depends which school you ask Some college football players use marijuana? No surprise there. What are schools doing about it? Tony Barnhart says the discipline policies are as varied as the opinions on whether smoking pot is detrimental to the game. Auburn's Chizik passing on spread looks like a smart move Gus Malzahn is gone from Auburn, and so is his offense. To compete with LSU, 'Bama and Arkansas in the brutal SEC West, Gene Chizik has scrapped the spread for a downhill running attack. Tony Barnhart says it's a smart call. Postseason change inevitable, but godfather of BCS advises caution Will a playoff lead to what ails college hoops? Namely, fans now crave only the NCAA tourney. But Tony Barnhart says to ex-SEC commissioner Roy Kramer, while change is needed, the regular season is key for football. Petrino saga another reminder of new rules for high-profile coaches Bobby Petrino's hubris and dishonesty cost him his job, but an accident report and phone records exposed his lies. Tony Barnhart says another powerful coach learns the hard way that the rules have changed. Long surprises in doing right thing, now will Arkansas stand behind him? Not many people felt Arkansas AD Jeff Long had the guts to cut Bobby Petrino loose. While Tony Barnhart is pleasantly surprised by the move, he can't help but wonder if the school itself will stand behind Long. Despite obstacles, Gamecocks look to improve on record 11-win season No Ashton Jeffery at WR, and a newbie leading the Gamecocks' D. Marcus Lattimore isn't 100 percent, and Georgia still skates vs. the SEC West. Still, Tony Barnhart says Steve Spurrier likes South Carolina's chances. Despite more than respectable '11, Clemson tries to get over 70-33 The sting of the 70 points West Virginia hung on Clemson in the Orange Bowl? Tony Barnhart says the Tigers have salve for that hurt as the defending ACC champions get back a host of superior talent for 2012. Florida's Muschamp ready for smoother second year Will Muschamp didn't have the most ideal start at Florida. Tony Barnhart says there are transitions involved when a program undergoes changes, and then there is what the Gators head coach endured in his bumpy first year. With exit of high-impact starters, Saban has message for Crimson Tide Last year's Crimson Tide rolled to a national title, but Nick Saban has a message for the team up next: You're not all that. Tony Barnhart says Alabama's coach never wants to forget what happened to the team in 2010.
March
Stacked and focused, Kentucky ready for Final Four spotlight Any worries about Kentucky's fantastic freshmen folding with the Final Four in sight were misguided. Tony Barnhart says with kids like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist leading the way, these Wildcats are a tough bunch. Remembering sports writing great and mentor Furman Bisher When Tony Barnhart went to work at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he fulfilled a goal and got to work with an idol, Furman Bisher. As Bisher, 93, is laid to rest, Barnhart remembers a man who is one of the great writers of the past half century. Baylor wants right outcome against another storied program in Elite Eight The last time Baylor made it to the Elite Eight, Duke sent it home with a sour taste in its mouth. The Bears have another shot in the regional finals, and Tony Barnhart says they expect to take the next step this time. Seminoles find their way -- right past Duke and into ACC title game A team adrift in January, Florida State is on course for history in March. Tony Barnhart says the Seminoles, one win from their first ACC tournament championship, have overcome to earn their place. After long lapse, coach Gottfried makes N.C. State relevant again N.C. State has been in the shadow of Duke and North Carolina for decades, but it could be making a move. Tony Barnhart says coach Mark Gottfried is putting the Wolfpack on the map again.
