Conferences & Independents
Michael Jaffe
August 31, 1992
The Atlantic Coast Conference can be rather neatly divided into two tiers: 1) newcomer Florida State and 2) everyone else. Clemson, the winner of four of the last six ACC titles, meets the Seminoles on Sept. 12, and from there on, the Tigers will be cast in the unfamiliar role of bridesmaid. The best battle in this league will be for runner-up behind Florida State. Virginia, which has finished second three times since 1987, will need a monster season from tailback Terry Kirby to stay in the hunt now that 6'7" quarterback Matt Blundin has gone to the Kansas City Chiefs. Blundin's replacement, 5'11" Bobby Goodman, came off the bench last season to pass for 229 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech.
Louisville coach Howard Schnellenberger may have found a replacement for Browning Nagle, his star quarterback of two years ago, who is now with the New York Jets. Jeff Brohm, who missed most of last season because of a broken leg, was 19 of 24 for 197 yards in April's spring game, but halfback Ralph Dawkins remains the spark plug of the offense. As Arkansas State moves up to Division I-A behind new coach Ray Perkins (New York Giants, Alabama, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Cincinnati may want to consider dropping down.