Around The League News

The Miami Herald reports that Bobby Bowden is expecting his QB duo to perform this year. According to the Herald, Bowden says the redshirt juniors have been in the program long enough to be more efficient.''I expect them to produce,'' Bowden said at the ACC's annual football preview. ``I expect them to be ready to go.''.... The State(South Carolina) reports that all ACC football jerseys this season will have a black stripe on one arm to honor those killed in the Virginia Tech campus shootings....The Atlanta Journal-Constitution lists Rick Trickett and Jimbo Fisher as one of the top new assistants in the ACC for 2007 who will have the biggest impacts....The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Virginia Coach Al Groh has a less than flattering distinction. In six seasons as coach at his alma mater, Groh has compiled a 42-33 record. The Cavaliers have advanced to four bowl games, winning three, and are 25-23 in ACC play. However, apparently that doesn't impress SI.com columnist Stewart Mandel, who recently picked Groh as the nation's worst coach....The Baltimore Sun reports on the ACC's background check of football officials. Officials who want to work in the ACC must authorize a private investigative firm to look into their backgrounds. Their initial paperwork also asks about any history of sports gambling, but it is the background check that delves into personal records for any clues. Credit card debt, substance abuse, driving records and criminal history are checked at the local, state and federal levels....The Winston-Salem Journal reports that upstart Wake Forest did not impress the media. They have the Deacons picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division in the preseason poll announced at the ACC Football Kickoff.