GREENSBORO — N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien has a well-deserved reputation as a straight shooter.

He hasn’t been afraid to build expectations for his team

Which ACC teams are most likely to challenge expected favorites Virginia Tech and Florida State for the league's 2009 football title? Join writer Ken Tysiac online today at 1 a.m. for a live chat about what he learned at the recently concluded ACC Kickoff media event in Greensboro.

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Over the past 33 years, the ACC media has correctly predicted the football champion 21 times. That's not a bad record, even if you take into account that Florida State was an obvious pick 11 years in a row and won the title in 10 of those.

Still, the media isn't always right (Really! It's true!) and among the surprises have been some real shockers, Tuesday's Top Five.

From Talking Points:

Over the past 33 years, the ACC media has correctly predicted the football champion 21 times. That's not a bad record, even if you take into account that Florida State was an obvious pick 11 years in a row and won the title in 10 of those.

Still, the media isn't always right (Really! It's true!) and among the surprises have been some real shockers, Tuesday's Top Five.

Read more here.

GREENSBORO — Phase One of UNC's Kenan Stadium renovation — which included adding a fifth floor to the Kenan Football Center, and renovating the other four levels — will be complete within the next few weeks.

GREENSBORO — N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien is prepared for the possibility that quarterback Russell Wilson will play just one more season for the Wolfpack football team.

Wilson, a first-team All-ACC selection as a redshirt freshman last season, is on an accelerated academic schedule that has him on track for graduation in the spring of 2010. He also is a baseball prospect who's eligible for the 2010 MLB draft.

From Talking Points:

Miami coach Randy Shannon is feeling a little left out.

The Hurricanes found a ready-made rival in the ACC in the form of Florida State, but there's not a whole lot of excitement surrounding Miami's games with the rest of the ACC, particularly with the Canes yet to win the Coastal Division in four seasons in the league.

Read more here. 

Miami coach Randy Shannon is feeling a little left out.

The Hurricanes found a ready-made rival in the ACC in the form of Florida State, but there's not a whole lot of excitement surrounding Miami's games with the rest of the ACC, particularly with the Canes yet to win the Coastal Division in four seasons in the league.

GREENSBORO — Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said he hopes he gets to keep the 14 victories the NCAA wants to strip from his record as punishment for academic fraud (which allegedly involved 61 Seminoles athletes cheating on an online course). But if he doesn't win his appeal, he said, "I'll be just as motivated."

Editor's note: Stephen Allan will provide updates from the ACC Kickoff in Greensboro today. The head coaches from each team met with the media this afternoon.