2013 ACC Schedule Finalized

GREENSBORO, N.C.-- The 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference football schedule released Monday by Commissioner John Swofford is a slate which is the largest in league history, incorporating new league members Pittsburgh and Syracuse into the 14-team ACC, and it may also be one of the most ambitious in the league's 61-year history.

Ambitious because conference members are playing 11 games against non-conference opponents that finished the 2012 football season ranked in the nation's Top 25, nine games with nonconference teams ranked in the final AP Top Ten, including contests against each of the top four teams in the USA Today's final poll. Nine games are against teams projected by ESPN in its Early Top 10 for the 2013 season.

"The 2013 ACC Football schedule showcases some tremendous matchups this year as our league is arguably playing the toughest nonconference schedule in the country," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "This is an exciting year as we look forward to welcoming Pitt and Syracuse into the ACC. Both teams are opening league play at home, with Florida State at Pitt on Labor Day Monday Night and in its first ACC game, Clemson at Syracuse in the Carrier Dome."

Read more Here

Team By Team Schedule Here

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Mike Vick is an Eagle....For at Least in 2013

Via NFL.com

Mike Vick is staying put for the 2013 season. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer first reported that Vick and the Eagles worked out a restructured contract, meaning the quarterback will return to the team for the 2013 season. The Eagles' website quickly confirmed the move.

The headline announcing the news on the Eagles' website was telling: "Vick stays to compete for job."

Nothing is guaranteed for Vick. Second-year pro Nick Foles remains a promising option, although he probably doesn't fit in Kelly's offense. It wouldn't be a surprise if Kelly added another interesting name to the mix.

Vick will take a big pay cut from his previous $15.5 million salary. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Vick can earn "up to" $10 million. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Vick's contract is a three-year deal that voids to one year on March 15, so it's essentially a one-year deal, making Vick eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2014.

Vick's deal surely includes a lot of incentives that recognize how unclear his role is at the moment. TheEagles are making it clear that Vick isn't guaranteed anything at this stage, including a roster spot. But they wouldn't make this move unless they thought Vick had a good chance to win the starting job.

This marks a sensible move for both sides. Vick knows that he's not going to find a better situation than the one in Philadelphia with Kelly and a talented group of skill position players. Kelly knows he's not going to find a better option on the free-agent market.

Consider this a one-year trial. It's a "prove it" deal. It's another "last chance" for Vick.

Andy Reid's departure ultimately allowed Vick to get another season with the Eagles. With Kelly on board, it might be a better chance for Vick to find success.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.

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Flacco...worth Elite QB Money????

The WebAnswers "Question of the Week?":

Does Joe Flacco deserve to be the highest paid QB in the league?



Click on the link above and offer your opinion. But if you want my quick opinion......here it is. My take is that....HELL NAW!!! Flacco isn't in the position that would ideally put him in the position to where he could ask for that amount of money. Drew Brees $100 million contract is currently tops in the league, where $60 million is guaranteed. The Ravens definitely don't have that kind of cap room to toss around and while Flacco has proven he'earned a significant pay raise, he has not earned top 5 money...yet.

But hey if you have a deferring opinion, hop up on Webanswers and lets hear it.

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Bethune-Cookman Announces 2013 Football Schedule - B-CUAthletics.com - The Official Web Site of Bethune-Cookman Athletics

Bethune-Cookman Announces 2013 Football Schedule - B-CUAthletics.com - The Official Web Site of Bethune-Cookman Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University officially released the 2013 football schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 6, as announced by B-CU Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson. The 12-game regular season slate is the first of its kind for B-CU since 2002. Under the direction of head coach Brian Jenkins, recently completing his third year at the helm in Daytona Beach, the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Wildcats will host five games inside Larry Kelly Field at Municipal Stadium on the 2013 slate.

"This year's schedule will definitely be a challenging one, but it's one we're all looking forward to," said B-CU head coach Brian Jenkins. "Our Director of Athletics, Lynn Thompson, has done a tremendous job in making sure we have a strong schedule, and we still have another game to add. So, it's going to be one that all Wildcat fans will enjoy."

The 2013 campaign opens with a trip to Tennessee State on Sunday, Sept. 1, as the Wildcats meet the Tigers for the John Merritt Classic at L.P. Field in Nashville, Tenn. The Tigers took a hard-fought 21-14 game from the Wildcats last year in front of a near-capacity crowd in Daytona Beach. The Cats then return to Daytona Beach for their home-opener against the Virginia Union Panthers on Sept. 7. The following weekend, B-CU continues its new tradition of playing at least one BCS opponent as the Wildcats travel to Miami to face the FIU Panthers on Sept. 21. Network television will determine the kickoff time for that game up to 10 days out. B-CU will conclude the month of September with a game to be determined by next week.

"We have a big announcement coming with the open game we have right now on September 28," said Lynn W. Thompson. "Our fans need to stay tuned to BCUathletics.com because it's definitely going to be big news that they'll want to read about." The Cats stay on the road for the first two weeks in October as they open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play at Delaware State (Oct. 5) and Howard (Oct. 12). The games against the Hornets and Bison see resurgence in contests against those teams as they replace North Carolina A&T and Morgan State, respectively. It'll be the first time in two years B-CU has faced Howard and Delaware State.

Bethune-Cookman returns home to host Savannah State for the Third Annual Biker Classic on Oct. 19, followed by one of the biggest Homecoming weekends in recent history as the Cats welcome South Carolina State to Municipal Stadium on Oct. 26. Both of those games have kickoff set at 4 p.m. B-CU hits the road to open its November slate with a trip to North Carolina Central (Nov. 2), before returning home for a pair of games against Virginia Tidewater-area foes Norfolk State (Nov. 9) and Hampton (Nov. 16), respectively. The month closes with the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic against Florida A&M at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Nov. 23.

For ticket information, please call the B-CU Ticket Office at (386) 481-2465, or visiting TicketMaster.com by clickinghere.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

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Prairie View A&M releases 2013 Football Schedule

Prairie View A&M releases 2013 Football Schedule: Eight games inside the state of Texas, including four home games at Blackshear Field, three classics, a Football Bowl Subdivision battle and the renewal of two in-state matchups against Southland Conference foes, highlight the 2013 Prairie View A&M Panther football schedule. The 12-game schedule announced by Director of Athletics Fred Washington marks the most games the team will play since 1953....

8/31/2013	*Texas Southern	Houston, Texas – BBVA Compass Stadium	TBA	29th Labor Day Classic
9/7/2013	Texas State	San Marcos, Texas	TBA
9/14/2013	*Southern University	Baton Rouge, La.	TBA
9/21/2013	*Alabama A&M	Prairie View	TBA
9/28/2013	Stephen F. Austin	Nacogdoches, Texas	6:00 p.m.
10/5/2013	*Grambling State	Dallas, Texas – The Cotton Bowl	6:00 p.m.	Southwest State Fair Classic
10/12/2013	*Alabama State	Montgomery, Ala.	TBA
10/19/2013	*Mississippi Valley State	Prairie View	TBA	Homecoming
10/26/2013	*Jackson State	Shreveport, La. – Independence Stadium	TBA	Shreveport Classic
11/2/2013	Abilene Christian	Prairie View	TBA
11/9/2013	*Alcorn State	Alcorn State, Miss.	TBA
11/23/2013	*Arkansas-Pine Bluff	Prairie View	TBA

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Norfolk State University Athletics - 7 Home Games Highlight 2013 NSU Football Schedule

NORFOLK, Va. – A school record-tying seven home games, including three Division I FCS non-conference matchups, highlight the 12-game 2013 Norfolk State University football schedule, which was released Friday. Maine of the Colonial Athletic Association, Charleston Southern of the Big South Conference and FCS independent Old Dominion will all visit William “Dick” Price Stadium this upcoming season. The non-conference slate also includes a third all-time trip to Rutgers, the Spartans' fourth straight year playing a Division I FBS team which advanced to a bowl game the previous season.

The home conference schedule includes games with Savannah State, Hampton, Florida A&M and South Carolina State. “I feel like this could be the most competitive schedule we've ever played,” NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. “In addition, our home schedule is outstanding and has to be one of the most attractive we've ever had for our fans. The schedule is quite a challenge, but our players are excited about it and I think they will be up to the challenge.”

Division I FCS schools are permitted to play 12 regular-season games the next two years since there are 13 Saturdays between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends. NSU's 12 regular-season contests this upcoming season match the 2003 and 2008 squads for the most in school annals, and the seven home games will match the 2006 and 2009 seasons for the most ever in one year at Dick Price Stadium.

The schedule kicks off with a first-ever matchup between NSU and Maine on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Black Bears went 5-6 overall last season, 4-4 in the CAA. This marks the start of a two-year, home-and-home series between the schools, with NSU returning to Maine to kick off the 2014 schedule. Maine replaces long-time NSU rival Virginia State on the Spartans' schedule, as NCAA bylaws preclude VSU from facing the Spartans on Labor Day weekend.

The following week (Sept. 7), NSU will travel to Piscataway, N.J., to face the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers for a third time. The teams also squared off in 2007 and 2010, with Rutgers winning both matchups. Rutgers went 9-4 in 2012 and was one of four Big East teams to tie for first place with 5-2 conference records. The Scarlet Knights lost to Virginia Tech 20-17 in the Russell Athletic Bowl last month. Read more on link below...

Norfolk State University Athletics - 7 Home Games Highlight 2013 NSU Football Schedule

8/31/2013		Maine	Norfolk, Va.	6 p.m.	Details
9/7/2013		Rutgers	Piscataway, N.J.	TBA	Details
9/21/2013		Charleston Southern (Fish Bowl Classic)	Norfolk, Va.	4 p.m.	Details
9/28/2013	*	Morgan State	Baltimore, Md.	TBA	Details
10/5/2013	*	Savannah State	Norfolk, Va.	1 p.m.	Details
10/12/2013	*	Delaware State	Dover, Del.	TBA	Details
10/19/2013	*	Hampton (Battle of the Bay)	Norfolk, Va.	1 p.m.	Details
10/26/2013		Old Dominion	Norfolk, Va.	1 p.m.	Details
11/2/2013	*	Florida A&M (Homecoming)	Norfolk, Va.	2 p.m.	Details
11/9/2013	*	Bethune-Cookman	Daytona Beach, Fla.	TBA	Details
11/16/2013	*	North Carolina Central	Durham, N.C.	2 p.m.	Details
11/23/2013	*	South Carolina State (Senior Day)	Norfolk, Va.	1 p.m.	Details

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Super Bowl XLVII - The Moment of Truth

I purposely used the two weeks of off time to sit & mull this one over. And up until just now I had no idea who was actually going to win this game. Too many variables, too many "what-ifs", too many "X-factors". The match-up was highly unlikely and very intriguing. The media, as expected, ate this one up. I mean, barely any of the "experts" have a clear definitive pick. And most of the picks are no more than 4 point victories. (Vegas odds 49ers -3.5pts)

The Ravens are riding a couple of "prayers" and the team is sitting in a tough position, facing a offensive & defensive juggernaut in the 49ers. Now everyone believes the same thing heading into Sunday, if Joe Flacco has a bad game, the Ravens don't have a chance unless the defense & special teams keeps the game close. Flacco & his ability to stretch the D & throw the deep ball has been a pivotal part of the Ravens playoff run. Torrey Smith & Jacoby Jones won't need monster games, but they're going to have to come up big. O yes....hand the ball to Ray Rice...I doubt he'll be extremely effective....but it'll keep the niner's D honest.

Even though the offense will have to come up big, the Ravens defense will have to come up twice as big to find a way past the main man Kaepernick and all of his weapons. The pistol offense is just down right tricky but like the other well known quaterbacks that run the pistol, Kap can throw this ball. With great accuracy. Like we saw against the Falcons, if you put a major focus on containing him, Kaepernick will find his receivers/tight ends for huge gains. I'm not sure how that aging group of stars can do it. But if anyone can this postseason, it'd be Ray Lewis & the boys back there.

This game can go a multitude of ways & I'm sure you've explored every angle with ESPN & the NFL Network so I'll get to the point. This is a very tough pick but somehow I don't see Ray Lewis getting the 2nd ring we all want to see him get. Its just something about the 49ers team as a whole that is, like I said earlier, a JUGGERNAUT.

HeartLess picks: 49ers 24-21

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