ACC Media Days 2012: Dominant Storylines to Watch for at Annual Preseason Event

Tons of pressing questions will be asked of the Atlantic Coast Conference during this upcoming college football season, but none more than at this summer's preseason media day event.

Virginia Tech finished with the conference's best record in 2011, rounding out their year with an 11-3 mark and coming up small in their bowl game, just as ACC champion Clemson did in the Orange Bowl.

The conference is in desperate need of a makeover in 2012, as numerous programs must redeem themselves in order to prove they belong. There are tons of storylines pertaining to the ACC this summer, but none as mighty and intriguing as the following.

Here's what to watch for. 

How Much Longer For Randy Edsall?

In his first season at Maryland in 2011, former Connecticut Huskies head coach Randy Edsall failed to ignite any sparks under his athletes. The Terps finished with a 2-10 record, winning just one game inside the conference. Edsall's men finished the season on an eight-game losing streak.

The damage was long-term for Edsall as well, since quarterback Danny O'Brien, who had a tremendous freshman season in 2010 before Edsall arrived, transferred to Wisconsin this past offseason. The door is now wide open for C.J. Brown, who played well in spurts last season, sharing time with O'Brien under center. 

Although Edsall's time in College Park looks to be running out, some of his players, like wide receiver Kevin Dorsey have supported him through the struggles (via The Washington Post):

"

He’s been like a punching bag in the media lately, and honestly, I kind of feel bad for him, everyone within the facility now, we want to play for him. He’s a guy you want to play for.

"

Still though, anytime such tough questions are being asked of a coach after just one season, his future is uncertain. Maybe Maryland will turn things in around in 2012, but if not, Edsall could take the fall for their failure. 

What Is Going on In Miami?

Al Golden's Miami Hurricanes showed glimpses of greatness last season, finishing 6-6. However there is more drama now surrounding the second-year head coach and his program after Yahoo! Sports reported major NCAA violations within Golden's coaching staff. 

The Hurricanes are struggling to get back to the level they were once at, and this disturbing report comes just one year after they were threatened with the death penalty for the uncovering of a pay-for-play scandal that took place at the university, involving a convicted Ponzi schemer, Nevin Shapiro.

Golden and his Hurricanes will need to attempt to squash the off-field conversation as quickly as possible this coming fall, and focus solely on football. After all, another mediocre season would give Miami's higher-ups good reason to fire Golden and start fresh in 2013.

More High Expectations for Florida State

The Seminoles failed to live up to any of their preseason hype one season ago, finishing 9-4 after many experts predicted they would be playing for the BCS National Championship in New Orleans. Quarterback EJ Manuel was even projected as a Heisman hopeful before the 2011 campaign began.

Manuel threw for only 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2011 though, and Florida State came up small in big games early on against Oklahoma and Clemson. Once again this season, college football gurus are expecting big things in Tallahassee. 

With a conference that seems to be growing weaker by the year though, winning the Atlantic Division and potentially a conference title would not be much of a surprise for a program as talented as Florida State. 

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