Steckbrief » go in Missouri, which returns seven starters on defense an

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Theres one more hurdle in third-ranked Clemsons quest to get back to the College Football Playoff -- Saturday nights Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against No. 19 Virginia Tech.Win, and the Tigers (11-1, No. 3 CFP) are a lock for a berth in the national semifinals for the second straight season.Lose, and the dream of resolving unfinished business in January is over for Deshaun Watson and Co.Its all about the finish now, coach Dabo Swinney said Friday. The headline everybody is going to remember is the last one.For the record, Swinney was talking about his teams ACC aspirations.In reality, anything short of making it back to next months national title game -- and winning -- will be a huge disappointment for a team still drawing motivation from a six-point loss to Alabama in last seasons final.Underdog Virginia Tech (9-3, No. 23 CFP) is intent on not only showing up , but making the most of its first appearance in the ACC championship game since 2011.The Hokies, who last won the conference title in six years ago, reject the notion that all the pressure is on Clemson.Thats not where were at mentally. We know we have a tremendous challenge. We know were playing a well -coached, talented football team. But we didnt do all this work just to get here. We still have work left to do, Hokies coach Justin Fuente said.Our kids are prepared that way. And we know we have to play extremely well in order to get it close there at the end. But Ive stayed away from (saying) `youve got nothing to lose because I dont believe that, Fuente, the ACC coach of the year, added. I think weve got a great opportunity, and weve got a great group of kids that have worked incredibly hard for this opportunity.Five things to know about the first ACC title matchup between Clemson and Virginia Tech since 2010:ASK ME LATER: Swinney was asked how he feels about the prospect of second-ranked Ohio State receiving a spot in the CFP without playing in Saturdays Big Ten championship game, possibly over the winner of that game or another league champion. Ask me that on Sunday. Right now, its about beating Virginia Tech. Thats really all that matters to me. I could care less about Ohio State or any of the rest of them. Weve got to focus on what were trying to do, the Clemson coach said.When its over on Sunday, I think it would be a very clear picture. I think the committee will get it right, Swinney added. But for us, we just want to win and be there.HELLO, JUMBO: When Clemson absolutely needs to convert a short-yardage situation, it calls in the heavy offensive artillery -- namely, 310-pound defensive end Christian Wilkins and 340-pound defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The two typically pave the way for a Tiger runner like Wayne Gallman to get through the stacked up front and into the end zone. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said the pair of defensive starters are athletic and adept at moving their feet to get in front of bull-rushing defenders. Wilkins is so agile, in fact, the Tigers have used him as an offensive weapon. He caught a fake punt pass for a first down in the College Football Playoff win over Oklahoma last season. This year, Wilkins caught a TD pass in Clemsons 30-24 win over Troy in September. He also converted a first-down on a 10-yard run on a fake punt against North Carolina State.BUCKY FACTOR: The Hokies always have a mismatch in the passing game with 6-foot-7 Bucky Hodges, who has played more wide receiver than tight end this year. Hodges is third on the Hokies with 42 receptions, but tied for the lead with seven catches for touchdowns. Hes too big for cornerbacks and safeties to cover one-on-one, too fast for most linebackers and a great attention-taker to free WRs Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips to make things happen.WAIT FOR IT: Clemson receiver Mike Williams leads the Tigers with 79 catches for 1,114 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hes surpassed 1,000 yards in receiving yards for the second time in three full seasons, yet was not in the mix for the Biletnikoff Award given to college footballs best receiver. Dont worry too much, Swinney told Williams, hell hear his name called first when it matters most at the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Williams is expected to be a first-round selection at next springs draft. I think hes the most complete guy that weve had,Swinney said of a list that includes first-round picks in Deandre Hopkins (2013) and Sammy Watkins (2014).RUSH JOB: Clemsons Watson has hardly been touched this season, and Virginia Techs pass rush has not been especially effective, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster is one of the best in the country and will surely try to find ways to allow DE Ken Ekanem, DT Woody Baron and LB Tremaine Edmunds to disrupt Watson and try to force him into mistakes. Watson has thrown 14 interceptions, and turnovers in a game like this can be decisive.---AP Sports Writers Pete Iacobelli in Clemson, South Carolina; Hank Kurz in Blacksburg, Virginia; and Terrance Harris in Orlando contributed to this report.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Clearance Kyrie Irving Shoes . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Cheap Kyrie Irving Shoes . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. https://www.cheapshoeskyrieirving.com/ . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Kyrie Irving Shoes Deals . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Kyrie Irving Shoes Outlet .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Coming out of high school, Rushel Shell arrived at Pittsburgh and was labeled as the next Tony Dorsett.Four years later, Shell gets one last shot at his own name recognition as a senior at West Virginia.Shell is shouldering the Mountaineers rushing responsibilities following the departure of Big 12 rushing leader Wendell Smallwood, and his quest for an elusive 1,000-yard season starts in Saturdays season opener against Missouri.I want to be that guy like I was in high school, said the 6-foot, 215-pound Shell. Be the workhorse, getting the ball as many times as they want to give me and barely come off the field.That high school, it turns out, is Hopewell High in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, the same school that produced Dorsett, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Pitt and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Things havent quite turned out what Shell had hoped after racking up 39 straight 100-yard games in high school and becoming Pennsylvanias all-time leading prep rusher.He transferred from Pittsburgh despite a productive freshman season in 2012. He gained 788 yards in 2014 at West Virginia despite missing most of two games with a foot injury, then took a back seat last year as Smallwood had the fourth-best rushing season (1,519 yards) in school history.Shells carries dwindled toward the end of 2015. He finished with 708 yards, and his 4.4 yards per carry were two yards shy of Smallwoods average.His coaches felt that Shell was overthinking and trying to reinvent himself.Not so in the practices leading up to this season.With Smallwood off to the NFL, West Virginia made Shell the featured ball carrier without proven backups but behind a veteran offensive line.Right now theres not much hes not doing well, said West Virginia running backs coach JaJuan Seider. Hes having a great ffall camp.dddddddddddd Hes getting back to being Rushel -- running the ball hard and physical, getting downhill, the type of back that we know he can be.Shell, who will get backup help from freshman Kennedy McKoy and junior college transfer Justin Crawford, said he just wants to be more patient when he gets the ball.He understands that sprinkled around the runs that go nowhere are the possibilities of busting out a long one. Hell get a challenge from the get-go in Missouri, which returns seven starters on defense and is led by standout end Charles Harris.Im a back that gets better with more carries, Shell said. I feel like Ive always been that way. The more you give me the ball, the better Im going to get. I feel like thats one of my strengths. I can wear a defense down. I feel like this year theyre giving me the opportunity.The Shell that arrived on campus in Pittsburgh is far different from the one finishing up in Morgantown. He has three children now. Thoughts of 1-year-old son Prince and 4-year-old twin daughters Arionna and Amiyah being 90 miles away with their mother and Shells mom next door in Aliquippa and not being able to see them every day is what motivates him.It changes the perspective on everything, Shell said. This season is definitely for them, the most unique one of my life. One I feel like could be most successful.But hes no Dorsett, and thats OK with the Mountaineers.Its right there in front of him. I think the kid is very talented, Seider said. Stop trying to live up to the hype and expectations of being the record holder of Pennsylvania and the next Tony Dorsett. Just go be Rushel Shell. Go do what got you here. Its now or never. ' ' '