TUESDAY’S LINKS

By Heather Dinich at ESPN.

Mmmm ... mashed potatoes...

*Both the Washington Times and The Washington Post have reported the money is there if a $4 million buyout is needed for coach Ralph Friedgen. The Baltimore Sun is reporting otherwise. (T.A.H. reported this story on Monday)

*Virginia, on the other hand, already seems to know Al Groh's fate, it just won't announce it yet.

*If Groh is gone -- who's next in line?

*Has Boston College made enough progress this season? Last week's performance against UNC begs the question, but eight wins might answer it.

*UNC's juniors have accomplished a lot, but beating NC State is not on the list.

*NC State will be without offensive coordinator Dana Bible, who was diagnosed with leukemia and is receiving treatment.

*Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt said he would've gone elsewhere if during the recruiting process, Paul Johnson was pitching the option to him. And unlike Georgia's defense, the Jackets' D is getting better.

*If you don't think Miami's 5-3 record in the ACC is good enough, you're not alone -- Randy Shannon agrees.

*If FSU is going to pull off the upset over Florida, everything has to go right. It's not impossible.

*Should the South Carolina-Clemson game open the season?