Well, that was fast. The ACC will have two head-coaching changes next season, but the conference already knows that it won’t have any lengthy coaching searches.

Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher is set to replace Bobby Bowden, who is retiring after 34 seasons as the head coach of the Seminoles. Virginia, meanwhile, has chosen Mike London to take over for Al Groh, who was fired after nine seasons.

Fisher’s appointment is hardly news — he had been Florida State’s coach in waiting for two years — and London’s return to Virginia is hardly surprising. The Cavaliers could have taken longer to survey the landscape of available coaches, of course, but they knew they wanted London and went out and got him.

The 49-year-old London has plenty of local ties to Charlottesville. He served as an assistant under Groh as Virginia’s defensive line coach from 2001-04 and then as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2006-07. In between, he worked the 2005 season as defensive line coach for the NFL’s Houston Texans.

London has spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Richmond, where he played defensive back and was named the team’s MVP in 1982. London led the Spiders to a 24-5 record, including the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title last year in his first season. He coached his final game for Richmond on Saturday, when Appalachian State scored a late touchdown to eliminate the Spiders from the FCS quarterfinals, 35-31.

The challenge facing London is a large one. Virginia went 3-9 this season and has not had the talent that it featured early in Groh’s tenure when London was the recruiting coordinator. London can address that deficiency because of his background. He is a native of Hampton, Va., and has connections throughout the state that should help the Cavaliers as they recruit the talent-fertile Tidewater region.

London was a popular topic of conversation in Virginia circles throughout the season as the Cavaliers struggled and Groh’s future became uncertain, but he didn’t appear to be a slam-dunk choice. He has connections to Groh, of course, so “moving in a new direction” with a guy who worked under the previous head coach seemed strange to some fans.

Also, like Groh, London has a defensive background. Excitement has declined around Virginia’s program in recent years, and some thought the Cavaliers might go for an offensive-minded coach to try to resurrect a Virginia attack that hasn’t finished among the nation’s top 100 in total offense since 2005.

But with the success London had at Richmond and his ability to recruit his home state, he is a good fit for the job regardless of his connections to Groh. After all, he already has shown the ability to beat ACC competition. The Cavaliers have lost to Duke two consecutive seasons — 28-17 this season and 31-3 in 2008 — but London led Richmond past the Blue Devils 24-16 in this year’s season opener. And in 2008, the Spiders lost at Virginia 16-0 in a game that they trailed just 3-0 midway through the fourth quarter.

London’s hiring increases the number of black head coaches at BCS schools to two. Both reside in the ACC, with Miami’s Randy Shannon being the other.

Big-time players collaborate on classic

The buzz surrounding the ACC championship game wasn’t what it might have been after Clemson and Georgia Tech suffered losses to middle-of-the-pack SEC foes the previous week. But there were plenty of stars on the field in Tampa, Fla., and they shined brightly as the Yellow Jackets held off the Tigers, 39-34, in an offensive showcase.

Clemson senior C.J. Spiller was the brightest star of them all, rushing for a career-high 233 yards and four touchdowns en route to game MVP honors. But Georgia Tech won the game because it had more stars in the sky.

The big three of quarterback Josh Nesbitt, running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas made big plays to help the Yellow Jackets win their first outright ACC title since 1990. Nesbitt surpassed 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing while orchestrating an offense that didn’t commit a turnover, Dwyer rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns (including the game-winning score with 1:20 remaining), and Thomas caught a 70-yard touchdown pass.

Defensively, there were few highlights on either side. But Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan, the ACC’s defensive player of the year, stopped Kyle Parker for no gain on fourth and 2 from the Clemson 43 to end the Tigers’ final possession.

One non-star also had a big night. Georgia Tech kicker Scott Blair has experienced his share of struggles — he lost his job earlier this year and often is the target of screaming from Coach Paul Johnson — but he set an ACC Championship Game record with four field goals. He set career longs with his first two kicks, 48 and 49 yards, and later added field goals of 28 and 40 yards.

Interestingly, it was Blair’s second huge game against the Tigers this season. He kicked three field goals, including the game-winner, and threw a touchdown pass in Georgia Tech’s 30-27 win over Clemson on Sept. 10.

Blair was at a loss for words after the ACC championship game. He never expected to be in the postgame spotlight, and he was awkward at best as he talked about his performance: “It was a big game. I had a good day. I don’t know. We did a good job.”

It was the only thing Blair shanked all day, but Johnson was quick to give his kicker a pass.

“He doesn’t know how to act — I wasn’t yelling at him,” Johnson joked.

Bowl outlook

A year after setting an NCAA record by sending 10 teams to bowl games, the ACC features seven bowl teams this season. Here’s a look at the matchups:

FedEx Orange Bowl: Jan. 5, 8 p.m.
Georgia Tech (11-2) vs. Iowa (10-2)

This game, the first between these teams, offers plenty of intrigue. In addition to presenting classic matchups of strength on strength and weakness on weakness, it features the coaches of the year from the ACC (Paul Johnson) and the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz).

Georgia Tech, playing in its 13th consecutive bowl game but its first major bowl in 43 years, enters the game having won its first outright ACC championship since 1990. The Yellow Jackets, who lead the ACC in scoring (35.3 points per game), total offense (442.7 yards per game) and rushing (307.2 ypg), have plenty of big-play ability in their spread-option attack. Running back Jonathan Dwyer is third in the ACC in rushing (103.5 ypg), and Demaryius Thomas leads the conference in receiving (88.8 ypg). Running the show is quarterback Josh Nesbitt, runner-up in ACC player of the year balloting.

The Hawkeyes counter with a defense that ranks 10th nationally in points allowed (15.5 per game) and 11th nationally in yards allowed (286.7 ypg), thanks in part to a trio of standouts. Defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn is third in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (18.0), linebacker Pat Angerer ranks fifth nationally in tackles (11.2 per game), and safety Tyler Sash leads the Big Ten in interceptions (six). Iowa’s stellar pass defense — the team ranks fourth in the country in opponents’ pass efficiency — likely won’t be much of a factor against Georgia Tech’s run-heavy attack.

On the flip side, the Hawkeyes will benefit from the return of quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who has been sidelined with a severely sprained right ankle. But Iowa, which ranks just 10th in the Big Ten in scoring (23.1 ppg), no doubt will try to run against a Georgia Tech defense that was a sieve in its final two games. The Yellow Jackets allowed Clemson tailback C.J. Spiller and Georgia tailbacks Washaun Ealey and Caleb King to rush for a combined 582 yards and six touchdowns on just 58 carries.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5)

Virginia Tech hasn’t had much luck in Atlanta this season, but Coach Frank Beamer’s team is hoping that the third trip is the charm. The Hokies, who lost to Alabama, 34-24, in the season opener in the Georgia Dome and fell at Georgia Tech, 28-23, on Oct. 17, will meet Tennessee for the first time since the 1994 Gator Bowl.

Both teams enter the game with some momentum. Virginia Tech, which seeks its sixth consecutive 10-win season, is riding a four-game winning streak. Tennessee, meanwhile, has posted wins in four of its last five games in Lane Kiffin’s first season as head coach.

The Hokies feature one of the nation’s top offensive players in freshman tailback Ryan Williams, the ACC’s rookie of the year. Williams leads the conference and ranks fifth in the country in rushing (128.2 yards per game), having run for at least 100 yards in nine games this season. The Volunteers counter with a defensive playmaker who might be even better in safety Eric Berry, the SEC’s defensive player of the year.

As always in a game featuring Virginia Tech, look for special teams to play a major role. The Hokies have an advantage in the return game, where Dyrell Roberts leads the ACC and ranks third nationally on kickoff returns (34.5 yards per return). Tennessee, which is 5-2 all time against Virginia Tech, ranks just 11th in the SEC in kickoff coverage.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: Jan. 1, 1 p.m.
Florida State (6-6) vs. West Virginia (9-3)

In this case, the actual game will take a back seat to the story surrounding it. Bobby Bowden is retiring after 34 seasons as Florida State’s head coach, and he will do so against the team he coached before he took his current job in Tallahassee. Bowden compiled a 42-26 record at West Virginia from 1970-75, and he served as the Mountaineers’ offensive coordinator for four seasons before that.

The symmetry in this game doesn’t stop there. As Bowden guides Florida State to its 28th consecutive bowl game, he will do so in the same game against the same team he started the streak against. The Seminoles beat West Virginia 31-12 in the 1982 Gator Bowl.

As far as this year’s game goes, the Seminoles will have their hands full. West Virginia features a dynamic runner in Noel Devine, who is second in the Big East in rushing (108.1 yards per game). Devine could have a big day against a Florida State defense that ranks last in the ACC in total yards allowed (443.5 ypg), rushing yards allowed (203.2 ypg) and opponents’ pass efficiency (153.7). The Seminoles rank 108th or worse nationally in all three of those categories.

Offensively, Florida State won’t be at full strength. Quarterback Christian Ponder remains sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery, allowing redshirt freshman E.J. Manuel to gain experience. Manuel has a talented group of wide receivers featuring Bert Reed, Rod Owens and Jarmon Fortson, but he will be trying to get the ball to them against a West Virginia defense that leads the Big East in opponents’ pass efficiency (112.55). Safety Robert Sands, first in the Big East in interceptions (five) and passes defended (13), leads West Virginia’s secondary.

An interesting game within the game will occur when the Seminoles force the Mountaineers to punt. Florida State has the nation’s top punt returner in Greg Reid (18.4 yards per return), while West Virginia ranks seventh nationally in net punting (39.1 yards per punt).

Champs Sports Bowl: Dec. 29, 8 p.m.
Miami (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)

Much has changed for Miami since the last meeting between these teams, a 51-3 victory by the Hurricanes in 1989. Miami, then among college football’s elite programs, suffered some lean years before bouncing back with a vengeance in the late 1990s. The Hurricanes again lost their dominance in the middle of this decade, but they have come back to post nine wins for the first time since 2005 and are looking to return to their perch near the top of the rankings.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is making its eighth consecutive bowl trip. The Badgers, led by Big Ten offensive player of the year John Clay (116.3 rushing yards per game), enter this game leading the Big Ten in scoring (32.8 points per game), total offense (415.8 ypg) and rushing (206.7 ypg). They also feature the nation’s No. 8 run defense (90.5 ypg), which will need to be in top form to stop Miami tailbacks Graig Cooper, Javarris James and Damien Berry.

The Hurricanes need a solid performance from quarterback Jacory Harris, who has shown flashes of brilliance during an inconsistent sophomore season. Harris, who has thrown 23 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions, has plenty of talented wide receivers in a group led by Leonard Hankerson, LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin.

Wisconsin’s best defense against those receivers is a strong pass rush, which O’Brien Schofield can provide. Schofield is third in the Big Ten in sacks (10) and is tied for third in the nation in tackles for loss (22.5). The Badgers also have a defensive force in linebacker Chris Borland, who was named Big Ten freshman of the year after ranking second in the conference in forced fumbles (five) and fumble recoveries (three).

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Dec. 27, 8:15 p.m.
Clemson (8-5) vs. Kentucky (7-5)

Clemson fell far in the ACC bowl pecking order after almost earning a spot in the Orange Bowl, but the team can’t afford to sulk. The Tigers, who are making their fifth consecutive bowl appearance, are looking to end the season on a positive note after dropping two games in a row. They’ll get that chance in a rematch of the 2006 Music City Bowl, which Kentucky won 28-20.

That game started Kentucky’s streak of four consecutive bowl games, a school record. The Wildcats reached the postseason this year on the strength of a couple of milestone wins. They won at Auburn for the first time since 1961, and they won at Georgia for the first time since 1977.

Kentucky, which leads the all-time series against Clemson 8-4, has won 18 consecutive games against non-conference opponents. To extend that streak, the Wildcats must find a way to contain Clemson tailback C.J. Spiller. Spiller, the ACC player of the year and the only player in the nation to score in every game this season, ranks fourth nationally in all-purpose yardage (192.9 yards per game) and kickoff return average (33.7 yards per return). He also has scored 20 touchdowns.

The Wildcats counter with a couple of dangerous all-purpose threats of their own. Running back Derrick Locke is second in the SEC in all-purpose yardage (150.9 ypg), while quarterback/wide receiver Randall Cobb is third in the conference in that category (147.2 ypg).

Kentucky has struggled to throw the ball all season, ranking 109th nationally in pass efficiency (108.9) and 114th nationally in passing yards (142.8 ypg), and those problems could continue against the Tigers. Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel enters the game with eight interceptions, tied for second in the country.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m.
North Carolina (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-3)

North Carolina coach Butch Davis and Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt have traveled similar career routes, both working as assistant coaches for Jimmy Johnson at Oklahoma State, Miami and with the Dallas Cowboys before eventually becoming NFL head coaches themselves. They will cross paths again in this game, which features a pair of defenses adept at making plays behind the line of scrimmage.

North Carolina, which lost to West Virginia in last year’s Meineke Car Care Bowl, has one of the country’s most athletic defensive units. Led by defensive end Robert Quinn, who leads the ACC in tackles for loss (19) and ranks second in the conference in sacks (11), the Tar Heels rank among the nation’s top 15 in points allowed (16.9 per game), yards allowed (267.8 per game), rushing yards allowed (92.8 per game) and opponents’ pass efficiency (103.9). They also are third nationally in tackles for loss (8.4 per game).

UNC’s chief task in this game is containing freshman tailback Dion Lewis, who leads the Big East and ranks third in the country in rushing (136.7 yards per game). Lewis has rushed for 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, helping the Panthers overcome the loss of LeSean McCoy to the NFL.

The Tar Heels lack an offensive weapon as dangerous as Lewis, and they can’t afford to let quarterback T.J. Yates face too much pressure from Pittsburgh’s talented defensive line. The Panthers lead the nation in sacks (3.8 per game) and will be looking to force bad decisions and poor throws by Yates, who has more interceptions (14) than touchdown passes (12) this season.

An interesting note surrounding this game is that both teams lost at NC State this season. The Wolfpack did not qualify for a bowl game, but they defeated the Panthers 38-31 on Sept. 26 and beat North Carolina 28-27 in the regular-season finale.

Emerald Bowl: Dec. 26, 8:30 p.m.
Boston College (8-4) vs. USC (8-4)

This game might offer the least likely bowl matchup of them all because neither team was supposed to be here. Boston College was supposed to be languishing at the bottom of the ACC standings after losing its head coach and several key players, and USC was supposed to be in a BCS game contending for another national championship.

Obviously, things didn’t work out that way. Boston College earned its 11th consecutive bowl trip under the guidance of first-year head coach Frank Spaziani, who had been the team’s defensive coordinator. The Eagles haven’t been flashy, especially away from home, but they have compiled a 4-1 record in games decided by seven points or fewer.

The key for Boston College in this game is finding a way to get production from tailback Montel Harris, who ranks second in the ACC in rushing (112.9 yards per game). The Eagles are limited in their passing game with freshman quarterback Dave Shinskie, who has thrown 14 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions this season.

The Trojans, who have won both previous meetings against Boston College but have lost three of their last five games this season, are in a similar situation. They have plenty of talented tailbacks, led by Joe McKnight (1,014 rushing yards), but they have a freshman quarterback in Matt Barkley (13 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions) who has made his share of mistakes.

The bottom line, though, is that USC has far more talent than Boston College. If the Trojans recharge their batteries and get excited about this contest rather than dwelling on the fact that their run of four consecutive Rose Bowl appearances came to an end, this game could be lopsided.