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ACC Football Spring Preview: Top 10 questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first half at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first half at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Will James Conner return from cancer?

James Conner was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 when he was among the rushing leaders but was injured in Pitt’s opener last year and missed the rest of the season. That was the least of his worries as Connor was later diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and his football career was in jeopardy.

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Conner returned to practice to participate in some drills in February and Pat Narduzzi said Conner will beat cancer and play for the Panthers in 2016, which would easily be the best story of the college football season.

Conner ran for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns on 298 carries in 2014. It may be unfair to expect him to produce at that same level if/when he returns in 2016, but his presence alone would serve as an inspiration for his teammates and coaches.

As mentioned earlier, Pitt has a chance to be one of the teams that jumps from the middle class of the ACC and into the upper-tier. Having Conner on the field will only help Narduzzi’s cause. If he can show flashes of his 2014 self, look out for Pitt in 2016.

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