ESPN College Football

When spring practice opened Tuesday at Boston College, coach Tom O'Brien didn't celebrate the beginning of a new era, or ponder the first steps toward competition in a new league. At least, not publicly.

In some ways, he's trying to block out the idea that the Eagles are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference now, where they'll compete in easily the most improved football league in the country since expansion brought in three new teams, including Miami and Virginia Tech, last season.

Boston College's entry doesn't become official until July. And until then, there's always that possibility of more litigation, or a refusal by the Big East to let the Eagles leave. At least, there is in O'Brien's mind.

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