I think this is what should the ACC possibly do: 1) Washington State & Oregon State 2) Memphis 3) Tulane 4) USF 5) UConn 6) East Carolina 7) App State 8) San Diego State 9) Liberty 10) Georgia State 11) Navy 12) Rice A good mix between schools that have some football history, basketball history, regionality/good markets, and decent academics.
@@brandonh5360 After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder. Now analyze from the perspective of that ACC.
@@tarheel7406 did you forget SMU is south of all those teams? How about the California schools? You got such a narrow view lmao. The perspective from the ACC would be to grab members who could be athletically and academically viable while trying to get markets that they don’t have one in that could support their team. Or a school that made themself a viable brand.
Revival of Big East football and pushing the Big East into THE basketball conference. Signing the best TV deal you can and making the fourth power conference alive and well rather than dropping to three giant power conferences.
Enjoy your show, something will happen and probably surprise us all. Connecticut "the football could be good" now that is a big REACH, The powers that be are obviously focused on things other than football, not easy to change that anywhere.
Unless FSU and Clemson are ready to write big checks they may be in ACC longer than many think. And it's also possible the landing spots aren't there. Nobody wants to believe that but timing of TV contracts always come into play. And you saying 8 schools are leaving, that's not going to happen. But, I know everyone loves speculation.
You did good on this video. This is the type of videos I like seeing when you put the analytics behind the research and you present it as a gym you did well congratulations.
The conference Grant of Rights and television contracts make all of this pure speculation at best. It will take the majority of conference members agreeing to let any one leave and ESPN all coming together to allow anything to happen. The ACC may add more members, but anyone leaving is going to require an incredible amount of negotiating or waiting for the TV contract to be redone in 2036.
If they still have 8+ schools that are cohesive, then it might be best to add as few as deemed necessary, since some of these may be further decreasing the average conference payout. It is also possible to add more later, since after a potential shifting here, it is not like SEC/BIG/Big12 are likely adding anyone they are considering.
If the ACC lose 8 schools and is at 9, they should add: OSU, WSU, SDSU, UTSA, Tulane, USF, Memphis to get to 16. They would effectively be the first P4/G5 conference.
ACC should have capitalized on getting West Virginia, Cincinnati, UConn, UCF, USF, and Temple from the Big 12 and American respectively on a restructured GofR. Assuming Florida State, Clemson, and Notre Dame defect… Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Miami, West Virginia, Cincinnati, UConn, UCF, USF, Temple. May not be the prettiest conference, but it’s all Atlantic schools, old rivalries are reignited at the conference level (Backyard Brawl here belongs to the ACC for example), and the basketball will be exceptionally more fun to watch with UConn playing teams like Duke and UNC more often.
a) The ACC internally considered WVU et. al. and determined none work. Adding dilutive members would not have helped the ACC survive as a Tier 1 and would have accelerated the depletion. b) To where is CLEMSON going per your comment? To where and how ND? c) UNC isn't likely to stay as it is. Definitely wouldn't under your proposal. DUKE is also unlikely to stay for that. Think from the ACC perspective.
Seems like a good list of candidates. What about Coastal Carolina or East Carolina? There are two in state rivals right there plus they would play the remaining Carolina universities of Duke and Wake. Maybe a wild card , Seeing you would have 4 west coast schools why not add Boise State?
I agree on the CCU and maybe ECU although App State makes more sense. Boise State brings nothing but headaches and turmoil and detrimental academic performance among other factors. Does Boise State football, men’s and women’s tennis and golf and basketball and wrestling deserve a spot at the P4 level? Yes they do. But not in the ACC but Bigger12 yes, as fit cultural norms and academic norms and standards. Are there high standards at several universities in academia within the Bigger12, as I am now calling them or us with my Alma Mater? Yes there are. But does the lower end academic standards of schools outweigh those at the top (and if you are R2 like BYU you are at the bottom)? Yes unfortunately but that could change over time. But I agree that there are several schools that are qualified options.
@michaelwall3393 Boise State is allowed to add any California JC reject that couldn't possibly enter one of western majors out of high school. There is zero reward in conferencing with those type of teams in an acedemically oriented ACC....only headaches
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cpthat’s why I said App State, JMU, and CCU from SBC and three service academies and the last two PAC schools and Colorado State and San Diego State along with Tulane, USF, Rice, and maybe Memphis University all are R1 and either AAU or really committed to research and development and expansion in academics; than Boise State or other universities that many people have suggested.
You didn't mention that Memphis is undergoing a major 220mm stadium upgrade presently. And they have a big recruiting budget when compared to any of your candidates in this video.
If the SEC wants to take FSU and Clemson (think thats just some fans chatter) I could see the Big Ten taking as a package UNC and NC State due to population growth there, but don’t think the cookie is gonna crumble that way. I think another Great Plains or a Texas team is an interesting option that helps Nebraska out, of course we always want Notre Dame.
Friendly reminder....since the inception of the ACC...71 years ago.....only two schools have left....South Carolina and Maryland. Both have found only marginal success and that's being kind. Maryland doesn't have a single rivalry in the Big 10 that replaces their basketball rivalries with Duke, UNC and UVA. South Carolina is little more than what NASCAR used to call a "field filler" in the SEC and takes regular thumpings from the ACC football teams. Keep in mind that this subject is generating clicks but fails to produce any realignment. Maybe on Labor Day weekend the teams will put the ball on the tee and play some football.
Florida State and Clemson are not leaving the ACC for any conference other than the SEC or Big Ten. And it's an awful big assumption that either of those conferences are looking to add any more schools right now.
@@tarheel7406 - If neither the SEC nor the Big Ten offer FSU an invite, they're not going anywhere else. And the ACC isn't going to kick them out regardless of the hard feelings. Independence would be the only other option, and I doubt FSU is a big enough national draw to make that workable long term.
Many do not realize Tulane was a founding member of the SEC. It is too bad they don't go back there rather than ACC. Tulane could be a good Big 12 fit.
As long as they can keep Pitt, Georgia Tech, and Duke it would work but lose them and you're gonna have to add East Carolina, Temple, Tulsa, schools like that and it may not.
I think the ACC should add : WVU ..Also, add Rice that Dallas market, Tulane New Orleans market.. .WVU has rivalries with Pittsburgh in Backyard bawl Trophy game , WVU Vs Virginia Tech Black Diamond Trophy game, WVU Vs Syracuse Trophy game , WVU Vs Louisville rivalry game. WVU Vs Boston College rivalry game. If you have SMU who's in Houston market, then you need Rice who has that Dallas market. Two of the biggest markets in Texas
Do not agree. None of those so called rivalries backed WVU for membership back then. Virginia Tech was especially anti_WVU thining they were academically superior. Let them wither.
From my experience, WVU fans don't value those rivalries enough to consider moving to a rebuilt but surviving Tier 2 ACC. Those synergies being high enough would be the only reason the ACC would have any interest.
I agree with what you are saying here and who to add and where. I think the ACC might add a couple of service academies and two Virginia schools and maybe one South Carolina school in CCU to maintain their presence in those areas. ACC Northeast Boston College UCONN Syracuse Pitt Army Navy ACC Mid Atlantic JMU Duke Wake Forest App State CCU GTech ACC Gulf Central USF Tulane Memphis Rice SMU Air Force ACC West Pacific Washington State Oregon State California Stanford San Diego State Nevada It’s not perfect but gets all the top academic schools left for the most part and all the schools that take athletics equally seriously as academics.
a) After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder. b) Absolutely zero reason for such a large and wide Tier 2 conference. c) DUKE, GATECH, and perhaps STANFOR wouldn't be P5 remainders after a heavy ACC depletion.
@@tarheel7406okay first of all, this is just speculation and rationale for what would make sense to keep A4/P4 status as most of the additions were once in a Power Conference with a few exceptions. Secondly by having schools on the west coast, it makes sense to address that area to ease Olympic sports teams travel and meets. The ACC is more like the Big12 or Bigger12 than the PAC12 with its teams being gone in a few years. Third this is about the numerical clause and fortifications in terms of conference competition and competition against other conferences and success in multiple sports. Fourth I have been correct in most of what I have stated concerning realignment and conference collapse and conference survival. Like Charles suggested a couple of New Big East schools be added and elevated who are stalwarts in most Olympic sports and FCS football is solid and stadiums are not far from being P4/A4 caliber, especially if adding UCONN. I am not saying that the ACC will but something to consider. Also the service academies and other schools are just suggested and recommended but by no means necessary adds. But I am pretty sure that the list Mark has here are identical to what I have seen and said myself numerous times should more than 2 schools leave the ACC. I also stand by that I don’t think any ACC schools go to the Big12.
@@michaelwall3393 a) We had the relevant history coming into this realignment and now ~3 years of additional actual events and credible reporting. Things are now informed speculation rather than wild speculation. In this scenario, there would be no P4. Perhaps the then BIG12 and ACC would keep autonomy status. b) Adding separate geo outliers exacerbates travel. c) The numerical clause (i.e. composition clause) isn't that relevant in the new environment, especially if ESPN has a unilateral option to not renew over the next 12 months. ESPN was peachy with a 12-team Tier 2 BIG12. d) I also have been correct. For instance, I knew that USC+ were flight risks when PAC fans were then oblivious. I also stated that the BIG12 could poach PAC schools if the PAC fell below ~$10M per than the BIG12. That's what happened. I doubt you know the ACC perspective, as few PAC defenders ever have. e) The Tier 2 conferences are far better served as smaller regionals with some unifying brand.
THIS is all assuming Stanford would stay in that conference or just go independent like ND, they could also withdraw from Varsity football altogether as any football money, even If it was a 100M payout, it would be nothing but crumbs in the bigger scheme of their financial footprint. Stanford is really much closer to a .620 Washington or a Michigan State in football power and strength (of the team). They have held near parity against Washington since 1893, and the only reason Stanford is below .600 is because they play .700 USC and .700 notre Dame every season (at least one in a true road)... while Oregon and Washington avoid USC several times a decade and Notre Dame absolutly lays waste to Oregon and Washington the extremely few times they've played....Just as GT schedule is another level above most ACC teams, so is Stanford's in the PAC. Not all PAC schedules are created equal, and Stanfords was by far the most difficult, and quite similar to a B1G (eastern division) schedule.
In this scenario. ND would have to join the B1G to retain playoff access and have any strength of schedule. Even more so for STANFORD. If there is no B1G invite for STANFORD, what are its viable options?
@@tarheel7406 I can tell you what isn't a viable option......Flying their world class olympic athletes across the planet to conference with G5 schools.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp If the B1G goes to 24 sans STANFORD, the scheduling will be rather tight for all sports. Outside of the then P2, there will be only weak Tier 2s and G5s. Even a fully depleted ACC would still have a concentration of higher academic members as compared to the then BIG12 or a new PAC. Frankly, I'm surprised that STANFORD and CAL didn't just go indy after the collapse of the PAC. The ACC didn't really need or want, only adding to secure ND more and at ND's request. They clearly preferred the ACC over indy, even knowing that UNC, CLEMSON & FSU would most likely leave.
@tarheel7406 They'd probably be fine if just FSU and Clemson took off, but there's no way it will just be limited to those 2.. Stanford self funds to the tune of 38 milllion just to accommodate and provide an option for acedemically striving athletes, but for a certain segment of the administrative element, they'd be just as happy if team sports were eliminated . A good portion of them found it downright appalling that the football coach makes more than the presidential salary. It's a very international group, some who've probably never watched a sporting event other than soccer. I'd say the majority would punch out on athletics if it's required to become a real business, which means semi pro athletes will be tooling around campus flaunting wealth. That's just some, not all there are against maintaining top-level sports, but I suspect they're becoming an increasingly voiceless minority.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp a) In the near foreseeable, the ACC "only" loses just FSU or UNC, CLEMSON & FSU. Near 100% certain that the rest (including ND) bound themselves to not leaving until 2036. b) I suspect that STANFORD doesn't want to share research assets or compete in the semi-pro future [Tier 1]. This would mean rejecting any B1G invite (which some have claimed has already happened). Nevertheless, principles usually come with sacrifice. Now what? CAL+2 were near ~100% approved by ESPN, which also most likely provided assurances of renewing. Clearly STANFORD preferred a conference through 2036 (at least) over indy.
It all hinges on how many members that will eventually be added to the SEC and B1G. If 20 is the end goal for both, the ACC would only lose 4 or 5 schools. If 24 is the end goal, it will be a more severe loss for the ACC and Big12. In recent reports, it would appear that 20 may be the more likely scenario for at least the next decade or more. The ACC will have to maintain a 15 member conference for ESPN. Despite all the conjecture that the ACC is going away, it’s not. ESPN only has the SEC and ACC for full content to support all of ESPN’s broadcast channels. No B1G or PAC is available. The Nog is a shared content conference with Fox. Worst case is a reworked media deal that mirrors the Big12 in payouts to keep the remainders in the conference from leaving or having to leave. The ACC still has the ACC network and while it doesn’t generate huge revenue, it does give the ACC value in that it gives much needed exposure to all of their athletic sport programs.
"The ACC will have to maintain a 15 member conference for ESPN." Probably not. ESPN and FOX were content with a 12-member new BIG12. Staying mostly regional would keep the matchups of higher fan interest. Keeping the brand academic keeps the per viewer value higher.
@@tarheel7406 But the Big12 is just a shared platform for partial content. No exclusivity for ESPN whatsoever. ESPN still wants and needs the ACC content regardless of whether the SEC goes to 18, 20 or 24 members. There is no B1G or PAC content available. It’s only the SEC and ACC that now provide the bulk for ESPN going forward. ESPN made that choice when it pulled out of the B1G media negotiations and then offered the PAC its only viable media deal which was rejected and no counteroffer was then made by ESPN. That sealed the decision for ESPN going forward. When the SEC went to ESPN last year asking for more money to go to 9 conference games, ESPN didn’t just say no, they said no, not until you have more content. The ACC will have to maintain it’s 15 member minimum to keep the current deal and if it’s reworked, ESPN will still require the 15 minimum strictly for the content to have enough live coverage for P-4 football. This round of expansion has been called a consolidation effort. But it wasn’t or isn’t a consolidation of the actual football content for ESPN. If ESPN isn’t showing college football games across all their network channels, they will in fact lose money. Content is what makes ESPN so successful as the leader in college sports. Having prime matchups brings in huge money no doubt but it’s the fact that ESPN has the most live football broadcasts across all of their channels that still make them the leader in the CFB.
@@Mr.Ed_Wayner Correct but the deal has ESPN airing one game on its network channels per Saturday as does Fox. That’s why the Big12 will be having multiple Thursday night and Friday night games that can be shown on ESPN tv and Fox tv. The rest of the Saturday games will be streaming only. Shared with no exclusivity for ESPN or FOX. More streaming than actual broadcast television games.
@@jansonroberts2616 "The ACC will have to maintain it’s 15 member minimum to keep the current deal...." Again, no. If the SEC/B1G go to 20 each, the ACC could easily stay at 15. If they go to 24 each, all bets are off, but ESPN would have content just switch from the ACC to SEC, and again the new BIG12 was acceptable at 12 members. There would no P4 at that point.
What conference is asking for Florida State and Clemson? I haven't heard anything from any conference except that the SEC has said it isn't expanding. I'd love the ACC to break up. But it makes no sense even if they lose 6 teams. They'll just add schools.
If both the NC schools depart, then you will need both App St and ECU. Probably need to replace Clemson with Coastal Carolina. If the Va schools both leave, their replacements are: James Madison and Liberty. Rice is also a good add to the ACC. So is UT-SA (SA, no pro team). Other than those, you nail the Top prospects. PS, If adding all the above, you also look at Tulsa to grab the last available private FBS school in a good market.
I would pick UT-SA over Memphis if you can only have one. Other schools to consider that I omitted are: Old Dominion... as well as UMass (create a new England market rivalry).
If you are considering WashSt and OrSt; and you should, why not also consider: Boise (ala Memphis) Colo St SDSU Airforce Army Navy The service academies post Power5/4 level media viewership numbers, and 2 of them are on the east coast. All except Boise & Memphis & UT-SA are high academics and UT-SA is climbing fast academically, as are Memphis & Boise.
I usually throw in Temple for the Philly market and/or seek to elevate Villanova. Temple is at least on par with Coastal Carolina and USF when it comes to media viewership numbers and the Philly maket like the San Antonio and Houston and Tampa markets; they are all ripe for the tapping.
This is a good proposal, but… it would be a wasted opportunity for the ACC to not invite and capitalize on picking up San Diego State. This would get the ACC into SoCal. It complements the ACC by adding to the west wing (mitigating travel). Target rich recruiting grounds in football. SDSU is outstanding in basketball and good in football. Football since 2010 is 117-62 (65% winning). Brand new stadium on campus and the campus expansion exceeding over 3 billion in total investment when completed. Top 30 TV market. San Diego state is ranked #105 in national universities according to US News. The ACC would obtain a huge return on investment should they pick up San Diego state.
@@tarheel7406 SDSU makes no sense only if the ACC does not want to go west and support Calford. They are definitely the top G5 school left, and in fact, are more desirable than both Oregon State and Washington state due to athletic budget, medium market, and number of living alumni (+500,000) which translates directly to market potential.
After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder. LIBERTY likely wouldn't be wanted or needed.
Something most people don’t seem to be thinking about is that the ACC is very valuable to ESPN. I don’t see them just letting the conference collapse like that. Before that happens they will most likely agree to renegotiate the tv deal. Most of you are conflating what espn is paying with what the conference is worth. That’s not the way to look at it.
I’m sure they are waiting to see if they even have to. If FSU and Clemson aren’t able to find a way out then ESPN has no real incentive to renegotiate yet. But if it looks like they might find a way out then espn with be ready to come to the table
@@RedMage409 of course. That’s my point. I don’t see espn just sitting back and letting that happen. But right now they have no incentive to renegotiate. If that changes they will.
SEC: Florida, Clemson, Miami Big 10: Duke, UNC, UVA, VT, Syracuse, Cal, Stanford, GT Rest of Schools: Big 12 (Cuse also in this bucket if big 10 doesn’t work)
@@xkptwistblazex a) As things stand, the B1G won't get its top choices. b) CUSE isn't AAU, neither is VATECH If the SEC loses UNC to the B1G, it may go defensive and add CLEMSON/FSU. Likely not MIAMI.
You're missing the big picture. The only way the ACC would deplete out that heavily would be a 24-each SEC and B1G. At that point, both the then BIG12 and ACC would be Tier 2 and effectively irrelevant in football. In that world, the best strategy for the ACC would be an academic and overall sports branded ~8-10 member conference. The then remainders would likely be something like: BC (special academic G5 equivalent, state has no typical flag) CUSE (large special academic private in highly populated state that has no typical flag) PITT (high academic distant #2 in higher populated state) L'VILLE (vanilla #2 with lite blue basketball) WAKE (G5 equivalent) SMU (G5) Maybe: CAL (elite co-flag in highly populated state with lite blue overall sports) Maybe: STANFORD (elite private school in highly populated state with blue overall sports) That's already 6-8 members I could see targeting UCONN and any remaining 4Cs for backfill. The center of gravity and culture would be old BIGEAST.
They're already tier 2 conferences, effectively irrelevant, not one (.700) program In the B12 or ACC except Notre Dame and they're not under ESPN contract. THE Implosion of the PAC due to the PAC'S rejection of ESPN's offered trinkets after sandbagging the PAC since 2004, was devastating for ESPN in the long term, and now FSU and Clemsom have caught on to their grift, ESPN are about to lose them as well, which will take the ACC with them.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp Nope. Measured by top-level success over the past 25 seasons, the ACC is as high as #2 and easily peer Tier 1. That's after accounting for realignment. Moreover, these are athletic conferences not football conferences. The ACC is #1 in men's basketball (the other revenue sport) while both the SEC and B1G compete at a relatively mid-major level.
@tarheel7406 Past tense is out the window after the new money splits. That was the whole reason for stacking the deck. B1G and SEC will have the type of money they can use to deprive the ACC from type of athletes they were accustomed to.
@tarheel7406 Is that why all the media heads call the Big 12 the best basketball conference? The ACC hasn't won the tournament since 2019, the Big 12 has won it twice since 2020. You really are something else bud lol
@@CircusOfValues-BH486 We currently have a tiered P4, with the new BIG12 as the sole Tier 2. The ACC will most certainly either deplete or depreciate down to the Tiere 2.
I'm beginning to think that the landscape of every conference is about to change again, with some surprises I'm sure
Mark this definitely makes a lot of sense. Great job and God bless.
Makes little sense to me.
I think this is what should the ACC possibly do:
1) Washington State & Oregon State
2) Memphis
3) Tulane
4) USF
5) UConn
6) East Carolina
7) App State
8) San Diego State
9) Liberty
10) Georgia State
11) Navy
12) Rice
A good mix between schools that have some football history, basketball history, regionality/good markets, and decent academics.
Completely missing the big picture.
Only 1-5 are realistic
@@brandonh5360 After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder. Now analyze from the perspective of that ACC.
@@tarheel7406 did you forget SMU is south of all those teams? How about the California schools? You got such a narrow view lmao. The perspective from the ACC would be to grab members who could be athletically and academically viable while trying to get markets that they don’t have one in that could support their team. Or a school that made themself a viable brand.
@@tarheel7406 and dont get any ideas that the ACC would take Big 12 schools. That ship has sailed and the Big 12 has solidify itself together.
Revival of Big East football and pushing the Big East into THE basketball conference. Signing the best TV deal you can and making the fourth power conference alive and well rather than dropping to three giant power conferences.
South Florida is building a on campus statium
And? No one cares😂😂😂😂
In this scenario, the center of gravity and culture would be north and old BIGEAST. The closest ACC member to SFL would be WAKE.
Tulane and Memphis @@tarheel7406
Thanks for the info.
should be looking nice
This is the exact blueprint ACC should follow - fits perfectly - keep an eye on Syracuse football under new head coach / recruiting
Make little sense to me.
Enjoy your show, something will happen and probably surprise us all. Connecticut "the football could be good" now that is a big REACH, The powers that be are obviously focused on things other than football, not easy to change that anywhere.
This is solid work Mark. My quibble is Miami needs a quick rebound to merit inclusion in the power 2.
Much appreciated……Could be Big 12?
Unless FSU and Clemson are ready to write big checks they may be in ACC longer than many think. And it's also possible the landing spots aren't there. Nobody wants to believe that but timing of TV contracts always come into play. And you saying 8 schools are leaving, that's not going to happen. But, I know everyone loves speculation.
You did good on this video. This is the type of videos I like seeing when you put the analytics behind the research and you present it as a gym you did well congratulations.
The conference Grant of Rights and television contracts make all of this pure speculation at best. It will take the majority of conference members agreeing to let any one leave and ESPN all coming together to allow anything to happen. The ACC may add more members, but anyone leaving is going to require an incredible amount of negotiating or waiting for the TV contract to be redone in 2036.
:Likely100% vote since that's the requirement to release a member from the GOR.
Memphis has beaten a lot of so called P5 schools as well.
Would alao add buffalo and ECU
If they still have 8+ schools that are cohesive, then it might be best to add as few as deemed necessary, since some of these may be further decreasing the average conference payout. It is also possible to add more later, since after a potential shifting here, it is not like SEC/BIG/Big12 are likely adding anyone they are considering.
ACC should add Marshall if those lose those schools especially if you are considering App St
If the ACC lose 8 schools and is at 9, they should add: OSU, WSU, SDSU, UTSA, Tulane, USF, Memphis to get to 16. They would effectively be the first P4/G5 conference.
Which in fact = G5
Big 12?
Completely missing the big picture.
@@MarkRogersVOCFB yes but they could retain their P4 status.
@@Mr.Ed_Wayner If the ACC is depleting out that much to the SEC/B1G, there will be no P4. There will be a P2.
ACC should have capitalized on getting West Virginia, Cincinnati, UConn, UCF, USF, and Temple from the Big 12 and American respectively on a restructured GofR.
Assuming Florida State, Clemson, and Notre Dame defect…
Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Miami, West Virginia, Cincinnati, UConn, UCF, USF, Temple.
May not be the prettiest conference, but it’s all Atlantic schools, old rivalries are reignited at the conference level (Backyard Brawl here belongs to the ACC for example), and the basketball will be exceptionally more fun to watch with UConn playing teams like Duke and UNC more often.
a) The ACC internally considered WVU et. al. and determined none work. Adding dilutive members would not have helped the ACC survive as a Tier 1 and would have accelerated the depletion.
b) To where is CLEMSON going per your comment? To where and how ND?
c) UNC isn't likely to stay as it is. Definitely wouldn't under your proposal. DUKE is also unlikely to stay for that.
Think from the ACC perspective.
Seems like a good list of candidates. What about Coastal Carolina or East Carolina? There are two in state rivals right there plus they would play the remaining Carolina universities of Duke and Wake. Maybe a wild card , Seeing you would have 4 west coast schools why not add Boise State?
I agree on the CCU and maybe ECU although App State makes more sense. Boise State brings nothing but headaches and turmoil and detrimental academic performance among other factors. Does Boise State football, men’s and women’s tennis and golf and basketball and wrestling deserve a spot at the P4 level? Yes they do. But not in the ACC but Bigger12 yes, as fit cultural norms and academic norms and standards. Are there high standards at several universities in academia within the Bigger12, as I am now calling them or us with my Alma Mater? Yes there are. But does the lower end academic standards of schools outweigh those at the top (and if you are R2 like BYU you are at the bottom)? Yes unfortunately but that could change over time. But I agree that there are several schools that are qualified options.
@michaelwall3393 Boise State is allowed to add any California JC reject that couldn't possibly enter one of western majors out of high school. There is zero reward in conferencing with those type of teams in an acedemically oriented ACC....only headaches
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cpthat’s why I said App State, JMU, and CCU from SBC and three service academies and the last two PAC schools and Colorado State and San Diego State along with Tulane, USF, Rice, and maybe Memphis University all are R1 and either AAU or really committed to research and development and expansion in academics; than Boise State or other universities that many people have suggested.
You didn't mention that Memphis is undergoing a major 220mm stadium upgrade presently. And they have a big recruiting budget when compared to any of your candidates in this video.
If the SEC wants to take FSU and Clemson (think thats just some fans chatter) I could see the Big Ten taking as a package UNC and NC State due to population growth there, but don’t think the cookie is gonna crumble that way. I think another Great Plains or a Texas team is an interesting option that helps Nebraska out, of course we always want Notre Dame.
Too much speculation
Friendly reminder....since the inception of the ACC...71 years ago.....only two schools have left....South Carolina and Maryland. Both have found only marginal success and that's being kind. Maryland doesn't have a single rivalry in the Big 10 that replaces their basketball rivalries with Duke, UNC and UVA. South Carolina is little more than what NASCAR used to call a "field filler" in the SEC and takes regular thumpings from the ACC football teams. Keep in mind that this subject is generating clicks but fails to produce any realignment. Maybe on Labor Day weekend the teams will put the ball on the tee and play some football.
Florida State and Clemson are not leaving the ACC for any conference other than the SEC or Big Ten. And it's an awful big assumption that either of those conferences are looking to add any more schools right now.
Absent a miracle, how can FSU stay whether or not it has a desired invite?
@@tarheel7406 - If neither the SEC nor the Big Ten offer FSU an invite, they're not going anywhere else. And the ACC isn't going to kick them out regardless of the hard feelings. Independence would be the only other option, and I doubt FSU is a big enough national draw to make that workable long term.
@@christopherwebb3517 Burning bridges and ships means FSU can't stay. Why would the ACC want to keep the poison. Sorry, stupidity has consequences.
Many do not realize Tulane was a founding member of the SEC. It is too bad they don't go back there rather than ACC. Tulane could be a good Big 12 fit.
As long as they can keep Pitt, Georgia Tech, and Duke it would work but lose them and you're gonna have to add East Carolina, Temple, Tulsa, schools like that and it may not.
There are not enough landing spots for the schools you say are defecting. B1G can take two, SEC two.
If 20 each...
SEC wants UVA/UNC+2
B1G wants ND+1
What happened to notre dame ? Not mentioned at all.
Call the Big12 asap
In a heavy ACC depletion scenario, the BIG12 loses KANSAS, some 4Cs, etc. The B12 falls to even less relevant than today.
@@tarheel7406 heavy x to doubt lmao
@@ninjadanny628 Gibberish
I think the ACC should add : WVU ..Also, add Rice that Dallas market, Tulane New Orleans market.. .WVU has rivalries with Pittsburgh in Backyard bawl Trophy game , WVU Vs Virginia Tech Black Diamond Trophy game, WVU Vs Syracuse Trophy game , WVU Vs Louisville rivalry game. WVU Vs Boston College rivalry game. If you have SMU who's in Houston market, then you need Rice who has that Dallas market. Two of the biggest markets in Texas
Do not agree. None of those so called rivalries backed WVU for membership back then. Virginia Tech was especially anti_WVU thining they were academically superior. Let them wither.
From my experience, WVU fans don't value those rivalries enough to consider moving to a rebuilt but surviving Tier 2 ACC. Those synergies being high enough would be the only reason the ACC would have any interest.
@@choptankfox6145 If WVU doesn't make the P2 cut, it will also wither.
Rice is in Houston. SMU is in Dallas
Rice is in Houston and Smu is in Dallas. No one watches them !
I agree with what you are saying here and who to add and where. I think the ACC might add a couple of service academies and two Virginia schools and maybe one South Carolina school in CCU to maintain their presence in those areas.
ACC Northeast
Boston College
UCONN
Syracuse
Pitt
Army
Navy
ACC Mid Atlantic
JMU
Duke
Wake Forest
App State
CCU
GTech
ACC Gulf Central
USF
Tulane
Memphis
Rice
SMU
Air Force
ACC West Pacific
Washington State
Oregon State
California
Stanford
San Diego State
Nevada
It’s not perfect but gets all the top academic schools left for the most part and all the schools that take athletics equally seriously as academics.
a) After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder.
b) Absolutely zero reason for such a large and wide Tier 2 conference.
c) DUKE, GATECH, and perhaps STANFOR wouldn't be P5 remainders after a heavy ACC depletion.
@@tarheel7406okay first of all, this is just speculation and rationale for what would make sense to keep A4/P4 status as most of the additions were once in a Power Conference with a few exceptions.
Secondly by having schools on the west coast, it makes sense to address that area to ease Olympic sports teams travel and meets. The ACC is more like the Big12 or Bigger12 than the PAC12 with its teams being gone in a few years.
Third this is about the numerical clause and fortifications in terms of conference competition and competition against other conferences and success in multiple sports.
Fourth I have been correct in most of what I have stated concerning realignment and conference collapse and conference survival. Like Charles suggested a couple of New Big East schools be added and elevated who are stalwarts in most Olympic sports and FCS football is solid and stadiums are not far from being P4/A4 caliber, especially if adding UCONN. I am not saying that the ACC will but something to consider. Also the service academies and other schools are just suggested and recommended but by no means necessary adds. But I am pretty sure that the list Mark has here are identical to what I have seen and said myself numerous times should more than 2 schools leave the ACC. I also stand by that I don’t think any ACC schools go to the Big12.
@@michaelwall3393
a) We had the relevant history coming into this realignment and now ~3 years of additional actual events and credible reporting. Things are now informed speculation rather than wild speculation. In this scenario, there would be no P4. Perhaps the then BIG12 and ACC would keep autonomy status.
b) Adding separate geo outliers exacerbates travel.
c) The numerical clause (i.e. composition clause) isn't that relevant in the new environment, especially if ESPN has a unilateral option to not renew over the next 12 months. ESPN was peachy with a 12-team Tier 2 BIG12.
d) I also have been correct. For instance, I knew that USC+ were flight risks when PAC fans were then oblivious. I also stated that the BIG12 could poach PAC schools if the PAC fell below ~$10M per than the BIG12. That's what happened. I doubt you know the ACC perspective, as few PAC defenders ever have.
e) The Tier 2 conferences are far better served as smaller regionals with some unifying brand.
THIS is all assuming Stanford would stay in that conference or just go independent like ND, they could also withdraw from Varsity football altogether as any football money, even If it was a 100M payout, it would be nothing but crumbs in the bigger scheme of their financial footprint. Stanford is really much closer to a .620 Washington or a Michigan State in football power and strength (of the team). They have held near parity against Washington since 1893, and the only reason Stanford is below .600 is because they play .700 USC and .700 notre Dame every season (at least one in a true road)... while Oregon and Washington avoid USC several times a decade and Notre Dame absolutly lays waste to Oregon and Washington the extremely few times they've played....Just as GT schedule is another level above most ACC teams, so is Stanford's in the PAC. Not all PAC schedules are created equal, and Stanfords was by far the most difficult, and quite similar to a B1G (eastern division) schedule.
In this scenario. ND would have to join the B1G to retain playoff access and have any strength of schedule. Even more so for STANFORD. If there is no B1G invite for STANFORD, what are its viable options?
@@tarheel7406 I can tell you what isn't a viable option......Flying their world class olympic athletes across the planet to conference with G5 schools.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp If the B1G goes to 24 sans STANFORD, the scheduling will be rather tight for all sports. Outside of the then P2, there will be only weak Tier 2s and G5s.
Even a fully depleted ACC would still have a concentration of higher academic members as compared to the then BIG12 or a new PAC.
Frankly, I'm surprised that STANFORD and CAL didn't just go indy after the collapse of the PAC. The ACC didn't really need or want, only adding to secure ND more and at ND's request. They clearly preferred the ACC over indy, even knowing that UNC, CLEMSON & FSU would most likely leave.
@tarheel7406 They'd probably be fine if just FSU and Clemson took off, but there's no way it will just be limited to those 2.. Stanford self funds to the tune of 38 milllion just to accommodate and provide an option for acedemically striving athletes, but for a certain segment of the administrative element, they'd be just as happy if team sports were eliminated . A good portion of them found it downright appalling that the football coach makes more than the presidential salary. It's a very international group, some who've probably never watched a sporting event other than soccer. I'd say the majority would punch out on athletics if it's required to become a real business, which means semi pro athletes will be tooling around campus flaunting wealth. That's just some, not all there are against maintaining top-level sports, but I suspect they're becoming an increasingly voiceless minority.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp
a) In the near foreseeable, the ACC "only" loses just FSU or UNC, CLEMSON & FSU. Near 100% certain that the rest (including ND) bound themselves to not leaving until 2036.
b) I suspect that STANFORD doesn't want to share research assets or compete in the semi-pro future [Tier 1]. This would mean rejecting any B1G invite (which some have claimed has already happened). Nevertheless, principles usually come with sacrifice. Now what?
CAL+2 were near ~100% approved by ESPN, which also most likely provided assurances of renewing. Clearly STANFORD preferred a conference through 2036 (at least) over indy.
It all hinges on how many members that will eventually be added to the SEC and B1G. If 20 is the end goal for both, the ACC would only lose 4 or 5 schools. If 24 is the end goal, it will be a more severe loss for the ACC and Big12. In recent reports, it would appear that 20 may be the more likely scenario for at least the next decade or more. The ACC will have to maintain a 15 member conference for ESPN. Despite all the conjecture that the ACC is going away, it’s not. ESPN only has the SEC and ACC for full content to support all of ESPN’s broadcast channels. No B1G or PAC is available. The Nog is a shared content conference with Fox. Worst case is a reworked media deal that mirrors the Big12 in payouts to keep the remainders in the conference from leaving or having to leave. The ACC still has the ACC network and while it doesn’t generate huge revenue, it does give the ACC value in that it gives much needed exposure to all of their athletic sport programs.
"The ACC will have to maintain a 15 member conference for ESPN."
Probably not. ESPN and FOX were content with a 12-member new BIG12. Staying mostly regional would keep the matchups of higher fan interest. Keeping the brand academic keeps the per viewer value higher.
ESPN has 2/3 of B12 FB content.
@@tarheel7406 But the Big12 is just a shared platform for partial content. No exclusivity for ESPN whatsoever. ESPN still wants and needs the ACC content regardless of whether the SEC goes to 18, 20 or 24 members. There is no B1G or PAC content available. It’s only the SEC and ACC that now provide the bulk for ESPN going forward. ESPN made that choice when it pulled out of the B1G media negotiations and then offered the PAC its only viable media deal which was rejected and no counteroffer was then made by ESPN. That sealed the decision for ESPN going forward. When the SEC went to ESPN last year asking for more money to go to 9 conference games, ESPN didn’t just say no, they said no, not until you have more content. The ACC will have to maintain it’s 15 member minimum to keep the current deal and if it’s reworked, ESPN will still require the 15 minimum strictly for the content to have enough live coverage for P-4 football. This round of expansion has been called a consolidation effort. But it wasn’t or isn’t a consolidation of the actual football content for ESPN. If ESPN isn’t showing college football games across all their network channels, they will in fact lose money. Content is what makes ESPN so successful as the leader in college sports. Having prime matchups brings in huge money no doubt but it’s the fact that ESPN has the most live football broadcasts across all of their channels that still make them the leader in the CFB.
@@Mr.Ed_Wayner Correct but the deal has ESPN airing one game on its network channels per Saturday as does Fox. That’s why the Big12 will be having multiple Thursday night and Friday night games that can be shown on ESPN tv and Fox tv. The rest of the Saturday games will be streaming only. Shared with no exclusivity for ESPN or FOX. More streaming than actual broadcast television games.
@@jansonroberts2616 "The ACC will have to maintain it’s 15 member minimum to keep the current deal...."
Again, no. If the SEC/B1G go to 20 each, the ACC could easily stay at 15. If they go to 24 each, all bets are off, but ESPN would have content just switch from the ACC to SEC, and again the new BIG12 was acceptable at 12 members. There would no P4 at that point.
What conference is asking for Florida State and Clemson? I haven't heard anything from any conference except that the SEC has said it isn't expanding. I'd love the ACC to break up. But it makes no sense even if they lose 6 teams. They'll just add schools.
The SEC will not pass on 2 elite southern flagships that it has wanted for decades.
@@tarheel7406 the sec will very likely pass on Clemson and FSU. There has been zero indication they have any interest at all.
@@pjtarheel CLEMSON and FSU are neither elite nor flagships
If both the NC schools depart, then you will need both App St and ECU.
Probably need to replace Clemson with Coastal Carolina.
If the Va schools both leave, their replacements are: James Madison and Liberty.
Rice is also a good add to the ACC. So is UT-SA (SA, no pro team).
Other than those, you nail the Top prospects.
PS,
If adding all the above, you also look at Tulsa to grab the last available private FBS school in a good market.
I would pick UT-SA over Memphis if you can only have one.
Other schools to consider that I omitted are:
Old Dominion... as well as UMass (create a new England market rivalry).
If you are considering WashSt and OrSt; and you should, why not also consider:
Boise (ala Memphis)
Colo St
SDSU
Airforce
Army
Navy
The service academies post Power5/4 level media viewership numbers, and 2 of them are on the east coast.
All except Boise & Memphis & UT-SA are high academics and UT-SA is climbing fast academically, as are Memphis & Boise.
I usually throw in Temple for the Philly market and/or seek to elevate Villanova.
Temple is at least on par with Coastal Carolina and USF when it comes to media viewership numbers and the Philly maket like the San Antonio and Houston and Tampa markets; they are all ripe for the tapping.
I would not dismiss, out of hand, UNLV, Fresno or SJSU... either.
Depending upon how many legacy ACC schools leave, the build back, back fill, could result in an even better conference, imo.
That shirt is NOT Carolina blue..
You passed your vision test.
Makes good sense, therefore it won't happen...
You have SMU in the ACC and the Big 12 (24). Was that on purpose?
East Carolina would be a great addition
I think ECU will be out of luck. App State and Charlotte are probably ahead of them in moving up
I don’t think Calford will want to stay in a G5ied ACC.
In this scenario, what are their options if no B1G invite?
This isn’t survival, this is relegation
Maybe
If the states of Texas, Florida, and California can keep their athletes in their state with NIL, then none of this matters.
This is a good proposal, but… it would be a wasted opportunity for the ACC to not invite and capitalize on picking up San Diego State.
This would get the ACC into SoCal.
It complements the ACC by adding to the west wing (mitigating travel).
Target rich recruiting grounds in football.
SDSU is outstanding in basketball and good in football.
Football since 2010 is 117-62 (65% winning).
Brand new stadium on campus and the campus expansion exceeding over 3 billion in total investment when completed.
Top 30 TV market.
San Diego state is ranked #105 in national universities according to US News.
The ACC would obtain a huge return on investment should they pick up San Diego state.
SDST makes zero sense for a rebuilding ACC.
@@tarheel7406 SDSU makes no sense only if the ACC does not want to go west and support Calford. They are definitely the top G5 school left, and in fact, are more desirable than both Oregon State and Washington state due to athletic budget, medium market, and number of living alumni (+500,000) which translates directly to market potential.
@@94SDSU Adding a geo outlier for no compelling reason makes no sense.
Duh, your shirt is a subdued blue, not Carolina Blue.
Liberty would be the best addition. Even now, they would be a great addition.
After a heavy ACC depletion, the then ACC would look like the old BIGEAST with ACC additions. WAKE would be the southernmost remainder. LIBERTY likely wouldn't be wanted or needed.
Is the ACC realy coming after Vanderbilt?
No lol
East Carolina doesn’t get any consideration?????
Definitely should!
Something most people don’t seem to be thinking about is that the ACC is very valuable to ESPN. I don’t see them just letting the conference collapse like that. Before that happens they will most likely agree to renegotiate the tv deal. Most of you are conflating what espn is paying with what the conference is worth. That’s not the way to look at it.
I’m sure they are waiting to see if they even have to. If FSU and Clemson aren’t able to find a way out then ESPN has no real incentive to renegotiate yet. But if it looks like they might find a way out then espn with be ready to come to the table
The value drops tremendously without FSU, Clemson and UNC.😊
@@RedMage409 FSU is so arrogant. The ACC can't survive as a Tier 1 after losing any from the top. It can survive as a Tier 2.
@@RedMage409 of course. That’s my point. I don’t see espn just sitting back and letting that happen. But right now they have no incentive to renegotiate. If that changes they will.
@@RedMage409 nobody is going anywhere anytime soon. But maybe they can do enough to bring ESPN to the table. Fingers crossed
Actually, it would probably be best if they just dropped football ..and focus on baseball and basketball.
Why? Tier 2 football would be less expensive and operate similar to non-revenue sports. Would the then BIG12 drop football?
SEC: Florida, Clemson, Miami
Big 10: Duke, UNC, UVA, VT, Syracuse, Cal, Stanford, GT
Rest of Schools: Big 12 (Cuse also in this bucket if big 10 doesn’t work)
Actual events and credible reporting do not support this scatter.
@@tarheel7406 it was just how I could see it if Big 10 really wants to lean into the AAU/Academics first model.
@@xkptwistblazex
a) As things stand, the B1G won't get its top choices.
b) CUSE isn't AAU, neither is VATECH
If the SEC loses UNC to the B1G, it may go defensive and add CLEMSON/FSU. Likely not MIAMI.
How do you not mention USF building a stadium. Lazy
Yes, I've clearly been lazy in my approach to this channel. I get accused of that all the time.
You're missing the big picture. The only way the ACC would deplete out that heavily would be a 24-each SEC and B1G. At that point, both the then BIG12 and ACC would be Tier 2 and effectively irrelevant in football. In that world, the best strategy for the ACC would be an academic and overall sports branded ~8-10 member conference. The then remainders would likely be something like:
BC (special academic G5 equivalent, state has no typical flag)
CUSE (large special academic private in highly populated state that has no typical flag)
PITT (high academic distant #2 in higher populated state)
L'VILLE (vanilla #2 with lite blue basketball)
WAKE (G5 equivalent)
SMU (G5)
Maybe: CAL (elite co-flag in highly populated state with lite blue overall sports)
Maybe: STANFORD (elite private school in highly populated state with blue overall sports)
That's already 6-8 members I could see targeting UCONN and any remaining 4Cs for backfill.
The center of gravity and culture would be old BIGEAST.
They're already tier 2 conferences, effectively irrelevant, not one (.700) program In the B12 or ACC except Notre Dame and they're not under ESPN contract. THE Implosion of the PAC due to the PAC'S rejection of ESPN's offered trinkets after sandbagging the PAC since 2004, was devastating for ESPN in the long term, and now FSU and Clemsom have caught on to their grift, ESPN are about to lose them as well, which will take the ACC with them.
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp Nope. Measured by top-level success over the past 25 seasons, the ACC is as high as #2 and easily peer Tier 1. That's after accounting for realignment.
Moreover, these are athletic conferences not football conferences. The ACC is #1 in men's basketball (the other revenue sport) while both the SEC and B1G compete at a relatively mid-major level.
@tarheel7406 Past tense is out the window after the new money splits. That was the whole reason for stacking the deck. B1G and SEC will have the type of money they can use to deprive the ACC from type of athletes they were accustomed to.
@tarheel7406 Is that why all the media heads call the Big 12 the best basketball conference? The ACC hasn't won the tournament since 2019, the Big 12 has won it twice since 2020. You really are something else bud lol
@@MichaelSmith-xb5cp Helo McFly, hence why the tentpoles are consolidating. You seem to be confusing the now and the future.
The ACC IS DEAD 💀 WITHOUT CLEMSON & FSU. The Big 3 Conferences won’t go past 20 teams. The BEST teams will end up in the Big 12
The BIG12 is already dead. There will be no "Big 3".
@@CircusOfValues-BH486 We currently have a tiered P4, with the new BIG12 as the sole Tier 2. The ACC will most certainly either deplete or depreciate down to the Tiere 2.
@@CircusOfValues-BH486 Your last comment isn't responsive as far as I can tell.
@@CircusOfValues-BH486 Okay and? I have maintained that the ACC is currently Tier 1 as things stand and far better than the new BIG12.
@@CircusOfValues-BH486 If the new BIG12 is the sole Tier 2 in a P4, that leaves the SEC, B1G and ACC as Tier 1.