15 or 16 or 18 could be the new sweet spot

15: 3 pods of 5. Football 4-2-2 format. Basketball 8-5-5 format

16: 4 pods of 4. Football 3-2-2-2 format. Basketball 6-4-4-4 format

18: 3 pods of 6. Football 5-2-2 format. Basketball 10-3-3 format

In all cases, you get a rule change to have a 2 game playoff of pod winners. Lots of expansion options for everybody to get to 15, 16, and 18 if the 2 game playoff rule change happens.

(04-08-2015 10:02 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 11:39 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  My crystal ball says that officially, the ACC goes to a no-division setup and puts the top two teams (CFP rankings? Zombie BCS rankings? RPI?)

Unofficially, and for scheduling purposes, you have three groups. (Or maybe four.)
1. Miami, FSU, GT, Clemson
2. UNC, NCSU, Wake, Duke
3. UVA, VT, Louisville,
4. Pitt, Syracuse, BC

Play everyone in your group every year
3 & 4 play each other every year
1 plays 2 games vs 2 (and vice versa, obviously)
3 plays either 1 or 2, 4 plays either 2 or 1.

Everyone plays their group members every year. You play everyone in the conference at least every other year. An athlete will make at least one trip to every conference mate in a four-year career.

I think that works out.

To piggyback on something Lumberpack stated in the ACC-board version of this thread, I can see a 3-division setup -- including Notre Dame and its "partial schedule" that culminates into a 4-team ACC playoff (3 division winners, because everyone loves a trophy -- AMIRITE?) and a wildcard of some sort.

A four-team playoff adds two games of quality football inventory for either ESPN or a potential ACC Network.

--- OR ---

I can see where the league would want to pit its top two brands teams (based on CFP rankings) in a winner-take-all game in Charlotte where the winner would get a SOS boost

...

What I don't see is how this deregulation presents a need for the ACC to expand. It actually reduces the need for such now that it can determine the participants of the ACCCG AND maximize revenue at the same time.

Exactly....this goes for the Big XII especially...

(04-08-2015 09:47 AM)esayem Wrote:  IMO, this benefits every conference: no more will forced yearly match-ups exist, just a short list of permanent rivals and equal alternating of the other conference foes.

*marketing idiots can have their field day: "one conference, one champion"

I think it only goes out to ND, then they explore three divisions. If ND says no, then status quo or no divisions. Seems to me like this change puts the brakes on all expansion since neither the SBC or B12 will need teams to have a playoff.

While I don't hope the ACC expands in further, I think Cinci would be the top choice with Houston or SMU as the Dark Horse to surprise people. I think Texas and Ohio would be the two states Swofford wants. SMU actually fits in with Miami, Duke, & Wake with the private schools with boat loads of money. Houston would be a large media market. Ohio connects ND for the conference footprint.

(04-07-2015 11:21 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(04-07-2015 08:25 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  If there were a team that's not ND, I would go UC to completely sever any Big 12 impedance and cut the circulation out of WVU. Then you make a power play for ND for 16, or maybe throw WVU and UConn a bone at that point. I think 18 is the ideal number to secure all the rivalries in fantasy land.

North: Pitt, BC, WVU, UC, UConn, Cuse

Central: UVa, WF, Va Tech, Duke, UNC, UL

South: ND, FSU, Miami, Ga Tech, Clemson, NC State

I can be down for this, whatever it take to make room in the AAC and get NIU outta the MAC =)

The AAC without Cincinnati and UConn is the MAC. No wait - it's C-USA. It's MAC-USA!

If history is our guide, being possibly wanted by more than one P5 conference was a catalyst into getting an invite to a P5. Just look at Louisville - one of the reasons that the ACC took them over UConn was because the Big 12 possibly wanted Louisville and the ACC didn't want to risk losing them. They figured that they could always come back for UConn or Cincy later.

Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

The other thing for the Atlantic Coast Conference is that they now have a large swath of land between Virginia and Boston (the most populous region of the country) with no current member schools (Pitt is 370 miles inland and Syracuse is 250 miles inland). Having another member in the Boston-Washington corridor that brings its own state as well as some eyeballs in NYC could only help the television package.

(Queue the UConn haters in 3, 2, 1.......)

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  If history is our guide, being possibly wanted by more than one P5 conference was a catalyst into getting an invite to a P5. Just look at Louisville - one of the reasons that the ACC took them over UConn was because the Big 12 possibly wanted Louisville and the ACC didn't want to risk losing them. They figured that they could always come back for UConn or Cincy later.

Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

The other thing for the Atlantic Coast Conference is that they now have a large swath of land between Virginia and Boston (the most populous region of the country) with no current member schools (Pitt is 370 miles inland and Syracuse is 250 miles inland). Having another member in the Boston-Washington corridor that brings its own state as well as some eyeballs in NYC could only help the television package.

(Queue the UConn haters in 3, 2, 1.......)

While I do think UCONN would be a fabulous basketball addition, I think the football schools will veto it. Louisville did not get because the B12 wanted them, it got in because it had the best Football/Basketball combo. Why I would see Cinci getting the first shot. The bring both Football/Basketball. I really don't see the ACC expanding unless it is to bring in ND. With deregulation, they no longer need to go to 16. I believe it will stay as is because I don't see why ND would want to join anytime soon. If they are kept from a major bowl in the first 12 years of the CFP, then they may reconsider.

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

(04-08-2015 12:38 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  If history is our guide, being possibly wanted by more than one P5 conference was a catalyst into getting an invite to a P5. Just look at Louisville - one of the reasons that the ACC took them over UConn was because the Big 12 possibly wanted Louisville and the ACC didn't want to risk losing them. They figured that they could always come back for UConn or Cincy later.

Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

The other thing for the Atlantic Coast Conference is that they now have a large swath of land between Virginia and Boston (the most populous region of the country) with no current member schools (Pitt is 370 miles inland and Syracuse is 250 miles inland). Having another member in the Boston-Washington corridor that brings its own state as well as some eyeballs in NYC could only help the television package.

(Queue the UConn haters in 3, 2, 1.......)

While I do think UCONN would be a fabulous basketball addition, I think the football schools will veto it. Louisville did not get because the B12 wanted them, it got in because it had the best Football/Basketball combo. Why I would see Cinci getting the first shot. The bring both Football/Basketball. I really don't see the ACC expanding unless it is to bring in ND. With deregulation, they no longer need to go to 16. I believe it will stay as is because I don't see why ND would want to join anytime soon. If they are kept from a major bowl in the first 12 years of the CFP, then they may reconsider.

I see your point about the football schools vetoing UConn and I agree that it is certainly possible if things go down that way. I only see the ACC football schools supporting UConn if ESPN forces the Huskies on them by offering them enough dollars to make adding UConn worthwhile. At this point in time, there is no proof that UConn could add that much to the conference coffers to justify the revenue split (however, we won't know until ESPN explores such a possibility, if they haven't already done so in the past).

(04-08-2015 12:43 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:38 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  If history is our guide, being possibly wanted by more than one P5 conference was a catalyst into getting an invite to a P5. Just look at Louisville - one of the reasons that the ACC took them over UConn was because the Big 12 possibly wanted Louisville and the ACC didn't want to risk losing them. They figured that they could always come back for UConn or Cincy later.

Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

The other thing for the Atlantic Coast Conference is that they now have a large swath of land between Virginia and Boston (the most populous region of the country) with no current member schools (Pitt is 370 miles inland and Syracuse is 250 miles inland). Having another member in the Boston-Washington corridor that brings its own state as well as some eyeballs in NYC could only help the television package.

(Queue the UConn haters in 3, 2, 1.......)

While I do think UCONN would be a fabulous basketball addition, I think the football schools will veto it. Louisville did not get because the B12 wanted them, it got in because it had the best Football/Basketball combo. Why I would see Cinci getting the first shot. The bring both Football/Basketball. I really don't see the ACC expanding unless it is to bring in ND. With deregulation, they no longer need to go to 16. I believe it will stay as is because I don't see why ND would want to join anytime soon. If they are kept from a major bowl in the first 12 years of the CFP, then they may reconsider.

I see your point about the football schools vetoing UConn and I agree that it is certainly possible if things go down that way. I only see the ACC football schools supporting UConn if ESPN forces the Huskies on them by offering them enough dollars to make adding UConn worthwhile. At this point in time, there is no proof that UConn could add that much to the conference coffers to justify the revenue split (however, we won't know until ESPN explores such a possibility, if they haven't already done so in the past).

I will also add that if an ACC Network ever comes to fruition, UCONN brings a lot of quality content.

I think it's very unlikely that UCONN will ever be in the ACC unless there are some mass defections.

The ACC is not expanding anytime soon.

(04-08-2015 12:39 PM)nert Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

My link is my use of the word "potential" above.

Definition:
POTENTIAL (po·ten·tial): existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality

How do we know the ACC will expand? Did Coach K announce it after winning the NCAA tourney? I am all for the ACC or Big10 taking UConn, but is this another fantasy?

(04-08-2015 12:39 PM)nert Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

There's expectation that with the Big Ten's investments in men's ice hockey and women's lacrosse that UConn could be a potential target down the road.

(04-08-2015 01:03 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  How do we know the ACC will expand? Did Coach K announce it after winning the NCAA tourney? I am all for the ACC or Big10 taking UConn, but is this another fantasy?

It's a fantasy that will only result in bringing out the anti-UCONN trolls.

(04-08-2015 01:03 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  How do we know the ACC will expand? Did Coach K announce it after winning the NCAA tourney? I am all for the ACC or Big10 taking UConn, but is this another fantasy?

The ACC has not stated that they have any interest in expanding. This merely enables them to take another member and form three pods if they decide to do so in the future. Their is no proof that they are going to decide to do so, though.

So, yes... file it under "fantasy" for now.

(04-08-2015 01:07 PM)brista21 Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:39 PM)nert Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

There's expectation that with the Big Ten's investments in men's ice hockey and women's lacrosse that UConn could be a potential target down the road.

UCONN is also looking to add men's lacrosse for the 2018 season.

(04-08-2015 01:01 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:39 PM)nert Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

My link is my use of the word "potential" above.

Definition:
POTENTIAL (po·ten·tial): existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality

So, under that "definition" of "potential future suitor in the Big Ten", how does Cincinnati not have the same potential? They are also within X miles of a current Big Ten program. They are also a very good basketball program. And how does UCF not have the same potential from the SEC? They're a huge school in a talent rich state.

The answer, of course, is that this "potential" is without any hint of legitimacy. You wish that there is potential there, so you state it is there and think a 3rd party will react to the wishful thinking of a fan of the program in question.

So why would the ACC (or any conference) jump to add a school (who they have repeatedly passed on) without any reason to believe that they would potentially lose out on the school forever to another conference (who has also shown no interest in that school)?

Potential = zero.

(04-08-2015 01:07 PM)brista21 Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:39 PM)nert Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 12:26 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  Now that it looks like the Big 12 won't need to expand at all with Cincinnati or UCF, the only option for those schools is the ACC. However, UConn has a potential future suitor in the Big Ten in addition to the ACC. It could be just the thing that makes the ACC reverse course and add the Huskies while they are still on the market.

Where is this stated or hinted at by the Big 10 anywhere? link please

There's expectation that with the Big Ten's investments in men's ice hockey and women's lacrosse that UConn could be a potential target down the road.

Again LINK.

One thing I did notice, Bowlsby is the one saying this will happen, the guy who was in charge during the "One True Champion" campaign bust. It seem like he was throwing the ACC under the bus. I would love to hare the other three P5 commissioners say what they think. I could see Swofford changing the ACC vote to no to keep it at 12 teams if the other P5s may not want it. Swofford does not like to look bad or information leaking out. I have no issue with Deregulation but why would all the other conferences that had to go to 12 say "Hey it is OK for the B12 to only have 10 and make more money"? Just does not sound like the Big 10 or the SEC to me. In addition, you know the ACC will defer to whatever the SEC wants.

I think I might believe it more if it was Delaney saying it is likely in 2016. Any idea when this committee is supposed to meet and propose this for 2016?

(04-07-2015 08:25 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  If there were a team that's not ND, I would go UC to completely sever any Big 12 impedance and cut the circulation out of WVU. Then you make a power play for ND for 16, or maybe throw WVU and UConn a bone at that point. I think 18 is the ideal number to secure all the rivalries in fantasy land.

North: Pitt, BC, WVU, UC, UConn, Cuse

Central: UVa, WF, Va Tech, Duke, UNC, UL

South: ND, FSU, Miami, Ga Tech, Clemson, NC State

That divisional alignment would only work for the south and piss off everyone else.