Assuming FSU is gone, the ACC has actually some choices.

USF is obviously a favorite.

But UConn is a basketball power. And ESPN may want UConn this time.

Some people like Tulane.

WSU and OSU are still available. I don't know why nobody mentions WSU/OSU to the ACC.

Among the B12 schools, I like WVU.

Of course not expanding is always an option as well.

South Florida and Tulane. These schools bring in solid academics, markets, recruiting grounds, etc. Tulane football is decent and South Florida has been okay.

If they lose four schools: Tulane USF.

Who they should add? Buy out UC UCF

I'll basically repeat what I said on the 'Left Behinds' thread, which is that the ACC won't lose enough members to fall apart the same way the Pac-12 did. Space is filling up in the SEC and Big Ten, and I don't see schools like Syracuse sending their volleyball teams to BYU and Arizona.

It's obvious to me from the last few years of realignment that the further east a conference is, the better. The ACC is further east as a whole than the Big 12, so if the money is comparable, the ACC might have a bit of an upper hand, especially if they add the right schools.

I'd put Tulane, Rice, and South Florida as the top 3 ACC backfill candidates. Most of the academics privates likely aren't going anywhere, and will want strong academic institutions (R1, AAU). South Florida becomes very important if both Florida State and Miami depart, which would leave the ACC without a Florida school. Tulane and Rice were Pac-12 expansion candidates before the conference fell apart (one of the Jons stated they were #13 and #14 on the list, after SMU and SDSU). They would also help SMU out a bit when it comes to geography. I'll throw Memphis in there as well, to appease basketball schools left behind (like Duke).

If the money is similar, I wouldn't be surprised if the admins of West Virginia and Cincinnati consider moving to the ACC. Again, being further to the east has proven to be better when it comes to realignment. Cincinnati would be back with their rival (Louisville). West Virginia would be back with a ton of their old Big East friends (Boston College, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, potentially Virginia Tech and South Florida). I'm surprised no one is entertaining the idea of the old Big East lineup basically coming back as part of the ACC if only the top 4 or 5 leave the ACC.

(12-24-2023 02:57 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  I'll basically repeat what I said on the 'Left Behinds' thread, which is that the ACC won't lose enough members to fall apart the same way the Pac-12 did. Space is filling up in the SEC and Big Ten, and I don't see schools like Syracuse sending their volleyball teams to BYU and Arizona.

It's obvious to me from the last few years of realignment that the further east a conference is, the better. The ACC is further east as a whole than the Big 12, so if the money is comparable, the ACC might have a bit of an upper hand, especially if they add the right schools.

I'd put Tulane, Rice, and South Florida as the top 3 ACC backfill candidates. Most of the academics privates likely aren't going anywhere, and will want strong academic institutions (R1, AAU). South Florida becomes very important if both Florida State and Miami depart, which would leave the ACC without a Florida school. Tulane and Rice were Pac-12 expansion candidates before the conference fell apart (one of the Jons stated they were #13 and #14 on the list, after SMU and SDSU). They would also help SMU out a bit when it comes to geography. I'll throw Memphis in there as well, to appease basketball schools left behind (like Duke).

If the money is similar, I wouldn't be surprised if the admins of West Virginia and Cincinnati consider moving to the ACC. Again, being further to the east has proven to be better when it comes to realignment. Cincinnati would be back with their rival (Louisville). West Virginia would be back with a ton of their old Big East friends (Boston College, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, potentially Virginia Tech and South Florida). I'm surprised no one is entertaining the idea of the old Big East lineup basically coming back as part of the ACC if only the top 4 or 5 leave the ACC.

It would quite the day if the ACC lost, say 6 (Clemson, Florida St, North Carolina, North Carolina St, Virginia, Virginia Tech), and dropped to 11/12 then were able to Central Florida, Cincinnati, and West Virginia from the XII and also added South Florida and Tulane for 16/17. The XII may bring in Memphis, Oregon St, San Diego St, and Washington St plus 1.

USF is the logical replacement for Florida St.

If they need 1, and just 1, replacement, that’s tricky. Tulane, UConn, and Memphis all have their merits.

Lose 4 and then it’s easy—take USF plus all 3 I mentioned.

The reason the ACC should try to buy out some east coast Big 12 schools is that it would close the door on Yappy ever poaching their teams again barring additional P2 defections.

Denitely USF. It hits all the markers:

* Tampa market, in terms of demographics/accessibility
* AAU
* Large endowment, approaching $1B
* New stadium
* 36k undergrads; 11K grads
* Low maintenance (No complaints, just gratitude)
* Strong upside potential, academically and athletically

USF, Tulane

heck I would even go after Uconn, Kansas, Villanova, etc try to convince UNC/Duke to stay in a basketball first-conference

The list is flawed and should have incorporated more schools.

WVU admins have zero desire to move to the ACC, especially now. 10 years ago yes, now, no shot.

(12-24-2023 04:26 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  WVU admins have zero desire to move to the ACC, especially now. 10 years ago yes, now, no shot.

Agree. Why leave for a watered down conference now? ACC is going to be a shell of its former self after the next exodus. Besides, you may have to take a haircut to get in - see Stanford/Cal/SMU. Seriously, same for Cincinnati. All the folks that kept saying Cincinnati would always want in the ACC and the B12 was nothing more than the left behind truck stop conference. I hear ya now...

(12-24-2023 03:42 PM)msu35 Wrote:  The list is flawed and should have incorporated more schools.

I could have included more B12 schools but I am just too tired of arguing with some of the B12 fans. They seem to be very sensitive about losing schools (particularly to the ACC).

Memphis has a great athletic program. But knowing the ACC, Memphis has a very low chance in my opinion. WVU also has an academic issue but at least WVU was previously discussed by the ACC presidents and also has history with some of the ACC schools.

(12-24-2023 05:47 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  I could have included more B12 schools but I am just too tired of arguing with some of the B12 fans. They seem to be very sensitive about losing schools (particularly to the ACC).

Because it is the other way around, as demonstrated by the Pac.

If not taken by the B1G or SEC, VT will be in the Big XII. It's only a matter of time ...

Frankly i'm seeing the ACC lose between 4-6 schools at minimum:

-FSU and Miami to the Big10: State of Florida hates Disney (aka ESPN) and vice versa, I could see them wanting to cut ties.

-UNC, NC-State, Clemson and Virginia to the SEC

At that point the remainders are going to have to try and sell being an attractive option to get any Big12 teams to budge, and I think that's going to be a long shot.

(12-24-2023 04:26 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  WVU admins have zero desire to move to the ACC, especially now. 10 years ago yes, now, no shot.

Hey, but you voted for WVU to the ACC!

The ACC could lose 6-8 teams. FSU wont the only team to leave.

(12-24-2023 06:01 PM)PlayBall! Wrote:  

(12-24-2023 05:47 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  I could have included more B12 schools but I am just too tired of arguing with some of the B12 fans. They seem to be very sensitive about losing schools (particularly to the ACC).

Because it is the other way around, as demonstrated by the Pac.

If not taken by the B1G or SEC, VT will be in the Big XII. It's only a matter of time ...

Nobody wants Big 12 leftover schools. Thats why the PAC was unstable. Multiple of their schools were desired by the B1G.

The ACC might need to concede Florida and focus on moves that tighten geography. The majority of Miami fans are not enamored with the ACC to begin with and even more so without FSU, they’ll fit in the BigTen better than FSU wouid. I think eventually Stan and Cal will break off, so there really is no need for western expansion. SMU will be an islander for a while.

USF, Tulane, and UConn seem like the most logical choices. Also, try to peel off Cincinnati, UCF, or West Virginia from the Big 12.