(02-28-2024 01:54 PM)OneSockUp Wrote: Assuming the ACC falls apart...
Is there a reason that UConn, Syracuse, Boston College, Pitt, and Villanova couldn't all exist as independents who play a double-round robin schedule every year?
That would amount to eight games for each school, tantamount to a conference schedule, and each school could negotiate its own TV rights or they could bargain for them collectively.
To me that seems like a better answer for everyone than the ACC trying to backfill a hybrid north/South conference that has proven to be a dud.
Bowl contracts would need to be worked out. There likely wouldn't be a payout from the playoffs. But their basketball woes could be put to rest as the ACC defectors could come back to the Big East after a failed football-first experiment.
I know you are proposing building a northeast football conference out of ACC leftovers. There just aren't enough competitive, FBS. schools available in the Northeast to put together a viable conference. You need at least 7 schools for FCS and I think 8 for FBS. None of the old BE schools want Army, Navy, Buffalo or UMass in a conference with them, or want FCS call-ups as fill. Frankly UDel was the only FCS left capable of making the jump up. So you need BC, Cuse, Pitt, UConn, WV, Temple and still 2 more.
Rather than start a new conference, the ACC leftovers would keep the conference name and backfill. That allows for keeping some bowl tie-ins and having continuity in access to NCAA bids and tournament $. The whole thing is dependent on what happens to UNC/NCSU and UVa/VT. Both NC schools have to get P2 invites, or they will be forced to stay together in the ACC. If UVa gets a BIG invite, VT may get a SEC invite, but it won't go the other way around.
ACC leftovers: BC, Syracuse, Pitt, WF
Add AAC/BE: UConn, Temple, USF
Possible call-ups: James Madison, Old Dominion, East Carolina, Charolette, GaSt - none have AAC/BE roots, but they bring high population states and fill big holes in conference member locations.
Other possible ACC leftovers: Miami (Probably a BIG or bust situation in the next round or realignment), Duke (see Miami), Louisville (B12 or bust), UNC, NCSU (both depend on who gets invited where and the NC legislation that both stay together), possibly VT.
Actually a conference of BC, UConn, Cuse, Pitt, Tempe, VT, WF, USF would be about as close as you can get to what you are looking for.