The ACC vs. The Big East

[Imran Siddiqui]

Interesting we American college sports fans haven't talked about this. It's been HUGE on the sports forum I frequent.

Anyway, the crux is that the ACC wants Miami, Syracuse, and either Boston College or Virginia Tech in order to have 12 teams and thus have a conference championship. Of course, the problem is that all these schools are in the Big East. If it goes through, the Big East is decimated. HOWEVER, there are talks about the Big East jettisoning its only-basketball schools (like Georgetown, Seton Hall, etc.) and adding teams from Conference USA such as Louisville, Cinncinati, Memphis, and maybe even snaring Marshall.

Of course, the effects of the ACC having its way could really cause a huge change in other conferences.

Here are some scenarios:

http://espn.go.com/ncaa/s/2003/0514/1553593.html

I think the first one is the most plausible. A Catholic League forms in basketball, and the Big East retools and even though it cast off its basketball schools, stays big with Louisville and Memphis, along with stalwarts UConn and Temple.

There is also discussion that the Big East is talking to both Penn State and Notre Dame to join it in football. However, I doubt that is going to happen ever, so its simply a pipe dream right now.

The BIG loser will probably end up being Conference USA, which will get its biggest schools taken away from it by the Big East, or so it looks like.

[H Tower]

I haven't been reading too much about the fall out of the Big East getting decimated, but I like the idea of another big football conference to go along with the Big 10, SEC, Big12 and Pac 10

[Guynemer]

Penn State leaving to join the Big East is a real possibility.

1) They have not had the success they envisioned in the Big Ten. Michigan, in particular, has treated the Nittany Lions like a red-headed stepchild, beating them six or seven times in a row. Luckily for them (and sadly for us), they get a two-year respite from facing the Wolverines starting this season.

2) JoePa is not fond of the Big Ten brass, especially following last year's disasterous performances by referees.

3) Penn State in the Big East makes more sense geographically and will help PSU's recruiting.

4) It would allow Penn State to renew their rivalry with Pittsburgh. (This reason also suggests that the Panthers might join the Big Ten, creating another superconference--Pittsburgh is the only realistic choice for the Big Ten that is also a top-flight academic school, a big deal for the Big Ten. Notre Dame ain't joining, not ever.)


All this stuff is interesting, but my big worry is how this will **** up the next edition of NCAA Football for the Gamecube.

[Timexwatch]

A-10 all the Way

[PLATO]

Interesting... 12 Team ACC vs a 12 Team SEC for a regional championship in the one day coming playoff scenario??

[H Tower]

Originally posted by PLATO1003
Interesting... 12 Team ACC vs a 12 Team SEC for a regional championship in the one day coming playoff scenario??

You mean Miami or maybe, maybe Florida State vs the best in the Big12

[PLATO]

Originally posted by H Tower


You mean Miami or maybe, maybe Florida State vs the best in the Big12

No damnit!! Go VOLS!!!

[Imran Siddiqui]

my big worry is how this will **** up the next edition of NCAA Football for the Gamecube.

I hear it might be coming for the PC (hopes, prays).

It'd be quite an interesting shakeup... and one of the big consequences is that the Big East may lose a BCS automatic spot... which kinda shows what a joke the BCS is. I mean, if VTech has a great year (and finishes #3), they surely deserve it a worse team that finishes atop the SEC or Big 12.

[St Leo]

I prefer OGG to ACC and MP3.

[HolyWarrior]

Why would Miami go to a conference where they will be perennial doormats in basketball?
I think this is all smoke. Ain't happenin'

[Imran Siddiqui]

Because football money is bigger?

Oh, and there is a rumor that Notre Dame is going enter into an agreement with the Big East to play Miami + 3 Big East teams every year in college football... if this is true, Miami said they would stay in the Big East.

[Adam Smith]

Just did some quick research and came to the conclusion that this deal really sucks.

The sensible motivation from what is going on here (aside from $%^& size) is that after a decade or more in the top 5, Florida State's football program is gradually fading into the sunset. That leaves the ACC with no strong BCS entrant every year. Maryland, Virginia, and NC State are all improving in football, but the are going to be in the 10-15 range for the forseeable future. They can still get a BCS invitation alright (I got no complaints about Maryland going to the Sugar Bowl two years ago ) but after several years (two and counting) of sending a 10-15 team into the BCS series, it gets a bit embarassing. Eventually you get dealt out in favor of another at-large, putting $6 or $8 mil per year in BCS revenue at risk.

Problem is that the ACC has always made a lot more money from basketball than from football. ACC revenues are about $100 mil per year. This breaks out about 60% basketball, 40% football, while just about everybody else is the other way around. The ACC's regular season basketball TV contract alone was worth $28 mil per year, not even counting money from ACC tournament, NCAA tournament, etc. The value of this contract will only go up with the new Sunday night ACC Game of the Week deal on ESPN. This contract is much more valuable than that of other conferences because over the years the ACC has built up a quality product with a strong geographical and time identification. (I can remember growing up that everybody KNEW the ACC Game of the Week was Wednesday at 9, so you didn't schedule Boy Scouts or PTA that night.)

Expanding the conference to areas where there is not strong "brand" identification, or disrupting existing home-home series on which the conference is built will dilute the value of the contract. I don't see why the ACC is putting $28 mil at risk for the sake of $6-8 mil.

[Ming]

Miami is lossing in the "dollar" hunt. They will join the ACC. It just makes sense for them.

I'm surprised Virginia Tech wasn't offered a spot as well. That was supposed to be part of the deal. If either of the two ofther teams don't buy into it, they will get an invitation...

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Because football money is bigger?

Oh, and there is a rumor that Notre Dame is going enter into an agreement with the Big East to play Miami + 3 Big East teams every year in college football... if this is true, Miami said they would stay in the Big East.

Yup..My North Carolina State Wolfpack enjoyed playing The Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I enjoy The Fighting Irish...Jerome Willinghame is from here In Jacksonville North Carolina...Home of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base!

I personally would like to see us have Miami, Syracuse and BC.

I remember years ago on a Thursday night, the Syracuse Orangemen (QB was Donovan McNabb)..we won in Raleigh!



Peace

Grandpa Troll

[Jac de Molay]

Originally posted by Guynemer
Penn State leaving to join the Big East is a real possibility.

Not gonna happen. The Big Ten has been looking to pick up one more to even out the conference for a real big ten tournament, IIRC.

Pitt has been tossed around as the 12th team. But, it would be great to get Notre Dame, since they end up playing more than a few big ten teams anyway. I've even heard Syracuse might be in, but we'll see.