Some think FSU and Clemson will leave the ACC, but the SEC doesnt seem likely and they have little to gain by going to the Big 12. Potentially a few million/year but its hardly worth the trouble.

As for ND, they have probably hitched their wagon to a falling star. In my opinion, they should haw joined the Big12

The academics are solid obviously at both schools. Both schools belong to The Association of Academic Universities. Like I said in another post, Strongman Jim Delaney would LOVE and I mean LOVE to stick it to Notre Dame with such a move! But alas, I don’t have much probability this will occur. But I would like to see it happen! You see, besides South Carolina, I grew up a HUGE Rutgers’ fan living in New Brunswick. Plus my sister and both of my daughters are graduates of Rutgers. I am so happy for RU b/c they have earned it. It will be a watershed year for Rutgers if they can beat Louisville tomorrow night and earn a BCS bid. BUT, my heart and my first allegiance is to THE University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks!

That would be a big move. Might be the only two basketball programs that are as valuable as a top football program. UNC was linked to the Big 10 as a target when Maryland left. And grabbing both UNC and Duke would maintain the rivalry and probably make the move easier. With realignment usually where there is smoke there is fire.

I hope you are correct and that FSU and Clemson leave the ACC. But on the surface, bringing in Louisville appears to be the compromise position b/c Louisville is both a football and basketball school.

@111um

They could be mad all they want but will that result in “ACTION”? I didn’t know Strongman Jim Delaney was a UNC graduate. Still, with Comrade John Swofford as the Commissioner of the ACC, I doubt even Big Jim can pull this off. BUT, what a coup it would be!!!

Also Big 10 commish is a UNC alum. ACC fans might want to be careful what you wish for. As a Big 10 fan I would welcome this.

I think the football schools see the writing on the wall. Take a look at this quote from Matt Hayes:

““We’d be absolutely foolish to not watch Maryland,” one FSU official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Sporting News. “If or when they get out of (the $50 million buyout), everything changes. It’s almost like free agency.”

“It’s almost like free agency” … The ACC is gonna get gored by 3 super conferences.

Funny how the UConn “basketball factory” took their football into Louisville and beat them.

UMass has a ways to go before elevating their program. But I agree that they should go to the Big East.

Yes I think this is the compromise position the ACC football centric schools reached with John Swofford aka Neville Chainberlain. Patino is happier in the ACC than he would have been in the Big 12. Coach K and Roy Williams to see Louisville vis-a-vis UConn and apparently the football schools are happier. So I think this is the “deal” that was reached. The irony is it isn’t going to truly help the football schools but it’s better than selecting another purely basketball factory which is what UConn is. The Catholic schools and Temple/Cincy/Memphis/S Fla still remain in the “Big East” so it is still a formidable Bball conference. I think UMass should be invited to join the Big East for all sports. UMass makes sense and it is a great school. The worst thing that could happen is for the Catholic schools to break away from the Big East and form their own conference.

Does anyone still believe the ACC is going to keep its football-centric membership?
You have 3 super-conferences breathing-down your neck and the 2 conferecnes with 14 members have made it clear they are going to 16.

If anything, UofL is now positioned to pay a SECOND exit fee after Slive & Delany gore Swofford’s ox.

The ACC cannot go to 16 unless one of the universities it brings in is Notre Dame as a full (all sports) member. That is literally the only way they can create reopen their tv contract. If they pull that off, Swofford is the greatest magician of all time.

Maybe that rumour about the basketball teams voting to disband the Big East and start their own basketball league had something to do with it. Taking Louisville is one of the things that was rumored to possible start this in action.

If a vote comes up and both UConn and Cincinnati vote with the basketball teams to dissolve the league, then I would suspect the ACC could grab both without any exit fees?

Just rambling thoughts…
~Jim

Does Commissioner John Swofford remind you of Neville Chainberlain?

What I find equally humorous is that FSU, Clemson, Ga. Tech, and Va Tech declined offering an invite to West Virginia! But a year later, Louisville gets in. I guess the TV ratings are higher in Kentucky than they are in the Metropolitan area of NY where UConn is.

Someone once told me Coach K loathes Jim Calhoun. I don’t know how much that played into this decision but UConn is temporarily out. However let’s remember this: NEVER say NEVER when it comes to conference realignment. If the ACC does expand to 16 schools, they will be invited. The same holds true for UConn and the Big Ten.

Will this push UVA out the door? Stay tuned…

“The addition of the Cardinals and loss of the Terrapins should provide the ACC an immediate upgrade in football and several areas.

…

The Cardinals’ basketball program will fit in with the ACC’s elite basketball programs. Since the 2004-05 school year, Louisville has reached two Final Fours and two Elite Eights.”