(04-19-2016 07:56 AM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  

(04-18-2016 09:56 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  It is a very nice stadium but ECU has other hurdles.

Agreed, however I would argue that those hurdles are more superficial than substantive. Once you look past the surface there are a lot of benefits that ECU could bring to the SEC that would substantially outweigh any detriments. Further, academics are on the rise. It's nothing to write home about but ECU is only 30 spots behind Miss St. in the latest USNWR. If the SEC did take the chance on ECU in conjunction with a blue blood (eg. Oklahoma) it would be the perfect way for the SEC to hedge its bets. ECU would be the premiere football school of the state (if not already) but it would also be a dagger to the entire ACC (particularly the NC schools) without having to poach any of their members.

With Boren changing his tune this is at least somewhat more probable than it was yesterday.

What people outside NC don't realize is that ECU moves the needle considerably within the state. Football ratings are above Duke and Wake and are equal w/ NCSU & UNC notwithstanding having to play in a non-power conference. ECU's attendance numbers are well documented but what is not is the fact that ECU is roughly the same size as UNC & NCSU and is growing faster. Moreover, ECU has huge alumni numbers in Charlotte & Raleigh. If you come to NC you will see ECU stickers on cars and ECU gear all across the state. That derives from being the only football school in the state. Cultural mentality and football atmosphere is already SEC caliber. If the SEC took the chance it wouldn't be disappointed.