(05-08-2013 08:19 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 07:19 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 07:34 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I'm surprised at how little we fans have learned (as a group). 38.46% still think all we need to make things right is a legitimate Nat'l Champ. contender or two. I agree w/ HtownOrange - we MUST have both or it's all for naught

I disagree. The perception of the conference is that of the week to week top 10 schools. They're the only ones that get any discussion on the College football shows. When the conference went years without having any teams challenge for the national championship, it hurt the image of the league. Despite the fact that we've had no shortage of 11-25 ranked teams. A full competitive league from top to bottom would be great but the image of the league rests with the top 10 schools and really the top 5 schools.

Strength of schedule is strongly affected by how weak your weakest teams are...

It won't matter because the ACC still schedules FCS teams were all the other major leagues are not. We'll be bringing up the rear in SOS regardless of what the bottom 6 teams are doing.

(05-08-2013 08:38 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 08:19 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 07:19 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 07:34 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I'm surprised at how little we fans have learned (as a group). 38.46% still think all we need to make things right is a legitimate Nat'l Champ. contender or two. I agree w/ HtownOrange - we MUST have both or it's all for naught

I disagree. The perception of the conference is that of the week to week top 10 schools. They're the only ones that get any discussion on the College football shows. When the conference went years without having any teams challenge for the national championship, it hurt the image of the league. Despite the fact that we've had no shortage of 11-25 ranked teams. A full competitive league from top to bottom would be great but the image of the league rests with the top 10 schools and really the top 5 schools.

Strength of schedule is strongly affected by how weak your weakest teams are...

It won't matter because the ACC still schedules FCS teams were all the other major leagues are not. We'll be bringing up the rear in SOS regardless of what the bottom 6 teams are doing.

Chris, since when are other major leagues not scheduling FCS teams? B1G is considering it (but not approved much less implemented yet). SEC certainly schedules at least one FCS if not two. Difference is, SEC has very few weak teams IN conference.

(05-08-2013 09:24 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 08:38 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 08:19 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(05-08-2013 07:19 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 07:34 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I'm surprised at how little we fans have learned (as a group). 38.46% still think all we need to make things right is a legitimate Nat'l Champ. contender or two. I agree w/ HtownOrange - we MUST have both or it's all for naught

I disagree. The perception of the conference is that of the week to week top 10 schools. They're the only ones that get any discussion on the College football shows. When the conference went years without having any teams challenge for the national championship, it hurt the image of the league. Despite the fact that we've had no shortage of 11-25 ranked teams. A full competitive league from top to bottom would be great but the image of the league rests with the top 10 schools and really the top 5 schools.

Strength of schedule is strongly affected by how weak your weakest teams are...

It won't matter because the ACC still schedules FCS teams were all the other major leagues are not. We'll be bringing up the rear in SOS regardless of what the bottom 6 teams are doing.

Chris, since when are other major leagues not scheduling FCS teams? B1G is considering it (but not approved much less implemented yet). SEC certainly schedules at least one FCS if not two. Difference is, SEC has very few weak teams IN conference.

After looking around, it looks like I've been caught quoting message board rumors as fact. B1G is looking at it, SEC usually doesn't schedule a lot of FCS teams if any. They usually load up on Sunbelt schools. B12 and Pac12 haven't made any statements. Still I'd like to dump the FCS schools if for no other reason than to give us a leg up on SOS.

FSU had a down-cycle with an aging coach which happens to all great programs at various points. Together, the rest of the ACC pooped the bed in picking up the slack on a national level.

That answer doesn't fit in the poll options but that's the real answer.