(05-18-2014 03:42 PM)Wolfman Wrote: I don't see it.
1) Notre Dame is no where close to giving up independence. Football alone is getting them $25million per year. As part of the ACC they would loose most of that.
2) I'm not a fan of but not opposed the Navy/Georgetown hybrid. I'd need to see proof that fans in DC would watch ACC games if Georgetown is not in them. That is, are Georgetown/DC fans going to watch FSU v Miami or Alabama v Georgia?
3) It was just announced the ACC was keeping divisions.
4) Conferences are looking for more content not less. There has never been a discussion, rumor, innuendo or even a single word about reducing the number of conference games.
5) ND already plays Navy. I don't think making that a conference game matters.
6) I don't think any conference wants their championship determined by other forces.
Comcast/NBC and ESPN/ABC are bitter competitors. The only agreement they are going to make is to disagree. ESPN doesn't care about an ACC network. Their only concern is if a lack of a network hurts the ACCs TV popularity.
1 - Yes has to make sense $ wise.
2 - Okay but what about NAVY / PITT or NAVY / UVA. And the Georgetown matchups in basketball ...
3 - I think they decided to not decide on divisions until the NCAA CCG request is decided.
4 - The compromises being discussed where one ACC team can play more conference games than another makes this possible. I'm saying 7 is the minimum but teams can and will play more. Except of course ND.
5 - It matters in that it is a game that counts towards the 7. NAVY, PITT, and BC every year plus 4 others ...
6 - Maybe not but having the top two based on national rank would be the most compelling for the conference as well as the nation. And if it included ND, even better!
FWIW, ND has Rice, Arizona St, Northwestern, Temple, Nevada, UMASS, and Army on it's schedule over the next 3 years.