I don't think this is as nearly as far fetched as it may look. Texas craves southern AND Eastern exposure (EST), but they don't want to kick around the SEC because 1) TAMU beat them to the conf and 2) they think it would tarnish their academics (unjustified or not). ND has the exclusivity agreement with the ACC that runs until the GOR expires, and maybe a school like Texas intrigues ND enough to join a conference. What would a new ACC look like? Let's do pods. Why not. It's trendy still - I think - and it would keep together those schools who crave that connection the most. I think the pods would look like this:

ND Pod
ND
Texas
Pitt
BC

ND and Texas are pretty tight, plus ND has tradition with BC and Pitt

Mid Atlantic
Syracuse
VT
UVA
UL

OK, UL and the state of Virginia isn't Mid Atlantic, but what's in a name? Not like it matters.

All State
UNC
NCST
Wake
Duke

Tobacco road. Everyone lumps these 4 together for ACC pods. It's tradition

SEP (South East Pod)
Clemson
GT
FSU
Miami

WIN WIN WIN! In particular, Clemson fans would cream their pants over this one.

Texas will join the ACC only if there is no ACC Network.

Texas and ND (In Full) will not be joining the ACC. Only way Texas would join the ACC is with a partial agreement like ours.

(05-13-2016 10:21 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  Texas and ND (In Full) will not be joining the ACC. Only way Texas would join the ACC is with a partial agreement like ours.

Personally, I wouldn't mind both Texas and Notre Dame as non-football members IF the ACC got OU and KU as full members.

Killer!

ACC could just add texas or they might add 2 more to get:

16 full + Texas and ND without football

ACC

North: BC, Cuse, Pitt, WVU, Lville, ND

Central: UVA, V tech, UNC, Duke, NC state, Wake

South: Clem, G tech, FSU, Miami, Texas, Baylor

Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

If Notre Dame can't sustain it and they have to join a conference it's NOT going to be a conference with little pull and less money thats for sure. Especially if Texas joins the B1G then that would seal it for ND. Their ego would need them to be with the biggest of big boys.

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we choose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

(05-13-2016 10:44 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

If Notre Dame can't sustain it and they have to join a conference it's NOT going to be a conference with little pull and less money thats for sure. Especially if Texas joins the B1G then that would seal it for ND. Their ego would need them to be with the biggest of big boys.

Oh, Whom that might be ?

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

I'm perfectly fine with ND just as They are and glad to get to have a few Football game with Them. Louisville/ND basketball games are always exciting with tight finishes.

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

There are only four special teams that can go independent and still stay in power for a long haul.

1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. BYU
4. Florida

I wonder why Florida did not pull a long-horn network of their own and willingly share their good fortune with other SEC schools. It is a big mistakes of Florida. Because Florida's money go to other SEC schools, Florida peaked in the early 2000's. If they had their own network and hadn't shared, Florida would be still in top 5 now.

(05-13-2016 11:03 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

I'm perfectly fine with ND just as They are and glad to get to have a few Football game with Them. Louisville/ND basketball games are always exciting with tight finishes.

Exactly... The set-up works.....

(05-13-2016 10:59 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:44 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

If Notre Dame can't sustain it and they have to join a conference it's NOT going to be a conference with little pull and less money thats for sure. Especially if Texas joins the B1G then that would seal it for ND. Their ego would need them to be with the biggest of big boys.

Oh, Whom that might be ?

I'll give you 3 guesses.

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

Damn, 78. I see you finally had enough. Amen to your post.

I thought that I was a little more hard core on football independence than you.

Lol, I guess not.

I approve of this message.

(05-13-2016 11:13 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

Damn, 78. I see you finally had enough. Amen to your post.

I thought that I was a little more hard core on football independence than you.

Lol, I guess not.

I approve of this message.

TerryD.....it's like fighting the tide. You can do it for a while and then it goes away, but it always comes back again and again until it finally breaks you down.

If pixie and Trixie join the nudist colony...

(05-13-2016 11:13 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

Damn, 78. I see you finally had enough. Amen to your post.

I thought that I was a little more hard core on football independence than you.

Lol, I guess not.

I approve of this message.

Usually I play along with the what if's but I'm over it now. lol

I don't get people always trying to come up with reasons why Notre Dame will become a full member of a conference. There WERE possible reasons, but they were all removed:

The playoff committee could have made conference membership a prerequisite for playoff eligibility, but they didn't.

They had scheduling problems (esp for Oct/Nov), but the ACC hybrid solved that.

They needed better bowl homes in years they were bowl eligible but not major bowl worthy, and the ACC hybrid solved that.

They needed a good home for their non-football sports, and the ACC hybrid solved that.

So, after other schools could have played hardball with ND to force their hand and didn't, and all of ND's problems are basically solved, who is going to play hardball now and on what issue?

(05-13-2016 11:19 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 11:13 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:46 AM)domer1978 Wrote:  

(05-13-2016 10:37 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Texas isn't going to get a partial agreement because Notre Dame's not even going to be able to maintain their partial agreement for very much longer. Notre Dame isn't as special as they once were, and Texas DAMN SURE isn't special in the world of college football.

Want to bet on this? I bet in 2025 this conversation will be the exact same.....
We are very happy with the arrangement and will not give an inch more, unless you add Navy you will get no more games. Our admin has set a course and no matter the consequence we will not waver off of it. The Alumni have drawn a line in the sand and won't budge an inch. I know this pops the ACC fans bubble that we will be joining but it's the truth. Only way this changes is if CC games are the only way in(Not happening), and if they do that I bet ND and other g-5 or indy teams will sue.

By the way if we aren't "special" who cares? Let us be, get off our lawn dang it!!!! If we chose this path what difference does it make to you or your school?

The ACC is fine without us, and we would be fine without you. The deal works for both of us.

Damn, 78. I see you finally had enough. Amen to your post.

I thought that I was a little more hard core on football independence than you.

Lol, I guess not.

I approve of this message.

TerryD.....it's like fighting the tide. You can do it for a while and then it goes away, but it always comes back again and again until it finally breaks you down.

It is more like the ripple in a pond than the tidal forces at the Bay of Fundy....

I will say this is Swofford's dream. If it happened he be retiring the next year to go out on top.