CSNbbs

8 years ago, if there was one aspect of ACC Expansion 1.0 that I learned, it was to go back and see how certain Big East vs. ACC games were played in football, home-and-home.

For instance, NC State/Syracuse, Wake Forest/Boston College, and even more curious, Miami/North Carolina -- all of these home/home series were either played, in process, or on the docket before the ACC sought to add Syracuse, Boston College, and Miami.

These games were curious as I looked back, and now, there have been a few curious "trial balloon" pairings that I have followed, including UNC/Notre Dame, Pitt/NC State, etc.

However, perhaps, the most curious home/home pairing is set to commence this upcoming Saturday in Winston-Salem:

Notre Dame @ Wake Forest

This will mark the second time in the last 5 seasons that ND has played in the state of NC, and it's oddly curious that a home/home agreement was struck with LOWF. Even more curious that ND didn't insist on playing the "away" game in Charlotte...

This is only fueling my already rampant speculation that Notre Dame will be a full-sports ACC member -- perhaps before the 2nd game to be played in 2015...?

Hmmm. Something to think about.

It is probably not an accident that they are playing there. They may want to guage how things go there and how their fans like going to a certain region of the country.

Or how well the Catholics are treated at a Baptist University.

It does seem fishy.

I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

(10-31-2011 08:19 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

They should be damn excited, to play them at home. Our A.D. has us playing them in NYC, and our stadium seats 20k more than Wake's.

(10-31-2011 08:53 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-31-2011 08:19 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

They should be damn excited, to play them at home. Our A.D. has us playing them in NYC, and our stadium seats 20k more than Wake's.

Is there a big payoff that Syracuse gets to play at the Meadowlands?
I'm thinking there must be a big payment to play there.

(10-31-2011 10:04 PM)tj_2009 Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-31-2011 08:53 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-31-2011 08:19 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

They should be damn excited, to play them at home. Our A.D. has us playing them in NYC, and our stadium seats 20k more than Wake's.

Is there a big payoff that Syracuse gets to play at the Meadowlands?
I'm thinking there must be a big payment to play there.

I think there is a decent payoff. Most of it though will be the exposure we'll get in NYC playing Notre Dame. Especially if we win. It'll be on basic cable too. So, most of the payoff is program exposure. We would probably make more money at the Dome.

I kind of like the idea. Marrone's grand plan is to recruit athletes from NYC. He's set up a bunch of camps there and stuff. His theory is most athletic kids in NYC play basketball, but if he can get football bigger there then there is bound to be some great recruits. It's a nice plan it will either have a huge payoff, or it will fail miserably. If he can get it going though, Syracuse will have a pipeline from there with Marrone/Syracuse making football big in the city.

High school coaches in the city will tell their kids that Syracuse helped improve football there, and that Syracuse cares about the city. While Rutgers and Connecticut just think they own it because they're closer. They don't actually do anything there.

It also helps that Marrone was born and raised in the Bronx. Then went on to have a solid career at Syracuse. He already knows many of the high schools and coaches in the city.

I think their excitement, despite their loss in Chapel Hill, centers on the fact that if they beat Clemson, Wake Forest has a great chance to win their division and get to the ACC championship game.

(10-31-2011 08:19 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

I seriously doubt that. Real Wake Forest fans have been psyched about this game since it was announced. There is even an overnight tailgate planned by alumni & students to begin Friday night. This is easily the second biggest Wake game I will have attended (the Orange Bowl being the biggest).

It is not surprising to get the home & home, plus an additional single game at South Bend...because the Wake President, Nathan O. Hatch, was Provost at ND prior to accepting the Wake job.

(10-31-2011 08:19 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]I spoke with several big Wake Forest supporters today. They were not overly excited about Notre Dame coming to town this weekend, but were really fired up about going down to Clemson the week after.

That is funny, since that is not what their email says:


"One of the most anticipated games of the 2011 football season is just days away, and we are looking forward to an action-packed weekend. We will kick-off the weekend on Friday afternoon with a pep rally on the Quad. Later that evening, watch the men's basketball team in their first exhibition game of the season, and then head over to Old Staley's for the WFU Alumni Party. Saturday morning, you are invited to join us for a breakfast and conversation between the Notre Dame Director of Athletics, Jack Swarbrick, and our own Director of Athletics, Ron Wellman. Spend the rest of the day tailgating and gearing up to cheer on the Deacs as they take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Friday, November 4th

Pep Rally - The Quad (in front of Reynolda Hall)
5:00pm
Join the Wake Forest football team, cheerleaders, band, and fellow fans and get pumped up for the big game! Speakers will include President Hatch, Ron Wellman, Coach Jim Grobe, and other special guests. Show your support for the Demon Deacons by attending this exciting event. The pep rally is free and open to the public.
Men's Basketball Exhibition - WFU vs. Ferrum College - LJVM Coliseum
7:00pm
Cheer on the men's basketball team in their first exhibition of the season versus Ferrum College. Tickets are available through the Wake Forest Ticket Office for $5. Please call (336) 758-DEAC (3322) or visit WakeForestSports.com for tickets.
WFU Alumni Party - Old Staley's (2000 Reynolda Rd.)
8:00pm - midnight
Looking for a fun place filled with Deacon fans? We've got you covered. Kick off the history-making Wake Forest vs. Notre Dame weekend at the WFU Alumni party. Enjoy live music from local favorite SalemSpeaks, along with appetizers and party give-aways. A cash bar will be available. The party begins at 8pm and the fun starts when you get there, so bring your Deacon pride and we'll see you at Old Staley's. Tickets are $10/person and must be purchased in advance: wfu.edu/alumni/clubs.
Saturday, November 5th

A Conversation with the Athletic Directors - Bridger Field House at BB&T Field (Snead Club Room)
8:30am-10:00am
A few select spots are still available for a VIP breakfast featuring a conversation between Notre Dame Director of Athletics, Jack Swarbrick, and Wake Forest Director of Athletics, Ron Wellman, moderated by IMG College President, Ben Sutton, Jr. ('80, JD '83). Registration is required, so please register at go.wfu.edu/nd. Space is limited. Registration is first-come, first-served.
WFU vs. Notre Dame - BB&T Field
8:00pm
Game time has been set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised nationally on ABC with a reverse mirror on ESPN2. In those areas of the country in which the game is not available on ABC, it will be available on ESPN2. Both Wake Forest and Notre Dame will enter the game with 5-3 records.
We look forward to seeing you this weekend! GO DEACS!"

Yep!
But not THE most anticipated game of the 2011 season (just one of the most anticipated games), the same thing was said of the Florida State game too.
It is history making, in that Notre Dame has never been to Wake Forest before.

TerryD, I hope you are coming, The Wake Forest stadium is small, but it's a great place to watch a football game.

Nope. I would love to but I can't make it next week. I have heard it is a great place to watch a game.

I will be watching on TV while everyone else here in Baton Rouge is watching LSU/Alabama.

(11-03-2011 07:35 AM)TerryD Wrote: [ -> ]http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...lenews_wsj

It's good to see athletic competition between student athletes at peer institutions that have the same academic values.

ND 24, WF 17 - yep, a preview of things to come!

Good crowd last night, it was the 4th largest to see a game at Wake Forest.

(11-06-2011 10:35 AM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]Good crowd last night, it was the 4th largest to see a game at Wake Forest.

True - and that IS good. To put it in perspective though, it was also the 2nd SMALLEST crowd to see Notre Dame play in person.

(11-06-2011 10:38 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-06-2011 10:35 AM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]Good crowd last night, it was the 4th largest to see a game at Wake Forest.

True - and that IS good. To put it in perspective though, it was also the 2nd SMALLEST crowd to see Notre Dame play in person.

So what's your point, brainiac? You can't sell more tickets than there are seats.

Obviously this one is a Walmart Hokie or he didn't have the math grades to major in engineering...

And yes, it was a fired-up crowd last night that stuck it out in the cold to the end. Thank goodness for getting an extra hour of sleep last night...tailgating for 2 football games & attending 2 football games in one day makes for a LONG (but fun) day.

(11-06-2011 10:38 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-06-2011 10:35 AM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]Good crowd last night, it was the 4th largest to see a game at Wake Forest.

True - and that IS good. To put it in perspective though, it was also the 2nd SMALLEST crowd to see Notre Dame play in person.

Are you saying that Notre Dame is losing their appeal or just trying to broaden their market into the South?