A lot is going on, and it might be a good idea to have a thread that covers the topic as a whole.
I, for one, am actually pretty excited. As I see it, the conference is as follows:
HISTORICALLY SOLID
*ND, Clemson, and FSU are obviously set and look to continue to sail into the future.
ON THE UPSWING
*UNC, VT, Miami, and Pitt all look to be on the upswing, either because of coaching changes this year, or because of this season's results.
*UL had a down season, but has a proven coach.
*NCSU is generally on the upswing.
*Duke is very much on the upswing.
COULD BE ON THE UPSWING
*BC is an OC away from being really good.
*Syracuse could go either way, but if we land BGSU's coach, we could be in a strong position.
*GT is a little weird. They have the potential to be good (i.e. last year), but they also have the potential to be bad (i.e. this year). I think that winning the OB was a pretty big deal last year.
QUESTION MARKS
*UVA could go either way, but I don't think that their coaching search looks especially promising (especially if Greasy Greg gets it), and WF is WF.
Overall, I think that the conference is headed in the right direction. There is a distance to go before we get "there," but we're at least making progress relative to everyone else. The PAC 12 had similar hires a couple of years ago, around the time when they first launched their network. I think that we could be following in their footsteps. I can see the next 5-6 years being generally good ones in the ACC (next year might be rough because of all the transitions, but once the new coaches get settled in, there should be gains).
***It's also worth noting that IMHO, USCarolina, MIZZOU (possibly - I can't remember who they hired), and Georgia will probably drop off a bit, and Vandy and UK are likely to stay bad, so our most direct competition, the SEC east, will likely endure a period of being on the downswing. Additionally, the ACC north is also probably improving in relation to its most direct competition (RU, UMD, and PSU).***
Good post, really like the hires made so far. Think the ACC is going to have some really good years coming up.
Too bad this didn't happen 10 years ago... ACC could be tops in revenue by now!
(12-03-2015 01:24 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ]Too bad this didn't happen 10 years ago... ACC could be tops in revenue by now!
Well better late then never.....? The ACC is definitely going to be a PROBLEM going forward!!!
FLossY Out...
Meanwhile, South Carolina of the vaunted SEC is interviewing, wait for it.... wait....... Will Muschamp.
Like, that's the best they can do is dig up Muschamp? You mean to tell me SCAR couldn't lure Butch Davis out of his malaise..?
(12-03-2015 02:02 PM)ecuacc4ever Wrote: [ -> ]Meanwhile, South Carolina of the vaunted SEC is interviewing, wait for it.... wait....... Will Muschamp.
Like, that's the best they can do is dig up Muschamp? You mean to tell me SCAR couldn't lure Butch Davis out of his malaise..?
The SEC is the best place for Muschamp as a HC. Let him take over for Saban!
(12-03-2015 12:13 PM)nzmorange Wrote: [ -> ]A lot is going on, and it might be a good idea to have a thread that covers the topic as a whole.
I, for one, am actually pretty excited. As I see it, the conference is as follows:
HISTORICALLY SOLID
*ND, Clemson, and FSU are obviously set and look to continue to sail into the future.
ON THE UPSWING
*UNC, VT, Miami, and Pitt all look to be on the upswing, either because of coaching changes this year, or because of this season's results.
*UL had a down season, but has a proven coach.
*NCSU is generally on the upswing.
*Duke is very much on the upswing.
COULD BE ON THE UPSWING
*BC is an OC away from being really good.
*Syracuse could go either way, but if we land BGSU's coach, we could be in a strong position.
*GT is a little weird. They have the potential to be good (i.e. last year), but they also have the potential to be bad (i.e. this year). I think that winning the OB was a pretty big deal last year.
QUESTION MARKS
*UVA could go either way, but I don't think that their coaching search looks especially promising (especially if Greasy Greg gets it), and WF is WF.
Overall, I think that the conference is headed in the right direction. There is a distance to go before we get "there," but we're at least making progress relative to everyone else. The PAC 12 had similar hires a couple of years ago, around the time when they first launched their network. I think that we could be following in their footsteps. I can see the next 5-6 years being generally good ones in the ACC (next year might be rough because of all the transitions, but once the new coaches get settled in, there should be gains).
***It's also worth noting that IMHO, USCarolina, MIZZOU (possibly - I can't remember who they hired), and Georgia will probably drop off a bit, and Vandy and UK are likely to stay bad, so our most direct competition, the SEC east, will likely endure a period of being on the downswing. Additionally, the ACC north is also probably improving in relation to its most direct competition (RU, UMD, and PSU).***
Over the last three years NCST beat only UNC last year (when average) and no others in acc over the last three years but wake, syracuse, and bc. Does beating 11 ooc cupcakes which allows appearance in a low-level bowl and winning against another unranked opponent equal "upswing"? Compare that with UVa over the last three years beating ga tech, duke, miami, pitt, and louisville in acc. Plus beat BYU ooc plus 4 cupcakes. They did not play enough cupcakes to go to a bowl and appear to be a "winner" but I would assert they have been a better team and on more of an upswing than NCST.
UVa admins just tried to land Mark Richt and failed but I am glad that they are at least trying to improve their football product, when I don't think NCST is. I don't know if there is a proven coach out there that can for sure improve UVa's product but we will see. The "good news" for people who just want the appearance of a good product is that over the next three years UVa has a much easier schedule (but still not as wimpy as NCST) and will almost certainly be going to the postseason. Unfortunately someone other than Mike London will get the credit using the decent talent he recruited but finally an easier schedule.
(12-03-2015 02:37 PM)cavman Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 12:13 PM)nzmorange Wrote: [ -> ]A lot is going on, and it might be a good idea to have a thread that covers the topic as a whole.
I, for one, am actually pretty excited. As I see it, the conference is as follows:
HISTORICALLY SOLID
*ND, Clemson, and FSU are obviously set and look to continue to sail into the future.
ON THE UPSWING
*UNC, VT, Miami, and Pitt all look to be on the upswing, either because of coaching changes this year, or because of this season's results.
*UL had a down season, but has a proven coach.
*NCSU is generally on the upswing.
*Duke is very much on the upswing.
COULD BE ON THE UPSWING
*BC is an OC away from being really good.
*Syracuse could go either way, but if we land BGSU's coach, we could be in a strong position.
*GT is a little weird. They have the potential to be good (i.e. last year), but they also have the potential to be bad (i.e. this year). I think that winning the OB was a pretty big deal last year.
QUESTION MARKS
*UVA could go either way, but I don't think that their coaching search looks especially promising (especially if Greasy Greg gets it), and WF is WF.
Overall, I think that the conference is headed in the right direction. There is a distance to go before we get "there," but we're at least making progress relative to everyone else. The PAC 12 had similar hires a couple of years ago, around the time when they first launched their network. I think that we could be following in their footsteps. I can see the next 5-6 years being generally good ones in the ACC (next year might be rough because of all the transitions, but once the new coaches get settled in, there should be gains).
***It's also worth noting that IMHO, USCarolina, MIZZOU (possibly - I can't remember who they hired), and Georgia will probably drop off a bit, and Vandy and UK are likely to stay bad, so our most direct competition, the SEC east, will likely endure a period of being on the downswing. Additionally, the ACC north is also probably improving in relation to its most direct competition (RU, UMD, and PSU).***
Over the last three years NCST beat only UNC last year (when average) and no others in acc over the last three years but wake, syracuse, and bc. Does beating 11 ooc cupcakes which allows appearance in a low-level bowl and winning against another unranked opponent equal "upswing"? Compare that with UVa over the last three years beating ga tech, duke, miami, pitt, and louisville in acc. Plus beat BYU ooc plus 4 cupcakes. They did not play enough cupcakes to go to a bowl and appear to be a "winner" but I would assert they have been a better team and on more of an upswing than NCST.
UVa admins just tried to land Mark Richt and failed but I am glad that they are at least trying to improve their football product, when I don't think NCST is. I don't know if there is a proven coach out there that can for sure improve UVa's product but we will see. The "good news" for people who just want the appearance of a good product is that over the next three years UVa has a much easier schedule (but still not as wimpy as NCST) and will almost certainly be going to the postseason. Unfortunately someone other than Mike London will get the credit using the decent talent he recruited but finally an easier schedule.
I know UVA is an academically elite school, thus making recruiting harder, but they are situated in a fertile recruiting territory. A decent coach could thrive at UVA. I have always wondered why they didn't put as much effort into football as they could have.
Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
Just win baby and the rest takes care of itself!
(12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
(12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
(12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
I don't expect Duke to win 8 every year, but I do expect them to be bowl-eligible and, if they fall to some lesser bowls, actually start winning them.
(12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
For sure. ACC scheduling has favored Duke in recent years. They have not had either FSU or Clemson on their regular season schedule since 2012, and ND has not yet appeared in the 3yr scheduling agreement. That all changes beginning this coming year. That along with the fact that they play mostly cupcakes out of conference and get to have Wake Forest as their permanent crossover opponent explains why they have looked better than others.
Regardless of who the new coach will be for the next three years UVa will be considered "on the upswing" simply because they will not have FSU, Clemson or ND on the schedule although it will always be tougher than Duke's simply because the Louisville permanent crossover is tougher than the Wake crossover that Duke has.
(12-03-2015 11:28 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
I don't expect Duke to win 8 every year, but I do expect them to be bowl-eligible and, if they fall to some lesser bowls, actually start winning them.
I don't even expect them to be bowl eligible every year now. With the ACC's mandate of playing a P5 team OOC every year, in addition to a tougher VT and Miami that may be too much to win 6 games every year.
Next year's schedule is a perfect example. Duke plays at Northwestern and at Notre Dame OOC. They also get Louisville in the crossover. That's in addition to their normal Coastal games against UNC, VT, Miami, Pitt, GT, UVA.
(12-04-2015 11:59 AM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 11:28 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 09:22 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ]Programs who may have a hard time over the next few years: Georgia Tech, UVA (depending on who they hire), Duke, NC State, BC, Syracuse (depending on who they hire)
You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
I don't expect Duke to win 8 every year, but I do expect them to be bowl-eligible and, if they fall to some lesser bowls, actually start winning them.
I don't even expect them to be bowl eligible every year now. With the ACC's mandate of playing a P5 team OOC every year, in addition to a tougher VT and Miami that may be too much to win 6 games every year.
Next year's schedule is a perfect example. Duke plays at Northwestern and at Notre Dame OOC. They also get Louisville in the crossover. That's in addition to their normal Coastal games against UNC, VT, Miami, Pitt, GT, UVA.
Next year is a bit unusual, but Duke has a realistic path to a bowl game:
1 "easy" P5 opponent
3 more "easy" OOCs
beat Wake Forest
beat Virginia or 2nd Atlantic division team
but they pretty much have to go 4-0 out of conference to do it.
(12-04-2015 01:55 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-04-2015 11:59 AM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 11:28 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ]You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
I don't expect Duke to win 8 every year, but I do expect them to be bowl-eligible and, if they fall to some lesser bowls, actually start winning them.
I don't even expect them to be bowl eligible every year now. With the ACC's mandate of playing a P5 team OOC every year, in addition to a tougher VT and Miami that may be too much to win 6 games every year.
Next year's schedule is a perfect example. Duke plays at Northwestern and at Notre Dame OOC. They also get Louisville in the crossover. That's in addition to their normal Coastal games against UNC, VT, Miami, Pitt, GT, UVA.
Next year is a bit unusual, but Duke has a realistic path to a bowl game:
1 "easy" P5 opponent
3 more "easy" OOCs
beat Wake Forest
beat Virginia or 2nd Atlantic division team
but they pretty much have to go 4-0 out of conference to do it.
That is the problem. Look at their next 3 years OOC:
2016
At Northwestern
At Notre Dame
Army
NC Central
2017
Northwestern
Baylor
at Army
NC Central
2018
Army
at Northwestern
at Baylor
Not only do I not see them going 4-0 OOC. Their next three crossover opponents (outside Wake) are Louisville, FSU, and Clemson.
Wake is eventually going to recover as well.
(12-04-2015 01:55 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-04-2015 11:59 AM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 11:28 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:18 PM)jaminandjachin Wrote: [ -> ] (12-03-2015 10:14 PM)uofl05 Wrote: [ -> ]You think Duke? They are recruiting really well and have a great HC. I think they will continue to improve.
I just think they've hit their ceiling. Now with Miami and VT upgrading, it will make it tougher for them to win 8 games.
I don't expect Duke to win 8 every year, but I do expect them to be bowl-eligible and, if they fall to some lesser bowls, actually start winning them.
I don't even expect them to be bowl eligible every year now. With the ACC's mandate of playing a P5 team OOC every year, in addition to a tougher VT and Miami that may be too much to win 6 games every year.
Next year's schedule is a perfect example. Duke plays at Northwestern and at Notre Dame OOC. They also get Louisville in the crossover. That's in addition to their normal Coastal games against UNC, VT, Miami, Pitt, GT, UVA.
Next year is a bit unusual, but Duke has a realistic path to a bowl game:
1 "easy" P5 opponent
3 more "easy" OOCs
beat Wake Forest
beat Virginia or 2nd Atlantic division team
but they pretty much have to go 4-0 out of conference to do it.
don't know what schedule you are looking at but they have to play at ND and at Northwestern plus acc away games at miami, pittsburg and Lousiville. Their last 3 easy years are over.
(12-04-2015 02:09 PM)WakeForestRanger Wrote: [ -> ]Wake is eventually going to recover as well.
Starting next year IMO. Suffering through the past two seasons playing so many youngsters starts to pay off next season. When your top 5 rushers, both QBs and four of your top 5 receivers all have two years or less in college your future is bright.