(03-24-2020 12:57 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Let’s say that Penn St move to the ACC and it’s followed up by Florida St for a 10 team conference.

Miami plus another add in 2004 or even sooner seems sensible. Your candidate pool is likely VT, Cuse, BC, with outside chances for Pitt. I think the two worth the best shot are VT (VA state politics) and Cuse (Penn St being a huge motivator to join.

Regardless of who #12 is, the ranks of the eastern independents are pretty depleted:

Rutgers, Temple, Pitt, BC, WVU, VT/Cuse

If you had PSU and FSU in the ACC, then in 2004 "Miami plus another add" means Miami and Virginia Tech, no Syracuse or anyone else. Probably Boston College or Connecticut joins with Syracuse in 2011. Remember BC wouldn't be able to block Syracuse if they weren't a member. Back in 2004 UConn didn't have FBS football at all so BC was obvious over Connecticut in 2004 but they did in 2011 and did win the Big East one year and when Syracuse was admitted UConn was the men's basketball national champions. Imagine if UConn and BC were in the Big East together playing each other in football. What if UConn were better? One advantage Boston College had was they were pretty tight with Miami. Then Maryland never leaves. Pittsburgh and Louisville probably remain out.