(11-03-2015 04:45 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  Given the recent developments with the ACCN delay (I still hold out hope that ESPN will come through just because I think they would rather the ACC survive and thrive rather than be picked apart)...

here's a novel idea that Swofford is undoubtedly not smart enough to conjure himself: Conspire to cannibalize the Big12 with the SEC and ESPN. We need 8 votes to dissolve the conference and nullify the GOR. The SEC is negotiating from a position of strength, so let them have the two properties they desire the most: OU and Kansas. The ACC then takes 6 to destroy the Big12: WVU, KState, Okie State, Texas, Baylor, TCU. The elephant in the room is the Longhorn network. Let Texas keep it, but they get zero revenue from the ACCN. The ACC gets subscribers all through Texahoma, Kansas and probably into Missouri. The ACC and SEC get new interconference rivalries with Kansas-KState, OU-OSU, and just maybe Texas-aTm. Iowa State and TTech are hosed, but that's life.

That would result in a 16 team SEC and a 20 team ACC. The ACC would mix and match 5 team pods to form 2 divisions of 10 teams every year. They divide up rather nicely:
BC
Syracuse
Pitt
Louisville
WVU

UVa
VT
UNC
Duke
NCSU

WF
Clemson
GT
FSU
Miami

Texas
TCU
Baylor
OSU
KState

WF gets murdered every year, but WF has a history of being the peacemaker that does what is best for the conference.

That's similar to some of the scenarios we talked about previously. The ACC would benefit most by tag teaming with the SEC to take down the Big 12.

It's probably the simplest plan for both leagues and ESPN to get what they want. Not sure if UNC would go for it, but the others really should just make it happen and save the league for the long term. If UNC doesn't want more power teams in the league then tell them to get over it.

I would propose this alignment:

OU, OSU, KU, TCU to the SEC

UT, Baylor, TT, KSU, ISU, WVU to the ACC

ACC North: BC, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, Louisville(the old Big East basically)
ACC West: UT, Baylor, TT, KSU, ISU
ACC Atlantic: UVA, VT, UNC, Duke, NC State
ACC South: FSU, Miami, GT, Clemson, Wake

It would be a pretty good league actually.