I do get your well-made point. Nobody in the NE cares about college football, outside of PSU and ND. I blame that on Syracuse and BC, and - to a much lessor extent - UConn.
Syracuse isn't in a professional sports market: they are the only game in town (not in the state, but in town). VT moves the needle in DC, but Syracuse doesn't do a thing in NY. As one poster said, they draw almost as well for BB as FB. They used to be good. Where did the fans go? I showed up at VT games when they were bad: Syracuse fans don't. (Note: I know it's been a long time since they were badI was there for that).
I'd say the same for BC, as they are really "Boston" in name only. Chestnut Hill is pretty far out. But fans? They don't seem to be able to fill that silly band-box of a stadium half the time. It's hard to create a rivalry if no one is watching, regardless who wins.
But I don't feel sorry for Syracuse or BC: they are in a conference that they don't deserve to be in.
I do feel sorry for ECU and WVU. And even though I hate the latter and the academics aren't where the administrators might like, I'd prefer them in the ACC over BC/Syracuse. Why? Because they have passion.
I suppose I can concede that the Ivy isn't a stopgap for the ACC's shortcomings in the Northeast. But the ACC certainly does have shortcomings in the Northeast.
And I don't understand why. Aren't these students and alums all about their schools? Lord's sake, I even know Wahoos who root for UVA after graduating!!! Now that is loyalty! Many have never seen their team win a game!!!
[Post edited by Alicks at 04/21/2018 5:35PM]