thinking analogy, However, I doubt wishful thinking can overcome cold hard cash which is what the TV contracts provide SEC and Big 10 members. I also am skeptical that adding ND and either UK or PSU would propel the ACC contract to equivalence with either the Big 10 or SEC. It would get them closer and the question would be how much closer and whether the difference was negligible enough to make a switch. I think the albatross around the ACC's neck is that it lacks the huge stadiums and rabid fan bases that drive the large institutions in both the SEC and Big 10. At present only Clemson and FSU approach that and adding ND and either UK or PSU gets the ACC at best two more.

I agree with your preference for contraction and a round robin schedule as well, however, I am not sure what the impact would be on the actual inventory of games for TV and the impact on conference geographic footprints that effect cable carriage deals. So much is now going on in the business side of college sports and you throw in the new economic challenges created by COVID and I think the collegiate model that most of us have known for the better part of our lives is rapidly moving toward a massive change. I am not optimistic those changes will be for the better from a fan perspective.