I was trying to think what could be a realistic homerun for the ACC to not only try to compete w/ the SEC and Big Ten but also improve financially and make it the place that VT would want to stay. Would the following additions produce this?

Notre Dame
Penn State
West Virginia
Maryland
Kansas
Oklahoma State
(20 team league - 4 "divisions or pods" of 5 teams they play each other every year, then play one of the other pods every three years

I feel that ND is a must as has been discussed - I am wondering if the playoff expansion gets delayed based on conferences bickering over one another with realignment. If so, does that press ND to move to the ACC? Would Penn State help with their decision (or any other teams)?

Penn State - To be honest, I don't see how Penn State leaves the $$$ from the Big Ten, unless they get an agreement from ND to join the ACC and the Big Ten doesn't change after the SEC additions. Maybe the fan base that wants to re-kindle some of the rivalries with the ACC schools have big $$$, then who knows...

West Virginia - Pure football move, though bball has been holding steady in the top 25. I think it adds to the rivalries of schools in the ACC - I think if the ACC has a certain number of schools they are trying to get, WVU is included.

Maryland - A mixture of Penn State/WV thoughts - does Maryland over look $$$ to get back in the ACC with old rivals? Does the ACC want them? Does having them help financially being close to DC/Balt areas? If the ACC is also looking to round out to a certain number and Maryland wants out of Big Ten...maybe...and maybe Penn Sate would like to bring MD along...not sure why.

Kansas - I am not sure how the ACC feels about the remaining 8 Big XII schools minus WVU - I think if you take one, you have to at least take a second for a "traveling" partner. I see Kansas to "appease" the bball schools. Kansas has shown within the past 15 years it knows how to play football. I am just not sure if recent football deterioration plays a big part when school presidents/conferences look at realignment. Does Kansas draw enough TV/streaming viewers to warrant them into the ACC? Would the ACC like to go that far west?

Oklahoma State - I initially would have included a Texas traveling partner, but I don't see Baylor or TCU as a good choice to pull Texas viewership - and Texas Tech is too far west as a loner. I also would not pull Kansas State if you are bringing in Kansas - need to spread things out a little.

Would adding these 6 teams stretch the ACC a little too far? Would you just hope for Penn St/ND additions, or add a couple to get to 18, whether WV/MD or Kan/Ok St? Would you want to add any Texas schools that are left over? Would you want to go into NJ and bring Rutgers in if they would want to leave? Or, would you take four other Big XII schools not named WVU?

My worry would be the ACC gets whatever they are "allowed" with only being able to grab a few XII schools, but not a big enough move to increase $$$.