The ACC could have done a couple things differently.

1. Add WVU instead of BC when it decided to expand to 12.

2. Based on #1, decide to not use the same divisions for basketball scheduling too. If the ACC had done that, then the football divisions could have looked like this with the protected pairings.

Atlantic/Coastal
WVU-UMD
VT-UVA
Wake-Duke
NC State-UNC
Clemson-GT
FSU-Miami or Miami-FSU (take your pick here)

3. Then when the ACC expanded to 14 members, the divisions could have looked like this (with protected pairings)

Atlantic/Coastal
Pitt-Syracuse
WVU-UMD
VT-UVA
Wake-Duke
NC State-UNC
Clemson-GT
FSU-Miami or Miami-FSU (take your pick here)

Even if UMD had decided to leave the ACC for the Big Ten, then the ACC could have replaced UMD with either L'ville or BC. If it was L'ville, then the pairings could remain the same. If it was BC, then BC could have been paired with Syracuse and WVU could have been paired with Pitt (assuming Pitt moved to the Coastal).

4. Not wait so long to launch the ACCN. If ESPN was going to drag its feet, then shop around to see if another network would be willing to launch the network sooner.

5. Not sign a RSN contract with Fox Sports if it plans to launch the ACCN. A RSN contract only takes away content that could be broadcast on the ACCN.

6. Not agree to a special arrangement with Notre Dame. If a school isn't fully committed to being a member of the ACC in the 2 revenue sports, then it shouldn't be a member of the conference particularly if the ACC is determined to be a power conference.

7. If the ACC still ended up getting into bed with ESPN regarding the ACCN, then yes sign a shorter contract.

8. Realize the importance of football a lot sooner and stop holding on to the "basketball-first" mentality.

9. Ask Swofford to retire a lot sooner or fire him if he was unwilling to accept that football is more important than basketball and that the ACC needs to embrace a "football-first" mentality if it wishes to remain a power conference.

(In response to this post by Colonel Jessup)

Posted: 02/12/2022 at 06:04AM

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More Fluff, but good if you want to get mad at Swarbrick -- goldendomer 02/09/2022 11:05AM

"Jack (Swarbrick ND AD) tried to swindle us into going for it. -- Stech 02/11/2022 7:57PM

Swarbrick is just looking out for ND which is his job, but... -- Hokester 02/09/2022 5:55PM

Unfortunately, the ACC probably came to the realization too late to repair -- VTHokie2000 02/09/2022 6:30PM

What could the ACC have done to alter the pecking order -- Colonel Jessup 02/11/2022 2:06PM

The ACC could have done a couple things differently. -- VTHokie2000 02/12/2022 06:04AM

And you know most folks are are counting it, WILL BE DEAD AS well -- Mercury 02/10/2022 8:09PM

The schools may care because the realization could influence any -- VTHokie2000 02/11/2022 02:09AM

2031-32 I think rumblings will start. ** -- goldendomer 02/10/2022 2:08PM

That's probably a reasonable target date. Although I could see it -- VTHokie2000 02/10/2022 2:11PM

Glad to see Swarbrick catch some strays. Always seemed like an arsehole. -- Hokie 04 02/09/2022 1:09PM

The ACC could have done a couple things differently.

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