I am in no way/no form suggesting ESPN will throw its hands up in the air at their problems. However, it's an incredibly reach to look at these two factors and determine Texas will join the ACC. That's an unfounded claim by folks hell bent on keeping us loyal to the poorly run ACC.

The Longhorn Network is profitably beginning this year and it is expected to remain profitable throughout the duration of its CONTRACT. Texas U isn't folding and Disney/ABC/ESPN is not folding in the next 10-15 years. As long as there is an ESPN, they will pay Texas what they are owed.

Furthermore, ESPN seems willing to pay the $2million per ACC school each year thus far. Obviously, they do not feel they can take the gamble on an ACC Network. I don't get it either. Perhaps Raycom and FSN are asking too much for the content that they now own. Perhaps Swofford is looking for another company one of his other kids works for to entwine in this affair. Perhaps ESPN is on a budget from Disney, and they feel they would rather sink money into the B1G instead of throwing more money the ACC's way. Maybe ESPN doesn't like its current contract with the ACC and would rather see the ACC implode.

I'm not sure. However, it most definitely seems ESPN is in no sort of hurry to get an ACCNetwork up and running. It has already been stated that it will not be operating for the 2017 season.

Anyhow, this ESPN forcing Texas into the ACC due to the LHN talk is just silly. If the Big12 imploded, I feel Texas has 4 other options that are more desirable than the ACC. They could join Oklahoma in whichever league they go to. They fit much better in the B1G, SEC or a Texas/New Mexico/Arizona division of the Pac12. Heck, I could see Texas just going the independent route instead of joining the ACC. They could agree to play ND, Oklahoma, Texas AandM, Baylor and Texas Tech every year and then sing a couple home and homes to make it a pretty solid yearly schedule. They have their own network.