the reason OLH said it may ruffle some feathers is because they may feel like they have egg on their face because the data doesn't definitely support their opinion. Particularly I referring to conference expansion candidate discussions, whether with the media/public or on message boards, and they automatically reject that candidate because they believe the candidate is "inferior" for academic reasons. Also, I am referring to discussions about why a school would or wouldn't want to join a particular conference and the usage of academic rankings to support their position.

Some could say that the really hardcore loyalist have an elitist attitude, even with VT prior to the Hokies joining the ACC, about the ACC's rank and importance in academia and research. Also, you could say that the addition of Louisville makes it more difficult for the hardcore loyalist to maintain that elitist attitude especially when discussing why a potential candidate wouldn't be a good "fit" to be a member of the ACC.