1. If OU, UT, and KU can somehow break themselves free of their in-state brethren, why wouldn't they then go to the B1G rather than the ACC? I think all three of these schools would rather be in the B1G. And OU in particular could renew its rivalry with Nebraska. The angle for the ACC is to allow the straphangers to join them (I'm thinking OkSt and KSU in particular).

2. ND might be enticed to join FT if UT and OU join. But UT and OU might only be interested if ND is already a FT member. So they might need to all come in together somehow.

Between ND, the ACC, and the BigXII there are 25 teams. Presumably, because of in-state politics and GORs, not to mention tradition and common decency, all these schools are going to need homes. Just as you are justifiably upset about contraction talk re: Wake, the same can be said about the Big XII relationships with schools like Iowa State. So a home is needed to be found for all of them. And I can't see the ACC being able to cherry pick UT-OU-KU while thinking the other major conference will pick up the leftovers.

My solution to this last point is to shop some of the more desirable teams of the 25 out to conferences that would take them. For example, I think the SEC would be very interested in NCSt and VT. And I'm certain both of these schools would be interested in the B1G if the sentiment was reciprocated. Obviously the ACC-XII won't want to give up the blue chippers (UNC, ND, UT, FSU etc.). They also want to keep at least one school from as many states as possible (like keeping Syracuse for NY for instance). And presumably the other conferences aren't interested in taking on Iowa State. But what if the ACC could work out a deal to unload, say, 5 schools that are attractive to other conference, but don't shrink the new footprint or allow the blue chippers to leave, then the number would be down to a far more manageable 20.




[Post edited by Maroon Baboon at 06/09/2016 10:18AM]