In terms of academics, you could say W&M is doing just fine with its reputation and relevance even though W&M doesn't compete in the same football subdivision as VT and UVA. GMU made great strides in academics during the late 1990s/early 2000s even though it is a DI non-football school. Right now USF is ranked #140 and UCF is ranked #171 nationally in USN&WR (I just arbitrarily picked that ranking). If both schools managed to move their academic rankings into the 60s or 70s, then I could see both schools on the ACC's radar. The ACC probably wouldn't take a closer look at either school until they became consistently good (aka ranked) in football, basketball, baseball, softball, track, lacrosse, soccer, and maybe a few other non-revenue sports.

At that point the ACC may have to consider whether it would want to give another power conference a foothold in the state of FL or not. Also, it may depend on how future conference realignment plays out and/or whether some schools decide to turn their athletic department into a professional sports organization (see the history of Club Universidad de Chile). If enough schools or even conferences decide they want to go the professional route, then it is possible the ACC may decide not to join them for whatever reason. At that point the "rules" for conference expansion could change from how they are now. Even if no school (outside of BYU men's soccer) decide to go the professional route, the rules could still change because the dynamics of TV contracts and GORs have changed at some point.


[Post edited by VTHokie2000 at 12/01/2017 1:28PM]