The ACC needs to take an old school approach to its expanding conference. The inclusion of Syracuse and Pittsburgh on Sunday ends the long premise of a southern conference linked through regional heritage. The ACC soon will have five Big East refugees with probably two more coming. There are nearly enough Big East schools to start a separate division.
Indeed, if the ACC is determined to sell itself for more TV money, then create two divisions with longtime and founding members in one and newcomers in another to retain most of the traditional rivalries in both.
Maryland, Clemson, Duke, N.C. State, North Carolina and Wake Forest were charter members in 1953, with Virginia joining soon after. Georgia Tech was added in 1978. They should remain in one division.
Florida State (1991) along with former Big East members Virginia Tech (2004), Miami (2004) and Boston College (2005) can be matched with Pittsburgh and Syracuse plus two future additions in another division.
The old members would be tougher in basketball, while the new ones would dominate football. But over the years, things change. Who would have guessed Miami wouldn’t manhandle the ACC?
At least this system provides familiarity and continues rivalries. Otherwise, Maryland may have seasons with no Duke or North Carolina games. If that happens, sell the basketball team to Under Armour, too, for all anyone cares.
Talk of creating divisions by geography is purely North Carolina-centric and simply spins off Maryland with the northern schools. But Maryland fans don’t want Syracuse and Pittsburgh coming to Comcast Center if it’s at the cost of Duke, North Carolina and Virginia. Include 18 conference games in basketball — 14 against division opponents and four vs. the other division, changing teams every two years. Who cares if that means two fewer nonconference games against Morgan State and Davidson.
The next ACC expansion teams are probably Big East members Connecticut and Rutgers. Notre Dame would be a grand addition, but its high TV revenues as an independent school make it unlikely. Georgetown isn’t enticing because it doesn’t have a major football program and Maryland already covers the Washington market.
The new super conference ensures the ACC not only will continue but thrive. Smaller schools are being demoted nationally so the rich get richer.
Expansion may be largely about football TV money, but the ACC is about basketball. Sure, this deal enables Virginia Tech and Florida State to seek a national football title. However, the ACC will remain the dominant basketball conference nationally, while the Big East seems on the verge of disappearing.
Frankly, ACC expansion is distasteful, but if it must happen, then at least guarantee schools and their fans that the rivalries will continue.
After all, where would Maryland basketball be without Duke to hate?
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
