CBS: Expansion to 14 by ACC thus week, unlikely to 16 | Page 2 | The Boneyard

CBS: Expansion to 14 by ACC thus week, unlikely to 16

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I think there's a couple things at play with UL fans and some of the media. For one thing UL has been more hyped this season, earlier it looked like the season was setting up to possibly have Rutgers and UL undefeated at the end of the season. The lack of recent success in the Pasqualoni era has hurt UConn's perception after the BCS appearance under Edsall (some UConn fans think the fact that we backed into the Fiesta and didn't acquit ourselves well is a factor, I think that's far enough in the past that it's not the main thing shaping perception. Plus if you look at the tape, there was a point in the 4th quarter where if ZF could have managed to drive and get a TD, we would have been down only 7 and who knows.... but I digress).

But on top of that, you have to consider that Louisville is a Southern school. Okay, being on the Ohio river they aren't as quite southern as other states but that seems to be the cultural fit coming into play. IMHO that is the real reason FSU and Clemson want Louisville over another northern team which will shift the political balance further away from them. Maybe FSU and Clemson think that having less southern membership hurts their recruiting (I think that's BS). I think UL's quote-unquote football prowess is 50% based on potential, not real achievement, and 50% code for southern-ness.
 
It's head to head. Based on what we've seen to date I don't expect to win. Please be wrong.
 
I think UConn gets the nod, and I also think this is a terrible plan by the ACC. The "we can get them later" approach is part of why instability has spread beyond the Big East. It is incredibly damaging to programs, as the ACC learned this weekend going 0-4 against the SEC with all 4 losses by 10+ points. It needs to pick a league, and stick with it. Waiting to get picked off is telling the world they are going to get picked off.

It is also a signal that ESPN is not budging on the contract, which, if true, is a show stopper.
 
Marty Jackson said:
Not a dumb question, just something we've been debating since last week.
The response was typical from the boneyard

Welcome aboard.
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Don't fret Willy...as Marty suggests, the Boneyard loves to eat its young...
 
Does anyone know who is on the ACC 4-4-4 expansion committee? I believe last time we got screwed because it included Shalala and deFellipo.
 
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This series of posts is the Xanax thread. I'll go out on a limb here. Do any of you seriously think that Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, UVA, BCU (yes, those guys), NC State, GT, VT or even Clemson want UL. Outside of FSU and Miami I cannot think of any no votes for us. In fact, if Miami is rational, they wouldn't not vote for us either. UConn gets offered, 9-2 with positive vibes from both SU and Pitt. There is no way that UL could possibly get 9 votes from the ACC's current make up unless Papa John promises free pizza for all ACC fans for life.
 
The case can and should be made that Uconn and Maryland are basically the same school. Football wise they are on the same footing. Uconn is a better basketball program by a decent amount over the last quarter century. Academically when you look at the US News ranking tied at #58 are Fordham, SMU, Syracuse, Pitt and.......Maryland. The very next school on the list at 63 is.......wait for it, wait for it......The University of Connecticut. Drop down 100 more spots to 160 and you have University of Maryland-Baltimore County tied with......Louisville. Schools rated ahead of UL are UMaine, UAB, URI, NJIT, etc. Does the ACC want to go down that road academically? Uconn and Maryland are so similar in so many ways. Top 65 schools with very solid athletics. I think the case should be made to the FSU's of the league that getting Uconn doesn't change anything and getting UL dramatically shifts the way they are looking at academics and will also never made them the SEC or the Big Ten (see yesterday's Uconn/UL football score). We may discount the academic side of things but the Presidents and faculty reps take that very seriously. I liked the part of the article where the source noted that the academics will be important - if that is true then there is no debate in this argument.

Like I said above - Uconn/Maryland are extremely close when you consider the entire package.
 
1husky said:
Does anyone know who is on the ACC 4-4-4 expansion committee? I believe last time we got screwed because it included Shalala and deFellipo.
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Last year the FSU AD, Randy Spetman, was on it.
 
junglehusky said:
I think there's a couple things at play with UL fans and some of the media. For one thing UL has been more hyped this season, earlier it looked like the season was setting up to possibly have Rutgers and UL undefeated at the end of the season. The lack of recent success in the Pasqualoni era has hurt UConn's perception after the BCS appearance under Edsall (some UConn fans think the fact that we backed into the Fiesta and didn't acquit ourselves well is a factor, I think that's far enough in the past that it's not the main thing shaping perception. Plus if you look at the tape, there was a point in the 4th quarter where if ZF could have managed to drive and get a TD, we would have been down only 7 and who knows.... but I digress).

But on top of that, you have to consider that Louisville is a Southern school. Okay, being on the Ohio river they aren't as quite southern as other states but that seems to be the cultural fit coming into play. IMHO that is the real reason FSU and Clemson want Louisville over another northern team which will shift the political balance further away from them. Maybe FSU and Clemson think that having less southern membership hurts their recruiting (I think that's BS). I think UL's quote-unquote football prowess is 50% based on potential, not real achievement, and 50% code for southern-ness.
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Great explanation. And Oky was on fire when we played them. Speed on offense hurt us where we were weakest. Who would have beaten them? Louisville?
 
I think being in the acc will help recruiting an it would be a lot easier to develop our football than to improve their academics
 
If we get the nod by one vote someone needs to write a folk song about the legend of Johnny McEntee. His name happens to rhyme with ACC.

I can't understand why they don't just finish the Big East off and take three schools. These conferences like to torture their victim.
 
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I thought this line was interesting:

The league feels well-prepared for realignment talk after dealing with the additions of Pitt and Syracuse just 14 months ago, according to a source.
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Maybe they're "well-prepared for realignment talk" because they just considered us on the merits about 14 months ago? For the record, I did not hear any discussion of adding Louisville at the time they added Syracuse and Pitt.
 
Gurleyman said:
They can offer a package of free Louisville Sluggers and primo Kentucky Derby tickets. So far, we've only come back with discount insurance. We need to get them to the Dairy Bar.


Sent from my BlackBerry 9930 using Tapatalk
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You forgot the mint juleps.
 
The article on which this thread is based is just total space filler. There is absolutly no information or even anything worth speculating about let alone fretting about. All the Louisville cheerleading can't erace academics, demographics, or geography all of which favor UConn by a significant amount.

Geography - One move from the B1G (adding UConn and any other team) and the ACC risks total viewership isolation for BC, and Syracuse with New England and NYC becoming total B1G country.

Academics - The ACC presidents, who have the final vote, would have to throw aside all academic standards which unlike the SEC, have ALWAYS been of great importance to most of the ACC. Duke, Wake, UVA, BC, and at one time UNC are the academic standard bearers and importantly, Syracuse and Pitt used academics as one of the strong reasons for their move. Louisville goes against all the standards on which the ACC prides itself. There is one simple question I would love to ask the presidents of these institutions and other Louisville leaners in the ACC....."How would Louisville's football team look if they had the same academic admission standards as your school?" Bottomline, can enough Presidents hold their collective noses and vote in Louisville which would go against all that they strive for as leaders of quality academic institutions?

Demographics - population and TV viewership have been discussed frequently, but I will stress that while the Hartford-New Haven numbers are 30th in the country, UConn much longer tenticles than Louisville. UConn has strong fan support and viewership in Fairfield County, NYC and other parts of NE. Additionally, UConn to the ACC would re-spark significant interest from the greater Boston area (BC rivalry) and upstate NY (Syracuse rivalry). Louisville on the otherhand has a pocket of strong support in and around Louisville, but it drops dramatically outside the city. UK dominates the bulk of the state as any flagship institution should.

The great thing about academics, demographics and geography is that they are relatively permanent attributes. Louisville pins their hopes on a "aggressive AD" who could leave at a moment's notice and a "strong football and basketball product" which UConn matches quite nicely.
 
Willy Gee said:
please, someone make the case for Louisville over UConn. I just don't see how there is a debate.
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The board is rightfully nervous. Last round UConn should have been selected over Pitt and Cuse but bad blood ( and fear of being second fiddle in NE) allowed BC to deep six UConn's chances into the ACC. So to answer your question there is no rational case for Louisville over UConn, just irrational or emotional answers.

Best thing is to ignore this forum if you get easily upset by all the ups and downs of peoples chatter. Otherwise grab a beer and watch the process. Nothing any of us can do about events so hope for the best but expect the possibility of the worse.
 
UConnRock said:
The article on which this thread is based is just total space filler. There is absolutly no information or even anything worth speculating about let alone fretting about. All the Louisville cheerleading can't erace academics, demographics, or geography all of which favor UConn by a significant amount.

Geography - One move from the B1G (adding UConn and any other team) and the ACC risks total viewership isolation for BC, and Syracuse with New England and NYC becoming total B1G country.

Academics - The ACC presidents, who have the final vote, would have to throw aside all academic standards which unlike the SEC, have ALWAYS been of great importance to most of the ACC. Duke, Wake, UVA, BC, and at one time UNC are the academic standard bearers and importantly, Syracuse and Pitt used academics as one of the strong reasons for their move. Louisville goes against all the standards on which the ACC prides itself. There is one simple question I would love to ask the presidents of these institutions and other Louisville leaners in the ACC....."How would Louisville's football team look if they had the same academic admission standards as your school?" Bottomline, can enough Presidents hold their collective noses and vote in Louisville which would go against all that they strive for as leaders of quality academic institutions?

Demographics - population and TV viewership have been discussed frequently, but I will stress that while the Hartford-New Haven numbers are 30th in the country, UConn much longer tenticles than Louisville. UConn has strong fan support and viewership in Fairfield County, NYC and other parts of NE. Additionally, UConn to the ACC would re-spark significant interest from the greater Boston area (BC rivalry) and upstate NY (Syracuse rivalry). Louisville on the otherhand has a pocket of strong support in and around Louisville, but it drops dramatically outside the city. UK dominates the bulk of the state as any flagship institution should.

The great thing about academics, demographics and geography is that they are relatively permanent attributes. Louisville pins their hopes on a "aggressive AD" who could leave at a moment's notice and a "strong football and basketball product" which UConn matches quite nicely.
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Our cheerleaders have actually improved a lot this year; not just the dance team, but the traditional cheerleaders too.

Otherwise I agree 100%, especially your opening: "The article on which this thread is based is just total space filler. There is absolutly no information or even anything worth speculating about let alone fretting about". 100% true.
 
Rock - i agree with you 100%.

I toured UNC fb board at scout and I was very surprised that they favor UL about 3 -1 over UConn, or maybe i was just viewing the posts made by southern dumb hammerheads.

Only interesting thing I can add is certain ACC people were at work today in Greensboro - so maybe this week news will be made. If an ACC bid comes UConn should spend some money and put a huge welcome to the ACC sign in Times Square.
 
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Jimdish255 said:
Great explanation. And Oky was on fire when we played them. Speed on offense hurt us where we were weakest. Who would have beaten them? Louisville?
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I remember that game was 34-20 early in 4th and we almost had a first down that would have put ball on the Oklahoma 20 or so. Their DB reached in and dislodged the ball from our WR's hands on the way down, and the drive stalled. No guarantee we score with that catch, but if we did, the collars might have gotten tight on the other side at 34-27.

Instead they go the length of field for a ridiculously tough catch for a TD, then and a pick six to make it 48-20, and the "blowout" label was able to take hold.

Granted we needed a break or two on a pick six and a kickoff return to hang in there, but that's football.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9930 using Tapatalk
 
RMoore1999 said:
Our cheerleaders have actually improved a lot this year; not just the dance team, but the traditional cheerleaders too.

Otherwise I agree 100%, especially your opening: "The article on which this thread is based is just total space filler. There is absolutly no information or even anything worth speculating about let alone fretting about". 100% true.
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The article quotes a source in the ACC as saying they aren't going to 16 teams.
 
Think we are in the driver's seat if the report is accurate (though personally i don't trust this writer).

1. UConn has already been vetted by the ACC. We were supposed to be team #14 after SU.

2. ACC always touts its academics, so what will their justification be for adding Louisville, an institution that is not even in the ballpark with the ACCs weakest academic schools? UConn and UL are fairly similar in many respects (facilities, commitment to Olympic sports, basketball). They might have a slightly stronger football program, but we have better Academics, TV Market, Geography and the dominant program in the NCAA's third most covered sport (women's basketball).

3. BC and Miami has taught the ACC that good teams in football can become bad quickly and vice versa.

4. B1G expanded based on TV markets. ACC expanded the last time based on TV markets (and to a degree Academics). Why would they completely change this strategy to add a school that is marginally more accomplished in football than UConn?

Only way I see UL getting in is if schools like FSU and Clemson threaten to leave the conference if UL is not added, but I just don't think UL is that respected a football program where FSU and Clemson's presidents would cause that type of stir.
 
Mitch McConnell apparently has done a lot of lobbying for Louisville on a lot of fronts as well.
 
A Houston fan on another board (CSNbbs) says we are the pick, heard from " a major network source." So la de da.

He later confirmed that he has personally heard this from a major network source, and he is as well-regarded as anyone else over there. I don't really follow internet poster reputations, but I choose to believe him.
 
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uconNYC said:
Think we are in the driver's seat if the report is accurate (though personally i don't trust this writer).

1. UConn has already been vetted by the ACC. We were supposed to be team #14 after SU.

2. ACC always touts its academics, so what will their justification be for adding Louisville, an institution that is not even in the ballpark with the ACCs weakest academic schools? UConn and UL are fairly similar in many respects (facilities, commitment to Olympic sports, basketball). They might have a slightly stronger football program, but we have better Academics, TV Market, Geography and the dominant program in the NCAA's third most covered sport (women's basketball).

3. BC and Miami has taught the ACC that good teams in football can become bad quickly and vice versa.

4. B1G expanded based on TV markets. ACC expanded the last time based on TV markets (and to a degree Academics). Why would they completely change this strategy to add a school that is marginally more accomplished in football than UConn?

Only way I see UL getting in is if schools like FSU and Clemson threaten to leave the conference if UL is not added, but I just don't think UL is that respected a football program where FSU and Clemson's presidents would cause that type of stir.
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Plus the UConn fans in the room who are voting can just say to FSU and Clemson, you mean that UL football team that just lost at home to UConn :)
 
I keep hoping that it is all 3. Just 1 team both a) introduces the risk it isn't UConn, and b) feels like the ACC is no better off than the Big East.
 
8893 said:
Mitch McConnell apparently has done a lot of lobbying for Louisville on a lot of fronts as well.
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Good. Did he make it his "top priority"? I hope so. He's got a pretty bad track record with those.
 
junglehusky said:
I think there's a couple things at play with UL fans and some of the media. For one thing UL has been more hyped this season, earlier it looked like the season was setting up to possibly have Rutgers and UL undefeated at the end of the season. The lack of recent success in the Pasqualoni era has hurt UConn's perception after the BCS appearance under Edsall (some UConn fans think the fact that we backed into the Fiesta and didn't acquit ourselves well is a factor, I think that's far enough in the past that it's not the main thing shaping perception. Plus if you look at the tape, there was a point in the 4th quarter where if ZF could have managed to drive and get a TD, we would have been down only 7 and who knows.... but I digress).

But on top of that, you have to consider that Louisville is a Southern school. Okay, being on the Ohio river they aren't as quite southern as other states but that seems to be the cultural fit coming into play. IMHO that is the real reason FSU and Clemson want Louisville over another northern team which will shift the political balance further away from them. Maybe FSU and Clemson think that having less southern membership hurts their recruiting (I think that's BS). I think UL's quote-unquote football prowess is 50% based on potential, not real achievement, and 50% code for southern-ness.
Expand ...


Everyone is forgetting Louisville's one trump card which cannot be overcome...they've got Johnny Unitas and nobody else does! His statute stands proudly outside of their Pizza Bowl Stadium. JohnnyU and pizza? Fuhgeddaboutit! The Cards are an ACC lock...:cool:
 
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