Why would PSU take a pay cut and go to less stable, less prestigious conference? I acknowledge that you state it as unlikely, but I'm curious as why you think it is even worth mentioning.
Woohoo! I get to indulge my dream scenario!!!
1) Pay Cut - Not as significant as you might think. First, BIG pay bump with new contract would take a significant hit losing a national draw like Penn State. Second, ACC pay bump would be huge with the addition of ND and Penn State. An ACC Network would happen and would need to be on in every major market in the Northeast. Basically, suddenly the BIG isn't getting $50 mil a year and the ACC jumps into the high $30's.
2) Less Stable - Not at all, if ND and Penn State join. No current ACC member is leaving a 16 team ACC with ND and Penn State and a network on the way. None. Stability issues are immediately fixed.
3) Less Prestigious - Academic prestige is just as solid, just more liberal arts and less research oriented. Currently a significant athletic disparity, but not as much if you add PSU and ND to the ACC. Then ACC Football has ND, PSU, FSU, Clemson, GT, Louisville, VT, Miami... Looking pretty prestigious.
People always completely dismiss Penn State to the ACC because they're comparing the current ACC to the current BIG (which is a big, big difference). BUT you should be considering the potential (and much stronger )ACC compared to the potential (and weakened) BIG.
All this is just to say that for Penn State, it's not as big of a risk/downgrade as you might think. As for motivations:
- Lots of animosity with BIG brass in recent history (Paterno etc.)
- More cultural ties to East Coast and more fans on East Coast.
- Better "rivals:" Prestige games against OSU and UM are replaced by ND, FSU, Clemson, etc. Remainder of conference schedule gets upgrade with Pitt, VT, SU and BC replacing Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland. Much more history there.
- Better chance of returning to glory. Penn State has a tough task dominating a division with UM, MSU and Ohio State. But a division with ND, VT, BC, SU, Pitt, etc sure looks easier.
Oh, god, I need a tissue. So good. Sooooo goood. I never get to indulge that fantasy anymore...