Rumor from the .

[kyleslamb]

Yep, was just in Atlanta for a week and I would say 95% of the college sportswear down there was Georgia/Alabama/Florida/Auburn

As an Atlanta resident myself, I will echo this. Technically speaking, Atlanta is fairly neutral as it's mostly a transient city. It's a hub for people from all over the country, especially the south. It actually has a huge Ohio State alumni base. That said, I'd say Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and Ohio State are the schools you most see represented down here. You rarely, if ever, see ACC gear around outside of Tech students and the occasional Carolina Blue. Even with Tech, there's not as strong a pull in the city as you might imagine because like the city, Tech is a transient school with a large out of state enrollment and a lot of grads leave town when they graduate.

 

[B1GALUM]

Sorry, I just now saw this post.

As people might know, I've probably been outspoken about UConn as a possible candidate in Big Ten expansion longer than anyone. I don't have any new insight as to the status, but as of a year ago, the Big Ten was keeping an eye on the progress being made in upgrading the research arm. UConn has forged some excellent friendships in academic circles with Virginia, Illinois and Ohio State as well as Michigan. Virginia is key because there are a lot of folks in B1G circles that envision that pair as being 15 & 16 when the Maryland stuff settles. Oh, sure, Virginia will continue to say publicly it's committed to the ACC and in an ideal world, that's true... but it's going to listen when the time is right.

If Ohio State and Michigan both get on board for someone, it carries a lot of clout in the league. I think UConn is a real possibility in the next few years. Right now, the league is just taking its time and making sure Rutgers and Maryland are settled and it wants to see what happens with the exit fee. The Grant of Rights, I maintain, is not the deterrent people think, though the league is probably focused on eastern expansion for now.

I understand the Big Ten's interest in the University of Virginia. The UVA poster on this board, btstimpy, will tell you that UVA has no interest in the Big Ten and is content to remain in the ACC regardless of the outcome of the Maryland-ACC lawsuit. Based on your following of conference realignment, is there any evidence that UVA actually has an interest in the Big Ten aside from message board speculation? If yes, then why agree to an increased exit fee and GOR for the ACC?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This started as a good thread, and has morphed into one of the worst in the history of this board.

 

[FDNY99]

This started as a good thread, and has morphed into one of the worst in the history of this board.

You can't be serious....

 

[pj]

This started as a good thread, and has morphed into one of the worst in the history of this board.

Nelson, you could post in any thread, and make that a true statement.

 

[pj]

I understand the Big Ten's interest in the University of Virginia. The UVA poster on this board, btstimpy, will tell you that UVA has no interest in the Big Ten and is content to remain in the ACC regardless of the outcome of the Maryland-ACC lawsuit. Based on your following of conference realignment, is there any evidence that UVA actually has an interest in the Big Ten aside from message board speculation? If yes, then why agree to an increased exit fee and GOR for the ACC?

I wonder if we'll find that the GoR has a trap door escape eg if ESPN doesn't produce a network, revenue doesn't match other conferences, or something. That came together awfully quickly and looked like it was half-motivated by public relations trying to tamp down speculation that the ACC was on the verge of breaking up. If the purpose was PR, it's not likely the schools would have avoided including escape hatches.

 

[Stinger92860]

The ignore option is a beautiful thing.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

You can't be serious....

I can't come up with a thread that is worse in terms of pure inanity.

We have a bunch of fans of other schools arguing Virginia athletics for the last 3 pages. There have been threads that have devolved into joke threads, but the posters who have put together the last 3 pages are completely serious.

 

[FDNY99]

I can't come up with a thread that is worse in terms of pure inanity.

We have a bunch of fans of other schools arguing Virginia athletics for the last 3 pages. There have been threads that have devolved into joke threads, but the posters who have put together the last 3 pages are completely serious.

From pages 6-9 you own 8 posts yourself! I went back to look...there is a lot of back and forth between regular posters on this board that are loyal UCONN fans, along with some who are fans of other schools. I can think of threads that were useless...this definitely isn't one of them!

 

[clmssun]

Are you seriously using Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer as an example? You do realize Urban was an Ohio State grad, right? He grew up in Ohio. They hired the "Florida coach" because he was a diehard Ohio State guy who knew Ohio State's tradition.

The whole "Big Ten region is declining" is an utter myth. The only state in the Big Ten region that is losing population is Michigan. The rest of the area is growing. Now, not all areas are growing as fast as other portions of the country, but it's not in decline as the narrative suggests.

I find it ironic that if this recruiting territory enjoyed in the ACC were as strong as you suggest, you'd think the ACC would be better than it has been; except, it hasn't. It's been a major conference doormat for most of the past two decades. Even this year, the Big Ten was unusually weak from top to bottom, it was still arguably better than the ACC -- who was slightly stronger than usual.

The Big Ten continues to be a better football league than the ACC. That's not likely to change any time soon. The revenues support that claim. There's a reason the Big Ten's brand brings in so much money.

All the proof you need of the strength of the ACC's recruiting territory is borne out during the NFL draft. The ACC has some complicated issues and has flopped many a time on the national stage. But indeed, ACC recruiting grounds are very fertile. (And while B1G recruits from PA and OH are often drafted, too, a great many B1G draftees were recruited out of SEC and/or ACC and/or BigXII territory).

 

[upstater]

All the proof you need of the strength of the ACC's recruiting territory is borne out during the NFL draft. The ACC has some complicated issues and has flopped many a time on the national stage. But indeed, ACC recruiting grounds are very fertile. (And while B1G recruits from PA and OH are often drafted, too, a great many B1G draftees were recruited out of SEC and/or ACC and/or BigXII territory).

Eh, this same line of reasoning isn't used when people knock UConn's football. The fact that we had twice as many NFL payers drafted as the two teams added to the ACC in 2013 was of little use to anyone. Or the fact that UConn had 5 players drafted in one year recently, and has 23 players in the NFL (well ahead of Louisville). We too produce NFL players, but under Pasqualoni, we simply do not win.

Heck, other than North Carolina, our basketball team produces more good NBA players than any other school.

 

[clmssun]

Eh, this same line of reasoning isn't used when people knock UConn's football. The fact that we had twice as many NFL payers drafted as the two teams added to the ACC in 2013 was of little use to anyone. Or the fact that UConn had 5 players drafted in one year recently, and has 23 players in the NFL (well ahead of Louisville). We too produce NFL players, but under Pasqualoni, we simply do not win.

Heck, other than North Carolina, our basketball team produces more good NBA players than any other school.

1) I have always been a proponent of UConn to the ACC (biased by own ties to UConn, of course)
2) I am aware of UConn's NFL draft success, and it is great.

But what I am not knowledgeable about is: From whence have these UConn NFL draftees been recruited? Are most of them from New England/NY/NJ? Or are they "imported" from SEC/ACC/B1G territory?

 

[Seaa Blue]

This started as a good thread, and has morphed into one of the worst in the history of this board.

It started out with the OP quoting H1 who was himself trolling another board while simultaneously mocking The Dudes of the world with:

"It isn't necessarily true but it isn't necessarily not true."

 

[B1GALUM]

I can't come up with a thread that is worse in terms of pure inanity.

We have a bunch of fans of other schools arguing Virginia athletics for the last 3 pages. There have been threads that have devolved into joke threads, but the posters who have put together the last 3 pages are completely serious.

I have no interest in discussing UVA athletics itself. However, my particular question is directly related to conference realignment. The Big Ten may be willing to take UConn without a partner; however, this seems less likely than inviting UConn along with a parter.

The idea of UVA to the Big Ten was mentioned, which would provide UConn the partner, but there is not any firm evidence that I have seen to indicate that UVA is actually interested and willing to move to the Big Ten. I am interested in knowing why UVA continues to be mentioned given their support of the exit fee increase and GOR for the ACC.

I think a discussion of other universities, but specifically as it relates to their interest in the Big Ten or interest on the part of the Big Ten, is relevant to UConn and conference realignment.

 

[btstimpy]

Are you seriously using Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer as an example? You do realize Urban was an Ohio State grad, right? He grew up in Ohio. They hired the "Florida coach" because he was a diehard Ohio State guy who knew Ohio State's tradition.

The whole "Big Ten region is declining" is an utter myth. The only state in the Big Ten region that is losing population is Michigan. The rest of the area is growing. Now, not all areas are growing as fast as other portions of the country, but it's not in decline as the narrative suggests.

I find it ironic that if this recruiting territory enjoyed in the ACC were as strong as you suggest, you'd think the ACC would be better than it has been; except, it hasn't. It's been a major conference doormat for most of the past two decades. Even this year, the Big Ten was unusually weak from top to bottom, it was still arguably better than the ACC -- who was slightly stronger than usual.

The Big Ten continues to be a better football league than the ACC. That's not likely to change any time soon. The revenues support that claim. There's a reason the Big Ten's brand brings in so much money.

You have a tough sell calling the Big Ten a better football conference than the ACC. The ACC has the National Champion, put 11 out of 14 teams in bowl games in 2013, has the Heisman Trophy winner and the winners of almost a sweep of all of the individual awards, waxed Ohio State and Minnesota head to head in bowls, sent the second most players to the NFL draft, and sits in one of the richest regions for high school talent in America. But keep dreaming.

I'll give you that the Big Ten might be more hyped than the ACC in football. It was great in the 1960s. But today it is always overrated and most of the time sends a team out to the Rose Bowl to get their arse kicked every year. I realize that Michigan State broke a long losing streak this past time though. Even if you go back 15 years in head to head matchups between the ACC and Big Ten, the ACC has more wins. Heck even a team as bad as my team UVA has wins over Minnesota, Indiana twice, and Penn State in the past decade with no losses to a Big Ten school. We've even lost to MAC schools.

And Yes I know Urban Meyer is an Ohio State person, but his access to Florida talent will be the only thing that keeps his team at the top of that league and in the national discussion. And he didn't get that access to Florida talent until he spent time in Florida himself.

 

[upstater]

1) I have always been a proponent of UConn to the ACC (biased by own ties to UConn, of course)
2) I am aware of UConn's NFL draft success, and it is great.

But what I am not knowledgeable about is: From whence have these UConn NFL draftees been recruited? Are most of them from New England/NY/NJ? Or are they "imported" from SEC/ACC/B1G territory?

PA 5
CT 8
MA 5
NH 2
GA 1
NJ 3
FL 2
NY 1
TX 1

 

[upstater]

You have a tough sell calling the Big Ten a better football conference than the ACC. The ACC has the National Champion, put 11 out of 14 teams in bowl games in 2013, has the Heisman Trophy winner and the winners of almost a sweep of all of the individual awards, waxed Ohio State and Minnesota head to head in bowls, sent the second most players to the NFL draft, and sits in one of the richest regions for high school talent in America. But keep dreaming.

I'll give you that the Big Ten might be more hyped than the ACC in football. It was great in the 1960s. But today it is always overrated and most of the time sends a team out to the Rose Bowl to get their arse kicked every year. I realize that Michigan State broke a long losing streak this past time though. Even if you go back 15 years in head to head matchups between the ACC and Big Ten, the ACC has more wins. Heck even a team as bad as my team UVA has wins over Minnesota, Indiana twice, and Penn State in the past decade with no losses to a Big Ten school. We've even lost to MAC schools.

And Yes I know Urban Meyer is an Ohio State person, but his access to Florida talent will be the only thing that keeps his team at the top of that league and in the national discussion. And he didn't get that access to Florida talent until he spent time in Florida himself.

It's really hard to make the case that one good year for the ACC erased 15 years of history: http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/4/26/1444886/sec-dominates-bcs-automatic

 

[clmssun]

PA 5
CT 8
MA 5
NH 2
GA 1
NJ 3
FL 2
NY 1
TX 1

That is great. Good to know. Thank you for clarifying.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Are you seriously using Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer as an example? You do realize Urban was an Ohio State grad, right? He grew up in Ohio. They hired the "Florida coach" because he was a diehard Ohio State guy who knew Ohio State's tradition.

The whole "Big Ten region is declining" is an utter myth. The only state in the Big Ten region that is losing population is Michigan. The rest of the area is growing. Now, not all areas are growing as fast as other portions of the country, but it's not in decline as the narrative suggests.

I find it ironic that if this recruiting territory enjoyed in the ACC were as strong as you suggest, you'd think the ACC would be better than it has been; except, it hasn't. It's been a major conference doormat for most of the past two decades. Even this year, the Big Ten was unusually weak from top to bottom, it was still arguably better than the ACC -- who was slightly stronger than usual.

The Big Ten continues to be a better football league than the ACC. That's not likely to change any time soon. The revenues support that claim. There's a reason the Big Ten's brand brings in so much money.

Not only that; but, everything is cyclical. The SEC is on top today; but, who knows about tomorrow. Plus, if college football is decimated by one of the several issues floating around there (unions, pay for play, concussions, etc.), I would much rather be affiliated with the B1G than the SEC as the B1G has a solid academic reputation that generates millions each year to fall back on. What does the SEC have to fall back on (outside of Vanderbilt).

 

[BC1978]

It's really hard to make the case that one good year for the ACC erased 15 years of history: http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/4/26/1444886/sec-dominates-bcs-automatic

This is certainly true. That said, the ACC had a REALLY dominant year in 2013. Who knows how the next few years will play out. The ACC's recruiting grounds are among the best in CFB and these things are cyclical. If the ACC continues where they left off last year, they could leap frog ahead of other conferences not named SEC, IMO. We shall see.

 

[MTHusky]

This is certainly true. That said, the ACC had a REALLY dominant year in 2013. Who knows how the next few years will play out. The ACC's recruiting grounds are among the best in CFB and these things are cyclical. If the ACC continues where they left off last year, they could leap frog ahead of other conferences not named SEC, IMO. We shall see.

Based on what, one year isn't a trend, it's more than likely an exception that proves the rule that the ACC in football overall sucks.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

If the B1G could grab New York, Philly, Chicago and half of DC, it's game over for everyone else. The ACC would lay claim to Atlanta and half of DC, 100 sq. feet of Boston, while the B12 would have Dallas, and the P12 would have LA and San Francisco.

If the ACC's got 100 sq. ft. of Boston, UConn's got to have at least an acre there.

 

[BC1978]

Based on what, one year isn't a trend, it's more than likely an exception that proves the rule that the ACC in football overall sucks.

As I said, I agree with the earlier point that one year is a limited time frame. Most agree that the ACC has underperformed for many years. That underperformance was not the case last year. In fact, they were dominant. My limited point was that the ACC has a lot going for it in terms of a great natural recruiting base. IF they can build on last year and continue this success, they have, IMO, a good shot to move past other conferences not named SEC. Again, we shall see. I guess each of us have our agenda's, don't we? I obviously want them to succeed and you want them to fail. We shall see how it plays out.

 

[BC1978]

If the ACC's got 100 sq. ft. of Boston, UConn's got to have at least an acre there.

Really? And just how do you figure that? Boston - where anything outside of Rt. 495 is equivalent to being from Mars to the average Boston sports fan.

 

[clmssun]

Based on what, one year isn't a trend, it's more than likely an exception that proves the rule that the ACC in football overall sucks.

ACC states have fertile recruiting ground. No, it has not consistently shown itself well on the college gridiron, but it shows up on Sundays. And, of course, may of these high school players also attend SEC or B1G schools.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/draft-history-graphic.htm

Have a look at the graphic when the data is categorized by "High School"; data compiled 1998-2008.

 

[Dooley]

ACC football definitely improved in 2013. If FSU can factor in the National Title hunt in most years, then the conference should only get stronger. I think what would make the ACC truly a premier football conference is if a handful of northern-based schools strung together some 9-10+ win seasons. Of course, this would hurt UCONN recruiting because we go head to head with these schools for a lot of kids and recruiting against a 9-10 win team in a good football conference wouldn't bode well for UCONN if we are still stuck in the AAC.

 

[BC1978]

ACC states have fertile recruiting ground. No, it has not consistently shown itself well on the college gridiron, but it shows up on Sundays. And, of course, may of these high school players also attend SEC or B1G schools.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/draft-history-graphic.htm

Have a look at the graphic when the data is categorized by "High School"; data compiled 1998-2008.

This is exactly my point, The ACC has too many natural advantages to languish performance-wise forever. These things go in cycles and it will be interesting to see if the ACC has finally "fixed" their issues going forward. We shall see.

 

[btstimpy]

Based on what, one year isn't a trend, it's more than likely an exception that proves the rule that the ACC in football overall sucks.

It's the Big Ten that is most definitely on a trend, right to the bottom of the list. And recruiting territory WILL expedite that trend. But as this article reviews, the Big Ten will make a lot a money during its football decline.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-theories-big-ten-conference-poor-performance

But there is hope on the way. Maryland, who got waxed by Marshall in its bowl game, and Rutgers, who got waxed by Notre Dame in its bowl game, are both coming to bring the Big Ten football league back into national prominence. And the poor ACC gets stuck with Louisille, who beat the snot out of the Miami Hurricanes in its bowl game.

 

[MTHusky]

ACC states have fertile recruiting ground. No, it has not consistently shown itself well on the college gridiron, but it shows up on Sundays. And, of course, may of these high school players also attend SEC or B1G schools.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/draft-history-graphic.htm

Have a look at the graphic when the data is categorized by "High School"; data compiled 1998-2008.

I was responding to a post made about how great the ACC is on the field and saying that a one year's result isn't a trend. In no way was I referring to individual talent on the teams. But it does beg the question that if the ACC footprint covers such a fertile recruiting area why did the ACC preform so badly on the field?

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Really? And just how do you figure that? Boston - where anything outside of Rt. 495 is equivalent to being from Mars to the average Boston sports fan.

Outside of 128, shows what you know.