Convince Duke and Wake Forest to drop to FCS level for football.

I know both of these programs are trying their best to build itself up and I applaud the recent effort even if it was too little too late. However, it’s unlikely that their local and national interest will get any better even if their football teams improve. They should take a page from Notre Dame’s success, go Independent and play nationally, but really the size of these schools are better suited at the FCS level.

You are probably wondering how I would convince them to drop to the FCS level especially since they are investing so much into their programs? There are several things I would sell them on:

(1) You would easily enter the FCS level as the 2 best teams, thus winning championships for years to come.

(2) At the FCS level, you can drop some of your non-revenue sports programs to save you money.

(3) It would help keep the current ACC together. (More on this)

(4) The ACC will still give you an equal share of the tv money.

Why this would be good for the ACC:

(1) Better weekly matchups

(2) Higher average fan attendance

(3) Going back to 12 members, teams from the other division will play each other more frequently.

(4) More talent available for the other members.

(5) Improved conference reputation.

I still believe that 12 is the best number for conference members. Without Wake and Duke watering down the product, average fan attendance across the conference would improve. The money coming off of increased attendance will give anyone who was thinking about leaving the ACC more incentive to stay together.

I see your points but I just don’t think creating more disparity and instability is the answer.

Nobody would agree to your proposal either. I think more realistic ideas are here:

http://dev.chuckoliver.net/2012/08/a-gameplan-for-the-accs-future-survival-prosperity/

Good ideas presented by Chad Scott. I don’t think my ideas and his ideas have to be one or the other, but are totally unrelated and one won’t effect the other.

His ideas seem to start with Youtube to create a demand, then sell them out to television networks. That is fine when it comes to coaches shows, highlight videos, etc.

My idea require less creativity, but is what every AD is secretly thinking. They know that home games with Wake and Duke is not going to sell out their stadium. They also know that fans are less likely to buy season tickets and they can’t charge as much for them with too many duds on their schedule.

Duke and Wake is not being kicked to the curb, but rather used in a way that maximizes profit for the ACC. UNC and NCSU can still play these guys in football, but they’ll have to do it in Keenan or C-F.

The ACC needs to do something. With FSU’s road games at Clemson and FU next year, what home game am I suppose to go to and enjoy next season? It may be the first year I don’t go to a game in a long time.

Actually, FSU needs to do something. Big 12.

I don’t see them as the main problem though they certainly don’t help. Kentucky and Vandy don’t help the SEC much but that’s not the identity of the conference. The ACC needs for Clemson, FSU, UNC, VT, Miami, NCSU, GT to get better. All of those teams have the ability to field a good team and have at times. If they were all playing well, Duke and Wake wouldn’t do much to bother the image of ACC football and would just be the weaker teams in a pretty good conference. The problem is that the some of the other teams are able to be lumped in with them right now.

I’m all for everybody getting better and I hope everybody does before we get to the “look in”. I’m not convinced that ESPN will pay the ACC a fair market value even if the conference improves. I’d like for the ACC to do what they can that they actually control.

93N99 - 30 November 2012 04:29 PM

The ACC needs to do something. With FSU’s road games at Clemson and FU next year, what home game am I suppose to go to and enjoy next season? It may be the first year I don’t go to a game in a long time.

Actually, FSU needs to do something. Big 12.

Miami, VT, NCSU, Maryland (the farewell tour)

We have reached a point in college football where road games mean nothing in many conferences. Let us be real here, not many fans go to their 6 home games a year and root about on a plane or camper to away games. That type is very rare.

What they want is something worthwhile during those 6 home games, not Wake, Duke, Boston College, Syracuse or Pittsburgh.

Does anyone honestly believe Mizzou fans travel to Baton Rouge, Gainesville, Athens etc in great numbers. Does Texas A&M? Don’t kid yourself. Fans want to see good match ups at home games and also when they turn on the TV ... TV..
TV .... TV that is where the money happens to be also.