Scoreboard watching in a split conference.

[SWC75]

http://scores.espn.go.com/college-f...d=1&seasonYear=2013&seasonType=2&weekNumber=5

Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech matters because we play Georgia Tech. But ti doesn't really matter who wins because they aren't in our division.

Pittsburgh-Virginia. Ditto except it's of less interest because we don't play Pitt until the end of the season.

Florida State-Boston College matters more than above because they are both in our division.

Clemson-Wake Forest matters the most because both are in our division and we play Clemson next.

We didn't so much join the ACC as we did the Atlantic Division of the ACC. That's really our new league. if we aren't contending for the division and thus the league title. We will be interested in who we will be playing in the championship game. The overall reputation of the conference is determined by the non-conference games. Going to a bowl is based on how many games you win. But otherwise, it's almost as if the Coastal Division is a different league.

By the way, when are they going to realize that the coast in the Coastal Division is the Atlantic coast and that being in the Atlantic Division- or the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast League is redundant? Northern and Southern Divisions would make a lot more sense.

North: Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Maryland/Louisville, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest
South: North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami

 

[chakka3421]

It would work better if we played 9 conference games and treat the ND as an OCC game when they rotate. It would be far more entertaining if we played an opposite team in the other division every 4 years.

Once the ACC network starts up and the SEC goes to 9 conference games then ACC will follow suit solving many problems.

 

[SmilinBob]

I don't know how SOS really works but wouldn't it be better if teams SU plays won?

 

[ImperialOrange]

I'm hoping the Ga Tech loss helps our chance at a later kick off time v Clemson. At this point that's my focus.

 

[Crusty]

I can't figure out if GT is good or lousy.

 

[SmilinBob]

I can't figure out if GT is good or lousy.

I think some teams match up with them very well and some don't. The SU LB's and corners are going to have to play very smart and tackle/cover well.

 

[Alsacs]

I would just follow the zipper model if I was commissioner put the two teams closest to each other as possible as protected rivals and then mesh the 7 groups the best possible way for TV.
Boston College/Syracuse
Pittsburgh/Louisville
Virginia/Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech/Clemson
Florida State/Miami
North Carolina/NC State
Duke/Wake Forest

How I would do it
Atlantic
Florida State
NC State
Georgia Tech
Louisville
Boston College
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

Coastal
Miami
North Carolina
Clemson
Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Virginia
Duke

Play 9 conference games, 6 in your division, your zipper-mate, and 2 from the other division and boom roasted.
edit: I have flipped Virginia and Virginia Tech to keep UNC-UVA together and give FSU a Clemson replacement in VPI, and keep the battle of the Techs game.

 

[CuseCrew08]

In SWC's alignment South division has 4 of the top 6-7 teams including arguably the top 3, not sure any of those top teams would go for that.

In Alsacs's there is no way FSU isn't playing Clemson and Miami every year, so you would need to adjust for that.

 

[SmilinBob]

What happens Alsacs when you have the two top 2 teams from the Atlantic 12-0 and 11-1 and the champion from the Coastal at 8-4?

 

[Alsacs]

In SWC's alignment South division has 4 of the top 6-7 teams including arguably the top 3, not sure any of those top teams would go for that.

In Alsacs's there is no way FSU isn't playing Clemson and Miami every year, so you would need to adjust for that.

I have FSU-Miami as a protected every year zipper game. I understand they lose Clemson but they would play 2 Coastal teams a year and would play Virginia Tech each year as a Clemson replacement and Florida State would be getting Georgia Tech each year which their fanbase wants more of.

 

[Alsacs]

What happens Alsacs when you have the two top 2 teams from the Atlantic 12-0 and 11-1 and the champion from the Coastal at 8-4?

That already happens in the current format. Clemson and Florida State were both 7-1 in conference play and 10-2 overall last year and were clearly the top 2 teams in the ACC but 6-6, 4-4 in ACC play Georgia Tech played Florida State in the ACC title game. I get UNC 8-4, 5-3 and Miami 7-5, 5-3 were both ineligible last year but the top 2 teams can always be in the same division. I am just using the zipper format as my own personal preference to diverse travel in the conference and try to even the divisions and maintain as many natural rivalries as I can.

 

[SmilinBob]

That already happens in the current format. Clemson and Florida State were both 7-1 in conference play and 10-2 overall last year and were clearly the top 2 teams in the ACC but 6-6, 4-4 in ACC play

That's just another why one division is better...the real two top teams play, especially if there are 9 games. I despise those 6-6 teams in that championship game and it kills tv ratings. Plus, it crushes the ACC if by some chance that 6-6 team wins as we all know can happen in these games.

 

[Chip]

The ACC is never going to put FSU, Miami, Clemson all in the same division. Never. From a big picture perspective (certain recent history notwithstanding), these are the 3 most attractive football programs in the entire conference. Plus, only the teams in the south are guaranteed to get trips to Florida, while the north is shut out, except when they get their 1 non-crossover game against the other league.

Not to mention that UVA and VT will scream to whoever will listen about not wanting to be in the north division and having Wake Forest as their only division mate in the bordering state of North Carolina.

I don't know the bylaws for division re-org, and if it's a vote, and how many votes are needed. But I think there will be enough opposed to make this a non starter.

Now, get ND to join full time, put them in the north, at least you give people something to think about. And then please don't balance them out with UConn. It would be the broccoli next to the Filet Mignon. At least find some mashed potatoes, somewhere, anywhere.

 

[SWC75]

An alternative to improve the competitive situation would be to simply rate the teams from 1-14 based on the previous year and then create divisions for the following year of the 1-3-5-7-9-11-13 teams and the 2-4-6-8-10-12-14 teams.

 

[SWC75]

In SWC's alignment South division has 4 of the top 6-7 teams including arguably the top 3, not sure any of those top teams would go for that.

In Alsacs's there is no way FSU isn't playing Clemson and Miami every year, so you would need to adjust for that.

That can change over time. The northern schools have all had strong teams in the past. It's a question of geographical rivalries over time vs. competitive balance in individual seasons.

 

[gbo]

It would work better if we played 9 conference games and treat the ND as an OCC game when they rotate. It would be far more entertaining if we played an opposite team in the other division every 4 years.

Once the ACC network starts up and the SEC goes to 9 conference games then ACC will follow suit solving many problems.

Clemson, FSU, and GT will fight tooth and nail against the 9 game conference schedule like they did before.

 

[Alsacs]

An alternative to improve the competitive situation would be to simply rate the teams from 1-14 based on the previous year and then create divisions for the following year of the 1-3-5-7-9-11-13 teams and the 2-4-6-8-10-12-14 teams.

Too many protected rivalries would be endangered under this scenario even though it would be the most fair, but rivalries matter more than complete balance.
Just use the zipper format I suggested and come up with the most balanced divisions but protect rivalries and balance as much as possible,

 

[SWC75]

Too many protected rivalries would be endangered under this scenario even though it would be the most fair, but rivalries matter more than complete balance.
Just use the zipper format I suggested and come up with the most balanced divisions but protect rivalries and balance as much as possible,

The rivalries could be protected in the two extra divisional games.

 

[SmilinBob]

Clemson, FSU, and GT will fight tooth and nail against the 9 game conference schedule like they did before.

Why?

 

[Alsacs]

Clemson, FSU, and GT will fight tooth and nail against the 9 game conference schedule like they did before.

They won't have a choice though when the SEC and B1G go to 9 game schedules. Those 3 schools are likely not going to like but once every 6 years when they play @ND they will only have 6 home games. The Big XII and Pac-12 already play 9 game conference schedules and when the SEC and B1G join them it will hurt ACC teams chances at the playoffs if they only play 8 conference games, and TV will want that 9th game and will use the potential ACC Network as the carrot to get it.

 

[Orangello]

I think some teams match up with them very well and some don't. The SU LB's and corners are going to have to play very smart and tackle/cover well.

I agree with this. VT's LB's and secondary had the speed to play with GT. The key is to play disciplined and not to over pursue. My biggest fear is that our over agressiveness and reliance on the blitz could kill us against a team like this.

 

[Alsacs]

Why?

Clemson, FSU, GT play 8 conference games, plus their SEC rival that is 9 games if you up that to 10 with a 9th conference game then they no flexibility for getting 7 home games a season for more $$$. Having to play @ND every 6 years means once every 6 years they only get 6 home games and lose money from the lost home game. ESPN and the ACC will have to do something to mitigate this damage but I think it will be done as everything in the world has a price.

 

[gbo]

They won't have a choice though when the SEC and B1G go to 9 game schedules. Those 3 schools are likely not going to like but once every 6 years when they play @ND they will only have 6 home games. The Big XII and Pac-12 already play 9 game conference schedules and when the SEC and B1G join them it will hurt ACC teams chances at the playoffs if they only play 8 conference games, and TV will want that 9th game and will use the potential ACC Network as the carrot to get it.

It's that plus the fact that Clemson wants to schedule a BCS opponent every year that will want a home and home agreement. The model they use is BCS team, Midmajor team, FCS team (instate), and USC. So some years we will only have 6 home games. Schools like Clemson and FSU who make almost all of their money off of football will have one less revenue stream.

 

[gbo]

Clemson, FSU, GT play 8 conference games, plus their SEC rival that is 9 games if you up that to 10 with a 9th conference game then they no flexibility for getting 7 home games a season for more $$$. Having to play @ND every 6 years means once every 6 years they only get 6 home games and lose money from the lost home game. ESPN and the ACC will have to do something to mitigate this damage but I think it will be done as everything in the world has a price.

You beat me to it Alsacs.

 

[Alsacs]

It's that plus the fact that Clemson wants to schedule a BCS opponent every year that will want a home and home agreement. The model they use is BCS team, Midmajor team, FCS team (instate), and USC. So some years we will only have 6 home games. Schools like Clemson and FSU who make almost all of their money off of football will have one less revenue stream.

Why isn't ND considered that BCS team along with USCe. I get that two times in 6 years with ND that is 11 games with USC but I think the ACC and ESPN will compensate GT, FSU, and Clemson to get 9 games. The GT fanbase is okay with 9 games its just FSU and Clemson and I get you two are the Big Dogs and make the money off the home games, but I think eventually you will get something and it will happen.