Pros and Cons of Stanford joining the ACC

Stanford going to the ACC has its perks and flaws

With college football happening as soon as this Saturday there are still unresolved questions swirling around the sport that have honestly taken the attention away from football.

Conference realignment has been an ongoing event for this past year, and the what is left of the Pac-12 has many questions who is next. Oregon State, Washington State, Cal, and Stanford have been left stranded on what currently is a stinking ship (at best), but for Stanford and Cal they do have something to be hopeful for. They are both hoping for an ACC invitation, which we should learn sometime soon whether or not it is coming.

Stanford is more than willing to join the conference at a discounted rate or even for free if it helps their case, which while that doesn't seem ideal is actually a great move on their part. However, while it is a smart move to get into the conference and being in a Power 5 or I guess a Power 4 conference now, there are still flaws in joining the ACC. 

That is why I decided to break down some pros and cons of Stanford joining the ACC.

Pro: Chance to compete at the highest level

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The College Football Playoff is expanding, and is moving to a scenario where the best conference champs get an automatic bid. While Troy Taylor and company have a major rebuild in front of them, they will have a chance to eventually position themselves to return to the success that they had for over a decade which people seem to forget about. Being in a Power 5 conference is also extremely important to the longevity of the program in terms of recruiting, as anything else could hurt their image. It also gives them a schedule every single year, whereas being an independent would not be an easy task in the short term due to the fact that most schedules are figured out. 

Con: Travel

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

For football this won't be as much of an issue because they play just one game a week, but for all of the other sports that play multiple times a week, this is a brutal travel schedule. The closest ACC school to Stanford would be Louisville, which is over 2,300 miles. If Stanford is really willing to not take any media rights money and willing to fund themselves in the first few seasons, you have to imagine that they would consider upgrading travel accommodations in order to help facilitate the best experience possible for the student athletes. Something that seems to be overlooked these days. A move to the Big Ten would be easier on travel thanks to the other four schools in the conference, but that isn't in the cards at this time. 

Pro: Rebuild their reputation

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

From the span of 2009-2015, Stanford won an Orange Bowl and Two Rose Bowls while also having five Heisman runner-ups in that time. They produce pros every single year, and have produced the most draft picks out of any Pac-12 program since 2012. However, thanks to the three losing seasons in the last four years and college football being convinced there's no place for them anymore, people have forgotten that. Troy Taylor would have had a chance to rebuild their reputation regardless, but the ACC is much more accessible and if they are successful people will see. Also, because this is what college football is now, it can also help position themselves for a move to the Big Ten to be a part of the inevitable super conferences. 

Con: ACC is volatile

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The reason that Stanford is having to be okay with reduced media rights money or even none at all for the first few seasons is the fact that the conference is in a flux. Florida State, Clemson, Miami, and others want out of the conference. While they didn't make a move yet they showed it is something they are serious about, and who's to say they won't push to leave again? The one thing working on Stanford's side (right now) is neither the SEC or Big Ten were confirmed to have interest in adding any ACC schools, and they are under contract for quite some time. 

Pro: Exposure

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest issue with the Pac-12 Networks was the fact that it was not as accessible as it should have been. Even with the network's flaws, Stanford was still the second most watched team in the conference in games that didn't include USC and UCLA. The Pac-12 Networks had great programming, talent, and were doing all the right things but unfortunately they were limited by poor leadership. In the ACC, their games will be either on national television or on ESPN+. ABC and ESPN get their biggest games, or at worst they will end up on the ACC Network who airs 40 football games. Having a chance to sell to players that no matter what their games will always be accessible to watch for their families is a major selling point. And, if Stanford does in fact bounce back they will have the chance to reintroduce themselves.

 

Pro: Stability (for now)

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Something can be both volatile and temporarily stable, and unless the ACC re-works their deal and makes everyone happy that is the situation. But, as I alluded to earlier, if Stanford can turn things around they may become more attractive to the Big Ten. While obviously they should be grateful to be in the ACC which is a better situation than their other options, college football is a business of what can you do for me now. The ACC gives Stanford a chance to play at the highest level, get exposure, and maybe boost their attractiveness to the richest conference in the sport. The Big Ten is a better fit for them anyway, and if they get there eventually it is because they had the brand of the ACC. Even if that isn't in the cards, the ACC's deal runs through 2036, so Stanford has a ton of time to plan for what is next and not be caught in the middle like they were in this round of realignment.