Conference Realignment: Poaching the ACC - A Wish List
Before the Pac-12 almost completely dissolved, I wrote an article about the teams I wanted to join the Big 12. With rumors flying around that Florida State might be leaving the ACC, it's only fair to make the same wish list for that conference. We don't know if anything will even happen this year or if the talks are taking a quick hiatus for now, but I do know some teams might that might work in the new Big 12, if they were to become available.
Bring back the annual Backyard Brawl. We'd get that if Pitt joined the Big 12.
Quick Disclaimer:
The chance of the ACC disbanding now is less than 50%, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming.
The Best Fits from the ACC for the Big 12
Pitt
Give me Pitt. Give me the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University, and the Backyard Brawl. This rivalry dates back to 1895. For years, college football was deprived of this annual rivalry. It was renewed last year, and the two teams will play this year. But we want this back. We want it every year. This could be a protected rivalry matchup every season. What was once geographically a stretch is now a standard look and would help create a "north" pod for conference play. Throw in a historically good basketball program to further strengthen the best basketball conference in all NCAA, and it might be a perfect fit.
Virginia
Historically, UVA is a solid football program that brings a decent upside to the table. However, don't pay much attention to the football team this year; it won't be a pretty year for them. Virginia does bring a top-tier basketball program into an already deep basketball conference. They also have a baseball program that won a national championship in the 2010s that would fit right in. The issue with adding Virginia is that assuming the Big 12 only wants to add four more teams to stay at an even 20, Virginia Tech seems to have to be added in tandem with Virginia. I don't think anything is wrong with VT, but they wouldn't be in my top options of teams I want added to the conference.
The Carolina Schools
North Carolina
For the lack of sounding like a broken record, lock me in for a Kansas and North Carolina basketball game every year. Adding North Carolina would make them the second-best team in a major basketball conference that could reasonably have over 50% of its members appear in the March Madness tournament. The primary appeal to me with North Carolina is they are a big brand name. Unfortunately, the Big 12 lost their major big brand name appeals in UT and OU. UNC would immediately be the household name of the conference and give the league that needed big name brand.
North Carolina State
This college is probably one of the lesser-known schools in the conference, yet it might be the most intriguing. They would be a bottom-tier team for football and most likely bottom of the pack in basketball as well. However, they have a baseball program that seems to be on the rise over the last five years (even though they took a small step back this year). The Carolinas and the East Coast are untapped markets for the Big 12. This would give the league a footprint in this part of the country, giving it more market appeal. This would make the conference one that is approaching being "Four Corners."
Other ACC Options for the Big 12
Louisville
Here we go again; say it with me now. Best basketball conference in the country, and it's not even close. Louisville is a storied program that adds historical richness to an already deep conference. As for football, they would be middle of the pack in the Big 12, with the chance to be one of the top teams in a few years, as they've shown to do in the ACC a few times. Also, Louisville has consistently been a top-of-the-pack contender in women's basketball in a conference of another top-tier women's program with Baylor.
Miami
I know what you are thinking "How can Miami only be another option?" Honestly, I don't think they would join the Big 12 if the ACC collapsed. They seem to fit into the SEC, where they are a bigger name brand for that conference. If they want to join, they should be given an opportunity, but I think they may see greener pastures elsewhere.
These all seem like realistic, plausible options that would not only be good fits but would also have the opportunity to thrive in the conference. That said, though, give me the Backyard Brawl or nothing.
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