Earlier in the week, BC blog, Eagle in Atlanta wrote a really excellent post on how and why ESPN should step in to defuse the whole mess of FSU wanting to flee (with another ACC school in tow) to the Big 12. It lays out a great case as to why it is in ESPN’s interest to do so and draws parallels to the way ESPN worked to make sure Texas didn’t destroy the Big 12 by leaving for the Pac-10/12/16. He doesn’t, however, see ESPN showing any interest in taking this kind of action. Read the whole thing, it’s really good.
I do disagree with him, though, in drawing the parallels to Texas. In the case of Texas, they were considering the Pac-12 for more than simply money and football. It was about the alignment with schools in the west. It was academic interests in being part of the Pac-[random number here]. Ultimately, they opted to stay in the Big 12 because it positioned them better — with the help of ESPN — to control more. The money was a big carrot, no question. But it was also the easier path. No fights with the Texas legislature over what would happen to Baylor and Texas Tech.
The better comparison would be to the situation of Texas A&M.
Texas A&M going to the SEC was not simply for money. The reality is, that the TV money for the Big 12 (and thus, Texas A&M) would have been almost on par with the SEC by the time their deal got done if it still had Texas A&M and Mizzou as opposed to WVU and TCU. The actions by Texas A&M was much more about the long-building anger towards Texas controlling and dominating the Big 12. Not feeling respected. Essentially dictating to Texas A&M through the conference.
The creation of the Longhorn Network and ridiculous money was the final straw. The fans, boosters and power brokers had enough. The president and athletic director were removed from this decision.
Texas A&M wanted to assert its independence from the Longhorns. All of their grievances built up over 100 years would be addressed by breaking away from Texas and the Big 12. It sure wasn’t to get a competitive advantage to getting in the national championship picture. Having LSU, Alabama and Auburn just in their division makes that clear. It was about reaching a point where history, geography, and every other tie was nothing compared to the anger, frustration and all the negatives they felt towards Texas and the Big 12.
On its face, Florida State wanting out of the ACC seems to be about the money. That’s driving the justification, and a significant difference between Texas A&M and FSU. But this has become about so much more to FSU fans. It’s about getting out of a conference that favors the Carolina schools and the old blood. It’s about getting out of a basketball conference to a conference that shares their values — football. It’s about getting out of a conference that didn’t respect what they had accomplished and done for the conference. About getting out of a conference where they were lumped in as a punchline to college football in the present.
In short, I don’t think ESPN coming with more money would mollify the FSU mob. Nor would the ACC giving FSU more money do the trick.
Hell, VT could finally win a national championship. Clemson could stop being Clemson at the end of the season. Miami could return to top-ten status. FSU could return to prominence. The ACC could finally meet the expectations it and others expected for its football when it expanded in 2003. It might hold them for the short-term, but that’s it. It wouldn’t resolve the underlying anger. The perception has hardened into reality for most FSU fans. To them, the only solution is to leave the ACC.
The real problem for FSU. Getting the Big 12 to decide to have another expansion.
Also, if you read the blog of the WVU guy that started the rumors he had a post last week pleading FSU and Clemson fans to put pressure on the administrations even though his source at WVU is certain it is a done deal.
With all the being said, FSU fans hate the ACC more than Pitt fans ever hated the Big East. FSU fans seem to think that they will go back to winning national titles in the Big 12. But seriously, if you can’t win big in the very weak ACC football conference (FSU fans think it is really weak), then how the heck is FSU going to win big in the Big 12 where Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. and Texas are huge programs that win.
if it becomes worthless then ESPN will lose so for there own sake they need to prop up the acc do something to keep it relevant in football .
what i dont know give it a bigger tv contract the must make schools want to stay in the acc for there own reason becuse they bought it so to speak
and they will lose money if the acc goes down hill.
right after they are done talking about getting to the Big 12, almost everyone mentions in the next breath how well it will help their football program!!!
Ya, that, not only are they going to the Big 12 and getting all that Big 12 money, they will also be 10-2, 11-1, 12-0 every year!!!
Hell, they can’t do it now in the ACC. 20M?? Guess what, every other Big12 team is getting 20m too!
There is a real good chance, that either of these two could end up easily with 5-7, 6-6, 7-5 records regularly in the Big 12.
Only gimme wins would be Baylor, Iowa St. and Kansas. And really, are they even gimme’s on any given Saturday??
They associate their demise with their entry into the ACC. Which is pure lunacy, as they entered the ACC in 1991 and played for several national championships in the mid 90’s, getting trounced by the above mentioned Spurriers UF team in 1996.
Nope their demise was much like Ped State’s. Their successes had created monsters for head coach’s that despite the game having passed them both by, couldn’t be removed. As these two monsters had become more powerful then even their University presidents and only a pedophile scandal could remove one(albeit kicking and screaming) and the other was slowly forced out(again kicking and screaming), as both their programs slid downhill.
Which reminds me of a saying. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Iowa State is no pushover anymore. As they upset, Texas in 2010 and who can forget their dramatic win over #2 Oklahoma State last year which kept OK, State out of the National Championship game.
No Paul Rhoads is making the ISU Cyclones a pushover no more. And I suspect Charlie Weiss will do the same at Kansas. As Mangino proved you actually CAN win at Kansas.
FSU and even more so Clemson would have a pretty difficult time in the Big 12, as will the hoopies.
Ya, even I’ve just about had enough.
Hate to lose either one of them or others, but, nothing you can do.
Don’t let the door hit you. Add UCONN and Louisville (their spot at the Big 12 trough may be taken) and have some enjoyable football for footballs sake and a hoops conference for the ages.
Can’t say I won’t be bitter though, and enjoy seeing anyone that leaves getting pushed around.
(no, I don’t equate it to us leaving the BE, that was the Titanic going down, the ACC has been one of the most stable conferences there has been)
Hey, if you’re gonna go, go ahead and go already for cryin’ out loud!!
link to espn.go.com
so they better step up and help the acc keep football relevent i dont know how maybe more money but if the acc goes down espn goes down they brodcast all the games so they need us to be good
so they need to help.
Also remember the B12 deal will go to 2025 and also be backloaded so 2027 isn’t much different.