College conference "hostile raid" rumors
 

Okay, now that the ACC has raided the Big East and stolen Miami and Virginia Tech, what other rumors of conference corporate raiding are you hearing?

Our sports talk radio shows down here have several scenarios in play, of which this is the most likely:

ACC now has eleven teams and needs a twelfth for a championship game. Therefore, ACC will raid the SEC and steal South Carolina.

SEC will then find itself with only eleven teams, and will need to raid somebody else for a new twelfth team. Therefore, the SEC will steal Georgia Tech away from the ACC, which puts the ACC back down at eleven.

We've also heard of Southern Mississippi or Memphis as longshot grabs for the SEC, and a wild rumor that the ACC will go for Florida. However, there can't possibly be any benefit on Florida's behalf to jump to the ACC. What could they possibly gain from such a deal?

I've heard the SEC to ACC. But every time I hear it there is a different team mentioned.

No team will benefit from jumping from the SEC to the ACC, least not as far as I can tell. The money is there for football, and who in the SEC would move to the powerhouse ACC for basketball? The money is in reaching the NCAA's. Easier to do in the SEC.

The interesting things I've been hearing are other Big East teams may still go to the ACC. Or Conf-USA or MAC schools may be raided. Marshall or Louisville would be a nice fit for the ACC.

You gotta watch the talk radio shows, though. Those guys will say anything to get a response.

The Big East is raiding CUSA so why is that any different than what the ACC did? It was pretty obvious that Miami wanted to leave and Va. Tech also. If they were happy they would've stayed in the Big East.

CUSA and the Sun Belt are two of the most geographically screwed-up conferences anywhere. I don't blame any of those teams for actively seeking a better host.

Louisville could either fit in with ACC or Big East.

And I think the one SEC team that would benefit by jumping to the ACC would be South Carolina. I also think if Arkansas was given half a nod to jump to the Big 12 they'd take it.

as long as the big 12 remains the same, i'm all cool.

cuz we're da best

Well, it's obvious why the ACC would even try for Florida.

Florida, Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech. One conference. That's pretty good.

Can't take credit for this, but there is a link to an interesting article at bottom of post. Basically the premis is that USC is welcomed back to ACC and Louisville comes into the SEC in a two way deal. Reasoning for moves are based on geography and rivals.

USC was founding member of ACC and only team to leave to date. USC has Clemson every year on schedule as state rival. USC also frequently play one other ACC team every year, Virginia is current flavor.

Louisville to SEC sets up UK vs UL rivalry in conference. UL gives a big boost to SEC basketball with tradition and Pitino. Think about Pitino coming into Rupp Arena with a conference championship on the line.

As I said, interesting I don't think USC is going anywhere. They are quite content in SEC and see there programs progressing to the point where they have beat Georgia 2 of last 3. I for one hope they stay in the SEC. Nothing beats going and see them play UT, Alabama or LSU though I have had enough of the ass whippings Spurrier used to hand out.

http://www.amnews.com/articles/2003/...rts/news01.txt

Florida isn't going anywhere. I could see South Carolina going to the ACC for the Clemson rivalry but leaving the SEC makes little sense for the reasons gov135 listed. The 12th ACC team will probably be someone like East Carolina from C-USA or another non-BCS conference.

I agree with fearofmear.. florida isn't going anywhere. having all four of those teams in one conference would hurt more than it helps. The miami addition was great.. va. tech was good.. but the acc can't be too greedy. someone told me today that there was a rumor about W.Virginia going to the acc..but every school in the nation is seemingly being asked by the acc to join.. or that's just how it appears with all the rumors

I've heard that if (big IF) the ACC takes the Cocks, the SEC will move on Louisville.

USC is not going to be an ACC member anytime soon. Too much bad blood (on both sides) and the ACC has nothing to gain from it. Besides, USC most likely couldn't meet the academic requirements of the SEC.

Also, even if USC made the jump to the ACC, I don't think GT would go the SEC. Tech broke from the SEC a long time ago and even though some of the old fans would like to see us rejoin, I don't see it happening anytime soon. Tech's academic atmosphere just doesn't mix with the SEC. Besides, last time GT tried to rejoin the SEC Ugag and Auburn blocked it.

ACC wants Notre Dame, no question about that. Not sure if it'll work out or not though. My guess is the ACC eventually picks up either BC or Syracuse or another Big East team. I really don't know though. ACC may end up persuading an SEC team to jump ship.

Side note, GT and Auburn play this year for the first time in a long time (I don't remember the exact year but its been awhile). I believe the story goes the series was dropped because of way too much bad blood between the schools, players, and especially the fans. You making the trip to Atlanta, Warrrreagle? Should be an interesting game :)