ACC swoons over Miami

[Nacho]

Miami looks poised to join the ACC. Wheels are in motion for conference changes. Go to <A HREF="http://www.charlotte.com/observer/" TARGET=_blank>www.charlotte.com/observer/</A> and click on sports to see the story. Dominoes should start falling soon.

[Diehard Pony]

The story certainly makes it appear as if the process may begin soon. My belief is that it is too early for us. We have done a few good things (stadium, hiring Bennett, good football recruiting class) but not enough really important things (wins, butts in seats) to be ready.

Unfortunately, we don't control when these things happen. We were certainly were at our worst (0-5 in football, and being investigated for an Asst Coach's actions) when the C-USA thing came down. Hopefully, if it does happen soon we will be more attractive this go round for what we have done, and for our potential.

[Water Pony]

Donna Shalala used to be at Wisconsin and knows the academic and athletic excellence of the Big Ten. By joining ACC, the conference becomes more like the Big Ten. If Miami's move permits BC and Syracuse to be added, it answers her need to support NE alumni. This trigger starts lots of moves,if these three move out of the Big East.

[Nacho]

What do you think will be SMU's fate if these ACC/BE moves take place? I guess the logical answer would be a western WAC eastern C-USA merge. Do you agree or does your crystal ball show something else?

[This message has been edited by Nacho (edited 05-02-2003).]

[Water Pony]

Eastern WAC and Western C-USA

[Nacho]

It's Friday.

Tulane better hold off on going d-1aa. Interesting things are happening.

[Stallion]

there are about a thousand ways this could play out many that would once again SMU in the dust.-SMU certainly has done very little in the 10 years since the breakup of the SWC to position itself for this situation. One complication nobody ever talks about is-what are the BB only schools of the Big East and CUSA going to do. The real TV Contract value in those conferences actually is in the Basketball school's hands not the Football schools hands especially if Syracuse, Miami and BC leave. I don't see why the BB schools of those two conference don't finally get together so that can have a conference run for the benefit of their sport. Although this very likely would work in SMU's favor it would likely reduce SIGNIFICANTLY the economic value of the switch. I don't see the remaining teams in CUSA getting a huge TV contract if the CUSA BB schools defect plus Cinncinnati and Louisville to the Big East.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 05-02-2003).]

[EastStang]

It might make a geographicly attractive Mid-major conference in SW possible though. Tulsa, SMU, TCU, Rice, La. Tech, UTEP, USM, Houston, and Tulane (if they're playing football) would be a nice conference with easy travel. Bands could go to away games. You could look at some basketball/soccer only schools for this conference as well, with Creighton, Oral Roberts, and St. Louis being possibilities. You could probably swing the Ft. Worth Bowl and one other C-USA bowl like New Orleans our way.

[Stallion]

....most of these posts though act like SMU, Rice, Tulsa, UTEP et al will have a say in what happens. Believe me we wont. The schools in conferences with TV Contracts, Bowl Contracts and NCAA Tourney Units will pull the strings. That's where SMU becomes a begger because from any reasonable or objective analysis SMU's athletic program offers very little EXCEPT hope-exactly what they have selling around here for 15 years rather that getting off their [deleted] and actually doing those things that are recognized by 90% of the schools in Division 1 to be necessary to compete.

[Nacho]

I can't disagree with you Stallion. Any school that is in desperate need to turn itself around quickly but refuses to take juco transfers is either just not trying or is stupid beyond belief.

[EastStang]

I agree, Turner needs to be pro-active at this point. Yes, SMU is not in a strong bargaining position. On the other hand if CUSA loses Cincy, Louisville, and b-ball schools what happens with its bowl ties and tv contracts. If MWC loses BYU what happens with its bowl ties and tv contracts. If the BE loses Va. Tech, Syracuse and Miami what happens with its bowl tie ins and BCS status. So many questions???

[Water Pony]

Further insight from Miami Hearld. Note issues between FSU and Miami on BCS qualifying opportunities, as well as current ACC schools watering down ACC BB Tornament revenues. Having said that; Miami, Syracuse and BC would increase TV money for all members plus add ACC FB Championship Game.

<A HREF="http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/5757891.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/5757891.htm</A>

[Charleston Pony]

several good points, guys. Obviously, this all depends on Miami's decision...and what the BCS does for 2006. The talk of playing the 4 BCS games and THEN a championship game brings another blockbuster pauout into the equation. Don'e think for a minute the ACC hasn't considered that possibility. The BCS conferences want to play those conference championship games for football and position their champion to be one of the final two. Miami has to consider the revenue sharing possibilities in making this decision.

Meanwhile, don't lose sight of the fact that the Big East was founded on bball, as was CUSA. I agree there's a possibility this could lead to the demise of Big East football (as a BCS conference), but also to the creation of a really strong bball league.

It could be fun to watch, but it won't affect SMU. We are still an afterthought in today's world of college athletics, but would improve our current situation if we end up with a regional group of WAC east, CUSA and SunBelt teams...like it or not, that's the best we can hope for out of this.

[FloridaMustang]

I think we're all forgetting something very important... SMU, minus FB, has a very solid athletics program. Our football program certainly is not an accurate measurement of SMU Athletics. Look at that standings. We destroy other WAC schools in overall quality of athletics. If a new conference were to form/spinoff, all sports would be included, not just football...is that the correct thinking? I'm interested to see what happens.

[Water Pony]

The answer is yes: SMU 31st in Sears Cup Standing!

As a non-revenue sport bigot, this very important to SMU, Athletic Depart, Student-Athletes and me. As we strengthen FB and BB, SMU is an example of how we are making our Athletic Programs among the elite schools in the NCAA. Without them, we are betting the ranch on revenue sports, which isn't easy for a Private School.

The students we attract can be more national and world class when we can demonstrate our depth in Olympic Sports. I point to Stanford as the best example of a private school which values and excels in most competitive sports. Makes us attractive to any future alliance.