From ACC

[Treadway21]

The best time to get into a power conference was 20 years ago
The next best time is now (at extreme cost)

We're like the kid who waited until the last week of the semester to do his homework

F off

[Graceland Tar Heel]

The best time to get into a power conference was 20 years ago
The next best time is now (at extreme cost)

We're like the kid who waited until the last week of the semester to do his homework

How many chances has SMU had since the death of the SWC to join a Major conference? No way would the Big 12 have made SMU a charter member because the Death Penalty was too close. And TCU got in because Gary Patterson, against all odds, made TCU a major force in football.

SMU has not been wasting time. It has been slowly getting its football back on track in case an opportunity were to arise. That could be now.

[tristatecoog]

R1 will happen by next year. $30M gift just announced from O'Donnell Foundation for technology, hardware, PhD and research support. Lyle and Data Science Institute benefit.

Joining the ACC would be an incredible move. It shows that SMU belongs in a P4 league and keeps it P4 and relegates Wazzu and OSU to the MWC. Being in a conference with Stanford, Cal, Duke, Miami, UNC, BC, 'Cuse, Clemson, FSU, UVA, Wake, etc. is just wow!

[panhandle_pony]

If we were extended an invitation to join ACC, would there be conditions to field a baseball team. I believe all current ACC members, along with Cal and Stanford, have baseball teams. Just curious if factors other than media revenue come into play in negotiations.

[Graceland Tar Heel]

If we were extended an invitation to join ACC, would there be conditions to field a baseball team. I believe all current ACC members, along with Cal and Stanford, have baseball teams. Just curious if factors other than media revenue come into play in negotiations.

Syracuse had to give up baseball many years ago because of Title IX. Cuse rightly chose to keep lacrosse. baseball would not be any issue - we have a very good league. Most years 2nd best behind the SEC. Stanford and Cal will make it that much tougher.

[Graceland Tar Heel]

First we were in the SWC and it was killed off. Then we were in the WAC and it was killed off. Then we were in the Big East and it was killed off. We were considered by the PAC and it was killed off. Now we want in the ACC and it is doomed in a few years. WeΓÇÖll never be invited by the Big10 or the SEC, they donΓÇÖt even want any of the Big12, so whatΓÇÖs the point? We are at least in a conference that is somewhat stable. We earn $7 M per year. We have a good media contract, and good leadership, we may be in the best spot we can be in. Should we give that up? We may not even have that option. But if we do, is it wise to give up what we have? Or is it better to dominate the conference weΓÇÖre in?

Look, I have been here for a long time, and I don't want to be mean. But YES, we absolutely want to give up what we have.

Do you want your degree to be associated with the schools in the AAC or the ACC? The upgrade brings significant value to every single graduate of SMU.

On top of that, the vast majority of schools in this country run a significant deficit in the athletics department. That is because of the cost of athletics and facilities, which state schools have to take loans out for. At SMU, our donors pay for our buildings and facilities. Because of the associated increase in ticket sales and ticket prices, SMU has the opportunity to be one of the few athletic departments in the country that run a profit. Yes, THAT much money is about to pour into our school from advertisements and ticket sales. When Clemson comes to play in football, we are going to sell 30,000 tickets at $200 bucks a pop. When Duke comes to town, tickets at Moody are going to sell for $500 each. Do the math.

The ACC has a GOR agreement that will give us 10 years of stability in the conference. Plenty of time to show that we belong at the highest level. And with the donors who are sitting on the sideline right now and will start investing in our program (both facilities and NIL), we will for sure continue to have a top ten NIL program in the country, which will give us top ten rosters in football and basketball each year to compete on the national stage. Once our foot is in the door, we aren't going to get left out again, even if the ACC does implode for some reason down the line.

I hope this happens. With Thamel reporting, we have the blessing from ESPN, and it sounds like things are moving in the right direction. Fingers crossed. But 100%, joining the ACC is a no-brainer and is something we should all be hoping for.

Thanks for reminding everyone that the association with the ACC brings value and respect associated with having ACC membership beyond the obvious increase in harder athletic competition. This group of universities and their respective brand will certainly further polish ours.

Our gratitude to our major donors is beyond simple appreciation. Their commitment to the future of SMU in all dimensions is immeasurable and is the only thing which will allows us to reemerge from our lost decades. The hundreds of millions of dollars in new facilities and our schools demonstrates to the ACC Presidents that we are a peer. Thank you!

I have my fingers crossed, but this may actually happen.

AAU schools in the ACC: UVA, UNC, Dook, GT, Miami, Pitt, ND (partial member in football) - and if they join, Cal and Stanford. ACC schools that are academically Elite though not in the AAU - Syracuse (used to be in AAU), BC, Wake Forest - and if it joins, SMU. All kinds of people who end up at Land Grant and/or Flagship schools in the SEC applied to but did not get admitted to Clemson, VPI and even NCSU. FSU is now reported to be high on the AAU waiting list. That leaves only Louisville, which in recent years has begun to surpass UK, the state's combo Flagship and Land Grant, in rankings for a large number of departments, undergrad and post-grad.

Yes, being in a conference with such schools is worth a good deal more than sports.

[Charleston Pony]

If we were extended an invitation to join ACC, would there be conditions to field a baseball team. I believe all current ACC members, along with Cal and Stanford, have baseball teams. Just curious if factors other than media revenue come into play in negotiations.

Syracuse doesn't play baseball so adding Stanford & Cal would keep an even number of teams playing ACC baseball...assuming Stanford & Cal would be added for all sports

[TexanMark]

If we were extended an invitation to join ACC, would there be conditions to field a baseball team. I believe all current ACC members, along with Cal and Stanford, have baseball teams. Just curious if factors other than media revenue come into play in negotiations.

Syracuse doesn't play baseball so adding Stanford & Cal would keep an even number of teams playing ACC baseball...assuming Stanford & Cal would be added for all sports

This is correct

Fun fact Cuse made the CWS before they cut the sport

BTW, hearing official announcement within a few business days

[SMU Pom Mom]

According to this chart, SMU is the prettiest girl outside the PAC 4 without a date to the prom.

https://twitter.com/TJAltimore/status/1 ... 81/photo/1

[HailToPitt725]

Pitt fan coming in peace. I, along with a large contingency of our fanbase, would love to see SMU join the ACC along with Cal and Stanford. I also appreciate that the Mustangs are willing to come in on their own dime to appease the likes of Clemson and Florida State for the time being.

Personally, I think SMU has enormous potential that is waiting to be unlocked in a power conference. I think an important factor being overlooked is that not only would the ACC Network get carriage access into California and Texas as a result of the pending expansion, but weΓÇÖd be able to have games slotted into three different time zones. I believe this would solidify our conference as the third best behind the Big Ten and SEC and set us up to invite Big 12 members (possibly the ΓÇ£four cornerΓÇ¥ ex-Pac-12 schools) during the next round of TV negotiations.

If this goes through, I truly believe SMU will be a major player in ACC football moving forward. I hope it does because I get the feeling this could be a win/win situation, even if we lose a member or two along the way. Time will tell. Hail to Pitt and Pony Up!

[fan]

Pitt fan coming in peace. I, along with a large contingency of our fanbase, would love to see SMU join the ACC along with Cal and Stanford. I also appreciate that the Mustangs are willing to come in on their own dime to appease the likes of Clemson and Florida State for the time being.

Personally, I think SMU has enormous potential that is waiting to be unlocked in a power conference. I think an important factor being overlooked is that not only would the ACC Network get carriage access into California and Texas as a result of the pending expansion, but weΓÇÖd be able to have games slotted into three different time zones. I believe this would solidify our conference as the third best behind the Big Ten and SEC and set us up to invite Big 12 members (possibly the ΓÇ£four cornerΓÇ¥ ex-Pac-12 schools) during the next round of TV negotiations.

If this goes through, I truly believe SMU will be a major player in ACC football moving forward. I hope it does because I get the feeling this could be a win/win situation, even if we lose a member or two along the way. Time will tell. Hail to Pitt and Pony Up!

All true.
And btw we didn't even need any P5 label to beat you guys last time we played (Birmingham Bowl)!

[Graceland Tar Heel]

Pitt fan coming in peace. I, along with a large contingency of our fanbase, would love to see SMU join the ACC along with Cal and Stanford. I also appreciate that the Mustangs are willing to come in on their own dime to appease the likes of Clemson and Florida State for the time being.

Personally, I think SMU has enormous potential that is waiting to be unlocked in a power conference. I think an important factor being overlooked is that not only would the ACC Network get carriage access into California and Texas as a result of the pending expansion, but weΓÇÖd be able to have games slotted into three different time zones. I believe this would solidify our conference as the third best behind the Big Ten and SEC and set us up to invite Big 12 members (possibly the ΓÇ£four cornerΓÇ¥ ex-Pac-12 schools) during the next round of TV negotiations.

If this goes through, I truly believe SMU will be a major player in ACC football moving forward. I hope it does because I get the feeling this could be a win/win situation, even if we lose a member or two along the way. Time will tell. Hail to Pitt and Pony Up!

All true.
And btw we didn't even need any P5 label to beat you guys last time we played (Birmingham Bowl)!

That is not the Pitt-SMU game worth recalling, That honor belongs to Jan 1 1983 Cotton Bowl. A classic hard fought 7-3 SMU victory. Great football game from a great time for the sport.

[ShantyBoy]

That was the game that made me want to be a Mustang. McIlhenny running the option in terrible weather against Marino in a classic venue. Damn, no scoring, but what an awesome experience.

[Arkpony]

I was there that miserably cold day. What a great win!

[PonyKris89]

Pitt fan coming in peace. I, along with a large contingency of our fanbase, would love to see SMU join the ACC along with Cal and Stanford. I also appreciate that the Mustangs are willing to come in on their own dime to appease the likes of Clemson and Florida State for the time being.

Personally, I think SMU has enormous potential that is waiting to be unlocked in a power conference. I think an important factor being overlooked is that not only would the ACC Network get carriage access into California and Texas as a result of the pending expansion, but weΓÇÖd be able to have games slotted into three different time zones. I believe this would solidify our conference as the third best behind the Big Ten and SEC and set us up to invite Big 12 members (possibly the ΓÇ£four cornerΓÇ¥ ex-Pac-12 schools) during the next round of TV negotiations.

If this goes through, I truly believe SMU will be a major player in ACC football moving forward. I hope it does because I get the feeling this could be a win/win situation, even if we lose a member or two along the way. Time will tell. Hail to Pitt and Pony Up!

Hey Pitt guy, if this goes through then I will change my profile pic! … at least until Pitt beats SMU in football