it may be forced to give up the protected cross-division games.

From the the 16 member perspective the 4 NC schools are the only ones currently in position to have a legitimate rival as a protect cross-division games. The other 10 schools currently don't have 3 legitimate rivals and may not have 3 when factoring in the 2 expansion schools. In order for a team to play the remaining 12 teams (home and away), then it will take 6 years to complete the rotation.

If the ACC expands to 20 teams, then there will be no cross-division games; just 9 division games. Also, there is a greater risk that important rivalries may be sacrificed. For example 1 pod could have the 4 NC schools and UVA. The ACC could decide that the "South Oldest Rivalry" (aka UNC vs. UVA) is a more important game than the "Commonwealth Cup" given that the SEC has the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry" (aka Auburn vs. Georgia). I saw that because UNC vs. UVA has been played continuously since 1919. Whereas, Auburn vs. Georgia has only been played continuously since 1944. So the ACC may feel pressure to continue to have 1 up over the SEC.

If the ACC decides to divide up the 4 NC schools into 2 pods, then it has to decide whether UNC should be paired with Duke or NC State. Likewise, it would have to decide what to do with the 4 schools (Clemson, FSU, GT, Miami) located in the heart of the recruiting hotbed. Does it place all 4 in 1 pod and give the other 3 pods a disadvantage? Does it split the 4 up into 2 pods and place the 2 remaining pods at a disadvantage? Does it split the 4 schools among the 4 pods and for the following games (Clemson-GT, Clemson-FSU, FSU-Miami) to take a 4 year break? The ACC could be forced to decide whether it values high profile games (that give visibility to the conference) or making sure all 4 pods have equal access to the recruiting hotbed states. Like the 16 member scenario, the 20 member scenario would still take 6 years to complete.




[Post edited by VTHokie2000 at 08/21/2016 09:00AM]