UConn/WVU and Navy (football only member) or even UConn and WVU be enough to increase the perception of the ACC to being the third best (or even second best) P4/5 football conference vs. being the fourth or fifth best?

I know there has been a lot of talk on here about the ACC going to 20 teams and using either more than 2 divisions or 2 divisions with rotating pods. Until the bylaws are changed so conferences can have more than 2 divisions and maybe have a semi-final round to see which 2 teams play in the CCG, then I am not sure you will see a power conference "quickly" expand beyond 16 members. I don't think the power conferences will easily forget the WAC's failed attempt implementing the rotating pods (or quads as the WAC called them) model when it expanded to 16 members in the mid-1990s. The WAC had other issues too that resulted in the formation of the MWC. However, if you look at the other collegiate sports and even the pro leagues, then you should discover that none of them rotate their divisions.

So I do think the power conferences may have some concern about the potential backlash of rotating the divisions every 2 years. In the ACC's case there may be concerns about making sure everyone has equal access to the fertile recruiting grounds of the southeastern region and Texas. That was the primary reason the ACC decided to implement the zipper model with its divisions. If the conferences decide to continue with the precedent of having fixed 9 team or 10 team divisions, then there is the risk of both divisions taking on the feel of being their own conference and forming their own conference some day instead of remaining in the confederation. At one time the ECAC was a multi-division conference for several sports. It essentially behaved like a confederation and eventually lost most (or all) of its DI association. At least I don't think the ECAC currently sponsors any DI sports now.

Don't get me wrong I am not opposed to the mega conferences because I do see them as a means to an end. Create the mega conferences make it easier for a group of schools to form their own division within the NCAA. Once that division is formed, then break up the mega conferences into smaller conferences. If the schools ever decide to pool their collective resources in terms of negotiating media contracts, then it could shape how these smaller conferences would look.