However, it may not have been to level as UConn men's and women's basketball. Even if UConn was in the ACC, it is unlikely that UConn football will consistently get higher ratings than either basketball program. At best UConn football will follow a similar path as Duke football or Wake football. It might win 1 conference championship in a span of 50 years. However, majority of the time it will finish near the bottom of whatever division. It may have "moments" where the program appears to be getting better; at least good enough to finish middle of the pack some years. It may even pull a "Duke" and be good enough to compete for a division title, but probably only when the division is going through a down cycle.

If the ACC decides to add UConn, then it is basically telling the rest of the country that it only cares about basketball and has no desire to become a stronger football conference. Right now I believe the SEC has 7 football programs (UF, UGA, UT, AL, Aub, LSU, and TAMU) that have national appeal. Whereas the ACC only has 5 programs (Clemson, FSU, Miami, VT, and maybe L'ville) at best. People won't count Notre Dame as long as it remains an Independent in football. There is no reason the ACC can't increase its number. Since UNC may be the only other program that could have national appeal, then the ACC is forced to add number to increase its number.