Clemson football: The problem with the ACC and status quo

With realignment again an almost daily topic there are those that follow Clemson football that believe the ACC as currently constituted is fine and the ACC will have a place at the table for the College Football Playoff for the foreseeable future.

It seems to make sense, right? Let Texas and Oklahoma fight it out in the SEC and UCLA and USC battle in the Big 10, while Clemson dominates the ACC and finds themselves in the CFP more years than not.

The problem comes down the line, whether it’s five years or ten, when those teams are doubling or tripling the revenue received by ACC teams.  As I pointed out previously that will inevitably lead to ACC teams falling behind in facilities, services and everything else that catches young 17 or 18 year old men’s eyes when on recruiting trips.

It already happens to a degree, but eventually a high majority of the top end recruits are going to want to play in the “better” league, whether that’s perceived or real.

Especially when those games are in the prime time slots and not Friday night (eye roll) or noon on Saturday.

And here’s the thing: The SEC and Big 10 are already starting from a place of advantage financially because of the current ACC contract AND performance of the league.  The gap will only widen.

One flip through the networks from the Big 10 Network to the SEC Network to the ACC Network shows exactly what I mean.  The funding of these networks are on full display on every show, game and feature and it’s easy to see who’s in third place.

Just this May, while the SEC featured seemingly featured every game of their baseball tournament,  the ACC ran reruns of spring football games during the ACC baseball tournament.

I don’t know the details, but it’s clear from the production quality that the networks have different budgets and priorities, at least from a fan’s point of view.

If the ACC has some grand plan I’m willing to listen, but standing pat feels like waiting for the invitation that’s never going to come

Those channels reflect the priorities of the conferences and their finances.

Admittedly the only time I watch the ACC Network is when I’m forced to in order to see Clemson and that ought to say something in itself.

I’m not a journalist with “inside information” on the grand plan for the ACC.  I’m a fan with an opinion.

I’m willing to entertain ideas, in the box, out of the box, on top of the box or wherever.

I fully admit there could be some plan that I’m not privy to as a fan that could save, and perhaps even enhance, the ACC that I’m not smart enough to see and therefore I should be patient.

If that plan is staying in the ACC as currently constituted, my opinion is that’s a slow, painful death.