But this doesn't make any sense. ACC is still a legit conference and you have a chance to win a title. They can just look at Clemson's run. The only way the ACC becomes a G5 conference is if teams leave. If that's the case, Miami would be one of those teams to either the BIG10, or more likely, the SEC. So I don't see why realignment would have any impact on a player's decision.
Yes, there's ZERO CHANCE that Miami gets left in a crappy conference. Here's why:
1) Most top-rated CFB broadcasts over the last 40 years: M-I-A-M-I
2) Highest rated ESPN 30-for-30 (out of all of them; not just football): Miami
3) THE best rivalry in all of CFB: Miami-FSU (granted FSChu sucks right now but usually it's the best rivalry game in CFB. At its best (Wide Left & Wide Right clashes), it was epic
4) The second best rivalry in CFB: Miami-Notre Dame. Some of the most watched, fiercely fought & discussed games in the history of CFB
5) Miami (and South Florida) is a major media market (with a wealthy population)
6) Have some faith in Dan Rad to get this right. He knows what he's doing.
With Mario & Co. at the helm & Miami surging on the recruiting trail, conferences should be begging us to join.
Miami moves the needle (like only Tiger Woods in golf). Ask yourself which other CFB teams move the needle on a national (not regional) basis. Answers: Notre Dame & Alabama. Do cable TV ratings spike
nationally for any of these games:
- Ole Miss vs Kentucky
- Arkansas vs Vandy
- Purdue vs Penn State
- Ohio State vs Wisconsin
- Washington vs Cal
- Oregon vs Oregon St
The answer is categorically "no" to all of the above. Miami vs ND on the other hand sparks major interest from all parts of the country. Love us or hate us, everyone watches us. The "bad boy" image cultivated in the 80s with the fatigues & on-field celebrations works to our advantage here. Everyone is interested in what Miami is doing.
Miami will never get left in a crappy conference with the weak sisters. It just ain't happening.