Cemetery Hill

Seems like it. Anyone in the know got any info?

This was a post from one of our (Texas) insiders:

"The Big XII has a short-term and a long-term vision. In the short-term, they'd like to expand to 12 with either FSU or Notre Dame as the center pieces of that expansion. ND isn't going to happen as a full member, but they're still pushing for them as a partial, b/c (a) they want to get their foot in the door, and (b) ND is the only way the ACC could add immediate and tangible financial value to their conference.

Let's assume for a minute the Big XII's TV contract comes back impressive, the dollars for the SEC/Big XII Bowl are staggering, and all of the details that FSU would want worked out, get worked out (travel dollars, regional partners, etc).

If FSU and Clemson make the jump, there goes 2 of the 4 most valuable ACC programs, including the #1 most valuable program. TV wise, FSU is on another level from any other ACC conference mate. Value to a conference isn't just on field performance, but the size and spread of your fan base. FSU has the most national appeal of any ACC program, and nationwide, would rank in the top 10, along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, USC, Michigan, tOSU, Penn State, and Oklahoma (probably a couple teams you could argue deserve to be in there ahead of a few others). But, there isn't anyone in FSU's stratosphere in the ACC; not Miami, not UNC, not Clemson, not VA Tech (who's national popularity is actually pretty poor for their on field performance & consistency).

You take FSU and Clemson out of the ACC and the Big XII would take a step forward pay wise, while the ACC would stagnate right through those 5 and 10 year look ins. After a year or two, it won't take much to convince GA Tech and another ACC team to come over to the Big XII. Now, you have 2 additional slots left, one for ND and one for an add'l team.

The Big XII's short-term goals are ND as a partial + FSU and GA Tech or Clemson. Long-term, it's Clemson or GA Tech (which ever didn't come the first go around) + ND as a full member, with the other two open to whatever presents itself as college football continues to change/morph.

The Big XII wants to grow slowly, b/c every time you expand, you open up your contract. It's better to grow to 16 over a 4-8 year period than to grow immediately, b/c it allows you to stay at current TV market rates.

Obviously, there are a ton of details that would have to be worked out before the Big XII would ever be a viable option for FSU. And, there's going to have to be a leap of faith to an extent. Time will tell what the best move for FSU is. It's just going to take time to put it all together."

Your post makes a lot of sense, is accurate in many ways, and reiterates some things that have been talked about. However, I see no viable way that GT either moves, or has moved, ahead of Clemson.

Neither CU nor FSU have an offer from the Big XII. They can't "drag their feet" with no offer. GT was originally very cool to B12 talks. Once it was obvious that FSU and CU had one foot out the door, they changed their tune. Clemson is not going to "take their time", knowing that FSU and GT would leave instead.

The Big XII does not value GT over CU. Clemson brings more TVs in Atlanta than GT does. That is a fact. With Clemson, you get the SC market, as well as the Atl market.

Going after ND is a no-brainer. However, the Big XII is not going to just go with FSU and ND and stand pat at 11.5... That's too close to a title game and a lot of money. In that case, FSU is gone, and there is no way Clemson stays in the ACC. I have always contended that ND was team #13. I still think that is the case.

I think you are dead on that GT is the long term other team. In the beginning, I think it was FSU/CU to Big XII, and ND/GT later to add 13 and 14. There is no way UL is going to get into this mix. There was some thought that Pitt may go instead of GT... but the pressure from FSU/CU/ and ND would be too great and would get GT in.

Think back to Wilkin's words. He said, "there have been no offers, no discussions". Why didn't he just say, "there have been no offers, and we are not interested in any offers"??

Think about that.

August 15tg is the deadline to get out of the ACC and join another conference.

B4him...

Like Cory said, Aug. 15 is the deadline to leave and play Big XII ball in 2013. This is a tough question. I will say to remember that WVU and TCU become voting members on July 1.

Nothing would be surprising in the shell game, but I think the next 2-3 weeks will see some activity.

How much of a notice does the ACC require without having to pay the exit fee? I beleive the Big East required 24 or 27 months.

I don't think you can avoid the exit fee.

Sounds like ND is jerking around both the ACC and Big 12...

No way they would pick the ACC when they could get more money from the Big 10 or Big 12, significantly more money.

ND is no different than any other school, they will take the $$$. The ACC, even with ND, cannot give them close to the money that the Big 10 or Big 12 could.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong just saying there's other sources saying it.

The basic premise was the offer would have been made but Clemson wanted to wait. Who the hell knows. All I know is I'd like something to happen...soon.

I saw that and LOL is right