More ACC Expansion: Notre Dame and UConn

I love the idea of Notre Dame in the Atlantic Coast Conference because of the storied tradition and the fact that they have expressed an openly positive view concerning joining the Conference. I think that the inclusion of ND IN ALL SPORTS would be the biggest deal or steal of the entire expansion process across the board, particularly since the BIG has tried for decades to get ND in and they have pretty much said, "No thanks. We like being Independent in football and the association with the BIG EAST in every other sport". Though the ACC would still lag behind the SEC in football, Notre Dame's addition would propel the ACC to the level just behind it and would gain even further national and recruiting exposure. Let's also not forget the ND basketball program is solid and would only help the ACC's Basketball rep and give it another potential annual NCAA Tournament slot.

Connecticut worries me somewhat. Academically, ideologically and in basketball they are a perfect and welcome fit in the conference but what about football? Yes they are the defending Big East Champion and yes they have appeared in a BCS bowl but can they recruit to compete with the current ACC teams and ever represent their division in an ACC Championship Game? Personally I think they could and eventually would but it would take quite a while and wouldn't provide the immediate football impact the conference needs to solidify itself as a viable National Championship producing Conference. For me, though I know it will not happen after today's events and rejections, I wish Swofford would get West Virginia or Texas along with Notre Dame and call it a day. In terms of WVU, make an exception to the stringent academic standards or provide incentives such as higher profit sharing if academic standing is improved. Let's be frank- their inclusion and interaction with the other members would grant tons of research and cooperative opportunities only few other conferences could provide. A natural byproduct would be the enhancing of their reputation and standards. I know it sounds like I am saying pay them to improve- why not? Its not like its not already being done on one level or another throughout this entire process.

One final thought as to alignment- don't create pods. Have eight teams in each division, remove a non-conference game and make it a division game while keeping two non-division games making it an even 12 for the season (7 division games, 2 non-division games, 3 OOC games) plus the ACC Championship Game in a rotating location (Miami, Charlotte, DC, Philadelphia and New York (Yankee Stadium or Citi Field)/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)). In reality, one game is added and one of two open dates disappears. Also add the teams into the current division format. Put Pitt and ND in the Atlantic to keep the Catholic Schools/traditional rivalries together and Syracuse and WVU/Texas/UConn/Rutgers in the Coastal. Preserve the current rivalries at the expense of the geographic malarkey. As a VT fan I don't want to play Maryland or Pitt while losing Miami and Georgia Tech on an annual basis.