The article suggests the possibility of switching GT to the Atlantic Division with Louisville coming to the Coastal Division. Along with that would come new cross-divisional rivalries. In this proposal Virginia Tech's cross-divisional rival would be Clemson.
Here's the article:
I really like the idea, but agree with Teel that the AD's probably won't go for it. Would be awesome for us to trade annual matchups with GT and BC for Clemson and Louisville. It seems to me like a really good and easy way to make the ACC's current divisions more interesting.
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Too logical. Not #goACC enough.
Although I support the idea 100%. Sure, it makes it a harder path for us to get to the championship if we're playing Clemson every year, but I think Beamer has shown he embraces the challenge of playing good teams.
How long do you expect Chad Morris to be at Clemson? That's how long you can expect a consistently good Clemson team. VT owned Clemson in the 2000s. 3-0 with a 56 point differential and a gator bowl win.
Those '06 & '07 games were tons of fun
This post just brought a tear to my eye...it's such a simple solution that makes everyone happy...
...except for UNC who probably wants to play in Atlanta every 2 years, and all decision go through Chapel Hill...
I really like it, primarily because I've done that exact swap/move in my NCAA dynasties over the past couple years. It does have an elegant simplicity to it that feels like it would work well.
Time to keep dreaming though.
One of the few sensible things I've seen Teel write.
This is an intriguing idea, particularly because it's an overall upgrade of Tech's schedule and the Boston College game is no longer a yearly matchup. Unfortunately it means the end of the Techmo Bowl. Even though that's become a one-sided matchup, it's still a date I circle when the schedule is released.
An simpler idea I proposed a while back was to flip Virginia Tech's and Virginia's crossover games. The Hokies would play the Cardinals, Cavaliers versus Eagles. This would keep the Bees on Tech's schedule, remove Boston College (yay!), all while upgrading with Louisville.
It boils down to preference: 1) would you rather have another two marquee opponents on the schedule, or 2) just one but an overall more manageable schedule, 3) the status quo, a schedule that avoids the 3 of the best teams in the conference in most years.
I think my solution provides for better balance as well as a more marketable schedule. In any event, it's insane the ACC hasn't done something to yield a better conference schedule / more appealing games for ESPN.
I like the more manageable schedule part of your plan. My biggest problem with the Georgia Tech game is how badly their offense aggravates me. In order to play well against them we have to slow down our speed of play and manage the clock even more than we usually do. Combine that with how boring their offense is and I have started hating that matchup. Granted their have been some great games - the David Wilson return for a TD. Before PJ was there the huge comeback and then there was the beating them with our QB playing in one of their uniforms. But the past few years have just seemed boring to me - the games were close and I was definitely nervous about them, just that the style of football doesn't intrigue me as much. Add to that the fact that our defense spends extra time preparing for an offense we only see once a year and I just don't feel like it's worth it.
So I guess my point is that I like your idea if they would hurry up and fire Paul Johnson...otherwise I'd rather play the harder schedule.
I agree with you about the GT game. The only way I can watch a VT-GT game is via DVR. I fast- forward when GT has the ball.
I would love the swap Teel outlines, as would ESPN due to a new annual matchup of substance being created.
Of course, I would support almost anything that eliminates the annual BC game.
as far as switching crossover opponents goes, fans of all four schools are in favor. it makes sense for several reasons. do it swofford. somehow ending up with clemson as our crossover would trump all though. both programs would benefit and we as fans would have another guaranteed big game every year that's an easy road trip for most of us.
At the very least, if they could arrange for us to not play BC annually, I'd be very happy.
I like this idea as a middle step between what we have now and the Bitter plan.
I hate playing BC, it is a worthless date on the schedule. I don't like GT because of CPJ, but once he's fired I would like to play the Techmo Bowl consistently (in the Bitter plan, I'd think Miami, LOLUVA, and Techmo should be our three rivalry games).
I'd like the annual Clemson match up.
so as far as annual schedules go:
VT replaces GT and BC with L'ville and Clemson (i'd miss GT a little, but...win, win win)
uva replaces GT with BC (i'm guessing they wouldn't be happy)
UNC replaces GT with L'ville (I'm guessing they wouldn't be happy)
Dook replaces GT with L'ville (not sure they would care)
Pitt replaces GT with L'ville (i think they would like this)
Miami replaces GT with L'ville (Miami may not like this)
L'ville replaces FSU, Clemson, NCSU, Wake, 'cuse and BC with VT, Miami, UNC, Pitt, and Dook (maybe viewed as a slight downgrade?)
Clemson replaces L'ville with VT (i would think they view that as good trade)
FSU replaces L'ville with GT (they should be very happy)
NCSU replaces L'ville with GT (they should be very happy)
Wake replaces L'ville with GT (they should be very happy)
'Cuse replaces L'ville with GT (they should be happy)
BC replaces VT and L'ville with uva and GT (wash?)
GT replaces VT, Miami, UNC, uva, Pitt and dook with FSU, NCSU, Wake, 'cuse and BC (wash with an FSU rivalry renewal bonus)
basically, the whole league would be happy with this with the exception of uva and UNC. let's do this!
I admit, the BC games has to be the game I look forward to the least. They are a thorn in VT's side, even in years where we should wipe the floor with them. I think that is the definition of a rivalry. I think they have put up more of a fight than LOLUva (not shocking). I am fine with seeing them go if we get a higher profile opponent, I'd rather raise VT's profile and exposure by putting them in games that are on TV and start in the afternoon and that fans want to see. I think letting go of Bud Foster's beating of CPJ and the jackets would be tough, those games are nail biting, but we have come out on top most years.
edit: I don't why its not posting my whole thing, ah well never mind.
As I've stated many times before -
I'm in favor of anything that helps the Hokies. I'm even more in favor of it if it helps the Hokies, AND hurts the 'Hoos at the same time.