Hamilton: ACC and friends 'alliance' creates more questions than answers
Posted August 26, 2021 12:09 p.m. EDT
Updated August 26, 2021 6:00 p.m. EDT
The ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 announced an alliance via video conference earlier this week. It was in reaction to the Southeastern Conference gobbling up Oklahoma and Texas to presumably form a 16-team superleague.
Because so little has been mapped out regarding the partnership, it’s created more uncertainty in what is already the most unstable and volatile period in the history of college athletics. The only certainty was the absence of the Big 12 –– the Power 5 conference the most in need of some bros as it teeters on the brink of evaporation.
Instead we’re left to speculate about possible meanings, where things can lead with the alliance and what a world ripe with ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 collaboration looks like. And one could immediately ascertain things are off to a rocky start.
Screens were still buzzing after the video conference when Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was asked about how the new partners might demonstrate solidarity.
“We’re not committed to voting together on anything,” Kliavkoff said.
Yeah, that’s about right.
What we know about the ACC, Big 10, Pac 12 Alliance
● Nothing has been put on paper, rather it’s a three-way “handshake agreement.” Which means it’s all about as binding as the grant of media rights deals the Big 12 prays will keep Oklahoma and Texas around until 2025.
● Video conferencing has come a long way over the past few years.
● Logos of the three conferences mesh together well on the same blue backdrop.
What we don’t know about the ACC, Big 10, Pac 12 Alliance
● How does this impact the number of conference games for the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12?
● Will the SEC be further isolated and have to increase its league schedule from eight to nine or perhaps 10 games?
● What does this mean for College Football Playoff expansion?
● How involved were conference members in organizing this alliance? Specifically, what role –– if any –– did Notre Dame play?
● How many "damns" does SEC chief Greg Sankey has left in his arsenal? Regardless of the number, take the under.
Possible names for the alliance?
● The Super Cross-Continental Fun League
● Notre Dame and Friends
● SEC MidNorthWest
The lie that binds:
League officials can talk about shared values, like-minded concerns for the welfare of student athletes and comparable visions for the future. But, come on, we all know the biggest thing that tethers together the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 is a shared love of false advertising. Consider this: There are 14 teams in the Big Ten, Colorado isn’t even in the Pacific time zone and two notable members of the ACC are each more than 650 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
What he said, Part I:
"Someone had to take the first step. And, personally, for the Big Ten, I did not want to sit around and let those decisions be made by others.” –– Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren
What he was thinking, Part I:
“So, like, I bet no one remembers when I canceled the entire football season last year and then had to, like, scramble to get it together when everyone else said we should play. Yeah, I’m sure no one remembers that.”
Mash-ups we need
● Lexington-style BBQ served with Wisconsin cheese and washed down with Kentucky Bourbon
● Boston clam chowder and Starbucks
● Chicago-style pizza and Bojangles sweet tea
Mash-ups we don’t need
● Oregon State vs. Purdue
● Sideline shots of Will Ferrell at Kenan Memorial Stadium, jacking around with Howard’s Rock or dotting the ‘i’ at the Horseshoe
● Oregon State vs. Illinois
● Incessant messaging about midwestern values marrying with West Coast innovation to form the backbone of America’s heartland
● Oregon State vs. Duke
What he said, Part II:
“The practical impacts of the arrangement are yet to be seen. The Big 12 Conference has every expectation that we will continue to compete at the highest levels and will be intimately and actively involved in the national athletics agenda.” –– Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby
What he was thinking, Part II:
“Maybe my invitation went to my spam folder? Right?”
How the turntables have turned
Any alliance that includes the ACC and Big Ten should presumably lead to Maryland returning to some familiar places. The Terps have made a few trips back into the land of the conference they helped found, though not regularly since bolting for the Big Ten in 2014. Regardless, welcome back, Terrapins. You might want to keep your head down in a few spots as some folks have long memories.
What he said, Part III:
"We want and need the Big 12 to do well. The Big 12 matters in college athletics.” –– ACC commissioner Jim Phillips
What he was thinking, Part III:
“Holy cow I’m doing it. No, seriously, I’m doing it. I’m totally keeping a straight face while saying this. I’m Ninja Jim Phillips!”
Fun with numbers:
2.5 –– The combined experience in years that Kliavkoff, Phillips and Warren have leading a Power 5 conference.
4 –– Number of combined College Football Playoff Appearances by the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 not including berths by Clemson and Ohio State (but counting Notre Dame in 2020 as a member of the ACC).
16 –– Years since the Pac-12 won a national championship in a revenue sport. Southern Cal beat Oklahoma in the 2005 BCS title game.
41 –– Number of teams collectively in the ACC (yes, again including Notre Dame), Big Ten and Pac-12.
What he said, Part IV:
"We have respect for each of our conference colleagues and look forward to our future collaborations.” –– SEC commissioner Greg Sankey
