08-30-2023, 03:22 PM
(08-30-2023, 11:12 AM)2006alum Wrote: I also just don't understand where NC State thinks it could land that's better. Neither the SEC nor B1G would have any interest in it, and even UNC is not a net benefit for those conferences. Per Nate Silver's (now decade old) analysis of TV fans per school, NC State ranks worse than every B1G program and every SEC program save Vandy. Even Florida State and UNC would be middling TV fanbases for those conferences. So while I understand they don't like making less money in the ACC, it's never been clear to me what they think their viable alternative is...
I agree. NC State is not B1G or SEC material. However, they will leverage their allies in North Carolina state government to prevent UNC from moving to a new conference unless it is a package deal with NC State. I have no idea whether they really have that kind of power or not but that seems to be their thinking. It is similar to when the Big 8 expanded to the Big 12 in the 90's. They didn't really want to take Texas Tech and Baylor but did so to pacify the allies of those schools in Texas state government who were threatening to block the move of Texas and Texas A&M. That's what some might call good ol' southern politics!