http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/...onship_game_ap/


The Atlantic Coast Conference has asked the NCAA to change a rule that would allow the league to hold a football championship game.

The ACC expanded to 11 schools two weeks ago by adding Miami and Virginia Tech, but under NCAA regulations only conferences with 12 or more teams can stage such a lucrative title game.

Three conferences -- the SEC, Big 12 and Mid-American -- are now authorized to hold league championship games.

***looks like expansion for the ACC is over for now?***

Because an 11 member conference creates uneven numbers if you split into divisions (which is a necessity in order to have a playoff) you can expect the ACC to follow up on their stated intention to eventually go to 12 teams.

As I've stated before, by calling for the NCAA to drop the championship game requirement from 12 to 10 is to make it not a "personal request" but rather one that benefits other conferences as well.

Current championship game conferences (at least 12 members)
Big 12 (12)
SEC (12)
MAC (14)

Potential championship game conferences (at least 10 members based on projected 2004 season membership)
ACC (11)
C-USA* (11)
Pac 10 (10)
Big 10+1 (11)

*(subject to raiding by Big East)

Conferences ineligible for championship games (based on projected 2004 season membership)
Big East (7)
Mountain West (8)
Sun Belt (8)
WAC (9)

Also note that in 2004, there will be only two independent teams: Notre Dame and Navy. (UConn will have Big East membership, and Troy State will join the Sun Belt. Army will regain independent status in 2005)

Jim

I don't think that the ACC will go to 11 teams anytime soon. If the 10 team title game passes, which I think it will, they'll sit on the 11 for a while.

I look for the WAC and the MWC to increase its membership if and when Louisville and Cincinnati and whatever other schools make the jump to the BE. Also, the MAC conference might just collapse. Some of those teams might jump to C-USA and the BE. Some of the MAC schools shouldn't be in I-A anyway--like Buffalo!

I could see Miami(OH) going to the C-USA wil maybe Northern Illinois and the Michigan schools. UCF and Marshall could still go to the BE.

It will be interesting to see how everything comes together.

Go to 12 I guess is what you meant? wink

But yeah Im sure theyll sit on 11 and hope the NCAA rules in their favor. With all the hoo-hah trying just to get Miami and VT, I think they will lay low on any more raids of talent.