ACC-CG Past, Present, Future
After seeing the string of comments quickly transform on the previous post about the Peac…Chick-Fil-A Bowl, to the state of being of the ACC-CG, I thought it warranted a new post and place of discussion. Being in Charlotte and having been here since the inception of the ACC-CG and the subsequent competition for the game, here are the original issues as I remember them, perception of how things have played out, and where the game is going.
Past: Assuming I remember correctly, three or four options were presented for the location of the game, following BC, Miami, and Va. Tech’s entering the league. Those being Charlotte, Tampa, Jacksonville (JAX), and possibly even DC. DC seemingly was pitched as it catered more to the far northern expanses of the league and away from the perceived powers at the time. Tampa was too far south and alienated NC and VA schools, the conference HQ and especially harmful to the big four who seem to run the conference. Basically it came down to JAX or Charlotte. I think placing the game in Charlotte may have seemed to be pandering a bit much to the big four. However the game would have been dead center, geographically, for the conference being less than a five hour drive for 7 of the 12 member schools. So, the selection group settled on Jacksonville, the beach, perceived nicer weather (unproven thus far) and at the time, closer to the “powers” in the conference.
Present (first three years): Weather hasn’t been terrible, minus last years rain, but the location has not proven to be a draw. Year one featured a match up of expected teams in FSU and Va. Tech. However, Va. Tech was heavily favored as FSU squeaked out the division as no one in the Atlantic seemed to want the divisional crown. FSU goes on to beat VT and throw a monkey wrench in the BCS bids and the subsequent bowl trickle downs. Year two, the most unlikely match up of a one loss Wake Forest team comes in against a Ga. Tech team that just couldn’t live up to expectations behind the arm of always flighty Reggie Ball. It was ugly and as well attended as possible considering the overall fan base and travel history of both programs. Empty seats were widely seen, but weather was a factor as it was cold and rainy in Florida that afternoon. The latest round has featured a very poor traveling BC against Va. Tech, who has seemingly taken control of the Costal division with Miami’s slide. For a second year in a row, many open seats (assumed to be BC’s allotment). Needless to say this is not the Clemson/FSU vs. Va. Tech/Miami match-ups with an occasional NC State or GT being thrown in.
While the game has not featured the teams that were expected three years ago, other issues have come forth, first and foremost being the Chick-Fil-A (Peach) Bowl leap-frogging the Gator Bowl in the payout and selection preference within the ACC ranks.
What this has led to: Under-attended championship games unlike what is seen in the Big 12 and SEC. An unforeseen bowl selection disaster that has sent teams that were easily the third or forth best team in the league to bowls on the bottom half of the selection totem pole. Part of this has to do with the negative feeling perceived to accompany the loser of the CG. The other has to do with the yearly skewing of power within the conference. I’ll use this year as an example as it seems to be representative of what has been occurring. Outside VT, the Costal division was pretty week/average. Therefore, if VT does win the conference, the second selection decides to take a team with an equal number of losses to the losing divisional team, but not a CG game loss. This phenomenon occurs in the other conferences, not just the ACC. So now you have a BC team this year falling to 3rd selection while the Gator needs to sell tickets. BC has already been to JAX one time, and the likelihood they will return in a strong manor in less than a month is slim, so the Gator takes a team that would like to head to Florida for the NYE match-up. Now, you have a top 20 team, sliding to the 4th tier Champs Sports Bowl. So basically the ACC-CG and the Gator Bowl have now gone into competition with each other with the CG always having the upper hand, being a month ahead.
Future: Unless the Peach and Gator reverse fortunes/selection places, the same issue will continue. As the Gator Bowl Board/Committee is the same group that has helped orchestrate the ACC-CG, I don’t foresee them making a continued strong pitch without also making a pitch to move back to the ACC 2 spot. With this in mind, Charlotte becomes the obvious location for the future of the ACC-CG. With a relative balance of power and proven uncertainty, it makes much more sense to centrally locate the game unless an alternating system is developed as the Big 12 uses by moving their game between KC and San Antonio. I would see Tampa and Charlotte being in this mix with the possibility of DC getting back in with the new RFK, though I don’t see many folks wanting to go to DC in early December. Positives on top of the geographic bonuses of Charlotte include a lack of bowl interference and the cities push to increase tourism, especially to the growing Center City area. Yes, the Mieneke Car Care Bowl is here but features the ACC 5 spot typically. Even with a slide by the loser of the ACC-CG, they aren’t going to fall this far. No double up trips for fans. It’s still far enough that many fans will come and stay overnight allowing the city to make a big push as there are other attractions in town for fans to enjoy that aren’t inclusive of a beach in sub 70 degree weather. This would also allow JAX to feature itself as a great place to come for a New Year’s Day bowl while featuring a higher profile or higher ranked team that didn’t just make the trip, which should help with ticket sales.
All in all, I think it’s a pretty easily recognized problem with a fairly simple solution for all parties involved.
As a side note, on the BC topic, I think the ACC is seeing it’s decision to pursue/take the Eagles as less than fulfilling. Yes, they have been a very competitive team and proven their worth on the field. However, I don’t think the attempt to become a conference that fully encompasses the Atlantic coast while capturing the Boston TV market has succeeded at this point. Boston is a pro sports town and BC ranks about 4th on the list of interest behind the Bo-Sox, Pats, and Celtics in interest, with two of these teams playing the entire time the Eagles are on the field. Their fans have shown time and again that they do not travel strong and have been known to even let other teams invade their own home turf. I think we are seeing that someone like a Louisville or West Virginia would have been a much better fit. I don’t necessarily see either of these teams wanting to make the change over into greater competition than the Big East though I also don’t think BC would have a problem switching back to a conference that is more geographically balanced its direction. Just a thought without a lot of traction, but something I wouldn’t completely rule out 3-5 years down the line. Oh, and prior to teh three BC people out there, yes your basketball team is pretty decent from time to time. Yes, academically you seem to be a fit. Reality says that if you are not one of the original schools, have a history of dominance on the hard court, or some combination there-of, youare hear for football and the revenue’s to the schools and athletic departments that it creates. Please spare me the whining on these topics.
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