VTHokieCub

And it isn't a Virginia Tech issue. It's not possible to keep up with the new P2 over the long haul. We're competing with both hands tied behind our backs - a situation that will become exponentially worse over time. You can't blame coaches and players for leaving when other schools offer them life changing amounts of money. We are now playing in what is essentially a wild, wild west version of professional football, but we're stuck in the crappiest division and our "owner" is a garden variety millionaire while the competitive teams are owned by billionaires. Fixes or solutions? 1) We become a part of the problem and somehow land a bid to one of the P2 (this outcome seems increasingly less likely as we descend further into sustained mediocrity). 2) The ACC and Big 12 merge to form a third power conference and secure a competitive media rights deal to those enjoyed by the SEC/BIG. (the merger part might happen, but the revenue equity seems like a long shot). 3) The powers that be (conferences, NCAA, state/federal legislatures) step in to regulate college football in some meaningful way to restore some degree of parity. I'm not sure what can be done (maybe nothing) when it comes to media revenue, but they should certainly be able to put some limits on the insanity that is NIL and the transfer portal (not sure how likely this scenario, or some version of it, might be - maybe 50/50). 4) Non-P2 conferences tell the "big boys" to go play with themselves, break with them entirely (no non-conference games - a total divorce with binding restraining orders in place) and form some reconstituted version of college athletics that actually involves educating student athletes (this feels almost impossible). I've held season tickets since I graduated and have been a consistent Hokie Club member at at least the Silver level since the early 2000s. I live in Charlotte and reluctantly decided to drop $95+ parking to watch a team down 12 starters lose a bowl game in front of what might have been 30K people. I had fun with my cousin, my Hokie football buddy since we both graduated in 1984, but we agreed last night that the wheels are completely off the bus. I'll continue to buy season tickets but my Hokie Club donation will drop to a participation level. I refuse to help fuel the absolute BS that college football has become with money I could be giving to other "charitable" organizations that actually help people. Helping buy luxury cars for 19 year-old kids just isn't on my list of philanthropic priorities. ** Edited by VTHokieCub at 1/4/2025, 5:52:26 PM

** Edited by VTHokieCub at 1/4/2025, 5:41:10 PM

That said, I never really thought they were going to pull it off. That no call on the obvious targeting was BS. Reminded me of our waved off TD at Miami - monied interests with thumbs on the scale.

all have had great seasons in recent years, some consistently so. Look for those programs to sink like rocks as the money continues to dry up.

And what's bad today will be exponentially worse in five years. ** Edited by VTHokieCub at 1/1/2025, 4:02:35 PM

If nothing changes to even the playing field, schools outside of those conferences are not going to be able to keep up financially and that translates to lots of losses on the field/court/mat/pitch. To think otherwise is just denial.

We've just sucked like a Hoover in football. There were no nails in our coffin until the BIG/SEC/ESPN monopoly decided to eliminate their competition... and NIL certainly hasn't helped.

This playoff format is ridiculous, the games have been HORRIBLE, and the monied interests will "fix" it by further limiting access for the lesser conferences. This is the first and last time we'll see a multiple bid league outside of the new "Power 2." What's worse is that the divide will grow only larger as the rich get richer. This isn't exactly "breaking news" but outside of further expansion in which we're included, Virginia Tech's days as a player in major college athletics are more or less over. It sucks, but it's true. ** Edited by VTHokieCub at 1/1/2025, 2:41:58 PM

Does the fact the ACC got two bids to the 12-team clusterduck financially benefit non-participating members of the ACC? What if they advance? Does a Clemson or SMU win today (or in the later rounds) mean more money for us? Conference pride and rooting for other members of the ACC out of conference used to be a thing for me, but unless we end up with more cash out of the deal, I don't much care if they win or lose. Well, that's not entirely true, I'd love to see Texas and Penn State with egg on their faces, but my guess is they both lay a beatdown on our conference mates. ** Edited by VTHokieCub at 12/21/2024, 11:35:16 AM

In that order.

** Edited by VTHokieCub at 3/22/2024, 6:51:43 PM

They were absolutely wiped out by injuries.

Nothing about that silly graphic makes sense.

But on a positive note, the addition of those two left coast bastions of liberalism will drive more than a few of the "anti-woke" crowd on here bonkers. :-)

A) Reconfigured ACC with refugees from other collapsed conferences (after being left out of mega conference) B) SEC C) Big 12 D) Big 10 E) American (Assuming total collapse of ACC and being left our of mega conference) F) Somewhere else we can't even conceive of at this point. I think A is the most likely followed by C, E, and F. I don't see us in the SEC or BIG10 and think that might be for the best.