Thinking back to ACC expansion in 2004, ACC fans were talking like the ACC could go toe-to-toe in football with the SEC. ACC envisioned lots of FSU/Clemson and VT/Miami top 20 battles with the winner facing off in the ACCCG. Schools like NCSU, UNC, uva (at the time), GT and Pitt later on formed a solid middle. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. VT and FSU declined at the end of their HOF careers. Miami never got back, baby. And Clemson was down at the time. Clemson is now relevant nationally - better under Dabo than they ever were. What if FSU gets top-10 good again? What if Pry gets VT back to 9 or 10 win seasons in a few years? What if Miami finally puts up records to match their recruiting rankings? I know this is all about money. But all ACC schools should double-down on their football investments. When the ACC can get multiple schools into the playoff picture every year - and win some of these games, the reputation of the league will improve. Embrace the "underdog" role. It will take 5-6 years to turn around impressions... but if ACC reaches that potential around 2030, they will have leverage with ESPN. This seems like a way-better path than rats scurrying to jump ship.