Like many on here, I've been following conference realignment pretty hard core since the ACC announced that they were expanding for Miami, BC, and Syracuse. And at times, we can all get caught up in the minutiae and day-to-day rumors. The rumors and conjecture get repeated so many times that it becomes orthodoxy. In our current situation, there are a few such pieces of "knowledge." One, is that UNC and UVa are together and the SEC has the upper hand on getting these two. A second, is that VT and UVa HAVE to be a package deal. And a third, is that only the SEC, and not the B1G, would be willing to take both UVa and VT. Now, all three of these things may end up being true. But I don't think we should let our thinking be bound by them as if they are gospel truth at this time. OK, here's what I'm getting at. I think VT should be looking to get into one of the P2 conferences on our own merit and by our lonesome. And in doing so, I think we should be aiming for the highest bar, and that's the Big Ten. I would be satisfied with an invite to either P2 conference, but I think the B1G offers more to Tech than the SEC does in terms of a national schedule and academic alliance. As a result, I think the VT movers and shakers should be working behind the scenes to get into the Big Ten, without regard to what UVa or UNC want. I. for one, am bullish on Virginia Tech. I think we have a lot to offer the B1G. And we have a lot to offer the SEC for that matter. Resent might be too strong of a word, but it never sat easy with me that we had to depend on lawsuits, state politics, and a big brother rival to get us into the ACC. I also am not pleased with this idea that VT can't get into the P2 without UVa's help. The landscape has changed, and we are a very good candidate on our own merits in 2024. I want us to start acting like it. A word on UVa. I think we are all grateful for their efforts to get us into the ACC. And I think we've been a quality member of the league from the start. And I think we showed this loyalty to the conference (and UVa) by not pursuing the 14th spot in the SEC with Texas A&M's move. So after that, I think we've paid our debt to society and that we shouldn't feel any regret about acting in our interests right now or moving forward. WRT the state government: I can't imagine they'd have a problem if a VA school ends up in the SEC and the other in the B1G. In fact, to me this is even better for exposure. Perhaps through backchannels, I think we should be working our Big Ten, VA state government, and UVa administration angles to let them know if UNC goes to the SEC, and UVa goes with them, that we'd like to go our own way to the Big Ten. We are a Top 30 college football program historically and probably a Top 50 US university. Not too shabby. And there are other positives as well, as we all know. BTW, s/o to Mizzou for seizing the day and that #14 slot. Many nay-sayers said they'd become another Vandy in the SEC. Not so fast. Loved that they beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl last night. Congrats to them. Anyway, I'd be interested to get your thoughts on this. TIA.