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RandomAsianGuy OP
Aug 30, 2025 at 02:22 PM ET
How much do I trust Brett McMurphy?
It seems like some people have serious doubts about his latest report, and believe me, I get that. I’ve found that these reporters often lack strong analytical skills, let alone legal or financial/accounting knowledge. So, I don’t put much stock in their own predictions. That said, they do have access to sources, so they know more than we do. Obviously, their info is only as good as their sources. In my view, the reporters with the best sources are McMurphy, Pete Thamel, Dennis Dodd, AD Hale (for the ACC), and Andrea Adelson (for the ACC). Their sources are much better than, say, Flug, Monty, or Drake T(r)oll (lol). Again, I don’t trust any of them for predictions. So, if McMurphy has been talking about the ACC crumbling and losing schools to the Big 12, I don’t care a bit. All I’m interested in is what his sources say. Now, he has been reporting that UNC and UVA are wanted. I know people just couldn’t believe UVa is a serious contender but I have been saying that UVa would be a good tag along for UNC. In the last interview, he also reported his sources mentioned Utah among the Big 12 schools. And, if I remember correctly, he never reported that his sources said the P2 wanted FSU. FSU leaving is all speculation, never directly from his sources. That’s why his last interview was interesting. If the Big Ten wants an AAU school and the SEC doesn’t want FSU, where would FSU go? FSU fans complain that ESPN hates FSU, and maybe there’s some truth to it. Speaking of ESPN, let’s consider its motives. If UNC and UVA go to the SEC, then most likely UNC-NC State and UVA-VT games will join the annual ACC/SEC rivalry games, which won't be a bad deal for ESPN. Losing UNC and UVA and retaining FSU and Clemson won't harm the ACC greatly, and again that won’t be a bad outcome for ESPN. To be clear, ESPN would have no issue with the ACC becoming a mid-tier conference, a step below the SEC. At the same time, the ACC is still their property, and ESPN will have no problem using it to undermine and weaken another conference (Big 12), causing that conference to lose its value (like the old BEFC) when the negotiation time comes (2030). People who don’t understand that the ACC is ESPN’s second-tier property tend to either overvalue the ACC, as if the ACC were their top property (the ACC homers), or undervalue it, as if ESPN would completely abandon it and let it collapse (those crazy B12 fans). If FSU and Clemson don't get an invite from the P2, then the ACC will definitely be in a position to poach the B12 in 2030. So while I understand why a report about UVa potentially getting an invite is upsetting, it’s actually not as bad as losing FSU.

14 Replies

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cvillehokie92
11mo
I'll believe UVA to SEC when I see it
Doesn't make any logical sense as to what the SEC has done in the past, none. There football attendance is an embarassment to the ACC much less the SEC. Will never buy into this.
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Big12 guy
11mo
The SEC expanded by picking up Texas and Oklahoma. I
think they are good.
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cvillehokie92
11mo
That's my point.
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VTCALS72
11mo
The re making of UVA and UNC is like
the new, can't fail new market for Bud Light and Cracker Barrel that we have seen. It is the model TV wants and they want to just like it.
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Stech
11mo
UVA has a history of trying to help VT, Bill & Alice Goodwin & John Warner
monthly lunches which were started for BRAC (Base Realignment Commission) but has impacted many areas, including keeping Virginia and Virginia Tech in tier 1 sports. Many think 2003 was a one off, but actually the President’s at both have been working together way before that.
MP4VT2004 MP4VT2004
11mo
I don't follow this stuff at all, so my opinion isn't worth much, but...
...from my admittedly uninformed perspective, most "sources" seem to spout off what they want/have been told to say, in hopes that they can somehow manipulate the situation and manifest the outcome they desire. There are so many parties involved in this that I don't think anyone really has the scoop on what is likely to happen.
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RandomAsianGuy OP
11mo
Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen.
But I suppose conference leadership knows whether their conference is considering expansion, which schools they’re targeting, and whether the vetting process should begin. Some reporters learn this kind of information before the public through their “sources.” Ross Dellenger broke the so-called Magnificent Seven news. Some reporters (at least AD Hale and a couple of others) also raised the possibility of a lawsuit before FSU filed one. Pat Forde even said FSU and Clemson were coordinating on legal challenges before they filed any. In my opinion, it’s no different from political reporters covering the White House and political leaders. They have sources and know what’s happening behind the scenes, but that doesn’t mean they can predict how the election will turn out.
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thebluelot
11mo
The only way the ACC poaches the Big12
Is if the SEC/Big10 come knocking for some combination of Kansas/WVU/OkSt/Texas Tech/Utah/ASU prior to poaching UNC+. That's possible but the ACC is currently the weakest with the poor tv ratings of the bottom dozen ACC teams. If UNC leaves then Louisville and VT are immediately darting for the Big12 if they can't break into the SEC. Lets say that you're assumption is correct that maybe the SEC stops at UNC/UVA or UNC/Duke. If that happens, FSU and Clemson will be first in line to join the Big12. The TV ratings and fan following is already superior. If the ACC loses the already waning basketball prowess, it's over.
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HokiesACC2004
11mo
I don't see the Big 10/SEC poaching the Big 12
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ancient alien 2018
11mo
Bottom line: The SEC would "take" UNC. They have no interest in UVa. and
both schools would have to find new homes for several minor sports. The BIG on the other hand, is a better fit for both and IF any movement ever happens, you can bet the BIG will be involved with these two schools, NOT THE SEC. IF, come 2030, the SEC decides not to take either/or FSU/Clemson, an entire different scenario develops in the ACC and it "COULD" STAY a viable conference. The SEC could care less about academics and being AAU. They want solid football programs, and if basketball also fills that bill, all the better. UNC to the SEC? My UNC friends all do not want that to happen, but it would be the more likely of the two. assuming expansion actually ever happens. 2030 may well see something move. I suppose we'll all just have to wait until 2030, or until VT becomes " THE AMAZONS"!!
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RandomAsianGuy OP
11mo
I agree that we have to wait. It’s a semi open race now. Only UNC is a lock
Techinically VT still has a chance. But we have to get much better at football AND invest a lot more.
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ancient alien 2018
11mo
Absolutely!!
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Stech
11mo
Greg Sankey SEC said we need 🏀 schools, we are strong enough in 🏈.
I will see if I can find his quote, but I get where you are coming from, because it is not great news for Virginia Tech. Now things could change, but that’s what he said.
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EDGEMAN
11mo
Just another reason why we need to make the NCAAT this season!
And keep making the tournament!