ACC Network comes at a great time for ACC Athletics

An odd piece on the ACC and it’s upcoming network came from @AJCsports titled “ACC Network debut comes at a bad time for ACC football”.

A particular paragraph left me questioning how closely the author actually follows the ACC.

Clemson is No. 1 in the preseason coaches’ poll. No other ACC team is ranked. Miami, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Florida State were among those receiving votes. This is the best the ACC football has to offer in 2019 (not including quasi-member Notre Dame, which still has its own deal with NBC). 

Syracuse is ranked #22 in the preseason coachs’ poll. NC State, Duke, and Boston College also received votes. That’s four ACC teams omitted from the paragraph. It is correct that Notre Dame still has it’s own separate deal with the NBC. That said Notre Dame athletics will play a prominent role in the ACC Network. Already the Notre Dame at Duke football game is slated for the ACC Network. Any Notre Dame game at an ACC school could be on the ACC Network. All other Notre Dame athletics can be on the ACC Network, like any other ACC school.

There was a subtle shot at the compelling nature of the debut ACC Network game Clemson vs Georgia Tech. I went to both schools. I think this will be a blowout, but anyone care to remember the Big 10 Network debut game of Appalachian State and Michigan? Several other shots were delivered about the ACC and the network.

The conference has never had a period of more athletic success. No conference has won more national titles in the major sports since 2013 than the ACC. 

Having better football depth would help, but nothing beats having the defending national champions in football (Clemson) and basketball (Virginia). Clemson is front and center nationally and Dabo Swinney is a natural quote machine for the network. A win by either FSU or Miami in the opening weekend would have them likely ranked  the week after, and that story will write itself.

Duke and UNC basketball are always stories. Louisville basketball should be a top 10 team, and Virginia as we said are the defending national champions and a perennial top 25 team with their newest coaching star in Tony Bennett.

The ACC Network is needed for more than it’s revenue.

ESPN and ESPN2 are too national in their coverage. The Big 10, Pac 12, and the SEC have their own network that promote their teams and athletics. The ACC will finally get theirs, and it’s something ACC fans have wanted for a long time.

Contrary to the @AJCsports article, it’s a great time for the launch of the ACC Network.

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