Where smoke, there’s fire!?! - Independence

There has been much buzz this week about North Carolina and Clemson exploring departure from the ACC to join the Southeast Conference.

While this “rumor” may be true, we do not feel it will happen until 2030-31. That’s when conference media rights are set to be renegotiated and the ACC exit fee drops substantially.

BUT… if it happens sooner, then what happens to the ACC?

The CaneReports’ staff quickly put their heads together and came up three options for the ACC. Today, we examine the last of three options.

Option C: INDEPENDENCE

This is the most risky option for Miami. Should all other options be exhausted, Miami could go “back to the future” and again become an independent. Prior to 1991, Miami competed as an independent, winning three national championships in football (1983, 1987, 1989).

Should Miami elect to become independent again, who might the Canes play on a 12-game schedule?

Our staff again debated over more than 20 schools. We wanted traditional rivals. We wanted schools in large TV markets. We want strong regional opponents. We wanted a strong national footprint. We wanted good academic schools.

Here’s who checked the boxes.

Florida State:

This annual rivalry game has given us some of the greatest college football games in history (i.e. Wide Left and Wide Right). TV ratings are always in the top tier of college football every year. No brainer.

Notre Dame:

Again, this rivalry has featured some of the best games in history (i.e. Catholics vs Convicts). Also the Irish pull an international audience and the huge Chicago market. Like Miami, Notre Dame is a private school with high academic standards. Another no brainer.

Penn State:

The Nittany Lions and Hurricanes were annual rivals for years, giving us classic match-ups. Always a good ratings match-up in the strategic Northeast.

Clemson:

The Tigers are a very strong regional opponent and top competition. Ratings are always top tier.

Georgia Tech:

Another strong regional opponent in the very large Atlanta market. Georgia Tech is a respected university with i high academic standards.

Virginia Tech:

Virginia Tech provides another strong regional opponent. Games between the Hokies and Canes are always competitive and exciting.

USC:

The Trojans would add to Miami’s national footprint and strength of schedule. Like Miami, USC is a private school with high academic standards.

SMU:

The Mustangs would give Miami a strong recruiting presence in talent rich Texas and the huge DFW market. SMU is a private school with high academic standards.

Louisville:

The Cardinals would bring a strong regional opponent in the mid-west.

Duke:

The Blue Devils are a national brand in basketball and the arch-rival of the Tar Heels. Duke is is a private school with high academic standards.

North Carolina:

The Tar Heels bring a strong regional opponent and a national brand in basketball. UNC is also the arch-rival of the Blue Devils, thus very good ratings and exposure in the mid-atlantic.

Stanford:

The Cardinal would add recruiting exposure in the very large northern California market and important recruiting ground.

Others Considered: Pittsburgh, UTSA, Tulane, South Florida (USF), Central Florida (UCF), Virginia, UConn, Florida

Mock Schedule: (alphabetically)

Duke

Clemson

Florida State

Georgia Tech

Louisville

Notre Dame

North Carolina (UNC)

Penn State

Southern Melodist (SMU)

Stanford

Southern Cal (USC)

Virginia Tech

BOTTOM LINE:

The independence path would be more challenging, but also perhaps more rewarding. Definitely feels like “Back to the Future.”

GO CANES!