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Friday, May 16
Updated: June 28, 2:18 AM ET
 
ACC now a major football and hoops conference

ESPN.com

It looks like the ACC has finally decided on its expansion plans by voting to invite Miami and Virginia Tech. There is no word on whether the ACC will expand to a 12th team or petition the NCAA to allow a conference championship game with 11 teams.

But here's a quick rundown on the new ACC:

School What it means
Clemson
Football: Clemson has struggled in recent years and adding Miami and Virginia Tech certainly won't help. After all, if Bobby Bowden has a tough time with Miami, how is Tommy going to fare?
Basketball: The Tigers haven't finished above .500 in ACC basketball play since 1996-97 and averaged just four conference wins the past five seasons. Adding three potential top-tier teams to the ACC just adds to the Tigers tough rebuilding project under new coach Oliver Purnell.
Duke
Football: The good news for the Dookies is they are a combined 8-5 all-time versus Miami (1-1) and Virginia Tech (7-4). The bad news is we're guessing that winning percentage will suffer big time once the two join the ACC.
Basketball: Coach K may not want to mess with a good thing, but Duke will be Duke no matter who joins the ACC. None of this should cause great concern at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Florida State
Football: Now this is interesting. While there is some merit to the idea of keeping FSU and Miami in seperate divisions -- after all, the sexiest title game is one between the 'Noles and the 'Canes -- the more practical scenario is to put Miami and FSU in the same division. Stealing a page from the SEC, have the 'Canes and the 'Noles play early enough in the season so that the loser can climb back high enough in the BCS rankings to secure the coveted second BCS bid for the conference. It worked well with Florida and Tennessee in recent years, so no reason to think it couldn't work here.
Basketball: The Seminoles may have been ready for ACC hoops in 1991-92, when they won 23 ACC games over their first two seasons and reached the Dance twice. But the past 10 years have produced 10 losing ACC campaigns. FSU reached the NCAAs as a 6-10 ACC team and seems to knock off a contender or two each year (see: Duke). Three more teams won't change anything.
Georgia Tech
Football: This one hurts. The Yellow Jackets could have lived with BC and Syracuse joining Miami. But Virginia Tech? Man, that's a tough one. The Hokies are nearly as tough as the 'Canes and while Georgia Tech is making strides under Chan Gailey, it may be awhile before the Yellow Jackets join the elite of the ACC now.
Basketball: Head coach Paul Hewitt has inroads in the Northeast, so losing Syracuse and Boston College doesn't hurt too much. In fact, it may help by keeping things more regional, the Yellow Jackets may have an easier time selling the ACC to Atlanta.
Maryland
Football: Ralph Friedgen and the Terps have moved into the upper-echelon of the ACC lately. Can they stay there with Virginia Tech and Miami joining the conference? Friedgen is a master at getting the most out of his offense and he'll need to be with two strong defenses like the Hokies and 'Canes joining the conference.
Basketball: The Terps will have to fight for more air time and losing any of the traditional rivals from the schedule won't go over well with the Terp faithful. Maryland has done a good job of recruiting the Northeast, so losing BC and 'Cuse doesn't hurt that much. Let's face it, Maryland is Maryland and can sell the program anywhere.
Miami
Football: The crown jewel of the ACC's expansion, Miami would instantly become the best team in the conference. The only ACC member who can match the athletes Miami brings are FSU, NC State and possibly Virginia and only FSU can match the winning tradition. The only question remaining is who gets stuck playing the 'Canes every year?
Basketball: This would be the worst move for the 'Canes in hoops. Perry Clark will have a hard time trying to compete in the ACC after struggling in the Big East last season. Miami recruits from all over the country, but will have to work even harder in the ACC.
North Carolina
Football: The Tar Heels have one of the country's prettiest stadiums. At least the Tar Heel fans can enjoy the scenery off the field when Miami and Virginia Tech come to town. This isn't any help to the prospect of winning seasons.
Basketball: The Tar Heels got lucky here with the last second switch from BC and Syracuse to Virginia Tech. Instead of visiting the Carrier Dome and BC, the Tar Heels get Miami and Va. Tech. Roy Williams would take the trade every day of the week.
NC State
Football: The way Chuck Amato is building NC State's program, this is the one team that just might not be afraid of the Big Bad Big East Duo joining the ACC. NC State has as much speed as anyone in the country and is starting to stockpile athletes the way Miami and FSU do, so this just makes it that much more interesting.
Basketball: Herb Sendek has struggled to stay in the top five in the ACC and get to the tournament. This new move makes his job a little easier.
Virginia
Football: Al Groh and Virginia are making great strides to join the nation's elite programs. Groh continually lands great recruiting classes and now he can invade South Florida with even more gusto. Virginia seems on the verge of greatness and the annual showdown with Virginia Tech for the state's bragging rights will be an annual must-see game. Think there will be some taunting about how the only reason Va. Tech is here is because of Virginia?
Basketball: The Cavs haven't been consistent in the ACC of late and the one good thing for UVa is the fact they don't have to play Syracuse and Boston College.
Virginia Tech
Football: Well, adding the Hokies with the 'Canes all but assures the ACC of landing two BCS spots every year. With all due respect to BC and Syracuse, Virginia Tech raises the bar quite a bit football-wise and makes the ACC as deep and talented as any conference in the country.
Basketball: It's obvious the ACC didn't bring in the Hokies for their basketball prowess. They haven't had a winning record since joining the Big East three years ago -- they were in the A-10 before that -- and their last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1996. In fact, Virginia Tech has only been to the Big Dance twice since 1986.
Wake Forest
Football: This could really hurt a team like Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are always on the bowl bubble and having two more top-notch teams come into the conference could keep Wake home for the holidays.
Basketball: The Demon Deacons are a hit under Skip Prosser and this shouldn't have any impact on them. Prosser is already a master recruiter and he already has a stronghold in the Northeast so losing BC and Syracuse doesn't really affect him.

College football editor Joe Wojciechowski, college basketball editor Ron Buck and senior writer Andy Katz all contributed to this report





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