Nine Ways ACC Football Can Be Improved

Several factors will forever keep the ACC from matching its SEC and Big Ten peers in terms of fan support and revenue. However, there are many simple steps the conference could still take to improve its appeal. 

Winning games goes a long way, but that's not entirely under the control of the conference or the individual teams, and for now we'll also reserve Utopian thoughts on realignment for another day. 

Here, though, are nine things I found that the ACC can control and take action on that would likely make ACC football a better product, increase exposure, and strengthen fan support.

1) Make Miami-BC an annual rivalry. 

Hampered by smaller enrollments and distant locations in pro sports towns, one thing these programs do have going for each other is a modest rivalry punctuated by an unforgettable moment familiar to all true college football fans, and especially to each school's fanbase. 

Renewing this rivalry would give the ACC another decent, marquee game on name recognition alone. This would involve some divisional realignment, but they should find a way to make this happen.

2) Kill the Miami-USF series. 

Or at least move it to before conference play. Regrettably the ACC and Miami have allowed DisneyTV to force this upon fans as an end-of-year rivalry game, when in fact that rivalry should be the matchup listed above.

The problem is Miami and the ACC have nothing to gain here and a whole lot to lose. USF would love nothing more than to use this as a platform for solidifying a "big four" in Florida, or better still, supplant Miami as the No. 3 in state. 

For this reason USF refuses to treat UCF as a rival, and in that same vein, there's no reason Miami should respect USF's calls. Miami does need to increase attendance, but this is one instance where the risks aren't worth the rewards.  

3) No more conference games in the first three weeks. 

Unless scheduling conflicts really demand this, please stop putting conference games so early in the season. The benefits of any TV exposure don't outweigh the crude play we've seen in recent examples, and this reduces the chances of creating quality conference games later in the season. 

So while something like Miami vs. FSU on Labor Day sounds attractive, true fans know the game would be more intense and better played after each side has a few wins under its belt.

4) Play more games with Army and Navy. 

It seems to match what the ACC both wants and needs: more Northeastern exposure without overdosing on the BE and respected opponents that aren't also a real threat to your standing. Plus they're easily accessible for several ACC schools.

If the conference seriously wants to increase their familiarity among Northeastern recruits and fans, this is a good way to go.

5) Awaken the Maryland program and fanbase.

The Terrapins have two national championships (as those things go) and several conference titles. 

They have some 35,000 students and are in the DC/Baltimore metro area amidst a strong college football area with VT, WVU, and PSU...and yet continue to struggle on the field and at the gate (comparably speaking). 

They could use a marquee rival. A series with PSU or Rutgers might help stir the souls, as Maryland fans seem less enamored with WVU (who'd prefer a series with VT anyway). 

Seeing the improvements at UNC is great for the league, but seeing a sustained run and possible stadium expansion at College Park would do wonders.

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