There is no doubt the leadership of the ACC has been 2nd rate the last decade. That’s what caused the disparate TV network contracts.
But to imply the programs in the ACC are 2nd rate to the Big10, is BS. Outside of OSU, the Big 10 has accomplished nothing on the field.
Michigan has 1 NC in the last 20+ years and apparently cheated to do it.
Oregon hasn’t won an NC during my lifetime.
PSU hasn’t won an NC since 1986 and consistently overrated year in and year out.
USC has won officially won 1 NC in the last 20+ years.
Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin nothing.
Nebraska hasn’t been relevant in decades.
UW had one good season and got their doors blown off in the NC.
Meanwhile Clemson has been the most consistent program, not named Bama the past decade.
FSU is two years removed from an undefeated regular season where they were screwed out of the playoffs by an injury.
Miami missed the playoffs last year by stepping on their xxxx in two easily winnable games.
GT took playoff UGA to 8 OT’s and lost because of a blown targeting call.
SMU made the playoffs last year and appears on an upward trajectory.
LU is consistently a solid, but not an elite team.
Note Dame which plays an ACC schedule, played in the NC last year.
So since those with a narrative avoided my question of which conference has won the most NC’s the past 25 seasons and by the most different teams, how about a little exercise in prognostication.
Who would win on the field this year between the ACC and Big 10’s preseason predicted top teams?
Clemson - PSU
OSU - ND
Oregon - SMU
Miami - Illinois
Indiana - LU
GT - Michigan
NC - Iowa
Syracuse - UW
FSU - USC
Duke - Nebraska
I would predict a 5-5 record in those matchups. There simply isn’t a huge difference between the two conferences ON THE FIELD.