How entitled is our fanbase? Miami was expected to come into the ACC and immediately be one of the big dogs who would annually be in the hunt for conference championships. With one conference championship game in the nearly 20 years in the conference, the Canes are not holding up their end of the bargain (not by a long shot). Yet, we are supposed to act like the ACC owes us something? Give me a break.
The ACC is where it is because its historically strong teams - Miami, FSU, VT, and now Clemson - have not had sustained success as a group. FSU had it going during the Winston years and Clemson had a nice run for about 5 years, but there was only like 2 seasons where both were at the top of the college world.
Hindsight being 20/20, I think the ACC would realize that adding Pitt and Syracuse didn't really add much to the conference (if anything). Neither has been lights out in basketball as they were expected. Plus, I think the ACC should have strong armed ND last year to at least join the conference for a 5 year term. I think ND would have just sat out last year instead of being forced to join long term with the ACC, but they could have been cajoled into joining for 5 years. During that time, I think ND would realize their world would not end by joining a conference, would give them the excitement of trying to get into the ACC Championship game, and give them a better shot at a playoff spot (they have already seen that this season so hopefully that nudges them to join full time).
Aside from those instances, I'm not sure what else the ACC could have done to improve its reputation. Louisville has been an upgrade when Maryland left for the Big 10. It is a good fit for Miami as it has a high number of fellow private universities.
One thing the ACC has going against it as far as the TV contract is concerned is the fact that its public institutions do not have the huge student enrollment as those in the Big 10 and SEC (except for Clemson and FSU). Therefore, there are not the huge 80K+ stadiums like in the Big 10 and SEC (again, aside from Clemson and FSU). This is why it is so important for Miami, FSU, VT, and it appears Clemson now to be more competitive so their games become "must watch" TV.
