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Pitt to the ACC? I like the idea

The landscape of college athletics could be in for another change if a New York Times report plays out.

Pitt and Syracuse, according to the Times, are taking to the Atlantic Coast Conference about membership.

The second graph of the story was interesting:
No one from Pittsburgh, Syracuse or the A.C.C. denied the conversations were taking place. Officials from all three entities declined to comment on the matter.
Maybe it'll happen. Maybe it won't.

I will say this, however, if the Big East can't get Notre Dame or final other colleges to expand, having Pitt jump to the ACC is a good move.

I love the Big East for basketball. I think it's the best conference out there. But for football? As much as I'd like to see Pitt succeed in the Big East, I have to wonder about the future of football playing in the Big East.

The Big East gets no respect when it comes to football. Even when it had Miami and Virginia Tech, the conference didn't get a whole lot of respect either. The addition of TCU will help, but I don't see it as a long-term solution.

So a move to the ACC would be a boost for the Panthers. It also makes sense for the ACC. The conference would be able to tap into the Pittsburgh market, for whatever that's now worth.

As for basketball, "stepping down" from the Big East to the ACC wouldn't be such a bad thing. I'd certainly be interested in seeing Duke or North Carolina making a trip to Pittsburgh once a year.

If what everyone is predicting comes true -- the future of college football is four 16-team super-conferences -- then Pitt needs to be proactive.

If they wait too long, they could be left out in the cold.
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