Did the ACC help Notre Dame stay independent?

While ACC noticed, the college football world hasn't really made much of FOX's attempt to land the ACC. It should be a big deal that there is a new player willing to spend money. I am sure the Pac 10 and Big XII are now planning on FOX to open up the checkbook for them. However, I think a different program will benefit...Notre Dame.

One of FOX's objectives was a national Saturday game. Much of their fall Saturday's have afternoon baseball, so a national game would probably have to have a noon ET start time. The ACC could have accommodated that. The Pac 10 could not. The Big XII might but that means a lot of 11:00 am local starts. Notre Dame -- even with South Bend's funky timezone thing -- probably would be willing to play games at noon. It wouldn't be the same exposure they get from NBC, but money talks. If FOX pays the Irish in the neighborhood of the ACC's $17 million I am sure ND will play the early game Saturday.

If the ACC had taken the FOX offer, I doubt ESPN would have broken the bank for the Irish. They have enough content and get enough Notre Dame via their road games against other schools.

With FOX as a free partner with deep pockets, Notre Dame can either move or leverage the interest to get more money out of NBC. A decent contract will placate those around Notre Dame who want the Big Ten's money.

What does this all mean for BC? If Notre Dame joins another conference, we will probably never get back on their schedule. As long as they remain independent, they will have to talk to us...especially if there is pressure from their TV partners to find attractive, and proven ratings grabbing opponents.

More on the ACC TV deal

So the smoke has cleared a bit and now we can analyze the ACC's new TV deal with ESPN.

1. It was better than anyone thought. ESPN passed on their exclusive window earlier this spring and lowballed the ACC until the end. Thankfully FOX came in with a full court press and forced ESPN's hand. ESPN also needed the ACC now more than they did last spring. With Turner entering the college hoops world, ESPN needed to secure the flagship college hoops conference for content. ESPN also rebranded ESPN 360 into ESPN3. As part of that they need a major conference willing to put their games online. The SEC was not willing. The ACC was.

2. Some of you will still have a hard time seeing all of BC's games. Because we are now in bed with them, this means more games on ESPN U, more games on ESPN3.com and continued regional partnering with Raycom. Sorry folks. If your cable company doesn't step up, consider a dish or fios.

3. ESPN will sell some of their games to Raycom. Instead of Raycom bidding seperately they have agreed to buy ACC games from ESPN. That means there will still be regional, syndicated broadcast coverage of ACC sports. It is to be determined if this will carry ESPN branding, ACC branding or Raycom branding, but it will be a Raycom production and probably have the same affiliate network Raycom now has.

4. The ACC is betting on the future. The ACC's deal is smaller than the SEC's. It is also shorter. So next time the ACC will negotiate before the SEC. The thought process with this is that the economy will be better, there is an advantage for setting the market and the power football teams (Miami and FSU) will be stronger.

5. This helps protect the conference but doesn't guarantee anything. The deal is strong and makes it much less likely that anyone will bolt but it is still short of the Big Ten and the SEC's deals. As long as there is money on the table, teams will listen.

ACC and ESPN reach TV deal

I'll post more details and thoughts later today but the good news is that ESPN and the ACC agreed to a new deal worth a reported $155 million per year.

Baseball beats Dartmouth and other links

The baseball team used their make up date with Dartmouth to help improve their record. The 10-4 win moved the Eagles to 28-23. They will play another non-conference game on Tuesday against St. John's.

The Ravens are giving McLaughlin a shot as a fullback. Hopefully he makes it. The odds are not in his favor since he is learning a new position at the highest level. The flipside is that they must like him as a long snapper and special teamer and think moving him to a thin part of the roster is a way to keep him on.

This is a terrible article about expansion trying to play it smart. The only reason I am noting it is because it continues to use the "BC is an afterthought in Boston" theme as an excuse to call our move to the ACC a mistake. What all these guys fail to realize is that staying in the Big East would have generated less interest in BC within Boston and although we don't dominate the Boston market like some colleges dominate their tiny markets, we are a consistent ratings winner. And our ratings in Boston and nationally mean more than scoring a 91 in a four-tier TV market does for some of these other schools.

Noreen tripped up by ACC rules and other links

Kevin Noreen's status is still up in the air, but it looks like ACC transfer rules will keep him from going to North Carolina.

Former Eagle Stalin Colinet now counsels high school athletes on the recruiting process.

Here is more on Donahue's first verbal -- Dennis Clifford. Tyler Harris is another 2011 prospect for Steve Donahue. We are also laying down roots for the 2012 class with targets like Kaleb Tarczewski.

The Herald had a nice and rare feature involving BC Track.

Softball season ends in ACC Tourney and other links

A disappointing season came to a close today as the softball team lost to No. 1 seed Georgia Tech, 8-0 in the opener of the ACC Tournament. The team finishes the season with a 16-33 record.

I asked Bruce Feldman about BC's chances in his chat on Friday. He still thinks we are second tier.

The news that Miami and Notre Dame are renewing their series is bad for BC. It is one less open date for the Irish and another ACC team on their schedule. However, if Notre Dame stays independent, our chances of getting them back on the schedule improve. As an indy they won't be able to play any Big Ten or SEC teams late in the year. The ACC and BC would accommodate them and give them much needed October and November dates.

This has been around a bit, but I thought some might find the analysis interesting. I always put a lot of weight into returning starters, but this study shows it is not a significant factor.

QB recruiting and other links

BC is being aggressive again on the QB recruiting front. Christian Suntrup is one of many QB targets in this class. BC is also talking to Pennsylvania QB Matt Johnson.

Akil Sharperson is coming to BC as a preferred walk on. He seems like a special kid.

BC, Duke and UNC were the top ACC performers in the academic progress report.

Here is another wrap up of the ACC meetings. The GMan thinks we will sign with ESPN.

If you missed Jared Dudley on First Take, you can click on this link via his twitter account.

Although they still haven't signed many guys, Donahue's crew has been very active. BC has interest in Wisconsin product Paul Jesperson. Meanwhile Kevin Noreen seems to be talking to everyone and remains undecided.

This baseball america blog mentions BC commit Kevin Walter and speculates that if he is drafted high enough he might skip the Heights and sign with an MLB team.

Former Eagle Razzie Smith is trying to make a go of it in the CFL.

Hoosiers at the Heights and other links

As rumored, BC will host Indiana for this year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Indiana is still rebuilding but it is always nice to see a traditional power at Conte. This game will come on the heels of the Old Spice Challenge in Orlando at Thanksgiving. We should know a lot about this team after that stretch. (I know I said the same thing last year and was wrong...)

The ACC meetings closed without a resolution on the TV deal. I know Fox has real interest in getting in on ACC football, however, I think the ACC worries about a potential lack of presence on ESPN and what that would mean for the brand.

CFN produced another solid season preview of the team. It also includes depth charts, Offensive Scouting and Defensive Scouting.

How do you want the Expansion to play out?

One way or another, the Big Ten will expand. Whatever happens there will be a domino effect on all the other conferences. How much things change is unknown. I really only see three potential solutions for BC. All are listed below. Take a look and let me know which path you want taken.

1. The Status Quo. In this scenario all the other conferences shuffle yet the ACC remains as is. This will only happen if the new ACC TV deal is very strong. If it falls short of what Big Ten and SEC schools make then all the current ACC teams will listen and explore new conferences. My ideal ending would be for BC to remain with the current roster of ACC teams in a 12 team conference. I don't think this will happen. I just don't see the ACC putting together any sort of package that is as lucrative as the Big Ten's cable network.

2. BC joins the Big Ten. In my opinion this is the longest of long shots, but the continued floating of BC as a potential Big Ten target keeps the idea alive. While we don't fit the Big Ten's profile, I could see why they would want BC. We deliver good TV ratings (despite the national perception), have a strong history in multiple sports and bring a very good academic profile. We would be a fish out of water in the Big Ten, but we would be a very rich fish out of water. I would support a move to the Big Ten but don't see it happening for a variety of reasons. The Big Ten has all the cards in this scenario, so why would they take a risk on BC when they could take a better fit like Mizzou?

3. BC becomes part of the Big-ACC. This involves the post raid ACC and Big East teams getting together to form some sort of East Coast Conference. If this happens, I assume that the ACC has been striped of some of its marquis programs (FSU? North Carolina? Clemson?) and the Big East teams looking for partners are programs we want no part of (UConn, WVU). Although we could ascend to the top of this conference, I think public perception would be very low. Would the casual BC fan be excited? Would the conference be able to generate serious TV revenue? I doubt it. Unfortunately this is the most likely scenario. We would remain in a BCS conference and remain playing East Coast teams, but that would be the only benefit. This would feel like a mid major afterthought.

BC and the World Cup and other links

Tough news on the Charlie Davies comeback front. While he continues to progress, he is not far enough along to make the US World Cup team for South Africa and was left off the 30 man roster. The lone silver lining though is that another Eagle Alejandro Bedoya made the 30 man roster. Bedoya plays in Sweden and getting on the field during the WC would be a huge boost to his career. The final 23 man roster will be decided after the Team USA minicamp.

Here is more on BC commit Brian Mihalic. I like that Spaz is building up the class with big, line prospects. I also appreciate that we are a factor in the Cleveland area again. Given our sales pitch and success with Cleveland guys, we should do well in northeast Ohio.

HD lists Max Holloway as a potential breakout player.

ACC Meeting news and other links

The the pending TV deal(s) look like they will be the major news coming out of the ACC meetings. My guess is that there will not be an ACC network. I also doubt we will align with one provider like the SEC did with ESPN. Instead, I predict the ACC deal will have renewal arrangements with ABC/ESPN, CBS (for basketball), Raycom and Fox. The money will grow, but not be enough to end expansion talks. Speaking of expansion...it is on everyone's mind (including Gene's) yet no one at the ACC has any definitive solution or statement. It is all wait and see. Since all the players are dancing around the issue, I think the ACC remains vulnerable. Until the conference announces a new partnership plan which includes huge departure penalties, every school is a flight risk. Ugh, I know in the long run BC will be okay, I just don't want to see us in the ACC/Big East leftovers conference.

Donahue has interest in Arizona PG Jahii Carson. I am glad to see us working the 2011 targets, but we still need a flyer or two for the 2010 class! We are still waiting on the official word from Kevin Noreen.

Another look at Donahue and other links

As most of you probably read, the Globe had an excellent feature on Steve Donahue Sunday. It points to a player injury as a turning point in his career but also shares some of Donahue's personal, professional and financial struggles. In the end winning the right way will be what matters most, but I think having a coach who is emotional and willing to share his story will help BC basketball in many ways.

Here is another feature on Herzy. Despite knowing the story, I find each article refreshing and inspiring. This season cannot get here soon enough.

This blogger predicted our starting five and the other ACC lineups for next year. The list includes the now departed Ravenel.

Brust staying in Big Ten and other links

Ben Brust was one of Steve Donahue's more promising targets. The former Iowa verbal considered coming to BC, but preferred to stay in the midwest. Once the Big Ten allowed him to commit to another Big Ten school without penalty, BC's standings slid. He finally decided on Wisconsin.

If you've been meaning to catch some BC baseball, Sunday might be the day for you. The guys will play two against Florida State.

This is a few days old, but the Broncos cut Marcellus Bowman. I think he will struggle making an NFL roster. The upside of the early cut is that he can now get a shot at another team.

More hoops roster shuffling

Steve Donahue picked up his first official commitment in 6'10 Mass product Dennis Clifford. While not an elite recruit, Clifford is a good first sign. He's local (which had been a challenge for Skinner), he had other options, and he's willing to sign on for Donahue before he's even coached a game at BC. Clifford is part of the 2011 recruiting class.

Donahue is also closing in on his first transfer in Centenary guard Damon Starring. Because Centenary is dropping down to DIII, Starring would not have to sit out a year in a transer.

It is not all good news though as Evan Ravenel will transfer. That leaves BC, very thin in the front court. I don't know if or how Ravenel would have adapted to Donahue's scheme but I always liked him as a player. He wasn't dominate nor did he have great talent, but he seemed to play smart and hard.

Reading too much into the tickets video and other links

Since it won't allow me to embed, go to the BC website to check out the new video promoting ticket sales (I'll wait). Are you back? Good. The video is well done and pretty typical. It features Harris and Castonzo and teases Herzy's return at the very end. Did you notice who was missing? Our returning, starting QB. I am probably reading too much into it, but it is very surprising to ignore your QB in a highlight video...especially when he is returning. In my mind this is just another sign that the QB depth chart is wide open and we may not see Shinskie starting by the time we play an ACC opponent.

The ACC might not sell the most tickets or travel well, but as a conference we drive ratings. Check out this article. It makes me think that even in a down economy the ACC has real bargaining power with the latest round of TV talks.

These are the reasons HD is excited about the new football season.

Brady Heslip will visit Oregon this weekend.

The Pac 10 and the Big XII are considering some sort of TV alliance that would pool their market power and potentially form a network. Where is the ACC when all of this is going on?

Donahue's staff has interest in prep schooler Aaron Cosby.

BC is hoping to hit the St. Xavier (Kentucky) pipeline again with Daylen Hall.

This is an interesting story regarding Mike McLaughlin's decision to sign with Baltimore. Although they didn't draft him, they recruited him hard. Let's hope it proves to be a good fit.

Cassara's unexpected rise and other links

The other day I wrote about how the BC coaching change helped Cooley and Coen even though they didn't get the BC job. Well no one is this process benefited more than Hofstra's new coach Mo Cassara. The former BC assistant almost lost his job for the second time in two months, only to be promoted to the newly vacant head job at the Long Island school. Now he is a head coach at a mid major with good potential upside! Although his time at BC didn't end well, I wish Mo nothing but the best and hope he can take the Pride to the next level. He also proves a few cliches true -- good things happen to good people and timing is everything.

Mr. College Football is the latest pundit to rank BC in the middle of the division.

Donahue stills needs a body to two for this recruiting class, but is already making plans for 2011. He offered local product Dennis Clifford a scholarship last week. Hopefully they can get the big man to commit this summer.

Here is the latest recruiting roundup from the ACC Sports Journal. The Journal also has a pretty good spring summary from EA's Eric Hoffses.

Herzy was on Ivan Maisel's podcast.

Finally, you may have seen this elsewhere but please support the BC Club of Atlanta and, blogger/friend BCMike in their annual performance at Relay for Life.

Expansion overload and other links

David Glenn -- who I like -- is the latest ACC guy to write about the impact of expansion on our new conference. Glenn talked to a representative of every ACC school and came away thinking the conference is secure. In the article I linked he explained his reasoning. I still think we are in the poker stage. I have no doubt every school has talked to a third party about joining the Big Ten or the SEC. (In BC's case it would probably have been the Big Ten.) I also doubt that any would turn down a chance to move because the windfall is so big. Until the ACC has either its own cable channel to rival the Big Ten or a megadeal from ESPN, we can be poached.

On the recruiting front, BC is in the mix for Paul Gaughan.

Hofstra should do everything in its power to hire Skinner. My guess is that Al would rather wait for a bigger job to open next year.

Deep in this article is a mention of Tanner McEvoy and his interest in BC. Warren Ball is another potential BC guy.

Ayla Brown is the latest young BC grad to get a network TV slot. She'll bring her youthful perspective to CBS's morning show.

BC baseball put their rough weekend behind them and beat Northeastern tonight.

Interviewing with BC helps one's wallet and other links

Although their mentor was fired by Boston College, both Ed Cooley and Bill Coen received serious consideration for the Men's Basketball opening. Neither got the job but both got good raises from their current employers (Coen at Northeastern and Cooley at Fairfield). Both guys owe Gene a thank you as the BC process raised their profiles and their market values.

HD highlighted Herzy's contributions to "Lift of Life." Herzy will also be part of the V Foundation Fundraiser later this month in Sarasota.

While the men's basketball team hopes for transfers, the women's team is getting them. This should help our depth.

Here is HD's post spring power rankings. Not surprising, we are in the middle of the pack.

This has been in other places, but it is worth noting that Fedex will no longer sponsor the Orange Bowl. I don't think of it as a big deal...inevitably some other sponsor will fill the void. The ROI is always tough to justify on these events, but for companies without an established brand, the exposure from naming rights is huge.

Herzy at Lift for Life and other links

He's not in pads, but you've got to feel good about Herzy's prospects after watching this.

The Chiefs bloggers like Gunnell's chances of contributing.

Not a good weekend for the BC baseball team. With the latest loss, they now fall to .500 in ACC play.

Hokies take down baseball team again and other links

After cruising into Blacksburg on a major hot streak, the baseball team has now dropped two in a row. They will look to salvage the series with a win on Sunday.

Brian Toal is hoping to make the most of his tryout with the Giants.

Now that former Iowa commit Ben Burst has won his appeal he will likely go to another Big Ten school instead of heading east to play for Donahue.

Future Eagle Andre Williams also excels on the track. Let's hope the track speed translates to big plays in football.