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Ranking the ACC’s best expansion candidates to counter the Big 12

By John Scimeca

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 03: Corey Dauphine #6 of the Tulane Green Wave runs in a touchdown during the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 03: Corey Dauphine #6 of the Tulane Green Wave runs in a touchdown during the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 17: Victor Rosa #22 of the Connecticut Huskies looks for running room while in the first half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 17: Victor Rosa #22 of the Connecticut Huskies looks for running room while in the first half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

6. Connecticut

Has UConn turned its program around after last year’s 6-7 season under head coach Jim Mora? The ACC has already gone after the remnants of the Big East with programs like Louisville, Boston College, Pitt, and Syracuse, and it would add a big-time basketball member if they invited the Huskies. The men’s program has won a staggering five national titles since 1999, including last spring’s crown to cap March Madness.

While the Northeast U.S. isn’t exactly a college football hotbed, it’s a huge TV market and it would solidify its presence in the New York City area — and the league is interested in that, considering that it has hosted several conference basketball tournaments at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in recent years.

By combining the best of the Big East with its own storied basketball tradition, adding UConn would give the ACC a better way to take the mantle of the best men’s basketball conference in the country.

While the football results have been pretty bare, there’s legitimate hope that the Huskies can turn that around and bounce back from being one of the worst FBS programs. The team won at least eight games in each season of a four-year stretch from 2007 to 2010, which culminated with a Fiesta Bowl appearance. Getting those kinds of results now might make UConn a worthy addition — if the Big 12 doesn’t court the Huskies first.

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