Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Frank Harris #0 of the UTSA Roadrunners look to pass the ball against the Troy Trojans /d3 of the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Frank Harris #0 of the UTSA Roadrunners look to pass the ball against the Troy Trojans /d3 of the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

5. University of Texas-San Antonio

This expansion idea is a little more out-of-the-box for the ACC. But, making inroads into Texas would be a huge addition for the league, and there’s no doubt that the Roadrunners would jump at the chance to join a power conference.

UTSA is a new program, having played its first season ever in 2011 as an FCS independent under then-head coach Larry Coker. The Roadrunners have compiled their best two seasons in program history in the past two years, going a combined 23-5 and finishing in the 2022 AP Top 25.

An ascendant program, UTSA is moving on from the Conference USA to the American this fall. San Antonio is a great destination city, the recruiting pipelines are there for the ACC to take advantage of, and the media market is large. It’s a different demographic for the ACC, but in the name of expanding your geographic footprint for better media rights deals, it’s a move that could pay off down the road.

The Roadrunners would be the ACC’s best way to move to the Lone Star State. Given that the Big 12 just added Houston and that SMU lacks upside, UTSA would be a future-looking addition for the league.

Home/College Football News