If the ACC allows ND to be a partial member without an agreed upon path to full membership then VT could get stuck in football mediocrity for a very long time. If ND agrees to play six ACC schools and this keeps VT in the ACC then the other major conferences likely expand without VT. If ND then backs out at a later date, or does not renew a contract then the ACC has few options to improve their product. The bloggers sound ridiculous when they talk about the "death" of the ACC, but a slow decline is likely without a bolstering either by success on the field or major additions in tradition and market share.

My concern from the beginning of this mess was that VT would be stuck due to politics, perceived loyalty, or outright deception in a weakened ACC. I know Big East fans were hopeful that partial membership for ND would one day become full membership. I would hate for the ACC to make the same mistake.