Excuse the Juice Pun, But the Big East Is Trippin’

Our newest weekly feature, the “Enemies List” gives a rightful place of ire to individuals who wronged ACC football in some way, shape or form. The inspiration for this practice? Why, President Richard Nixon, of course, who spent tons of time being paranoid people were out to get him. Obviously, the ACC can relate given the current state of things…

ACC Enemies List, Week of June 4

1. Tom Odjakjian, associate commissioner, Big East: “OJ” as Syracuse AD Darryl Gross points out in his now-infamous “reply all” memo, is one several individuals that screwed over the Orange in the SEC/Big East tournament debacle late last week. No, it has nothing to do with football, but it’s a black-eye for the entire school in some ways. Just when we thought we were getting away from all the “traitorous” rhetoric, we’re now right back to it — all because Syracuse wanted to be kept in the loop and asked about scheduling matters for its own team? Please.

2. Jim Delany, commissioner, Big Ten: Now Delany’s not the only culprit here, but his complete 180 on a playoff proposal and contradictory hard-line support of a committee is just throwing more controversy into this whole thing. Most important here is the committee part, though. How do you make a controversial system more controversial? By removing the impartial element (computers) and polls from the media (at least mildly objective), and replace them with former coaches of the very teams they’ll be judging. Obviously, this isn’t set in stone, but the last thing we need is more of Bobby Bowden, waxing poetic about watching games on his iPad. Continue reading →