California’s Fernando Mendoza and Stanford’s Ashton Daniels, quarterbacks for rival football programs in California, have found themselves in a new partnership in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Last summer, they experienced the unsettling feeling of watching the Pac-12 conference disintegrate, leaving their schools briefly without a home. However, they are now representing their programs at preseason football media days in the ACC, as part of the conference’s effort to become a coast-to-coast superconference.
The move to the ACC required a new scheduling model for the football-playing members, with Cal and Stanford facing each other as annual opponents to protect their longstanding rivalry known as the “Big Game.” This transition has brought about changes in travel plans, with both teams now making frequent cross-country flights to play games in the Eastern Time Zone.
In order to adjust to the new travel demands, Stanford and Cal coaches have decided to travel on Thursdays to give players extra acclimation time. They are also making arrangements for comfortable travel, with the Bears opting for the “biggest plane that Delta makes” with lie-down seating. Despite the challenges of traveling long distances for games, players are embracing the opportunity to compete in a new conference and view it as preparation for the next level, drawing parallels to the NFL.
The ACC’s expansion is part of a strategic effort to close the revenue gap with other power conferences like the Big Ten and SEC. While the move to the ACC initially means reduced payouts for Cal and Stanford, they are expected to gradually increase over the years until they receive a full-member share. The ACC’s expansion is projected to generate significant revenue gains through its current ESPN deal, with most of the money going to existing ACC members.
The road to joining the ACC has not been without its challenges, as the conference faced opposition from some member schools and legal disputes from others. Despite the initial hurdles, Cal and Stanford are excited to be part of the ACC and look forward to competing against new teams in the conference. The move marks a significant shift in the college football landscape and signals a new chapter for both California schools in their athletic programs.
As the upcoming football season unfolds, fans and players alike will witness the culmination of months of planning and preparation for the cross-country journeys that lie ahead. With a spirit of resilience and determination, Cal and Stanford are ready to take on the challenges of playing in a new conference and embracing the opportunities that come with it.