THE MORNING CONSTITUTIONAL REJECTS LABELS

Like most binary distinctions, "conference" and "non-conference" has become a set of labels that fails to include every possibility. And, finally, progressive institutions like the ACC are rejecting those strict categories in favor of a more open-minded approach. Maybe you had a thing for NC State in college, but it was just a phase and you're not really into that anymore. Maybe you're happy in a Coastal relationship but want to, within the confines of a trusting and open scheduling format, explore your Atlantic side. Maybe you're interested in having a no-conference-strings-attached evening with Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson is fine with that, and he'll leave quietly without asking what this "means" and if you're "rivals" now. (Be warned - his triple option is not for the shy or squeamish. His Craigslist post is very clear on that point.)

What consenting teams do in the privacy of their own Friday night games on ESPNU isn't something the rest of us get to judge. It's just football, and if it makes you happy to be an ACC opponent sometimes and a non-conference one others, that's fine. Embracing your own scheduling is a powerful and beautiful thing, not a sin.

Unless you intentionally schedule UVA. HE NASTY AND INTO THAT FURRY SHIT.