Appy will never be in the ACC. No way the big 4 would ever let that happen. They never let ECU in, even when they were beating ACC teams regularly, so why would they let Appy in? No other team from NC will ever get in the ACC.
You are correct, but moving to FBS has been positive. The Sun Belt's bowl games are indeed underwhelming at this time, but wins over both Carolinas helps offset that...big time. Not that either was such a good team to beat this year, but just being able to schedule them and others like them makes the Texas States, South Alabamas, ULMs and crappy bowl opponents worthwhile. A lot of us old timers really miss you guys.