Clemson football: How ACC factors into conference realignment

Clemson football fans will have their eyes heavily fixated on the potential conference realignment changes that could be coming in the future.

Reports are surfacing that both Texas and Oklahoma are interested in leaving the Big 12 to join the SEC. While both schools have flirted with the idea of leaving the conference before, there does seem to be some traction here that could lead to a potential change that would set the College Football world on fire if it were to actually happen.

The idea of four ‘super conferences’ is becoming a talking point again and there’s no doubt that there are major implications for the Clemson football program if this were to become a reality.

How the ACC factors into conference realignment and what it means for Clemson football

We’ve heard some Clemson fans talk about the potential that the Tigers could join the SEC, as well, if Texas and Oklahoma were to be added.

While you can’t throw anything out as a possibility, it certainly doesn’t seem likely that the SEC- who’d already have 16 members- would be interested in adding even more, especially when you consider the massive buy-out the Tigers would have to pay to get out of the ACC.

So, how does the ACC factor into conference realignment?

If the SEC were to add two powers like Texas and Oklahoma, the ACC would have to reciprocate in some way to stay relevant. You simply can’t have a conference with 16 teams- that already garners way too much respect- and not expect that your conference isn’t going to take a hit if you don’t add, as well.

So, who might some of those potential additions be for the ACC?

• Notre Dame
• West Virginia
• Oklahoma State
• TCU
• UCF

If the Big 12 loses Texas and Oklahoma, you’ve got to believe other conference members will be looking to bail.

West Virginia is the easy answer here as the Mountaineers have been tied to the ACC in realignment discussions for more than a decade, but the ACC could also take a look a little more out west- if it so chose- and see about an Oklahoma State or TCU. Though that wouldn’t fit with the regional geography of the conference, those are two athletic departments that have proven success and could bring a lot to the conference.

In addition to looking towards the Big 12 for potential additions, the ACC could make yet another pitch to Notre Dame– who is already a part-time member in football- in hopes that the Irish might changes their minds. Finally, there’s the option of looking towards the Group of 5- particularly a program on the rise like UCF might be of interest- for the conference to add to its group.

If you’re going to go the super conference route, it’s going to be tough to compete against the SEC if it were to add Texas and Oklahoma. That being said, the ACC still has to find a way to remain relevant and that means making the moves necessary to add conference members.