Clemson football: Surprise teams the ACC should target

Maybe the ACC could look to expand with up-and-comers

Maybe we as Clemson football fans don’t see the ACC go out and get a ‘big splash.’ Maybe the conference doesn’t like West Virginia and perhaps it doesn’t have enough prestige to bring in Notre Dame.

Then again, maybe the ACC brings in the Fighting Irish and looks at an up-and-comer to add in the mix:

• UCF
• Appalachian State
• Cincinnati
• Coastal Carolina

Coastal Carolina has been trending upwards and maybe the Chanticleers have what it takes to take the next step?

UCF and Cincinnati have both been consistently trending in the right direction as programs and it’s clear that they’d be open to joining a conference that would give them a greater chance at making the CFB Playoff, especially as it presumably expands to 12 teams.

We do think that looking at an up-and-comer might be the most likely outcome for the ACC- should the conference decide to add member institutions- but does that really help conference prestige?

Even if Coastal Carolina is ranked inside the top-25. Do you really believe that Wake Forest vs. Coastal Carolina is going to get priority television time over Texas vs. Kentucky or Oklahoma vs. Vanderbilt? We’re not so sure.

Perhaps none of these surprise targets make much sense, but the ACC has to think outside of the box if it wants to stay relevant.

The SEC is making power moves in the biggest way and there is plenty of rumblings going on elsewhere, as well. If the conference wants to remain a major part of College Football, it has to explore all of its options and make some major moves in the very near future.