As we get set for the 2023 college football season, once again realignment in athletics has taken center stage. Last year it was USC and UCLA leaving for the Big Ten. Now, Oregon and Washington have followed as they are heading for the conference as well.
In a matter of hours last week the Pac-12 crumbled as Arizona, Utah and Arizona State made their move to join the Big 12. And now a few conferences are left in limbo.
It’s no secret that the college landscape is totally different now with the Big Ten and SEC adding these teams. But what about the ACC? Florida State has expressed interest in leaving the conference, hoping to get out after a dispute with revenue.
And just a few months ago a report of seven teams, including the Seminoles, wanting to leave the conference broke as well. As for North Carolina, Bubba Cunningham has reassured the athletic department that they are staying in the ACC for now.
One thing we have learned through all of this is that it’s moving fast and anything can happen. With that, we took a look at each ACC team’s best and ideal fit for conference realignment if they were to try and leave the conference.
Boston College
Nov 20, 2021; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec (5) runs against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: Big Ten
Realistic landing spot: Outside of Big Ten/ACC
Boston College has a market in terms of TV but both the basketball and football programs are struggling going into 2023. How much of a draw would they actually be? I can’t imagine it’s much.
Clemson
Sep 28, 2019; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney, left, and North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown talk before their teams play at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: SEC
Clemson has shown they can compete with the top teams in college football out of the SEC. With a championship program, the Tigers make a lot of sense to join the SEC. And that would be awesome for football.
Duke
Feb 15, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils associate head coach Jon Scheyer gestures during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: Big Ten
Realistic landing spot: Big Ten
Duke is a HUGE basketball brand that will attract the attention of both conferences. The question will be whether or not they split up with North Carolina, their arch-rival. I think it makes sense for Duke to join the Big Ten, especially basketball-wise.
Florida State
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell conducts warm-ups in Doak Campbell Stadium before the Garnet and Gold spring game kickoff Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Fsu Spring Game144
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: SEC
Florida State has made it clear that they want out of the ACC and are exploring options. The only conference that makes sense is the SEC.
Georgia Tech
Nov 11, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot Buzz performs during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: Big Ten
Realistic landing spot: ACC
Location, location, location. That’s what Georgia Tech has to offer. They do have a rivalry game against Georgia each year and moving back to the SEC would make sense as well. However, the Bulldogs rule the SEC in the state and maybe staying put is the best option.
Louisville
U of L head coach Kenny Payne reacts to a busted play against Virginia during their game at the Yum Center in Louisville, Ky. on Feb. 15, 2023.
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Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: SEC
The Cardinals are a good fit for the SEC with location and their two big programs. They have a basketball program that has a rich history and a football program that is on the rise. It makes sense for them to end up in the SEC and it’s their best fit.
Miami
Nov 12, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal celebrates after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: SEC
Another big brand in the state of Florida, the Hurricanes are in a similar situation as the Seminoles. The football program is going to attract the SEC while their basketball program will be a bonus. The SEC is likely adding two more programs from the Sunshine State.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s Hubert Davis works in the second half of the Peacocks’ 69-49 loss to UNC in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Ncaa Basketball Ncaa Tournament Saint Peter S Vs Unc Saint Peter S At Unc
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: Big Ten
Getting into the SEC would be more profitable for North Carolina who has one of the biggest brands in all of college sports. Backed by its Blue Blood basketball program, UNC is a premier target for either major conference. For this, I’m leaning towards basketball and the Big Ten as the spot UNC would land. We should note that Bubba Cunningham has stated that the plan is to stay in the ACC, for now.
NC State
Feb 12, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 71-69. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: Outside of Big Ten/ACC
Like Wake Forest, the Wolfpack aren’t in that top tier in the ACC and could find themselves on the outside looking in for realignment. The football program is expected to have a big year in 2023 but a Pac-12/ACC merger might be the best bet for them as well.
Pitt
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi (left) and North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown (right) meet at mid-field before their teams play at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: Big Ten
Realistic landing spot: Outside looking in
Pitt is an interesting one. They have a market there in Pittsburgh but with Penn State in the Big Ten, would it work? Ideally, the Panthers land in that conference and the rivalry lives on with the Nittany Lions.
Syracuse
Dec 7, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; General view of the Syracuse logo outside of the George R. Iocolano and William C. Petty Football Wing in Manley Field House on the campus of Syracuse University following a press conference to introduce Dino Babers (not pictured) as the new head coach. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: Big Ten
Realistic landing spot: Big Ten
The Big Ten is the best landing spot for Syracuse who offers a big market and a historic basketball program. This is a match for both sides and could be more beneficial if the Orange’s football program gets better. This one almost feels too obvious.
Virginia
Feb 12, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett reacts on the bench against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: Big Ten
The Cavaliers make a lot of sense for both the Big Ten and SEC in realignment. Moreso the Big Ten just because of the basketball program’s success. However, there are some rumblings that the SEC would target the Cavaliers if they were to leave the ACC.
Virginia Tech
Dec 29, 2021; New York, NY, USA; A detailed view of the New York Yankees logo on the helmet of a Virginia Tech Hokies player in the first half during the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against the Maryland Terrapins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: SEC
The Hokies would have a case for joining the SEC especially if their rival Virginia goes as well. However, they aren’t a program that will catch eyes in realignment talk among the top teams in the ACC.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrate after defeating Rutgers 38-10 in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in December.
Ideal landing spot: SEC
Realistic landing spot: Outside of Big Ten/SEC.
In reality, it’s hard seeing the Big Ten or SEC actually pursuing Wake Forest if they were to leave the ACC. Their best bet would be staying in a new-look ACC.
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August 08, 2023 at 12:04AM
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Each ACC program's best and ideal fit for conference realignment - Tar Heels Wire
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