The next big domino to fall in conference realignment was Stanford. Where would the Cardinal land after Oregon and Washington moved to the Big Ten and the Four Corners schools moved to the Big 12? The Pac-12 splintered and died, leaving behind anarchy in college sports realignment and forcing Stanford and Cal to scramble for an alternative solution.
More than a week ago, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mike Silver was first with the news that Stanford, Cal and SMU were likely headed to the ACC. Other outlets then confirmed the story.
Reaction was swift and opinionated, as you could readily imagine.
Then came Friday morning’s report from Ross Dellenger that Stanford, Cal, and SMU had been voted into the ACC. The 11-4 vote blocking the move — the ACC needed 12 votes to approve — did not hold the line. One concession was all it took.
It’s final: ACC presidents have approved expansion to add Stanford, Cal and SMU, sources tell @YahooSports, ending a month-long saga into an issue that divided the league.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 1, 2023
Let’s look at some of the more salient points about the ACC’s situation, Stanford and Cal’s new reality, the SMU angle, and the unfortunate turn of events for Oregon State and Washington State, which now represent the Pac-2 and will almost certainly have to settle for some sort of arrangement with the Mountain West Conference: