As the college football offseason calendar turns toward the summer months, there is an ongoing battle between the Atlantic Coast Conference and seven of its member institutions.
With conference realignment becoming a popular topic again, seven ACC programs: Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, are exploring the option of leaving the conference for greener pastures. One of the items in the way of those programs going freely is the grant of rights contract that runs until 2036.
13 years seems like a long time to wait for the contract to expire, and that is why the “secret seven” have worked to develop a new model that benefits the leagues’ programs for postseason success. Programs within the league to have won one title or more over the last ten years include Clemson football, Florida State softball, and North Carolina basketball. If such restructuring fails to arise, those seven programs could find new homes.
Because of this, Brad Crawford of 247Sports has played a hypothetical game of “Where will they go?” He has taken the seven schools at the forefront of this movement and has examined which conference best fits their needs.
Which of the seven has the best chance to make it into the SEC? Here’s a look at Crawford’s takes.