Let’s leave 2025 for a minute and look at our 2031 SEC Expansion Wishlist. That seems like the new date for the next round of conference realignment. The ACC secured a temporary reprieve from its execution sentence. The new agreement put an end to the internal disputes and power struggles between Florida State, Clemson, and the ACC conference offices. The financial penalty for leaving the conference has been significantly reduced as part of the settlement. While the grant of rights remains in effect until 2036, starting next year, the exit fee will be $165 million. This fee will decrease by $18 million annually, reaching $75 million by the 2030-31 season. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips hailed the agreement as a victory for conference unity.
“Today’s resolution begins the next chapter of this storied league and further solidifies the ACC as a premier conference.” Phillips said.”The settlements and the ACC’s continued partnership with ESPN allow us to focus on our collective future — including Clemson and Florida State — united in an 18-member conference demonstrating the best in intercollegiate athletics.”
That is wishful thinking at best. The Doomsday Clock has now been set in motion. It is no longer a matter of if but when the ACC will go the way of the Big 12, Pac-12, and other conferences ripped apart by conference realignment. The ACC’s loss stands to be the SEC’s game. Before the ACC crumbles, let’s take a look at the 2031 SEC Expansion wishlist.
SEC Tailgate Talk: 2031 SEC Expansion Wishlist
When putting together our wishlist, we broke the ACC down into categories. Category one is Hard Pass. These schools don’t move the needle in the ACC now; what could they possibly bring to the SEC? The second category is the ACC schools within the SEC footprint. These schools already have a rivalry, but do they really have enough to intrigue or entice the SEC to bring them into the family? Notre Dame gets its own category because, although it is “Independent,” it does have a pretty intertwined relationship with the SEC. At the end of the article, we will provide you with the #1 team on our wishlist. You thought Texas and Oklahoma were big. Hold onto your hats…
Hard Pass
Teams:
- Boston College
- Cal
- Duke
- North Carolina State
- Southern Methodist University
- Stanford
- Syracuse
- Virginia Tech
- Wake Forest
Insights:
This is half of the current ACC. Outside of Syracuse, none of these schools really carry the banner as their state’s preeminent collegiate institution. Cal and Stanford were discarded and bought on clearance when the Pac-12 disbanded. BC and Syracuse belong back in the Big East rather than the Southeastern Conference. SMU has ponied up and bought their way into the P4. But let’s be honest: the SEC doesn’t need a third Texas school, especially one that small. NC State and Va Tech will look great in the Big 12 or whatever is left of the ACC after the next round of expansion. Same for Duke and Wake Forest, maybe the new look ACC or the Big 12’s focus on basketball will be useful.
Schools within the SEC Footprint
Teams:
- Louisville
- Clemson
- Florida State
- Georgia Tech
- Louisville
- Miami “The U”
Insights:
Six schools in the ACC are already located within the SEC footprint. Many have annual or existing relationships within the SEC, making it seemingly a smoother fit and transition. But, looking at the list, ask yourself: what teams really get you that excited? Georgia has no shortage of Clean, Old Fashioned Hate for the Wramblin’ Wreck, but they hardly seem a fit. Louisville seemed like it was ready to cook athletically, but now it seems a better fit in the Big 12 or new-look ACC.
Miami and Florida State have gotten a lot of buzz, but it’s hardly 1990 anymore. There is plenty of buzz and sizzle around both programs but very little steak. Look at the issues that Oklahoma has had in its transition to the SEC. The Sooners were dominant and excelled in the Big 12. Florida State and Miami have spent more time running their mouths than accomplishing anything on the field.
Clemson makes the most sense—sorry, South Carolina. Their fan base and athletic department are adjacent to the SEC. They may still struggle in the transition, but they would be a much more natural fit in the SEC than any of the other five teams.
New Footprints
Teams:
- North Carolina
- Virginia
Insights:
North Carolina and Virginia are interesting. They are shiny and pretty; they are also desired greatly by the Big Ten and Tony Petitti. Adding both schools would expand the footprint, but in reality, it may be more like adding another Vanderbilt. A high-achieving academic school that struggles to put out a football team that can compete on a year-in and year-out basis. At question for Greg Sankey is: what is the value of real estate? SEC games in North Carolina and Virginia help to expand the footprint and establish a consistent foothold in new territories. For this, we may take a flyer and take both teams. This acquisition, though, would be based on fair and equal compensation from a media rights deal. Neither school merits a current SEC school “giving up” money to bring in Carolina or UVA.
Notre Dame
Here come the Irish? Wait, aren’t we talking about the ACC? Notre Dame is not “technically” in the ACC in football. They have a scheduling alliance, playing at least five ACC schools a year. Notre Dame is an Independent, and the bet on itself paid out this year. They hosted the first-ever home playoff game this year. South Bend brought in $20+ million in revenue just from that game. The payout for making the national championship didn’t have to be divided with anyone and basically paid their “House Settlement” revenue share with players coming up. Notre Dame is also able to have a seat at the table for discussions around the Playoff and is given just as much voice as the ACC or Big 12 when it comes to making decisions.
Still, it begs the question: should Notre Dame join the SEC? This feels like a segment that turns into an afternoon conversation on Finebaum. The short and long answer is No. From Notre Dame’s perspective, it just doesn’t add up. Assuming their power and financial agreements around the playoff continue, the Irish have no reason to move. From the SEC’s perspective, Notre Dame again would be a nice to have. They have a passionate fan base, an athletic department with plenty of money, and is a TV ratings juggernaut. Sankey won’t beg or ask Notre Dame to join, he just has to wait. Like he did with Texas and Oklahoma.
#1 on the 2031 SEC Expansion Wishlist
Let’s go big game hunting. If the SEC wants to make a statement with an addition in 2031. They don’t have to look to the ACC or South Bend. Instead, their sights should be set on Ohio State. Yep, you read that right. What school outside the SEC is most like the SEC? Ohio State. The Big Ten media rights agreement with Fox comes up in 2030. If the SEC is going to tip the scales in conference realignment and truly make the best conference, then the gangster move is to bring Ohio State into the SEC. More than Clemson, North Carolina, or Virginia, Ohio State would set the SEC on its own. Is it a long shot? Yep. But, we aren’t counting out Sankey. It Just Means More.
Main Image: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
