College Football Playoff field basically just clinched FSU, Clemson leaving the ACC

FSU went 13-0, winning its ACC Championship matchup against Louisville in ugly fashion, only to be left out of the College Football Playoff field in favor of a one-loss SEC Champion (Alabama) and a one-loss Big 12 Champion (Texas); the latter of which is leaving their conference next season.

So why is FSU in the ACC again? And by that logic, why would Clemson remain in a conference that couldn’t even get its undefeated champion to the College Football Playoff?

They shouldn’t. This decision by the College Football Playoff committee may as well have just clinched FSU and Clemson leaving the ACC for the SEC at some point. Perhaps some point very soon.

Unjust College Football Playoff field can push FSU and Clemson to make good on threats to leave ACC for SEC or Big Ten

It was not long ago that Greg Swaim of Greg Swaim Sports reported that FSU and Clemson were set to announce their decision to leave the ACC for either the SEC or the Big Ten.

“BREAKING: There will be teams announcing exits from the ACC, possibly before the end of 2023,” Swaim prefaced before saying, “Most notably FSU and Clemson, but UNC, UVA, The U, and others are coveted by the Big Ten and/or the SEC, while the Big 12 (is) looking at (Louisville), NC State, VT, and Pitt, among others.”

Regarding Miami, The U reportedly has eyes on essentially any Power Five (Three?) conference that isn’t the ACC.

“(Miami to the Big 12 is) certainly a possibility, but my Miami source feels certain they’ll get either an offer from the B1G or SEC,” Swaim prefaced before saying, “I’m not so sure.”

What we should all be sure of is that FSU no longer has any reason to stay in the ACC, and neither does Clemson, or any school that wants their achievements to be taken seriously even with the College Football Playoff field expanding to 12 in 2024 and beyond.