Greg McElroy reveals SEC, Big Ten and ACC's No. 1 target in conference realignment

Greg McElroy revealed the top conference realignment target for the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC: long-time college football independent Notre Dame, which could be close to finally joining a conference given the state of TV contracts.

"The No. 1 team that they would target would be Notre Dame. Notre Dame by a mile," McElroy said on Always College Football (h/t College Football HQ). "Notre Dame is everyone's No. 1. Now, like I said, would that be repetitive in the state of Indiana? You already have Indiana and you already have Purdue? Doesn't matter. You want Notre Dame. That's the No. 1 target for not just the Big Ten. That's the No. 1 target to the ACC, the No. 1 target for the SEC."

McElroy took it several steps further, believing that even Group of 5 conferences on the west coast should be pursuing the Fighting Irish.

"If Notre Dame decides to join a conference, everyone will throw their hat in the ring," McElroy prefaced before saying, "If I were the Mountain West, I'd throw my hat in the ring if Notre Dame were really invested in trying to become a member of a conference somewhere else, I would say Notre Dame is No. 1."

Will Notre Dame join the SEC, Big Ten, or ACC?

College football analyst and radio host Greg Swaim tabbed the Big Ten as the most likely landing spot, while CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd said on his Inside ND Sports: Notre Dame football podcast that Notre Dame and UNC are the most likely additions to the SEC

The ACC, with FSU and Clemson having one foot out the door already, can be singlehandedly revived by a Notre Dame football addition -- Notre Dame is already a member of the conference in other sports -- but the Fighting Irish may want to chase the bigger paydays in the sport's Power 2, the Big Ten and SEC.

Geographically, the Big Ten makes the most sense. From a historic rivalry standpoint, the Big Ten is also the best choice.

Nothing is close to decided, but the Big Ten should be seen as the frontrunner for the Fighting Irish until something substantial comes out regarding the SEC's interest.